by HM Wilson

Created on: July 01, 2009

It's a popular idea. Entire books making grand promises have been devoted to the subject. All sorts of scams have sprung up around the idea with scammers hoping to separate you from your money as you pursue that dream.

While some people have done very well on eBay with a few even, perhaps, being able to legitimately make the claim that the site has made them wealthy, there are a lot more people who haven't gotten rich on eBay.

Expecting to just set up shop, start selling stuff and poof, you're rich is about as likely as you winning millions in the lottery. Actually, you may even have better luck with the lottery.

It is possible to get rich on eBay. However, it is extremely unlikely. It is made even more unlikely due to the costs of doing business on the site. The fact is, the only one getting rich in most cases is eBay.

While you shouldn't start checking out mansions to spend your eBay-earned dollars on, don't completely discount the idea of being able to earn a living on the site. That is far more likely than finding your fortune there.

Of course, even betting on making a living on eBay is a precarious gamble. It helps immensely if you: a) have a popular niche that you are going to be dealing in. b) are ready to work hard marketing your store or the items you have up for sale (if you elect not to go the store route).

While many pursue the dream of sales on eBay, it is important to keep in mind that not everyone succeeds. However, eBay isn't the only game in town. If, for whatever reason, it doesn't work for you, there are other options none of which are likely to make you rich, of course.

Regardless of what site you try to peddle your wares on, you need to remember that there are no guarantees that you will become rich off doing so. Also, you have to be willing to work hard to get people to see your stuff. Posting an item and forgetting it doesn't work if you are looking to make a living in on-line sales. You need to get some buzz going about whatever it is that you're selling.

Connect with people via the social networks. Write articles about whatever it is that you're selling (i.e., articles on quilting if you do homemade quilts, articles on antique books if you sell antique books, book reviews if you're a bookseller, etc.). Get your marketing game on, because you need to help drive people to the site so they will see (and, hopefully, buy) your products.

Be realistic. Be determined. Be hardworking. If you do these things, you may find yourself making a comfortable living on eBay or some other site even if you can't afford that Lamborghini.

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