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eBay Franchises: Veterans Take a Second Look
Veterans are taking a fresh look at eBay franchises. Some of these businesses plug directly into the flow of money between established merchants and their customers.
Veterans returning to the civilian working world may have more options than they think. If you want to be your own boss, you'll find storefront and home-based franchises that can provide a solid income along with the entrepreneurial pride of ownership. As a veteran or reservist, you're also entitled to grants and loans to help get your business off the ground. You may want to give eBay franchises a look.
Franchisers as Auction Middlemen and Women
With an estimated 168 million registered users, eBay facilitates sales and auctions in over 150 countries. An eBay franchise is a great way for a veteran to hop between a seller and an enthusiastic buyer. It's a middleman's role that plugs you into an established cash flow. For example, drop-off center franchises help volume eBay sellers who can't afford either the time or money to handle their shipments. Franchise owners take either a flat rate or a percentage of the sales price based on the eBay merchant's agreement with the buyer.
How About a Consignment Franchise?
Other eBay franchises occupy the auction space, providing consignment storefronts where would-be sellers can drop off their goods, have them photographed, pay for descriptions and listings on eBay. The franchise then conducts the auction, receives a percentage, ships the items, and sends payments to the seller.
The ultimate business success of the consignment franchise can depend on the owner's ability to set the best formula for profit, based on the cost of each auction item and the weight and cost for shipping the article. Some franchise owners report making as much as a 40 percent share on the sales, since many sellers are delighted just to have everything done for them in unloading their wares.
Raising eBay Franchise Capital for Vets
The U.S. Small Business Administration's new SBA Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative now provides a wide network of lenders with rapid loan processing times for veterans, service-disabled vets, reservists, and Active-duty service members eligible for the military's Transition Assistance Program.
The SBA and Veterans Business Outreach Centers across the country will help you write a business plan, explore financing options, and take courses to help you grow your business. The SCORE Association also provides resources and links to grants and loans established especially for veterans.
If eBay franchising sounds like a good fit for you, assess your existing internet skills. You'll need to know about software, browsers, and how to shoot and scale digital pictures. Fortunately, you can polish or acquire these skills at a local trade school or college, on campus or online. Then, let the bidding begin!
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