Unique ebay item...opportunity or trap?

Cianos

Hi folks,
I am considering selling via ebay an item that I'll have to import. Doing a search on ebay for this item gives no results. I have used different search terms, have searched across different ebay sites and still can't find listings for the type of product.

I know of one seller who is selling the item but only seems to be targeting his domestic country/language. But he doesn't seem to be targeting the international/English speaking ebay audience.

Now, the way I see it the lack of listings on ebay could be for a couple of reasons. Either (a.), there's a genuinely good opportunity here to fill the gap and provide this product, or (b.), others have attempted it before and closed up because of lack of demand or the costs were too high to make it worth it.

It's a bulky item, but it is a specialist item and those who would want one would probably be willing to pay the shipping costs as it can't be readily found in shops.

Can anyone recommend how I might go about determining the success of this product on ebay to date or the likelihood of it being a success should I provide it?

Thanks very much for any help.

RoadKillTs

Your right to be cautious Cianos. Usually if something isn't on eBay for sale then there is a good reason for it.

Is the product been sold in Ireland at all in any shape or form?
I guess market research would be the best way to determine if their was demand.

Cianos

RoadKillTs wrote: »

Your right to be cautious Cianos. Usually if something isn't on eBay for sale then there is a good reason for it.

Is the product been sold in Ireland at all in any shape or form?
I guess market research would be the best way to determine if their was demand.

It's not available for purchase in Ireland as far as I know. The item is popular, well known and used in several Scandinavian cities and there's a very good chance of it catching on in other European cities, because in the last couple of years or so, cheaper (yet still good quality) alternatives to the originals have been introduced on to the market.

RoadKillTs

It's not available for purchase in Ireland as far as I know. The item is popular, well known and used in several Scandinavian cities and there's a very good chance of it catching on in other European cities, because in the last couple of years or so, cheaper (yet still good quality) alternatives to the originals have been introduced on to the market.

Do you know a wholesaler that can sell it and could you buy in a few units just to test the market?


EDIT: You could try using the Google keyword tool to see if many people were searching for it.

Cianos

RoadKillTs wrote: »

Do you know a wholesaler that can sell it and could you buy in a few units just to test the market?

I'd have to import it from the far east, the only wholesalers or manufacturers in Europe would be selling the expensive ones.

Fol20

If You do start selling,im interested to see what this product is..link it pls

RoadKillTs

I'd have to import it from the far east, the only wholesalers or manufacturers in Europe would be selling the expensive ones.

Right you said its a specialist item. Would the people that use this item be part of certain groups, clubs or organisations that maybe you could target first and see if there was demand?

Cianos

RoadKillTs wrote: »

Right you said its a specialist item. Would the people that use this item be part of certain groups, clubs or organisations that maybe you could target first and see if there was demand?

Yeah I have a few ideas in this regard, and I think even if the item proved to be unpopular on ebay etc I could probably at least sell them on for cost price.

I did another few queries using the google tool and while there aren't many searches being done for them there are certainly a few.

RoadKillTs

I did another few queries using the google tool and while there aren't many searches being done for them there are certainly a few.

Well thats a good start. Have to say im interested. Let me know if you start selling.

Cianos

RoadKillTs wrote: »

Well thats a good start. Have to say im interested. Let me know if you start selling.

Will do, thanks for the help