Ebay store (Canada)

[saadman]

Hey guys, looking for your opinion here.

I'm thinking of starting a small side business on ebay selling video games and related items. Now from my experience, I know selling on ebay from Canada doesn't yield as much as interest as if someone was selling from the United States.

I was just wondering if you think there would be enough interest in it from Canadians (cannot rely solely on US business) to make it a viable business. It would certainly be in your better interest when it came to shipping and taxes (wouldn't have to worry about customs charges). Also would be nice to have another alternative for a place to shop besides the regular (and limited) Canadian online retail stores.

Furthermore, I like to think I know enough about releases of niche games that usually aren't carried by all stores (i.e. Persona 3, Growlanser etc...).

Anyhow, just a basic premise, but looking for some input. Thanks.

[Skardee]

I'd definitely support it.

[majio]

Me too contact me I have some good knowledgne on selling on ebay.

[Lone_Prodigy]

I'd definitely support it.

+1 More options can't hurt.

[saadman]

Thanks for the support guys. I'm looking at my options right now. Hopefully get something setup sometime in the summer I'm thinking?

[lawlflip]

That's a great idea!

Do you plan on selling older video game stuff, or just the current gen?

[slugbug]

As long as you don't overcharge on shipping like some ebay stores do, you should do fine.

[ikariwarriors]

it is a good idea you have and i hope you do well with it, as long as the shipping doesn't cost too much. i don't know that i'd be interested in buying personally, though, as we have a couple stores locally that deal in that kind of stuff.

[Hovercraft]

Id be interested

[elevature]

I'd be interested, especially if you were able to sell niche/out of print titles, like Atlus stuff that is impossible to find in B&M stores.

[saadman]

I would be doing primarily current gen items. If I come across deals on last-gen stuff, definitely would put them up there.

Also would consider getting items on request for some (obviously for CAGs)

From an experienced ebayer I know shipping has become heavily overblown. Nothing to worry with that, it will be more than reasonable.

I'll make a note of those who have posted (and further posters) and will send out more info as this progresses.

[Frendo]

I'd be interested for sure.

[maigoyume]

I'm in as well, especially since i no longer shop at EB

[gamer602]

I'm in as well, especially since i no longer shop at EB
what happened?
comeon tell us your story.

[magiic]

what happened?
comeon tell us your story.

I bet he finally saw the light.:applause::applause::applause:

As for the store idea, I may be interested too.

[maigoyume]

its not that i don't like the employees there, its just how they gouge the prices on EVERYTHING, gutted games, resealed games that have obviously been opened before

i mean the trade 3 for 1 promotions are great and all, but the developers don't make ANY money off of the games if you trade for them, its like how they don't make anything off of used games, whereas EB takes all the profit and the ones who spent years creating the games get the shaft

[SickBoy]

I don't get what the last poster's saying. The developer gets paid for a game whether it's traded 1 for 3 or sold for $60. Sure, EB just sends them one of the three discs, but it's still payment (NOTE: This last sentence was a joke).


Anyhow, as for the store, good luck... it's an interesting idea, but I honestly doubt there will be much profit in it. I guess it depends on how you're supplied, etc., but I would suspect that you'll see a few bucks a game, not a lot of volume and possibly more than a few headaches.

Just thought I'd inject a counter opinion. if you do decide to do it, I hope it works well for you, I simply want to caution that I don't think it's a slam dunk, or even a mid-range jumper.

Since we're talking about evil corporations, too, I think eBay is pretty high on the list given the way they continue to dig deeper into sellers' pockets (never mind their double dipping with Paypal... a service I've never had a problem with outside of fees and crappy exchange rates, but I've heard all the horror stories). Their latest round of changes to their fees and regulations pretty much put me over the edge, and I'll be happy if I never sell anything there again, even though its an easy place to sell and I've got a flawless rating as a seller.

I'll probably still buy if I ever see a good deal, but then I'm still using Paypal.

IMO, there are two good companies operating in eBay's fold, and neither of them are part of the core business: Microplace (a microcredit investment company... not available in Canada - BOO) and Skype.

[Firestorm]

Developer gets the money regardless. EB paid money for that copy and the devs got the money. You just exchange your games for the game EB already paid money for. Devs just don't make money off used games and rentals.

[jeffx]

let's not get too off topic here guys.

saadman, if you stock up on rare/niche PS2/NDS/PSP games (Atlus, NIS, Agetec, XSeed...) _AND_ don't have dumb shipping fees (3-5$ / item is acceptable) then I'm all for it and WOULD buy from you.

leave your store URL here when you're ready.

[snowsquirrel]

Devs do make money off used games, just indirectly.

For example, you do 3-for-1 deal for TMNT, Mario, and Skate for Haze. Haze devs make money, because EB bought that game from them. TMNT, Mario, and Skate devs missout out (this time).

I get a lot more games now because of deals like this. I probably still spend the same amount of money, but I get more games. So I am more likely to get a peripheral title, as opposed only picking up the AAA titles. Thus more devs get money, verus just he big ticket devs getting money.

I also sell games I don't feel like collecting on eBay. I always use that money to buy new games. Again, this encourages me to buy many more games than before I started doing this.

Just like when the government spends money to make money: like building a road costs money, but it creates jobs, which intern makes more people spend money, generate more tax revenue... it is an indirect way of generating money. Yeah the payback might not be 1:1, but the benefit of having more roads outways what you don't recoup.

Also, people buying used at lower prices causes publishers to lower their prices to remain competitive with used prices. I don't miss the days when used store were rare, not to mention seedy/sketchy places that no one visited, and so you payed $80 for a retail NES cart. Publishers had to adjust their prices because of places like EBay.

It is the balance of the free market. If prices on new games averaged $25, then used shops (i.e., EB) would go out of business, as the convenience of buying new would outweigh the hassle of saving a small amount by waiting for used copies to be available, then dealing with eBay, or rounding up three games with a good TIV to trade in. Once the used shops were out of business, you can bet your ass that publishers would jack prices up to $90, which would bring back the used places. Balance.

I understand the argument against buying used. I just feel that it is not as black and white as some people state. Also note, that some of my arguments could be twisted and used to justify piracy. Piracy guarantees that the dev gets nothing, which invalidates all arguments.

~S

[maigoyume]

ah, looks like i was ignorant to that fact, thanks for the heads up. wasn't sure if dev's got the money from the sale

in any case i abhor piracy, one of the reasons i never bought a ps2, and some friends of mine "brag" about being able to get games before me for free, that just pushes me over the edge, stealing is one thing, but bragging about stealing, thats just low

[Jest]

Off topic much?

Anyway, I don't really see myself buying from an eBay store, or anywhere else online for that matter, if the prices (including shipping, taxes, PayPal, what-have-you) aren't significantly less then going out to a store and purchasing.

Best of luck if you decide to go through with it.

[SumDumRetard]

Hey guys, looking for your opinion here.

I'm thinking of starting a small side business on ebay selling video games and related items. Now from my experience, I know selling on ebay from Canada doesn't yield as much as interest as if someone was selling from the United States.

I was just wondering if you think there would be enough interest in it from Canadians (cannot rely solely on US business) to make it a viable business. It would certainly be in your better interest when it came to shipping and taxes (wouldn't have to worry about customs charges). Also would be nice to have another alternative for a place to shop besides the regular (and limited) Canadian online retail stores.

Furthermore, I like to think I know enough about releases of niche games that usually aren't carried by all stores (i.e. Persona 3, Growlanser etc...).

Anyhow, just a basic premise, but looking for some input. Thanks.

If all you are going to sell is niche games, don't bother unless it's a serious part time experience. I've found people typically will attempt to rip you off for less then reputable prices and selling only niche games means your earnings is seriously reduced. You would only be relying on the hardcore gamer which usually purchases the game from an actual store first hand. Just knowing about niche titles doesn't mean squat, you've got to consider how much you'd purchase the game versus how much profit you can expect after all the fees you will be charged. Just buying a new Atlus title and then charging ten dollars more is not going to work well.

On the other hand, if you are serious, be prepared to register your business and charge GST/PST to all Canadian customers. Revenue Canada has openly stated they will be targeting heavy eBay sellers and anyone with a store that hasn't declared your revenue, you can expect an audit someday.

I'm not trying to put down the idea but understand there's a lot more to opening a store then just listing popular old games, there are a lot of dedicated people who do nothing but stay on eBay 24/7 and find the cheapest games and then resell them for higher profits. Your best bet is to keep this limited and do auctions unless you plan on cruising local stores for stock on a daily basis, it takes some serious dedication considering eBay fees, PayPal fees and the income you will have to declare once you've got it all sorted out.

Best of luck.

[SumDumRetard]

its not that i don't like the employees there, its just how they gouge the prices on EVERYTHING, gutted games, resealed games that have obviously been opened before

i mean the trade 3 for 1 promotions are great and all, but the developers don't make ANY money off of the games if you trade for them, its like how they don't make anything off of used games, whereas EB takes all the profit and the ones who spent years creating the games get the shaft

What a ridiculous statement to make. Perish the thought that EB makes a profit on selling used inventory considering a good 30% of it will sit on store shelves until it gets liquidated for a fraction of the cost. Why don't you open a store and see how much profit you can make offering more money for used games?

Why should the developer make money on used games anyways? Does a car manufacturer make more money if someone sells a used car? Do the building constructors get more money if someone resells a home? C'mon man, you can dislike EB for policies, poor employee knowledge and just a general lack of quality titles but to say you avoid them because developers don't get paid for used games is asinine. :drool:

And nobody forces you to buy those games in the first place, EB has the right to charge and offer whatever they want for your games, they don't point a gun at your head and demand you take it. You can always go to Microplay who offer less for your games or go on eBay and after paying all the fees, see how much it was really worth it to sell. You guys don't seem to have a problem going to other stores and getting cheap titles and taking advantage of them when you can, who are you to criticize when they decide they actually want to be a business?

[arfin]

Just letting you know OP, if you plan on shipping games thicker then a DVD case, then be prepared to spend more on shipping within Canada then the states. 2 disk PS1 games, and SNES games are too thick to be sent via light packet, within Ontario it's average $7, outside of Ontario and Quebec it gets up to $9-12 just for 1 game.

Make sure you sign up for a Venture One card from Canada Post, it definitely helps save some cash.

[Bamm]

I actually logged on in the first time in months to post here. Feel honored :P

I'm a big fan of the niche titles and if prices were kept to a reasonable level with whipping prices not put there with the intent of raking in profit, than I'd definately be down with shopping there.

Been getting a lot of wierd looks from EB clerks when I'm showing anticiption for games that they can barely pronounce the title of. Newer and possibly greener pastures are alaways welcome.

On that note, anyone know where to geta fairly priced copy of Shin Megami Tensei : Nocturne? It's the only main atlus RPG I don't have on ym PS2 yet.