How Not to Buy Bulk iPhones
Written by Oliver Goehler Wednesday, 25 August 2010
I've been 'weighing up' the iPhone for a while now...buying one for myself I mean (as opposed to flogging 'em'). My brother has one and raves about it. Fellow eBay Supremo and Internet Whizz Mark Wallace also has one - and raves about it. But I've been 'under contract' with another firm so thought I'd wait before investing. Now, I'm finally getting one. Can't wait to get my grubby hands on the thing. And did you know? It's one of eBay's most searched-for terms - 'iphone'. Not just the phone itself...but all the other stuff that goes with it - such as cases, extra batteries, other accessories etc. etc. There's definitely an eBay business to build purely off the back of this phone! But I'm not here to talk about that today -I'm here to talk about getting ripped off by potential suppliers of this item.
You see, almost every week here in the office we hear from someone who has been 'taken' by a potential 'supplier'. Let me be clear here: in 99 cases out of 100, you are NOT going to be able to buy (real and genuine) cheap iPhones (or, for that matter other quality 'branded' stuff) from China. I'm not knocking China here generally. It's an outstanding source of products. But what some shady characters know is that there are plenty of people looking for iPhones and the like.
So they post adverts (on trade sites and the like) telling you that they have some. Cheap. Once you're 'hooked', one thing happens. They run off with your mone-e! It happens *all the time*. And it's easily avoidable. How? Simply by understanding that it's VERY rare that you can get cheap *branded* stock from China. That includes iPhones...but also other branded stuff like Playstations, Nintendo Wiis etc. etc.
If it's cheap and from China, and has someone's trademark on it, then chances are someone is about to rip you off! China is great, generally, for 'non-branded' stock. Stuff that is NOT 'branded'. There's no better source for that kind of stuff than China. (Generally, anyway). But I see people getting 'taken' all the time buying so-called 'branded' stock from China. Be VERY careful. Especially if someone asks you to send the money by 'Western Union' (where they can't be traced). If you want to buy *branded* stock, find out the UK distributor for that stock. If you want to buy from China - fine. But, in 99% of cases, don't risk buying 'branded' stuff from there. You'll probably get burnt. Now, enough of that - I'm back to getting my lovely iPhone!
Until Next Time - Kommando over and out...
Best Regards,
Oliver Goehler
'Auction Kommando'
Make Money From eBay
| Sign up for our FREE newsletters! Grab Your Free 'Make Money From eBay Wholesaling' Report Here |
From Our Newsletter
Avoiding the 'No-profit' Zone
I'm reading a book at the moment - an older one which I bought some time ago. I kind of 'glanced' at it when I first bought it, but as is usual with these things, I then usually go back and have another look (often about 6 years later). So, this one is called "The Profit Zone: How Strategic Business Design Will Lead You To Tomorrow's Profits" by a guy called Adrian Slywotzky. And although it focuses more on 'big' companies (such as Intel, Microsoft and Disney, amongst others), there are some good 'lessons' for everyone in here...including eBayers! Anyway - in the section on 'Intel', the author looks at how Intel has risen to become the World's #1 chip-maker. It starts decades ago...in fact, interestingly enough, back in the late 70's, Intel didn't make processors for PC's (like it does now) - it focused on making 'DRAM'...that's memory for PCs. What happened? Well, because of the (DRAM) market's huge growth, tons of competitors (mostly Japanese) jumped along for the ride. Eventually, that meant profits got watered down for everyone. Intel was faced with a problem: continue making sub-par profits in 'DRAM', or consider its alternatives. It decided to focus on processors instead - which, at the time, was a HUGE change for them. After all, they were memory-makers!
Visit a Trade Show
Next week I won't be here that much - although I'll still be writing you my daily email message. So, where will I be? I'm visiting a trade-show...not for the first time, and I don't think it will be my last either. If you've already started your eBay business, or are looking to start one, then they can be well worth a visit. Why? Simply because you'll find them 'chock' full of suppliers who can provide you with profitable products to resell. Whatever the niche. Sure, not every supplier will exhibit at trade-shows - but plenty do. This is ideal if you're looking at a certain niche. Let's say you're interested in selling beauty type products on eBay and online. Then there's a trade-show for that 'niche' (as for practically any other).
Appearances can be Deceptive
Testimonials
“I HATED my previous 9-5 job…now I don’t need it thanks to this information… I’m running my own £7,000 per MONTH eBay business from home!”
-Amanda O’Brien
“I am now a ‘Powerseller’ and have an eBay store turning over just over £5,000 each month…I would have absolutely no hesitation recommending any of your products….”
-John North
Popular Articles
In the Press
“Here’s What The Press Say About Oliver Goehler”
I’ve been fortunate enough to have been featured in publications read in over 50 countries worldwide. I’ve appeared on TV on more than one occasion, been asked for radio interviews, even been on the front-page of the Daily Telegraph – and more.I’ve also been filmed for eBay’s very own promotional video, and have been asked to speak at their ‘Mastery University’.
Anyway, here’s a sample of some direct quotes from these articles. If nothing else, hopefully they’ll illustrate that I know what I’m talking about!
- "At 24, he's the man who can make 3 grand with a single click" - BBC 1's Real Story (award-winning TV show, BBC1)
- Brainy…" - The Sun Newspaper
- Oliver Goehler is a master…" - WebUser Magazine
- "£1,000 for a five hour week anyone?" - The Daily Telegraph (headline of an article in which Oliver Goehler was the main feature, including being on the front-page of this newspaper)
- "In one week alone this month his sales were around £1,500…Oliver has a profit margin of over 90 per cent on some of the books sold…" - The Manchester Evening News
- "He runs a bedroom empire…" - BBC 1 News
eBay’s Most Searched for Are
- Iphone
- Nintendo Wii
Pretty hot, right?
They sure are - but here's the problem...Plenty of newbies - like lambs to the proverbial slaughter - come at those terms quite, shall we say, 'literally'...
Oliver had been featured in publications read in over 50 countries including BBC, The Daily Telegraph, and more. 
We offer a 100% money back guarantee if you are unhappy with any services you purchase from Oliver Goehler.
Have a question or comment for Oliver? You can contact him quickly via the