17 Year Old Looking to Start - Some questions

Hey guys,

This is my first post here since I just registered. I've been reading up on some threads under Ebay and Site Flipping. I've decided to take a shot at the Ebay business first since Site Flipping requires me to have some investment. Which I do not.

Since I'm only 17, I don't have a credit card. However, I do have a paypal account that is verified and is linked to my chequing bank account.

I do have some questions.

To get into the Ebay scene, I just want to clarify. I post an ad for an item that I don't have, then when I receive the payment from a buyer, I use that to purchase from someone else that is selling the same product for a cheaper price, tell them to ship it to MY buyer and I profit from that. Correct?

Is that really all there is to it?

Also, would my age be a factor?

I've had an ebay account since november of 2009 and I have a positive feedback of 100% from 6 purchases I've made.

Also, I haven't had any troubles receiving payments in my paypal as I used to write articles for Triond. Made measly ~$0.50 a month.

I'm really hoping this would be how I break into making money online.

Also, I purchased an eBook from WSO for $33.00 after reading all the positive testimonials and the seller being punctual on replies, however, after reading it, I feel like it won't work anymore. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to disclose it, but the main idea was selling eBooks on Digital Point. I went to look at DP and I found there was way too many other eBooks and the recent posts are buyers complaining.

I just really want to break even with this loss for now, but I eventually want to help my parents pay off some of their credit card debt. I'm also getting close to having to go to university so some added income on top of my part time job would be really helpful.

Thanks guys!

Wow, I just got to say that off the bat you are NEW.
You want to have the product first before you list it, if you try to do what you posted there are a variation of problems that can come up.
Example One your payment from Paypal is held until the item is confirmed shipped unless you put the item at a fixed price. 2. What if you can't find a cheaper item and what the seller of the item at a lower cost doesn't ship it in time or doesn't ship it at all. Also eBay's are required to ship the items out to the address of the buyers account, you won't know if he/she actually shipped it to the addresses you asked them to.

You should visit freelancerdotcom and find a suppler that is looking for eBay sellers.
Also for the age thing don't worries about it unless you plan on making huge sales.
PM if you need more help

Don't try site flipping if you do not know proper SEO tactics, honestly a good learning point would be to start blogs and use something like adsense, amazon affiliates, etc. The amount you'll earn will vary by your experience, but you'll learn along the way and won't have to invest much.

Don't waste money on e-books either. Many are dated and all the info you need is here within BHW or quick google searches.

If you want to sell on ebay, you need either a trusted wholesale source or the physical item. DO NOT get screwed because you do not have the product.

Why is it then that in this thread: ***blackhat-seo/ebay/49409-how-i-made-300-matter-6-hoursdothtml the op says I never have to touch inventory? Did I make a mistake posting the eBay forum?

Also, why would someone hire someone else to make eBay listings for them when they can do it for free?

Yeah you won't touch the product if you find someone who supplies it, they will shipping all you have today is sell it. Reason can vary one someone needs a seller but I believe most reason are because of whole sale businesses have to much product and can't sell all them selves.

Actually if your looking to sell, I'm looking for a seller.

Don't fall for the ebook scams..

i would suggest what abyssal_miss suggested , create a blog , get some traffic , monetize it and earn few $$ . invest that money into hosting and domains and make $$$s . this will be a learning experience , you will learn alot and without learning you ccant earn .

p.s. :- learn to earn , do not earn to learn .

ok what you did till now? I mean studies.My advice to you is do studies till your 20's ,you can at least have graduation till that time .No danger to your career.After completing your studies you can either go with this or the job you like.The thing is once you step in here ,you cant go back.It happened with me

I'm grade 11 so one more year till I go to university. I want to pursue a career in finance and eventually hopefully get into stocks professionally. So I guess I just want to get a head start on having some money for university.

I'm 17 too and the first way I made a decent amount of money online was dropshipping on ebay, and that's the most i've made so far but my sources have depleted now

is dropshipping basically what i intended to say?

Affiliate marketing is easiest way to make money for newcomers

I would recommend that you read EVERY ebay post here before starting. You have a little bit of learning still to do. Good luck to you.

Keep in mind that you are dealing with average people here. You can't do all the risky tricks that are theoretically possible and profitable. The average person is short-fused, inpatient, harsh, economical and rude. Sure, some people aren't, but you have to prepare for the most obnoxious people.

Base your future plans on that thought, and you will keep yourself out of a lot of rookie-shit.