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To discover whether eBay has outgrown the average seller, we must first define what we mean by "average". In my city, there is an advertisement for eBay that sometimes plays on the radio. In a clever little skit, it implies that a generic American Everyperson can pick up something unwanted that's been lying around cluttering their home, stick it on eBay, and walk off with a profit (and a less cluttered home). If this is what we mean by average, this American Everyperson who is not necessarily looking to start a small business but only to sell off their unneeded and unwanted possessions yard-sale-style, then yes: eBay has outgrown the average seller.

Increasingly, to make a sale on eBay you need to purchase all the little extras that place your product more prominently and in a more eye-catching manner. Our American Everyperson is unlikely to make a profit on their few items if they soup up their listings in this manner. But all too often (and I say this from experience), not buying the extras means not making a sale at all. Furthermore, the seller with a few items to sell may all too easily lose out to a merchant who has carefully cultivated their listings to appeal to a certain clientele, and can wave that tasty carrot called "combined shipping". Also, significantly, I think that the attitude of buyers has shifted on eBay so that many would rather trust a "small business" type seller to deliver the goods rather than our American Everyperson.

As it has grown, eBay has changed from a virtual yard-sale to a virtual marketplace: a small but crucial difference. I believe that anyone who wants to work to create a virtual small business can still break in and be successful on eBay. The average seller, however, may be better off selling their items from their actual yard.

Learn more about this author, Annemarie Garrett.
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