Product Description

You can't make money on eBay unless you've got stuff to sell. Here's how (and where) to get it.

The chief concerns of any retail operation are where to get inventory and how to get the best prices and terms. These are ongoing business challenges that apply as much to eBay sellers as to traditional retailers. eBay Inventory the Smart Way is the first book to look exclusively at the most profitable strategies for finding reliable suppliers and marketable products. Readers will learn how to:

* form relationships with wholesalers and obtain dealer status * finance purchases, manage inventory better, and use just-in-time delivery strategies * increase profits with drop shipping and co-op advertising * deal directly with manufacturers and wholesalers, "work" trade shows, and take advantage of trade organizations * research product sales potential, buy closeout merchandise, and tap into pawnbrokers' inventories * and even buy inventory on eBay

eBay Inventory the Smart Way covers more than 25 inventory sources and tells how to profit from each. Whether buying in bulk, sourcing one item at a time, or establishing a powerful inventory management system, both established online retailers and newcomers will find this book indispensable.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #448097 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

About the Author
JOSEPH T. SINCLAIR (Vallejo, CA) is the author or coauthor of eBay the Smart Way, eBay Business the Smart Way, Building Your eBay Traffic the Smart Way, and other books in the eBay the Smart Way series. JEREMY HANKS (Orem, UT) is cofounder and principal of WholesaleMarketer, which provides product sourcing services for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Customer Reviews

Helps put a specific perspective on eBay business, but not much to work with.
This book is a decent overall, 1000 ft view of options for acquiring inventory to sell on eBay. It presents the 'you should consider' rather than the 'step one, step two', which is fair seeing that no one answer can fit all.

Granted, this wasn't intended to give you a list of manufacturers, wholesalers, or even a comprehensive list of online services; but just when you think something tangible (as opposed to purely conceptual) is about to appear on the next page, you get a 'not within the scope of this book' or 'buy our other book XYZ for that info' Also be warned of the DOBA ads threaded throughout this book (one of the authors is the CEO)

One 'tangible' piece of info I couldve used is in the area of importing. The book goes into the general process of working with manufacturers and wholesalers. You'd think getting the inventory is a considerable aspect of managing inventory, however the book simply recommends contacting a customs broker and stops. Then points to another one of their books for $24.95.

On top of it all, there had to have been at least 50 pages in this book created out of pure repetition. There were a number of places I thought I had reread, only to notice it had been covered multiple times. The unorthodox organization of the book helped lead to this, fat margins, etc, but I'm sure its no accident..a 250 pager sells more copies.

Decent book, but not well executed. I definitely will not consider any other publication in the series.

A Must Have for Newbies and Vets Alike
Having read other books in the "eBay the Smart Way" series, I knew that this would be an easy read.

I've sourced product for my eBay business several different ways, and Sinclair & Hanks lay the business out plain and simple in a very easy-to-understand manner.

As a businessman, I'm always on the lookout for new and viable product sources. But when you discover something new, you don't ever want to go in looking like the "new kid on the block." This book will give you the knowledge needed to help prevent that, and stave off the first time jitters so you can investigate new sources with confidence.

I expect this book will be one that I find myself referring to often.

Best book, so far, on subject
I received this book and was very impressed with the straight forward information the authors provided. It was very helpful to me and I found myself creating exciting new ideas as I was reading it. That's a well written book IMHO. I've read many books on the subject and have to say that I believe this is the best book on the subject available today.