Why do you sell valuable collectibles wholesale instead of listing them individually on Amazon, Ebay, or Etsy at a much higher price?
We are located in a high tax-, high rent-, high minimum wage area which makes the employment of a large staff and the rents for warehouse spaces uncompetitive and unaffordable.
One of our customers BOUGHT a whole warehouse in Kentucky for what we pay in yearly RENT.
The minimum wages for us are up to twice the minimum wage in other states.
Because we are on the East Coast individual orders could take five days until they arrive on the West Coast while sellers in a more central location can reach all domestic customers withon 2-3 business days.
Over the course of the last fifteen yeras we have developed excellent connections to buy high quality inventory in an area with high population density, i.e. we are in a very good situation to acquire inventory, but in a very bad location to list, store, and ship individual orders.
One of our customers BOUGHT a whole warehouse in Kentucky for what we pay in yearly RENT.
The minimum wages for us are up to twice the minimum wage in other states.
Because we are on the East Coast individual orders could take five days until they arrive on the West Coast while sellers in a more central location can reach all domestic customers withon 2-3 business days.
Over the course of the last fifteen yeras we have developed excellent connections to buy high quality inventory in an area with high population density, i.e. we are in a very good situation to acquire inventory, but in a very bad location to list, store, and ship individual orders.
How often do new wholesale lots in my area of interest become available?
This differs depending by category: in the last three years, we had only one lot of vintage Erotica or Playmobil items, i.e. these specific items are rarely available. In the same time span, we had three large magazine lots with over 10,000 items each and six DVD lots with close to 10,000 items each.
We therefore recommend that you buy a wholesale lot that fits your requirements instead of waiting for a subsequent lot of similar items.
We therefore recommend that you buy a wholesale lot that fits your requirements instead of waiting for a subsequent lot of similar items.
How many items do I need to make a living as an online seller?
Several of our customers have told us repeatedly over the years that they need approximately 20,000 listed items at any given time to make their online business a full-time job for themselves with two or three additional employees that help out with listing and shipping.
Do you have any advice for newbies?
Specialize in one niche area that is close to your heart and in which you really want to become an expert. Learn everything there is to learn about this narrow area and become one of the handful of top merchants in that area. Increase your inventory so that you have significant influence over this niche: over time, customers interested in that specific area will come back to you. You might be able to brand your Ebay-, Etsy-, or Amazon store and make follow-up sales through your own website without paying listing fees and sales commissions. The larger you are, the more you will be able to attract collectors and repeat customers and to determine the level at which items in your category change hands.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, many of our bulk lots are sold to buyers abroad. Very often, shipping internationally is similar in cost to trucking freight across the United States even though international shipments include vessels carrying containers. We are usually responsible for sending the freight to the closest harbour while the customer is responsible for customs and the transportation of the freight from the harbour to the ultimate location (which can be organized much easier in the destination country).
Why is there such a price difference between different payment methods?
To keep our business going as we have done over the last fifteeen years we need to be acquiring new inventory on an ongoing basis. We also need substantial cash reserves to "jump" on attractive or large lots as they become available. Payment processors such as Square, Stripe, and PayPal have often frozen substantial amounts of funds due for up to three months because their algorithms detected "unusual activity." In order to avoid cash flow problems we discount all payment methods that provide us with instant access to sales proceeds.
Why is there such a price difference between different shipping methods?
A disproportionate percentage of our freight costs depends on the delivery method. The lack of a truck height loading dock can add $200-$300 in delivery costs. We can therefore discount delivery costs if the customer has a truck height loading dock or drives to the closest freight terminal and picks up the freight at the freight terminal.