MoreAt Live Boot Camp this year, my brother taught about photography, my mom taught about clothing and I decided to include Houston and Indy in the fun. You see, they have both been getting their eBay feet wet and they were excited to share what they know with my students.
Indiana taught first about how to list from an iPhone using the new eBay selling app.She looked so composed in front of the classroom and did such a great job! I was so proud of her. I do want to point out that you have to be eighteen-years-old to actually list on eBay, but your kids can help you if they are under your supervision and using the eBay account that you (the adult) is responsible for.
In less than three minutes she had an item listed in front of the class. When she sat down with me in the back of the room afterwards, I said, “Honey, you did such a great job I am so proud of you, you were so composed.” And she said “Mommy, my legs were shaking and I just told them (in my mind) ‘stop it.'” Too cute!
After a full day of learning on Friday, Indy was ready to go garage saling with all of us on Saturday morning. She spent 25 cents on her first “real” eBay purchase. She bought a troll doll and actually listed it in Lynn Bryson’s (UniqueBoutique411) SUV on the way back to Live Boot Camp. How fun!
Indy reminds me so much of how I used to help my grandmother when I was small. She is always willing to do any job–no matter how big or small–and with a cheerful attitude. I can see just how big of a help she is going to be.
Here I am at a few years younger than Indy helping out my grandmother in her antiques store.
Indy reminds me so much of how I used to help my grandmother when I was small. She is always willing to do any job–no matter how big or small–and with a cheerful attitude. I can see just how big of a help she is going to be.
Houston taught about buying bats and gloves to sell on eBay and what to look for. He taught us how to tell if a bat has lost its “pop” and some key pointers for mitts. It was a great presentation.
I have been utilizing both of my kids a lot lately (not just for eBay) and they love to earn money that they can spend on things they want. Houston has been helping stuff Queen’s court envelopes with CDs and Indy did my PowerPoint presentation for the eBay Radio event. Check out this video on YouTube that Indy made to welcome the new Live Boot Campers. It is awesome!
There are many ways you can use your kids in your eBay business. Indy has been listing books and CDs for me lately. As many of you know, if you have books with an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) or CDs with a UPC (Universal Product Code) and you use the eBay listing system, a stock photo and detailed information about the book or CD will appear. Also, the eBay system gives you the average start price and average sold price. It is so cool!
When the research from eBay comes up with the average starting and selling prices, she and I discuss it and come up with a starting bid price. If the book sold for more than $5.00, we started it at $4.99. If the book sold for less than $5.00, we started the auction at 99 cents. I input the starting bid price and adjust the set eBay title that comes up automatically from the ISBN. I adjust the title because it doesn’t always include the key words that I like to use. Sometimes words like cookbook, book, and the author’s name are missing. Then I click submit and I have Indy write down the eBay item number on both the front and back of the sheets and the listing fees on the back.
The first time we did this was several years ago and we listed 20 books one evening. See the big pile of books! We did end up selling quite a few of them and if they didn’t sell at auction, guess where they went? Right into my eBay store!
As a side note, because I have learned so much about selling books (thanks Sheila!) since Indy and I first did this together, I would NOT buy most of the books pictured in the photo. I typically ONLY buy non-fiction these days.
There are many ways you can utilize your family members to help in your eBay business. Here are some ideas:
Smaller Children
- Bubble-wrap items to be shipped
- Cleaning items
- Polishing silver
- Taking off price tags–a great job for little fingernails
- Helping to find things that have sold
- Accompanying you to garage sales, thrift stores
Teenagers
- Shipping
- Answering Questions
- Helping to find things that have sold
- Initial Measuring and Noting Condition on the I Sell Sheets
- Photography
- Listing items for you on eBay under your supervision
- Finding their own items at garage sales to list on eBay under your supervision
- Listing books and CDs
Plus any of the things that the smaller kids are doing.
Don’t forget to pay your kids. It will teach them to be responsible, helpful, respectful and they will learn a good work ethic at a young age. There are also tax benefits to hiring your kids.
Husbands/Wives & Parents
- Relisting at Auction
- Moving Auction items into your eBay Store
- New Listings
- Writing up items on I sell sheets to be photographed
- Photography
And any of the Smaller Children/Teenager duties.
As a example of having your parents help you in your business, check out my mom. She is an amazing write-up person for me. In front of the Live Boot Camp (in just one day) she wrote up over 180 items. Way to go, mom!
Bringing your family into your eBay business is not just a way to make your business more productive, it can also be a fun time to spend with one another. Try it out!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I recently brought my young son into the resale business — he’s only 6! We have a case at a local antique shop where half are his items and half are mine. He understands that when items sell, the store takes some money and he gets the rest. I think it will not only give him real-world skills, but stoke his entrepreneurial spirit as well. He’s a 3rd generation antiques dealer!
That’s amazing! It a great way to spend some quality time with your son! I’m sure he’s learning a lot from you!