There aren’t many eBay Trading Assistants in the world, but visiting David Brackin of Stuff U Sell in his 16,000 square foot warehouse today, shows that the Trading Assistant business model is still alive.
Trading Assistants have traditionally been a tricky model to get right, not least because you’re reliant on the stock that comes through the door for your profits. David founded Stuff U Sell in 2004 and now employs 16 full time members of staff to run the business. Stuff U Sell is the UK’s largest Trading Assistant and one of the longest established still trading on eBay.
He has a mix of individuals clearing out unwanted personal possessions and unwanted Christmas gifts as well as businesses either disposing of excess stock or simply looking for an additional channel to market.
Trading Assistants give both the public and businesses access to the eBay marketplace but without the hassle. Anyone who has tried to list on eBay will be familiar with the intricacies of choosing a category, a title, item specifics, buyer preferences, shipping costs, return policies, photographing the item and then answering questions from buyers.
Using a Trading Assistant comes at a cost, typically with Stuff U Sell, 35% of the sale price plus VAT, but it also removes all of the storage and shipping issues as well as generally achieving a higher price.
The higher price generally comes from doing the basics really well – superb photography, great descriptions and professional looking listings, combined with an established trading account, good feedback and Top Rated Seller status.
If you’re a full time eBay seller you won’t ever have need of a Trading Assistant, but if you’re looking to dispose of a few valuable items or some excess inventory and you’re not already set up on eBay than a Trading Assistant is almost certainly worth considering.
David’s Top Seven Tips for choosing a Trading Assistant
- Check your Trading Assistant’s eBay reputation and feedback
- Choose a trading assistant who can collect, store and ship your items for you
- Make sure your Trading Assistant is knowledgeable about the type of products you want to sell
- Make sure your Trading Assistant is a full time business so that they care about getting the best possible price as fast as possible
- Make sure that your chosen trading assistant thinks your items are worth selling – do they have a minimum charge per item or per consignment
- Check out your Trading Assistant’s terms and conditions, know what their charges are, when they’ll pay you for sold items and how any returns from buyers will be handled.
- Visit your Trading Assistant’s premises and check their insurance before handing over your valuable possessions
3 Responses
The ” Top Seven Tips for choosing a Trading Assistant” by David is so practical, and they are really do some assistance for us in choosing a trading assistant.
Wish you continued success David, looks like a business on the up, well done.
When I’m ready to sell my collection of Jimmy Choo’s I know who I will call. I’m sure the the featured listing will be flying out of your warehouse in the post festive season months.
Happy and prosperous New Year to all.