As a successful Ebay seller, I am asked almost every week by new Ebay sellers how to successfully sell clothing lots--and I always happily respond! So, I would like to point out a few little tidbits of advice in this guide to help others successfully sell clothing lots on Ebay! My guide will address how to start a wholesale clothing business on Ebay, where to buy the clothing, which programs to use to make great picture presentations, and how to build your customer base--hope the advice helps!

HOW TO START

The first step in beginning your wholesale clothing business is to open an Ebay store--this will help direct customers to your store and will define you on Ebay as a seller who specializes in the wholesale clothing market. Secondly, I would definately get an At-Home Business License to report IRS earnings and to legitimize yourself as a business owner. Lastly, get a quality mannequin on which to display your clothing and an excellent digital camera to take pictures--they're worthwhile investments!

WHERE TO BUY CLOTHING

This is the question I get asked the most--where to buy great, name brand clothing at an affordable price and then resell for at least twice the profit? For me, its simple! There are three places to shop for low price, quality inventory to resell in clothing lots:

1. Consignment stores: Try finding a consignment store that has excellent quality merchandise and make sure to ask when their end-of-season sales occur--usually they will happily tell you. The end of season sales are the best time to buy the higher end merchandise--you NEED the higher end/name brand merchandise to use as keywords in the title of your auctions to drive traffic to your store. The most important thing, however, is to make absolutely sure that the high end and brand name merchandise is authentic and in perfect condition!

2. Buy/Sell/Trade Shops: I dont know if some customers have Buy/Sell/Trade stores in their area--but I have a few great ones where I live in Northern California. These stores give you an opportunity to find excellent merchandise at a reasonable price to include as quality fillers in your lots.

3. Marshalls/TJ Maxx: This is where I get the majority of my clothing because its brand new, excellent quality merchandise--and their sales are the best. Here is the best little tip: ask a store manager or on-site manager when their "Final Sale" will be. Usually Marshalls and TJ Maxx have Final Sales of their merchandise three to four times a year and THIS is the TIME to shop!

HOW TO MAKE GREAT PICTURE PRESENTATIONS

This is also a question that I am asked frequently! Selling clothing lots for five years now on Ebay has definately started "picture presentation" trends on the wholesale lot market! Did you know that I was the first to present pictures in the "three outfits in a square" presentation? If that sounds confusing, take a little peek in my Ebay store and you'll know what I mean! Its pretty commonplace to present your pictures that way on Ebay now--five years ago, sellers would simply throw clothes on a mannequin, take the picture and just sell. But I had a better idea--present the clothing in an artistic way, and it would sell better. And they did! So to make a great picture presentation, you need an excellent quality digital camera and any program, either already in your computer or purchase one, that will allow you to crop and use a background for your clothing lots!

HOW TO BUILD A CUSTOMER BASE

I am really, super proud of my perfect feedback record--after five years of selling on Ebay, that is my proudest accomplishment. Building a customer base on Ebay is the most crucial, important aspect of a successful business. You can have the best merchandise available and sell it like hotcakes, but you need to know how to treat the customer. Otherwise, they will not do you the privelege of coming back and repeating their business with you! Customer service is the principle driving force of my business--and it should be yours too! Respond quickly to emails (within a day) and email the customer to sell if they've received their product and more importantly, were they pleased with your transaction? These little tidbits of professionalism and kindness will drive wonderful, valueable customers to you!

LAST WORDS OF ADVICE

Lastly, I think the cornerstone of a successful business is knowing where it stands on the priority list--dont make your business your life. Always make the most time for your family, and THEN your business--not the other way around! I hope these pointers have helped and may your business be a blessing to you as it has been for me! All the best! :)