Over the course of the year, I have been working extremely hard at trying to grow my online brick and mortar business. At first, it started off really well. In June 2011, I earned roughly $500 dollars selling some small items in an somewhat lucrative and legal niche on Amazon/eBay. From there on out, I essentially doubled my income every month until I hit a gold mine in September, where I earned over $5600. Being a teenager, earning such a large sum of money in a short period of time sent me crazy. My ego took off like a rocket ship and I spent a large percentage of my money on a bunch of stupid shit that I really didnt need, which I now regret. But you know you live and learn. October was a pretty decent month as well where I earned roughly 4k essentially repeating my success with the same formula as I did previously. November was where my everything really took a nose dive because I treated my business like it was passive income which caused me to become very complacent and lazy and ship out all of my orders late. Of course Amazon/eBay weren't happy with all the buyer complaints I had been getting, so they banned my accounts. There after I had been doing some research on creating stealth accounts. In December 2011, I had managed to create some fake accounts right before the holiday rush and I made a killing. (roughly 3k) But (to show you how stupid I am) I made the same mistake as I did in November which in turn got all of my stealth accounts banned. Now I'm basically back at square one because of my stupidity, but know you live and learn. Just to let you guys know, it is possible to create a successful online and legal business. Just make it your passion and try not to fuck up like I did. I started off with $100 and I ended up making 5k. If that isnt impressive I dont know what is.

I have a different perspective. Having went from $300 one month to over $17,000 a month back in early 2000's, I knew it would not last. I worked my ass off for two years nearly every day of the week until the money withered away.

The bottom line is to treat success like it won't be there tomorrow. Work your ass off and save because some things may only be "washed" once and not rinsed and repeated.

Regardless of working my ass off, or you being lazy, we both lost. Just refocus and move forward using your new found wisdom and seek success a different way. It can be done!

Damn, $300 to $17,000 iin one month is incredible. What caused you to not repeat your success?

The "Fickle Finger of Fate" (Google, et al) will stick it far and high up your ass when you least expect it... and leave you a bloodied, wiser and poorer IM player.

i know how you feel man, last summer i was making about 30-40000 in sales, profit was about 10 000 a month, this went on for 3 months, then they shut me down and this was all legit, i even provided my wholesalers info, my company info and phone calls from me and the supplier

Originally Posted by moose123

i know how you feel man, last summer i was making about 30-40000 in sales, profit was about 10 000 a month, this went on for 3 months, then they shut me down and this was all legit, i even provided my wholesalers info, my company info and phone calls from me and the supplier

That sucks. Now Amazon is trying to fuck me over with refunds for products that I am %100 sure were shipped out and delivered. Something has to be done about these knuckleheads...... I'm thinking a class action lawsuit. Bring them down!

Perhaps another advice is to diversify your source of income. This way, in case one banned, you can use the other to rebuild the one you lost or start a totally new source. Good luck to you~

Originally Posted by jayjaymoney

Perhaps another advice is to diversify your source of income. This way, in case one banned, you can use the other to rebuild the one you lost or start a totally new source. Good luck to you~

I'm thinking about starting up an IM campaign but the nature of the business is so different from what I am used to doing. It will take months or even years for me to gather up steam....

the thing is, what pisses me off, i ran a legit buisness, nothing wrong at all, paypal pretty much controls your money, and a rep told me this. Because i was making so much money a month they were taking another 15 percent and putting it in a 30 hold and this was after pp fees and ebay, so that what made me stop

Originally Posted by moose123

the thing is, what pisses me off, i ran a legit buisness, nothing wrong at all, paypal pretty much controls your money, and a rep told me this. Because i was making so much money a month they were taking another 15 percent and putting it in a 30 hold and this was after pp fees and ebay, so that what made me stop

Dont stop, you can figure out a way around it. The money is way too good to stop. If we can figure out a way around this, we may never need a real job again. How delightful that would be.

dude i didnt need a job, i had around 10 000 a month, and i could have been still doing this and making more, but paypal makes it so hard for someone to try and run a business online and every one counts on paypal so much its sick, i know it cuz of all the scamming, but when you provide all the docs that your legit and they still pump you in the azz

Thats the problem with relying on other companies, especially ebay. They're ban happy for no reason sometimes, and can shut down legit businesses whenever they want. You're at their mercy.

If you do manage to get another account, put business cards in every purchase with your business card going to YOUR site. Now they're customers will become yours.

yes, i did this i had a letter all my business info contact numbers etc, but thats the thing everyone will only pay threw pp, i had a couple companies that bought bulk from me and had no problem sending 10-12000 threw a bank tranfer, but a everyday customer wouldnt do this

Originally Posted by aardanyul

Thats the problem with relying on other companies, especially ebay. They're ban happy for no reason sometimes, and can shut down legit businesses whenever they want. You're at their mercy.

If you do manage to get another account, put business cards in every purchase with your business card going to YOUR site. Now they're customers will become yours.

It's wrong and something has to be done about it. Instead of starting a class action lawsuit, are any of you interested in exposing eBay/Amazon unsavory business practices? My father is a journalist for Fox News and I think we may be able to get something done. Especially now in a time of economic uncertainty, people are depending on online small business as their only source of income. Fox may be very interested in running a story about this.

Originally Posted by inMate234

It's wrong and something has to be done about it. Instead of starting a class action lawsuit, are any of you interested in exposing eBay/Amazon unsavory business practices? My father is a journalist for Fox News and I think we may be able to get something done. Especially now in a time of economic uncertainty, people are depending on online small business as their only source of income. Fox may be very interested in running a story about this.

I'm pretty sure they reserve the right to ban you at any time in their TOS. Plenty online have talked about how stupid they can be, but ultimately theyre both huge sites and some bad stories arent going to change their minds.

Originally Posted by aardanyul

I'm pretty sure they reserve the right to ban you at any time in their TOS. Plenty online have talked about how stupid they can be, but ultimately theyre both huge sites and some bad stories arent going to change their minds.

The fact that these companies are wrongfully stealing money from small businesses should be a cause for action. Think of it this way, millions of people sell items on eBay and Amazon every single day. When the public gets word of their wrong doing, many will choose not to do business with them again which in turn will hit these giants in the wallet. Just think of it this way. The general public right now HATES BIG BUSINESS. Why wouldn't the media not want to run a story on such a sensational and highly profitable topic? Amazon and eBay definitely do not need any negative PR right now.

Originally Posted by aardanyul

I'm pretty sure they reserve the right to ban you at any time in their TOS. Plenty online have talked about how stupid they can be, but ultimately theyre both huge sites and some bad stories arent going to change their minds.

It sounds stupid and naive but it might actually work. I think its worth a shot. All I need are some new horror stories about Amazon/eBay freezing peoples accounts and stealing their money.

No one is interested. Oh well. I thought it was a pretty good idea.

it would be nice, but very hard to bring them down as they have flooded the market with there name and there security features. Ebay is getting more difficult to use now as my friend has just told and this is to do with all the counterfiet, and i know guys on there selling 1000s of fake stuff and ebay has not done a thing to them, which should be against them, but they know there are making alot of money from those sale, but the thing is all the fraud items and sellers on there, and the ones that get banned, should ebay not be fined or banned too as they are making money from these sale too. this is what gets me we get the boot, but ebay is making millions from counterfiet items,

Originally Posted by moose123

it would be nice, but very hard to bring them down as they have flooded the market with there name and there security features. Ebay is getting more difficult to use now as my friend has just told and this is to do with all the counterfiet, and i know guys on there selling 1000s of fake stuff and ebay has not done a thing to them, which should be against them, but they know there are making alot of money from those sale, but the thing is all the fraud items and sellers on there, and the ones that get banned, should ebay not be fined or banned too as they are making money from these sale too. this is what gets me we get the boot, but ebay is making millions from counterfiet items,

We need to find some legitimate sellers that have been wronged by eBay/Amazon. My father is a journalist for FOX NEWS. He knows people who are very high up on the totem poll including national journalists, corporate exec's and even congressmen/senators. Something can be done, I just need some support.

for sure, i would love to put some heat on them, i know there are lots of forums about it

Originally Posted by moose123

for sure, i would love to put some heat on them, i know there are lots of forums about it

This isn't some stupid online petition. A story about this could be on the national news. These large companies do not need anymore heat on them especially since the American public generally hates big business right now. Amazon/eBay does not want to be portrayed as another Wall Mart, a company that destroys the lively-hood of small business owners.

yes i know what you mean, im in canada and i think it is worse in the usa

Originally Posted by inMate234

I need a guy that lives in the U.S. Sorry but no one cares about Canadians....

That is about the dumbest post I have seen on this site. -rep for you

On another note, I think that it would be more beneficial if the reporting were to focus on PayPal with Ebay as a side note. Hell all ebay does is ban you but paypal will take and hold money that is already yours. That NEEDS to be exposed.

I concur with the 'diversify' message. The dominant IM business model of being overly dependent on Google for traffic, or eBay for sales, or Paypal for payment processing has to be abandoned, as it leads to having a lack of control over the major components of one's money making machine over the long term.

I myself was making anywhere from $6000. - $13000. a month on Ebay and fell behind on my shipping times twice (once due to a family emergency) and was ultimately suspended Indefinitely. I was running a 100% legit business but when Ebay started the DSR system my shipping time was hit hard by customers. See I produced items that were made to order which required more time, I even explained It in my listings but I would still get bad ratings.

I always tried to lure my Ebay customers to my website even offering lower prices but Ebay always seemed to do so much better for me. I was earning all my Income needed to take care of my family selling online. Ebay accounted for about 85% of that and when I was suspended it hit really hard! I guess I took Ebay for granted because I have been trying EVERYTHING you can think of to try and make up for the money I am no longer making on Ebay and I am not even close. I have called Ebay repeatedly to try and get back on and would give anything to be able to sell there again. I put too many eggs in one basket and I knew i was.

I however have been doing better on my own website as of late and have tried other Avenues such as Etsy and I am In the process of hopefully getting on Amazon. I have to say though, Amazon scares me a bit because I am worried about my shipping times with them as I did with Ebay. I don't want to screw that up again. Also, I am not used to getting my payments only twice a month as Amazon does but hopefully it goes well.

Originally Posted by Basikboy

I myself was making anywhere from $6000. - $13000. a month on Ebay and fell behind on my shipping times twice (once due to a family emergency) and was ultimately suspended Indefinitely. I was running a 100% legit business but when Ebay started the DSR system my shipping time was hit hard by customers. See I produced items that were made to order which required more time, I even explained It in my listings but I would still get bad ratings.

I always tried to lure my Ebay customers to my website even offering lower prices but Ebay always seemed to do so much better for me. I was earning all my Income needed to take care of my family selling online. Ebay accounted for about 85% of that and when I was suspended it hit really hard! I guess I took Ebay for granted because I have been trying EVERYTHING you can think of to try and make up for the money I am no longer making on Ebay and I am not even close. I have called Ebay repeatedly to try and get back on and would give anything to be able to sell there again. I put too many eggs in one basket and I knew i was.

I however have been doing better on my own website as of late and have tried other Avenues such as Etsy and I am In the process of hopefully getting on Amazon. I have to say though, Amazon scares me a bit because I am worried about my shipping times with them as I did with Ebay. I don't want to screw that up again. Also, I am not used to getting my payments only twice a month as Amazon does but hopefully it goes well.

Cool! You become very successful yes. How do you drive traffic to your website?

Very impressed by the figures you are all stating. Out of interest, are these profits mainly via dropshipping? I have no idea how else a single person could be bringing in so much.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by emanresu

Very impressed by the figures you are all stating. Out of interest, are these profits mainly via dropshipping? I have no idea how else a single person could be bringing in so much.

Thanks.

Its a combination of many different things. All methods can bring in alot of money if you know how to do the job right.

Originally Posted by emanresu

Very impressed by the figures you are all stating. Out of interest, are these profits mainly via dropshipping? I have no idea how else a single person could be bringing in so much.

Thanks.

Nope, I have my own product. Still do but my website just doesn't get the traffic Ebay does. Sales aren't even close. If anyone is interested in partnering up and has an Ebay account let me know.

Originally Posted by inMate234

I need a guy that lives in the U.S. Sorry but no one cares about Canadians....

typical "We're the center of the world and nobody else matters" American type of thinking.

i havent made too much money yet but i dont feel bad for you either your failure gives me hope and confidence )

Originally Posted by LordCameltoe

typical "We're the center of the world and nobody else matters" American type of thinking.

im just kidding mannn u know

Yeah fuck paypal. They closed my account down also while I was running a legit e-commerce business... I had to sell my sites because of them, fucking bastards.

Same story as some of you. I didnt get banned but just limited my listing which is pointless. I got greedy during last xmas rush and was selling more than I was able to handle and fell behind in shipping. I sold almost 50k in a month. I payed almost 8K in egay/pp fees.

Anyways now I want to start my own ecommerce site. Any one have success going from ebay to own website? I dont expect ebay sales from the start but my goal is to earn 200 profit a day.

What you sold on ebay to make these kind of business? Electronic niche or other? Thanks

live and learn mate just as you said , you have the whole life in from of you to making some huge killing sales

Things are usually very volatile but it is within their rights.

Originally Posted by inMate234

It's wrong and something has to be done about it. Instead of starting a class action lawsuit, are any of you interested in exposing eBay/Amazon unsavory business practices? My father is a journalist for Fox News and I think we may be able to get something done. Especially now in a time of economic uncertainty, people are depending on online small business as their only source of income. Fox may be very interested in running a story about this.

My father is the owner of McDonalds!

Originally Posted by assphuck

I have a different perspective. Having went from $300 one month to over $17,000 a month back in early 2000's, I knew it would not last. I worked my ass off for two years nearly every day of the week until the money withered away.

The bottom line is to treat success like it won't be there tomorrow. Work your ass off and save because some things may only be "washed" once and not rinsed and repeated.

Regardless of working my ass off, or you being lazy, we both lost. Just refocus and move forward using your new found wisdom and seek success a different way. It can be done!

That's true. Nothing lasts forever...

I sold on ebay for a while and still do. I have gone through quite a few accounts. My main account was doing quite well in 09 and I was clearing 7k a month for at least a year. Then the products i was purchasing basically lowered in value because people catch on buy the same things your buying and sell for much cheaper and it ruins profit margins. I tried the replica game for a bit and thats where it fell apart. I got greedy

The money was great but it was not sustainable and is not worth the stress of worrying all the time if you are going to have to refund people or competitors reporting your replica listings. I lost about 4 accts but am back up and running selling totally legit items and wow does it feel a lot better logging in seeing questions that are not related to returns or suspension notices. I remember my acct in 09 I was always giving great cs and shipping within 1-2 business days and never had a problem. They always sent me those corny little power seller certificates blah blah blah.

Now it is my second month back in the g ame legit and did 2k this month whcih is peanuts compared to some others but next month should be even bigger. Sell legit items, answer questions in a timely manner and always ship your items within 1-2 business days and you really shouldn't have many problems.

hey man, I can relate with what you're doing in terms of age and selling online. have you figured out how to take care of taxes? that's the only thing that was really holding me back since if I report income I won't get financial aid money for college...

I believe in this saying applicable to the OP's topic.
"When you start to believe that you have succeeded that is the time you start failing."

hmmm but selling what? :-)

Now it is my second month back in the g ame legit and did 2k this month whcih is peanuts compared to some others but next month should be even bigger. Sell legit items, answer questions in a timely manner and always ship your items within 1-2 business days and you really shouldn't have many problems.