From Security Guard to 7 Years of Drop shipping on eBay — 7 Lessons Learned

Once upon a time, as I stood at my security job, the night seemed to stretch endlessly before me. I was earning $15/h, my credit cards were maxed out, and my debt kept increasing. Desperate for a solution, I scrolled through YouTube video after video, hoping to find a way to earn more money. That’s when I stumbled upon a video about eBay dropshipping.

That very night, during the Christmas season, I took to my smartphone. I navigated to Amazon, took a screenshot of an item — a snowman-shaped globe — and cropped out the Amazon web template, leaving just the product image. Then, using eBay’s mobile app, I uploaded the image, copied the title and description, and listed the product. I didn’t expect much, but the very next day, on my way to my security job, I received a notification: a sale for $22. To my amazement, the item’s cost on Amazon was only $9.99. With just a few minutes of work, I had earned $12 — a stark contrast to the hours I spent at my job making only $15/h.

Fast forward 7 years, and I’ve grossed around 7 figures through dropshipping on eBay. Sure, I lost a lot through bad investments and some unforeseen circumstances, but I also made some valuable investments that I still benefit from today. No longer part of the traditional job force, I now face the daily challenges of dropshipping on eBay full time. Here are the seven most profound lessons I’ve learned:

1. Seize Opportunities: In the early days of dropshipping, with less competition, it felt like anyone could make money on eBay. My biggest regret was not scaling up quickly enough. If I’d acted more aggressively, the returns could’ve been staggering. So when opportunity knocks, don’t just answer — throw open the door.

2. Find a Mentor: Navigating the world of dropshipping solo was a painful experience. In the future, I’ll never venture into a new business without seeking guidance. Though I spent years learning through trial and error, a seasoned mentor could have provided the insights I needed right from the start. A mentor can fast-track your journey; don’t waste time reinventing the wheel.

3. Join a Community: Being part of a community offers invaluable support. Through interactions with others, I’ve gained insights that I wouldn’t have discovered on my own. Remember: you might go fast alone, but to go far, you need company.

4. Invest in Learning: Initially, I hesitated to spend money on courses and software, believing all the necessary information was available for free online. While this is largely true, structured courses offer a guided path, making the learning curve smoother. To extract maximum value from any course, take the core lessons to heart and tailor the rest to fit your unique situation.

5. Build an Online Presence Sooner: Launching EcomSniper, my dropshipping tool, and sharing my knowledge publicly connected me with experienced dropshippers quickly. If I’d begun building my online reputation earlier, I might have had even more support to scale my business.

6. Platform Choice Matters: eBay has its advantages, but it’s not the largest platform for dropshipping. In retrospect, I wonder if building a foundation on Amazon — a growing platform — would have been more advantageous. However, given my current expertise, it’s more efficient for me to continue scaling my eBay business. And who knows, maybe Amazon is my next venture.

7. Never Get Complacent: One crucial lesson is understanding that early success doesn’t guarantee continuous growth. The terrain of eBay is ever-changing, with account suspensions, policy shifts, and other uncertainties. I wish I had diversified my investments, especially when I was earning the most. Always be prepared for the unexpected and have multiple streams of income.

These are the lessons from my journey thus far. To delve deeper into my eBay dropshipping experience of 7 years, visit my website, EcomSniper.io. Here, you’ll find access to my course and much more. This feels like just the beginning, and I’ll be back with more insights soon. Thank you.

- Sammy