What sells most on the Internet? Is the days of being able to make a living from the Internet over if you are just starting out? What is the worst item/product to sell on the Internet?

Let me expand.

In previous posts I have indicated a desire to set up an online "business" for my mother. She is 60 years old this year and was on welfare. She is now off welfare because our government has determined that people her age and older should be forced to work and have essentially forced her off the system, through threats and constant harrassment through letters and phone calls about how she isn't doing enough. Bare in mind they were going to put her on what we call sickness benefits as they determined she was too sick to work full time but again the Govt. changed their mind and everyone that was going to be put on sickness benefits was removed and told to get full time work instead. She is not well and cannot work full time, but the Government no longer cares, they just don't want to pay welfare anymore - to anyone. So I thought I would help her out by establishing an online based business she could make enough money from to live on. To date this has failed miserably.

I was generously given a list of people to contact that did dropshipping for makeup from Wayne. I contacted all the places listed and none of them responded in any way.

So I looked at eBay. People seem to make money on there. They sell Jewellery for example (we spell Jewellery that way in Australia). So I began to google for wholesale jewellery places and I'll be damned if I can find where these people on eBay are getting all this jewellry from to be able to sell at the prices they do and still make a profit! I mean I'm not talking cheap stuff, I'm talking 10, 12, 14, 18 Karrot gold rings and earrings etc. The closest I found was Thailand that had minimum of 3 or 4 items but even still their buy price is more than the people on eBay can sell it for.

So I looked at clothing. Clothing doesn't seem to sell too well on eBay - fair enough I suppose. People want to be able to try them on before buying.

I know this isn't your concern, but if I don't do something soon I fear my mother will have a nervous breakdown - or worse, from a lack of money and now the lack of support from the govt. I don't make that much money myself in my 9-5 job, so while I do support her at the moment, it's not enough to cover everything.

So, this leads me back to the start. Is it too late for a new comer to make any sort of living on the net? Is it only those that have been in the "business" a while that can do this? Has the horse bolted so to speak, and am I coming in at the tail end of what was a good thing?

It appears to me, that unless you have 600,000 web sites you don't make any money. Is this true? Are the days of being able to make a living on the net over?

I found this site - auctiongenius.com that offers to teach you how to make $4000 + per week from ebay. Sure, but at $800 to do the "course" with the next one not starting until Spetember and being in US times - meaning 1am my time, it sounds more like a scam than something than would truely work.

Does anyone actually make a living from the Internet anymore? Is it a reality or is the only way to earn money still through being bound and chained to an employer in a traditional bricks and mortar environment?

I can really feel your plight. Its not easy out there and all it takes is a stroke of luck to make you or break you....

I think there is plenty of potential left on the net for new business start ups but its hard work and requires as much commitment and dedication as any brick and morter business. The internet is a new venue but a business is still a business.

Right now your worried and stressed which is to be expected given the pressures on you and your mother at the moment but sometimes the 'easy' way is nothing more than the long way round. Instead of focusing on what can make a quick buck, focus on what you, or in this case your mother, are good at and start from there.

Does your mother knit? I have a collegue who enjoys it as a hobby and one day she pointed out a site where people were selling knit items for $40 usd on up to $80 for a sweater. Cost of materials shouldn't be too bad although I dont know what that kind of stuff goes for.

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Final Fantasy

Sadly she doesn't knit. I don't think she even owns knitting needles

I don't think I'm looking for her to make a "quick buck", I think - or at least - I'm looking for a way for her to survive. It's not like she isn't prepared to put some work in. I don't mean to imply she is inherantly lazy, she just can't GO to an office for example, and certainly can't do it 5 days a week.

Using eBay again, hyperthetically she starts a jewellery selling business on eBay. She is prepared to sit and answer questions, up-date product descriptions, and go to the local post office and post the items when they have been won by a bidder. All of that is no problem.

The thing she, and I are having trouble coming to terms with is - is it all too late? If not, where do people get their products from? Unless they are selling at a loss, the reasoning for which is completely lost on me, how are they able to do it?

The problem is, she worked full time since the age of 15. She was a single mother raising me, with no support at all. She never had time between work, raising a family and keeping food on the table and a roof over our head's to develop any sort of a hobby. About 10 years ago she had a nervous breakdown, since then she hasn't been able to work full time. I don't want her to have another one. Now at nearly 60 she shouldn't have to work full time, nor does any potential employer want her - they can't openly say it's an age issue but clearly it is. The govt. however says she should be working full time.

So that leaves some sort of home based business. She is quite happy and willing to have an eBay business for example. I keep picking eBay because, well that's what she thinks will be the saviour. When I'm talking making money here, I don't mean she wants to be a millionaire from it, she just wants enough to get by, pay the bills and be able to have a little bit of spending money. Just enough to be comfortable.

You are right though, my stress levels have risen dramatically, not to mention hers. I'm sorry I keep bugging people here with these questions, I figured if anyone had any idea's you have no idea how grateful we would be.

Thanks for your time.

Nathan, I can fully understand the frustration that you and your mom have right now. However, I can tell you from experience that calming down right now and taking your mind away for some time from the steps (mis-steps) that your government has taken would help you immensely in thinking what to do next.

There are thousands of examples of people who went totally broke and then not only recovered but went to become success stories. Even Donald Trump has been bankrupt himself a few times.

In his own book (Trump : How to Get Rich.) he had recited a story of his when he was extremely in debt and Citibank called him for a meeting late at night. It was raining and he had to walk down to the Citibank office as he did not even have the money to pay for a cab.

And, do I need to tell you about him today?

In One Word - NO!

Again, No and No.

There are people who are making a full living online by just promoting stuff that other people sell i.e. affiliate programs. However, the keyword is doing it right.

If you actually waste $800 on that course then I am going to come and hit you on head with the laptop that I am writing this message on. I guess that explains that I really don't want you to ever visit that site again.

I can send you a few auction books myself that have been available freely on the net for some time and they cover pretty much everything that any pro course does (I remember buying one of these auction books at SiteSell.com).

The human psyche is the same and so are the techniques to sell - whether off or online.

Yes.

I guess John has pretty much said what I would have - The internet is a new venue but a business is still a business.

I have a few questions for you -

1. Where do you live? What is the population of the city you live in? Any idea of the demographics?

Chances are that in a quest to deal nationally or internationally, you are missing the local market you have!

2. What are your Mother's Hobbies? Does she like cooking? What kind of Professional Background does she have?

eBay is a good way to make money but there also you have to behave like a real business entity to make money!

Along with real selling, there are a whole lot other industries where you could create assets that would generate income for you.

However, before I can give you any feasible suggestions, I would need to know about your and your mom's background and skills.

Don't think like that. I would consider it a good deed. And, would actually love to consult you and help you with the marketing of your venture for free.

BTW if you can find this book in your local bookstore then do read - How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger. It's pretty slim and low cost.

Hi, thanks for your response! Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

What defines doing it right? Clearly more do it wrong than right so what makes - or what method is right as opposed to being wrong?
[quote=pulse]Oh i have no intention of spending $800 at that site.
That would be most appreciated. Thank you very much.

Australia. I have no idea what the population here is, I would guestimate around 50,000 - 100,000 people. Demographics? Not a clue.

The area I live in is one you classify as not overly technology literate. There isn't a huge take up of Internet for example, and like I said beofre if it's not a home based business she wont be able to do it.

I have no idea what her hobbies are. I honestly don't think she has any. I mean she loves the Internet, she loves researching for things on the Internet but as for actual hobbies - she doesn't have any. She wants to learn how to draw and paint etc but she doesn't do them so they don't count as hobbies. She worked for over 30 year in a laboratory for a large drug company.
I agree, the issue that I'm having is find the sources. Where do people get the items at a low enough cost to then sell on eBay at a profit?
If I missed anything let me know.

Your help is appreciated. Truely

I'll have a look for it. Thank you

You know what, it is just impossible that a person is not skilled in something. I mean, absolutely impossible. Every person has something unique in herself or himself. Trust me, look harder and you will find that she is unique in something that she can commercialize on.

BTW what did she use to work as in the lab?

A lab technician.

I'd like to thank those that have offered help.

Unfortunately my mother recently had a breakdown of sorts due to stress.

So thank you for your help and advice - particularly pulse.

Life really can be a stinker at times. Don't you hate it when you're not smart enough to think of something that will help you and those you care get out of a rutt?

To answer the previous question her hobbies or loves are books. Not that she has beeen able to read a book in a long time though. Can't sell books on the net though - amazon has that pretty much covered.


I don't know what to do anymore and I realise that you all will see this whole topic as pathetic - I would if I was you. I really just didn't know where else to ask for help in strategies in getting an online "business" set up.

I really don't know what to reply!

All I can say is - just have faith in Almighty and everything would fall into place. I am a firm believer in the adage that we have here - Everything, no matter good or bad, happens for your good.

Good luck in coping up situation. I can understand it how hard it might be for you.

However, coming back to the books question, people still make money selling em. Ever heard on niches? Ever heard how small car companies are beating the likes of Ford, GM etc.? Ever heard the story of David vs Goliath?

Sure but don't amazong cover every facet of book delivery?

i have no doubt people make money selling books, do they make enough to live on though? Unlikely I would imagine. Perhaps when combined with the 3000 other sites they might in total make enough to live on.

Negativity is a killer huh?