Special correspondent Lisa Di Clemente recently spoke with Janieruth, a successful eBay entrepreneur of 10 years. Janieruth’s store on eBay is gorgeous and filled with stunning antique goodies. Many readers would like to learn how to successfully run an eBay store, and as it turned out, Janieruth had some excellent tips and pointers. Enjoy this interview!
Does everyone call you Janieruth, or do you ever go by JR?
I am a child of the south as you know. Girl children in the south are often called by first and middle names. My actual middle name is Elizabeth, but for some unknown reason my friend and Pastor nicknamed me Janieruth over 25 years ago and now a lot of my closest friends call me that. You can actually call me just about anything, I’ll answer! I like the ring and sass of the name Janieruth, even if it is an alias. When I first signed on to eBay, I just naturally used that name. It makes me think of my Pastor and also other friends who have moved away from Montgomery and nostalgia is what it’s all about in my store.
I am amazed at your tenacity, 10 years on eBay is quite a record! (Personally I didn’t even know eBay had been around for 10 years!) The obvious question is, how did you get started?
I first got hooked on eBay as a Buyer, I think that is what got a lot of eBayers started in the early years. I was already selling Antiques and Collectibles in a booth at an Antique Mall here in Montgomery so attended a lot of estate and yard sales to find things to sell. I had many items that had caught my eye that I knew wouldn’t sell for the amounts in Alabama that they would in say, California or New York.
The first thing I ever sold on eBay was one of the first six Dept. 56 Snow Village houses. I found this item at an Atlanta estate sale for $10.00. I realized that I had a pretty good find, but not how really wonderful it was until I researched it and saw that in the Dept. 56 green book it was valued at around $450.00. I knew that I would never get even half of that in my booth, so I decided to list the item on eBay.
I didn’t even have a digital camera and really didn’t understand how one worked - so I listed this one time without a photo, which was a pretty common practice in those days. I mentioned in my description that the item could be found on page so and so in the Dept. 56 green book if the buyer wanted a photo. This little house sold for over $350.00, so needless to say, I was sold on selling on eBay from the first!
I bought my first digital camera with the proceeds from that sale and began auctioning on eBay as a part time hobby seller. Over the years I have had several more great finds, paying small amounts for items and realizing anywhere from 10 to 50 times the amount in the sale. Most items are not like that, but that is what kept me hooked. If an item did not sell on eBay, I moved it into my booth at the antique mall.
So, what is your secret? How would you explain your 10-year success on eBay?
I attribute my success on eBay to several things. Most of my friends say that I have “the eye”. That is antique speak for being able to spot a real bargain or obscure item. I attribute that to study, study and more study. I think that antique guide books are my favorite reading. I own dozens of these books and love to browse the new titles at the book stores around town. I never sell an item that I haven’t researched.
I also run a completed item search on eBay for items like the ones I am thinking of listing. That is the best way to determine what key words to put in the title and also to see what worked and didn’t work for other sellers. I have learned over the years that a good title is the most important element of an eBay listing.
The last thing that I want to mention is perseverance, keeping on keeping on even when my items are not selling. This is one thing that I love about having a store. If my item doesn’t sell the second time I list it, I raise the price and stick it into my store inventory. It can sit there for 30 days at a time for only a few pennies a month. eBay is like any business in a brick and mortar store. There are slow times and high times. You have to learn in retail to stick it out and ride out the slow times. I study, listen to webinars and podcasts and network with other sellers, the OSI Rock Stars group is the backbone of my education. I am always striving to improve my customer service and my business overall.
What made you decide to open an eBay store?
I first decided to open a store after hearing Janelle Elms at the eBay Stores 101 class at eBay live. She told us how a lot of people were making 6 figure incomes on eBay through stores. She explained how stores should be set up so that our stores were in the top 1% on eBay. She is a dynamic speaker with a sparkling personality and really opened my eyes as to what eBay Stores was all about.
I came home from Boston’s eBay live and immediately started my store. I found a designer through eBay Store Designs - Jennifer at Sitting Boo Productions and she incorporated my style into my storefront. I really love what she did for me.
I am still in the growth part of eBay stores, and want to increase the inventory to at least 1000 items. I was also struck by an interview Janelle did with the Queen of eBay, Lynn Dralle on OSI Rock Stars. Lynn said that she keeps 10,000 items in her store and by doing so sells approximately $10,000.00 per month. WOW! I would love to grow my store to that level. So far, I am seeing good traffic in the store. Now instead of moving an unsold auction item into my booth at the Antique Mall, I move it into my store on eBay.
What is the criteria for being a PowerSeller? I’m sure it has its advantages, but how does one get to that point?
PowerSellers are eBay top sellers who have sustained a consistent high volume of monthly sales and who have a high level of Feedback (98% positive or better). The minimum sales requirement is $1,000.00 per month. This used to be figured on a 3 month basis ($3,000.00 over 90 days). eBay has recently changed the dollar requirement to stretch over a 12 month period. This is wonderful for me as some months are not a good as others and my business depends on what I have found at Estate and Flea Market sales. I think that this change will bring a lot of new PowerSellers on board.
Another exciting announcement from eBay is that PowerSellers will now be eligible for rebates of 5% or 15% of their Final Value Fees. You might have noticed that eBay began the Detailed Seller Ratings a few months back. This is the star designation that further describes a buyers experience with the seller in the feedback section. Now, eBay has announced that they will reward their top sellers who have a minimum 4.6 rating or better within the past 30 day period. I am very excited about this and am making changes in several areas of customer service to ensure that I will be rated in the top percentage of eBay sellers.
A wonderful thing about the eBay Marketplace is the emphasis placed on Trust and Safety. The PowerSeller program and Detailed Seller Ratings are part of what makes eBay a safe and friendly place to shop. I think that eBay will experience a lot of growth when the changes go into effect. People love eBay and eBay loves to give its customers the best place to shop on the internet.
I occasionally sell items on eBay myself, and I have heard the pros and cons of being an eBay store owner. What is your take on this?
I really only see pros to opening an eBay store if you follow Janelle Elms advice and do it the “right way”. This involves a lot of work, but the rewards are sweet. Janelle’s web site OSI Rock Stars is a great help to me. There are new classes several times a week on Search Engine Optimization and Key Words. I have completely changed the way I write my titles since meeting Janelle and now have a better sell through with my auctions. Right now, I have items that show up on the first page of Google when I do a search. I never had that happen before joining OSI Rock Stars.
When Janelle first began the site, last October, I was invited to be a Rock Star Promoter on the site. This has added to my knowledge base about eBay and online selling. If she hadn’t tapped me to be a promoter, I would probably not keep up to date the way I have.
What are some of the biggest changes you have seen on eBay over the years?
I would say that the biggest change that I see on eBay since 1997, is that there are more categories than I ever thought possible, more items listed than I can imagine and more global reach. I sell a lot of items to Japan where they just seem to love our old Pyrex and Fire King, not to mention quilting fabrics from old feed sacks from the 30s and 40s.
The introduction of PayPal made selling on eBay safer and payments from buyers a lot faster. I love PayPal. They introduced their debit card a few years ago and now, when a customer pays me via PayPal, I can access that money instantly with my debit card. Also, PayPal has a shipping tool that fills my shipping labels and prints them. I used to have to pack my items, type out a label and trek to the Post Office with several boxes in tow. Now, with the new PayPal multi order shipping, I print my labels and can contact the Post Office to pick my packages up at my door the next morning. How easy is that? I can’t believe the time it has saved me.
Your home page on Janieruth.com is beautiful. It really makes me want to enter your site and see what you have! Who designed this for you?
I am glad you asked! Jennifer at SittingBoo Productions did the website. I couldn’t have asked for a better person than Jennifer to do my design. I told her that I liked the colors of pink and green (they were to HOT colors during the 50s) and chippy paint and she took off from there. It was amazing to see the way she pulled things together. I asked her to use some personal photos from one of my family treasure boxes and we pulled out my mother, who is the little girl in the bowl haircut, my grandmother, the Edwardian lady in the lovely white handmade dress and a cute photo of my mother-in-law posing on the hood of a 1940s sedan in her swimsuit. On another of my pages, she used a photo of me at about age 3 dressed in my Dale Evans outfit. The china you see in the banner is from a set I actually sold on eBay, other elements, Jennifer discovered and I just love the way the colors and her designs blend and complement each other. I am so glad I found Jennifer, her own web site design is what sold me on her, it is also terrific and by the way, she is a member at OSI Rock Stars also.
Can you give our future eBay store owners a little advice on how to get started? It seemed to help you to have a mentor, maybe you can pass on some words of wisdom?
I personally think that it helps to have auctioned on eBay for a few months before opening your store, but some folks just jump in and take off. There are classes in most major cities taught by Education Specialists trained by eBay on Beginning Selling and also Stores. That is very helpful for most beginners. In the classes, not only are you taught by professional trainers, you also make friends with other sellers and can encourage each other as you go along. Most of the trainers stay in touch with their students and some have even formed groups in their hometowns that meet from time to time to pick each other’s brains. I, myself have just completed my own training and am looking forward to teaching other people how to sell on eBay. eBay has a special section, called eBay University, where you can go to find out about classes in your area. Of course, I also encourage everyone I meet to join OSI Rock Stars. You can’t get a better education anywhere on the internet on web based selling.
By Lisa Di Clemente for the Business Opportunities Weblog.
Tippie on March 21st, 2008 at 11:29 am
Talk about advertising for eBay and yourself! lol.
However, I beg to differ with you. I truly hate blowing your bubble! lol.
In the south people have a sayin. Those that do…do….(They quietly make their money.)
And those that can’t…Teach and Write books. They make their money the easy way! lol.
I’ve also been on eBay for 10 years. And quite frankly it’s hard to make any kind of money on eBay period.
eBay makes money regardless, they don’t care if you sell anything or don’t sell anything. Either way they make their money! They could not care less about the hassle you go through. Or the loss to you personally, financially, etc. lol.
Most people don’t sell their collectables at yard sales for pennies.They are pretty savy now-a-days thanks to the internet! Don’t expect to pick up a bargain. Expect to pick up a reproduction piece made in China! lol. And asked to pay top prices!
Most people familiar with eBay, dream of having a million dollar eBay business. lol.
However, in truth, is extremely hard to do.
I come from an area with an extensive Antique district. Many people have antique stores or had stores, for over 20 years, including me. We all used to sell on eBay about 10 years ago.
We also stopped years ago because it really was not profitable in the long run.
Why not profitable you ask?
Because buyers will slowly wear you down with refunds, returns, exchanges. They will steal your real antique, and send back a phoney, or steal a piece, claiming it wasn’t there, and so on…Buyers are also sellers in other parts of the country!
It became such a hassle to sell on ebay it was not profitable.
You make selling on eBay sound like a cake walk, lol. Easy to do. Lol….
Nothing is further from the truth!
Just go to the eBay member boards!
Janelle on March 22nd, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Well done JanieRuth for showing them how it’s done.
There are many of us making a very successful living selling on eBay and we are honored that you are one of them. Your energy, spirit and determination is something that I very much admire about you. By taking a Success minded attitude towards business, you obviously are choosing your profitable path. I know you have worked very hard to get to this point - but, big risk, big rewards!
So many people love the sound of saying, ‘I’m an entrepreneur’, but won’t ever take the time to learn about how to run a successful business or for that matter work hard to make it profitable. It’s so much easier to lay the lack of their success onto the shoulders of something or someone else. You have chosen to take responsibility for your Success and utilize the tools offered online to make your dreams a reality. Thank you for sharing so much of what you have accomplished as well as being generous to offer insight into some of the opportunities you chose to use along the way.
I know you will continue to inspire more people to quit spending time on the eBay boards, and spend more time on being motivated through positive words, choosing success and working hard towards their goals. This article will cause other like-minded Successful people to know that they have an opportunity at Success like you.
You Rock!
blessings,
j
Marcia on March 23rd, 2008 at 9:31 am
Congratulations JanieRuth,
Excellent interview questions and concise answers. It is very clear that JanieRuth has worked for her success.
eBay can be a successful vehicle for some and for others it may not work.
Thanks for your insight.
Diane Bell on March 23rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
I’m also originally from the South, a member of OSI Rock Stars, and a Rock Star Promoter.
JanieRuth is an amazing women with a heart as big as Alabama,vast knowledge and love of antiques, a positive mind set necessary for successful entrepreneurs, preserverance, and the realization that eBay is one of many online marketing channels. Her “southern” hospitality and graciousness is beyond measure.
She speaks with honesty, integrity and from her experience as a seasoned eBay seller who is growing her business by enhancing her brand through a gorgeous eBay Store, and also increasing her revenue by joyfully teaching others how to sell online. Having multiple revenue streams from a variety of sources shows wisdom during uncertain economic times.
Like any entrepreneurial venture it requires alot of hard work, dedication, problem solving, and ability to adapt to market changes. To be competitive on eBay today many sophisticated techniques are necessary to differentiate one from their competition such as graphic/web designers, audio, video, photo backgrounds, and cross marketing on all the new off eBay online
social networking sites.
eBay provides a venue for part time and full time sellers to reach millions of people without a brick and mortar store. It is up to the seller using tools of research, sourcing, marketing, branding, advertising, and search engine optimization, and self promotion on other online sites. Providing quality products, at competitive prices, and outstanding customer service that requires turn on a dime shipping isn’t for everyone.
Sellers that opt out and don’t want to adapt their business through use of new tools should take their sour grapes attitudes with them and not attack others whose efforts are being rewarded by doing whatever it takes to “MAKE IT WORK” .
JanieRuth you are a delight, thank you for sharing your eBay experience!
Diane
Cindy Shebley on March 23rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
JanieRuth - great article. I’m so happy you have choosen to help others by teaching what you know about eBay.
Retailing is hard, doesn’t matter if it’s on eBay or in the Bricks & Mortar world. Running a business involves more than throwing things up on a physical shelf or on a virtual shelf and expecting customers to pay top dollar.
Retailers are constantly on the look out for items to add to their inverntory, making sure they can make a profit on the item and always learning more.
JanieRuth, you hit the nail on the head when you said we must always be researching and learning more to stay ahead!
Jeff S on March 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Nice read. I just celebrated 10 years on ebay myself. Congrats.
atlantawebdesigns on March 24th, 2008 at 2:07 am
Congratulations JanieRuth,
Excellent interview questions and concise answers. It is very clear that JanieRuth has worked for her success. nice explaination give by you good very nice iam really impressed
Dany on March 24th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Thanks for the insights, JanieRuth! A previous commenter said something like, “Everyone dreams of being successful on eBay, but it’s hard to do.” Well, yeah! Of course it’s hard to be successful. And it’s pretty obvious that *you* have worked hard to be successful. It’s inspiring to find someone who, after 10 years of selling, is still trying new things and looking for new methods to improve her business. Persistence, innovation, adaptability - that’s what I see in your interview. Thanks!
Glenn on March 28th, 2008 at 4:10 am
wonderful article and interesting read! Thanks so much for sharing your success tips with us - I have also been on eBay for more than 10 years and have had an incredible journey.
I enjoyed the article!
The harder I work the luckier I get!
Drei Katzen Media on March 30th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Way to go Janieruth! I truly enjoyed your interview. Great Job!
Your interview truly is one that will help others to see…with a little determination and a lot of hard work…you can make money!
I really am proud of you. As a fellow OSI Rock Star, you honor us!
KEEP ON ROCKIN’
Mary