The rapid spread of stores that accept items to be sold on eBay presents small retailers not on the web with an easy way to begin selling online, says multi-channel expert Jim Okamura, senior partner with consultants J. C. Williams Group. “It gives small merchants the ability to engage a whole new client base, even if they can’t be bothered to register as a seller on eBay,” he says.
In addition to expanding a retailer’s customer base, the new way to connect with eBay gives small merchants a method of managing excess inventory, Okamura says. “Smaller chains and boutiques have inventory management issues just like big retailers, and now they can do deals with iSold It and others to move their excess goods,” he says.
He adds that small retailers should also consider selling through eBay to capitalize on an ongoing shift of retail spending from offline to online markets.
There are more than 25 companies, including AuctionDrop, NuMarkets and iSold It, that have begun accepting items to be sold on eBay at chains of stores. The eBay services companies, operating independently of eBay itself, do all the work related to listing items on ebay.com, packaging and shipping products, and settling payments with buyers. Sellers receive a check for items sold minus commission, listing and handling fees.
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