Living on eBay?

[Caustic Saint]

I'm back in the US right now (after a year in Korea, with a side trip to Tokyo) and lightening my load of material posession on eBay. No reason to pay for storing stuff if I'm never going to use it again, right?

I've heard stories from friends about people who live in Japan and make a living off buying stuff locally (anime, toys, games, oddities) and selling it to overseas customers on eBay. Was my chain getting yanked or is such a thing really possible? It seems to me this would entail lots of legwork, and probably be more time-consuming than a full-time job - and for less reward.

The idea stuck with me and, while I'm not looking to start a new career doing this (but I would consider a bit of it on the side if I get a "regular" job in Japan), I'm just wondering what others' thoughts on this might be.

[wreddock]

I suppose this is what this guy is doing.

http://www.jlist.com/R/

Welcome to the Wacky Things from Japan pages at J-List. You can now view all "Wacky" items right from this category, or check out the sub-categories for specific kinds of items. From Japanese blankets to phone straps to Hello Kitty goods only sold in Japan and more, there are so many wacky things to surround yourself with from Japan! Be sure and check back often.

The VIEW ALL PRODUCTS page falls into the "oddities" catagory you mentioned.

[Taro Toporific]

I've heard stories from friends about people who live in Japan and make a living off buying stuff locally (anime, toys, games, oddities) and selling it to overseas customers on eBay.

In two words: Specialize OTAKU.

IF you really know your otaku goods, you can make money.

Here's a couple of eBay "case studies" where I was involved....

Years back, a business buddy of mine dabbled with Pokemon cards and almost got burned when the fad went bust. When he decamped Japan, he started a nifty little biz on eBay inLord of the Rings crap. Experience and organization made the difference between just dabbling with Pokemon and having a nice eBay sideline.

If you do your "homework", buy the right otaku crap, and run an tight ship, eBay will make you money. If jack around, play with it as hobby, don't have a seperate eBay-info website, and don't deliver what you promise buyers, you'll have a mess of your own making. But hey, it's a business---treat it that way.

[Caustic Saint]

Wreddock, I've seen jlist before and dig the site. Some of their stuff is a tad high though. A friend just sent me the "Dirty American Devil" t-shirt for my birthday.



Taro, I totally agree on the otaku comment. The key to pulling this off as a full-time endeavour would be knowing what's hot and what's not. Like I said, if I were to do it, it'd just be a sideline (but if it took off.... ) I've got friends here in the states who run several key businesses in knowing the otaku vibe. A comic shop, an anime store and a videogame shop. With input from them (helping track the trends stateside) it would be more workable.

And yes, running it like a business is the only way to go. I handle my current stuff on eBay like that. I monitor and chart everything, staying in contact with every winner until the transaction is complete to their satisfaction. It'd be even tougher with more buyers sure, but if the payoff were good enough, the work would be worth it.

It's all an idea now, but something I'll keep bubbling in the back of my mind.

[GargoyleTS]

Yeah, but what about shipping? I've heard its one heck of a wad to send stuff (especially fast) without making trips to (i think) Korea or the Phils where you can use the US postal service from (maybe it was Singapore).

As an Ebayer and buyer, A deal is only a deal until you get to the shipping costs....

[Iambobo]

There have always been people who buy things for cheap and sell them on mass for a slight profit. The internet has given this market a new golden age. I've never been sure about the legality of doing things like this, but your right in saying that a person would really have to know their stuff if they were to get into business like this.

[Caustic Saint]

Yeah, but what about shipping? I've heard its one heck of a wad to send stuff (especially fast) without making trips to (i think) Korea or the Phils where you can use the US postal service from (maybe it was Singapore).

As an Ebayer and buyer, A deal is only a deal until you get to the shipping costs....

EMS is crazy expensive. I goofed and used it a few times from Korea instead of regular airmail. To use the USPS from Korea you have to have access to the military bases. Without access you have to use the Korean Postal Service.

Where I screwed up on calculating my shipping costs a few times in my early auctions was forgetting to include the box (if I had to buy one to package stuff up). Nothing like carving a buck or two out of your profits to make yourself catch on quick.