New Supreme Court Ruling Fucks Over Small Dudes Again

Welp, the news finally hit, as expected, that online merchants who use platforms such as eBay and Amazon will finally have to collect sales tax in every jurisdiction, whether that be state or local. You can read more about it here.

While most sellers will simply shrug at the news, the broader implication is that online merchant platforms such as eBay and Amazon will most likely (read: will most definitely) have to collect sales tax for the small sellers. And while that may seem like a loss for the small guys, the upside is actually pretty huge.

As an avid online reseller myself, one of the biggest hassles with handling a business is trying to collect sales tax, especially if you dream of going big with your business, such as is my plan. And while many of us try to fulfill the laws and rules regarding such matters, the truth is, some of us simply cannot afford to jump through all the loopholes that are required to file taxes in every state of America, and some cities, depending on what state you're selling in.

And while that does suck, the good news is, this new Supreme Court ruling should and will force Amazon and eBay, among others, to start collecting sales taxes for us small guys while we can now enjoy an online marketplace that will truly allow American and global citizens to finally escape poverty thru an easy-to-start (TM) business model that will truly change the landscape of our current caste system, that some can simply not escape, even if you work a 9-5.

Why This Matters

For some, this means that while brick and mortar shops will get a boost because of the drive to help out small local businesses, I must remind that will only be a short-term result. The long-term effect will be an easier to navigate online marketplace where small sellers will have easier times entering into the business place without having to deal with the overhead of a traditional brick and mortar.

For some, this might be the final hurdle that allows the average Joe (TM) to finally start their dream business, right from their own home. In their underwear I might add.

And while the dream will finally come true, for some, this is simply a small blight on a problem that never really existed.

Who Wins

For some, collecting sales tax has never been an issue. There are resellers like Ryann and Jay over at ScavengerLife(c) who will tell you many of your bigger sellers on eBay and Amazon already have accountants who can deal with this. While some folks can also attest to the fact that there is most definitely software that can help with these problems. But as I add, I simply don't file taxes, nor will I ever.

Sue me!!!

But to get my point, this is a win for those who were fearful of dipping their toes in the online reselling sand, because there is no way to say it than some people simply must follow laws. Which I advocate against, but also remember the time I was in jail for not following one.

So, to remiss and state my point: don't let this news scare you. While it may be a downfall for some and ruin their careers, as some will simply find out in time, this will be a win-win for those who are trying to launch (or in some case re-launch) their own brick and mortar stores along with those who want to avoid that costly startup and jest sell some shit online. Which is what exactly what I aim to do.

So suck it Hollywood. This time the small guys won.

#LoveTrump

...

God bless and much love,
Newbie

Best Items to Sell on eBay -- Whatever You Think Is Worth Selling

From my short-lived experience as an eBay seller, one question I often found myself stumped with was what were the best items to sell on eBay? It's a natural question to ask and one that really has no broad definition. The truth is, the best things to sell on eBay are the things you think are worth selling.

Bear with me on this...

When you start out as an online reseller, one thing you quickly learn is that there is no authority on what to sell. Sure, there are guides and gurus explaining what the best items are, such as brand name clothes or vintage t-shirts, but the truth is in the pudding.

Take, for instance, this guy who found a way to trade a red paperclip for something that was worth and repeated the process until he found a house. He made a red paperclip become a house simply by finding value and advertising in such a way that he could trade up and get more for something that most would agree is trash.

That should be your mantra on eBay and all online selling platforms as well.

That should be your mantra as well

The mark of any good salesman, and face it, that's what we are as online resellers, is to sell stuff. And no matter how many price guides you consult or YouTube videos that mind feed you BS on what is going to make you money, you'll never know until you get out there and sell that used gold! So don't go into this field thinking that you have to be an expert or read a blog article telling you what to sell because that will only narrow your field.

Take it from this angle

Imagine going hunting in a field where everyone is hunting for the same doe you are. The more hunters that come to the field, the more competition, right? What once was a very valuable and probably tasty deer has now become commonplace because everyone is now hunting that same animal. And while scarcity can be a good thing in terms of resale value, when everyone is selling the same item, you're going to settle for an eventual loss on the worth of that item. This is essentially what you're doing every time you look for advice on what to sell or worse someone simply telling you what to sell.

Not that there's anything wrong with seeking advice...

If you found this website on Google because of my niche and very SEO friendly keyword in the title and opening paragraph, you're probably either new or looking for some ideas on how to get your own business going. And while there is nothing wrong with that, there is something to be said of simply following the words of others. What one man sees as gold may absolutely be junk in another's eyes. And while one person may be awesome at selling something such as vintage 70s wide men's ties, another person may find themselves struggling just to break even.

There is no universal list of items that will guarantee you success on eBay

Read that again. What do you think every successful online seller realizes? The only true way to learn what sells online is to find out with experience. And while not every item will hold the same values as another, there is a general mantra that many sellers know, which is that everything will sell given enough time.

What you really should ask is what is my business model?

Imagine if there was a fast food restaurant that sold burgers for a buck and made millions of dollars. Crazy right? And yet McDonald's and other chains have done exactly this. Yes, not every burger costs the same, but what they've found is that there are models you can use to create income. And just as a company like Burger King can find profit in a dollar menu, so can you when sourcing for items to sell on eBay. So stop asking what the best items are and instead think of your long-term business plan. Do you want to be quick flipper who doesn't invest much in storage but instead sells items for a low price and on a frequent basis? Or do you want to follow a model that other eBayers use, such as my personal favorites Scavenger Life, which is hold on to an item for as long as possible in the hopes of netting the largest return on investment possible? Both models can work but require different resources, inventory, and all around mindsets.

Which leads me to my last point

Whatever model you choose, what you should really focus on is what you think you would like to buy on eBay yourself. Because if there is no passion in what you sell or source for, then you won't last long in this field. And believe me, everyone knows burnouts come quick in this business.

If you would like to read more and help out with this site, please click the link and order One Red Paperclip. Every sale provides a small commission that will help this site grow into hopefully your one-stop source for all things reselling.

What is An Online Reseller -- A Defined Take on What It Means

Whenever I hear someone ask "What is an online reseller" my immediate thoughts are someone who has probably failed in a lot of areas. Because honestly, when it comes to online reselling, you're going to fail.

Repeatedly...

Not to say this discourage anyone from jumping into the field themselves. Being an online reseller has been probably the best career move I ever made, and not just in terms of dollars.

You see, when we ask what is an online reseller, what we really are asking is what does it mean to have complete control of a business in a field that allows you to work from home and control your own destiny. Which is why I want to share my own take on the field.

Without further ado then, I present my following list of what an online reseller is, at least according to my take. I speak only from experience and am in way an expert, but do know a thing or two when it comes to flipping used stuff on the Web.

1. Scavenger

First and foremost, someone who resells stuff online will always be at heart a scavenger. I say this not because we are vultures sneaking up on your goodwill trying to profit off your own mistakes, but because we generally view used items as gold worth sharing with the world.

And when we're out in the field, trying to figure out how to flip those used sandals that might be an Armani exclusive, we're basically scavenging for the left over treasures that everyone else seems to think is junk.

Which is why in many ways, we are the last saviors of capitalism, in that instead of throwing something that might have value in the trash, we actually outperform the life of that item by finding revalue on it thru online marketplaces.

This is esecpially true for all my eBay and Etsy sellers of the world out there who are trying to find the most unique and one of a kind item to sell on the internet.

2. Entrepreneur

Before I get too far into my own digression on what it means to be a reseller, let's get to the heart of the matter. Selling online is always going to be an entrepreneur embarkment. And what exactly does that entail?

At it's heart, an entrepreneur is someone who sells something for profit. And when we talk about profits, we talk about maximizing the potential value of an item so that we can get a nice return on investment and hopefully survive in what is one of the toughest marks to crack.

Because let's face it, everyone and their brother are selling online today. And with any good entrepreneurial endeavor, what would a market be without competition?

And just because someone may scoff when I tell them I sell used guitar hoodies online, I always like to be the one reminding them that I own my own business. Tell that to you're Office Space clone of a boss!

3. Independent

Last but not least, an online reseller will always in their heart be independent, mainly because that is why we got into this business in the first place.

I know from my own experience that when I wake up at 12 in the afternoon and go to work in my stained Adidas boxers and socks from last night that I have to bow down to no one. Because face it, if you're not in business for yourself, you're someone's employee.

And not to make fun of anyone who works a 9-5 to barely survive, but face it. Not everyone is cut out to work for someone else. Those who are truly adventurous of spirit and willing to go the extra mile to make an income on their own time and dime are always going to be the ones who end up creating their own time slip, if not timeclock.

Which is why rock, if you ask me!


In Conclusion...

To be quite honest, I could go on and on about what it actually means to be an online reseller. But if you're the one asking this question, you probably should be spending less time reading this definition and more time out in the field getting some more reps thrifting and hauling all that glorious treasure waiting to be found.

So let me ask you, what's stopping you?