Possession is 9/10ths of being an eBay Trading Assistant

I am still amazed by how many newbies get in to this business of consignment and get burned by their client. Many start off selling for friends and family and assume it is okay to not take possession of the items they are selling. It is too easy for clients to not release the items sold if they are not happy with the price.

So let me say this once again:

"Do not sell items unless you have possession of them!"

By nature, most of us are trusting individuals...but when it comes to business and money it should be used with restraint. There are certain situations where you cannot take possession (i.e. large furniture, industrial equipment, etc.) of the items but the TA should understand the risks involved and do their due diligence to prevent such problems.

Trading assistants should also have clauses in their TA contract about clients backing out of the deal with monitary penalites if such a situation occurs. If the item was already sold, then the trading assistant should be able to collect their commissions too even if the client refuses the sale.