What did you do before starting your online business?

I started my eBay business in 1998 and quit the old day job back in 2002. While still trapped in the work a day world I was able to run my eBay feedback up to nearly 1000 as a part time venture. I had been working as an information systems asset control coordinator with wide area network of over 5000 desktop pc’s.

How and why did you start selling online?

In the late 90's I started buying pc hardware from an internet auction site called onsale and admired the sales platform. This introduced me to online auctions and I discovered eBay soon after. I had always known that I would be better working for myself and it always upset me to see some working far less yet being paid more. I began selling computer salvage and comic books and was amazed at what some items would sell for. I even felt a little guilty at times, but in the early days people paid big bucks for computer garbage on eBay. Before I began selling computer salvage I purchased about 50 long boxes of comics on my first comic shop buyout and ventured into the graded comics market. That also was profitable at times as I could turn $20 into $200 if the proper grades were returned. Collectibles are volatile and I have since chosen significant diversification in my internet offerings.   Today we are offering 100's of excellent unread Near Mint comics at well under guide prices in the cosmic-king ebay store. 

Tell us about your company.

I am an internet toy merchant selling comics, collectibles, toys, diecast and more. Unlike many internet merchants I have a wide diversification of offerings that I think both benefit and weaken my market position. Upon attending the San Jose ebay live event I was invited to Corp. HQ where I discovered that I was a top category performer in both toys and collectibles. After years of hard labor on eBay I was able to move from my basement operation to leasing a 3,000 sq. ft. warehouse near my home and hired a full time employee. A couple of years back I became a member of IMA the internet merchants association.   Participation in our IMA forum and tips from others lead me to the decision that I must sell in the Toys category on Amazon.

The addition of Amazon to my eBay sales has allowed me to purchase a small warehouse on the north side of  Springfield MO. I will begin some local selling this fall of 2008 with my discount outlet as the new warehouse location has a smaller showroom like area. In addition I have a Amazon Webstore for cosmic-king located at www.cosmic-king.com. 

What were some of your biggest stumbling blocks/mistakes in business? How did you overcome them?

Limitations of being a one man business are significant. Having the awareness shift that I can not do it all - all of the time has allowed my business to grow. Also making critical choices as to the cost benefit gained of using additional tools. I have found myself caught in the automated auction grinder selling at under my cost. Realizing that nobody will manage your money as well as you will is also important. Not having significant financial resources has placed me on a slow but solid growth pattern. I made it an early goal to keep my inventory paid for. Watching inventory turn over has been a mistake in my business and I am currently working to increase my turn rate.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when first starting your business?

That when I first started my eBay business it was in its peak and thatcI was not even close to tapping into the deep profits offered by eBay. I regret that I did not seize the moment. In addition to that I should have moved beyond eBay sooner than I did.

What has been your greatest business success?

The freedom of not being stuck working for the machine. I have had dreams of going back to work for somebody else and it was like a prison sentence in my view. The mind set of working for yourself is both liberating and oppressing as I never leave work but yet I enjoy it so. Purchase of my warehouse is significant but the state of mind offered by owning my business is priceless. It is hard to put a price on state of mind.

What are your goals for your company?

 My current goal is to do $1,000,000 annual in sales.

What would you tell aspiring entrepreneurs?

 Never give up Never give up Never give up. Where the mind goes the body will follow. You can will your business to succeed but it takes complete devotion. Believe in yourself and so will others. Never listen to anybody that tells you it can not be done. Associate with those that do what you would like to do.

Check out this fantastic program I have earned over $ 250 with it and so can you !

Learn how to save and earn money on every ebay purchase you make and it is free - Check out Big Crumbs Today !

Cosmic-King Toys Collectibles Comics

Listings

To protect bidder privacy, when the price or highest bid on an item reaches or exceeds a certain level, User IDs will be displayed as anonymous names. For auction items, a bold price means at least one bid has been received. Note: Anonymous names may appear more than once and may represent different bidders. The best deals on ebay Item Start End Price Title High Bidder/Status 360195626312 Oct-05-09 Dec-04-09 07:44:06 $29.99 MEGA BLOKS DINOBLOKS BUILDING BRONTOSAURUS 740 Pcs NEW Available 360195627654 Oct-05-09 Dec-04-09 07:48:55 $35.99 MEGA BLOKS LEGEND VIKING SHIP 370 Pcs NEW PIRATE SET Available 230384917077 Oct-05-09 Dec-04-09 08:10:01 $47.99 HUGE Mega Bloks Blocks CASTLE-VIKING SHIP-Kingdom #9601 Available 230384920725 Oct-05-09 Dec-04-09 08:21:13 $25.99 Mega Bloks Blocks Blok Blaster 250 Pcs Set New Available 360195653808 Oct-05-09 Dec-04-09 08:44:56 $39.99 Mega Bloks Blocks Bradley M2A3 AFV Tank APC Set New Kit Available 360195717609 Oct-05-09 Dec-04-09 11:58:32 $14.99 SOTA Capcom Street Fighter Round 4 Remy Figure New Available 230385017579 Oct-05-09 Dec-04-09 12:18:06 $8.99 Littlest Pet Shop Cat and Couch Figures Bobblin' Heads Available 360195930166 Oct-06-09 Dec-05-09 07:05:13 $6.99 USSR Russian Submarine Sub Travel Clock New Available 360195932345 Oct-06-09 Dec-05-09 07:13:37 $16.99 Gigglepants Educational Game Learn Shapes Colors New Available 360195938756 Oct-06-09 Dec-05-09 07:39:14 $12.99 PINATA OCTOPUS Large Octopus New Kit Tear it up Toy Available 230385288475 Oct-06-09 Dec-05-09 07:47:57 $21.99 Tech Deck Eurogap SK8 Parks Skateboard Fingerbord Ramp Available 360195944159 Oct-06-09 Dec-05-09 07:59:05 $16.99 Revoltech 021 Kaiyodo 21 Giant Robo GR-2 Action Figure Available 360195946167 Oct-06-09 Dec-05-09 08:06:19 $16.99 Kaiyodo Revoltech New Mobile Police Brocken Figure 041 Available 230385301971 Oct-06-09 Dec-05-09 08:30:01 $12.99 Kaiyodo Revoltech New Gaiking Series 39 Robot Figure Available 230385312680 Oct-06-09 Dec-05-09 09:01:03 $16.99 Kaiyodo Revoltech New Series 42 White Robot Figure Available 360196252050 Oct-07-09 Dec-06-09 08:53:02 $15.99 FRAULEIN REVOLTECH 09 009 KAIYODO GIRL FIGURE NEW Available 230385665062 Oct-07-09 Dec-06-09 08:57:31 $16.99 FRAULEIN REVOLTECH 04 004 KAIYODO GIRL FIGURE NEW Available 230385674134 Oct-07-09 Dec-06-09 09:24:26 $17.99 WWE Ruthless Aggression 25 Rey Mysterio Figure New Available 230386032780 Oct-08-09 Dec-07-09 08:32:02 $21.99 Pound Puppies Puppy Dog Tan New with DVD Paw Prints Available 360196567229 Oct-08-09 Dec-07-09 10:08:21 $21.99 Stalingrad Pocket 2nd Gamers Standard Combat Game New Available 230386078646 Oct-08-09 Dec-07-09 10:27:54 $21.99 Gamers Hunters From The Sky Tactical Combat Game New Available 230386107238 Oct-08-09 Dec-07-09 11:28:51 $15.99 LITTLEST PET SHOP Carry Case New with Pets Available 360196621751 Oct-08-09 Dec-07-09 12:47:37 $12.99 GEO TRAX RAIL & ROAD SYSTEM THE CRABBIEST TEAM DVD NEW Available 360196624678 Oct-08-09 Dec-07-09 12:58:58 $36.99 Giant X-Men #1 Sculpture Wall Art 3D Xmen Comic Cover Available 360197345462 Oct-11-09 Dec-10-09 08:15:16 $9.99 TRIGUN d20 ROLE PLAYING HC BOOK GUARDIANS OF ORDER NEW Available 230387109732 Oct-11-09 Dec-10-09 08:18:08 $12.99 Dark Heresy Game Masters Kit DH02 New Warhammer 40,000 Available 360197348043 Oct-11-09 Dec-10-09 08:24:19 $5.99 NEON GENESIS EVANGELLION Vol 6 VIZ GRAPHIC NOVEL COMIC Available 230387115601 Oct-11-09 Dec-10-09 08:29:23 $5.99 NO MAN'S LAND #1 NEW MANGA ANIME TEEN WESTERN BOOK Available 230387305897 Oct-11-09 Dec-10-09 14:12:22 $9.99 How to Draw Anime Manga Art Book New Suit Sailor Suits Available 360197465524 Oct-11-09 Dec-10-09 14:21:28 $9.99 FANTASTIC FOUR HC Premiere Edition Marvel Comic TPB New Available 360197473598 Oct-11-09 Dec-10-09 14:42:20 $9.99 ESSENTIAL AVENGERS VOL 1 COMIC NOVEL STAN LEE NEW TPB Available 230388038911 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 11:39:10 $7.99 AF VISUAL BOOK THE M-36 Tank Squadron Signal Book Available 230388040696 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 11:43:42 $10.99 Squadron Signal Book Heinkel He-112 in Action New Available 360198059218 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 11:45:46 $9.99 MASTERCON VIII MODEL MODELING NEW BOOK DIORAMAS Available 230388042779 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 11:49:06 $8.99 Squadron Signal Book LRRP's In Action Combat Troops Available 360198063022 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 11:58:02 $10.99 Book PANZERS TACTICS Painting Weathering WW II Models Available 230388059077 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 12:29:02 $9.99 Squadron Signal Book Walk Around F-117A Nighthawk New Available 230388059257 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 12:29:32 $9.99 Book Squadron Signal Red Ladies in Waiting Soviet Jets Available 360198073906 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 12:35:23 $10.99 Book Squadron Signal ARAB AIR FORCES New 64 Pages Available 360198074059 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 12:36:01 $9.99 Book Squadron Signal 56th FIGHTER GROUP Air Combat New Available 230388063681 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 12:40:50 $6.99 Book Squadron Signal USAF EUROPE Vol 2 Fighting Colors Available 360198075970 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 12:43:25 $5.99 Book Squadron Signal HAWKER HUNTER Fighting Colors New Available 230388069476 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 12:57:02 $13.99 Signal Squadron MIG - 21 FISHBED Walk Around Book New Available 230388069481 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 12:57:04 $7.99 Squadron Helicopter Book Gunslingsers Cobra Cobras New Available 230388075845 Oct-13-09 Dec-12-09 13:17:18 $9.99 Squadron Signal Book F3H DEMON in Action Navy Jets New Available 360198248886 Oct-14-09 Dec-13-09 06:00:30 $10.99 Book Squadron Signal FLYING SCOREBOARDS Kill Markings Available 230388286352 Oct-14-09 Dec-13-09 06:05:57 $8.99 JL WHITE LIGHTNING 1955 CHRYSLER C-300 SAT EVE POST NEW Available 230388305092 Oct-14-09 Dec-13-09 07:27:06 $5.99 Book Squadron Signal A/RA-5 VIGILANTE Mini Book 3 New Available 360198268644 Oct-14-09 Dec-13-09 07:30:24 $5.99 Book Squadron Signal H-13 Sioux Helicopter Mini 6 New Available 360198269570 Oct-14-09 Dec-13-09 07:34:13 $10.99 Book Squadron Signal ACES WW II Dogfight Fighters New Available 360198294874 Oct-14-09 Dec-13-09 08:45:03 $17.99 Hobby Master Diecast 1/56 M1A1HA ABRAMS TANK ARMY New Available 360198297930 Oct-14-09 Dec-13-09 08:51:36 $19.99 Skate Backpack Dragon Skateboard Red Bag Book Bag Available 230388366749 Oct-14-09 Dec-13-09 10:40:27 $7.99 JLA 3 Rock of Ages DC Comics TPB Justice League New Available 230389166529 Oct-16-09 Dec-15-09 11:21:06 $35.99 Spider-Man Comics Sculpture Wall Art 3D Comic Cover New Available 230390102842 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 07:26:38 $13.99 New 3 Tech deck Fingerboard Skateboard Skateboards Lot Available 360199781942 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 07:45:01 $11.99 LOT OF 4 NEW MILITARY MODELLING MAGAZINE NICE Available 360199785421 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 07:57:33 $9.99 Ultimate Spider-Man: Venom Premiere HC TPB Comic Novel Available 360199788853 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 08:11:04 $6.29 Earthsong volume #1 Anime Manga Graphic Novel Comic New Available 230390119144 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 08:20:27 $8.99 X-MEN EVE of DESTRUCTION Marvel Comics Graphic Novel Available 230390121010 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 08:26:04 $9.99 X-MEN FANTASTIC FOUR X4 Comic $19.99 HC NEW TPB Available 230390123483 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 08:33:33 $12.99 WIZARD X-MEN MASTERPIECE EDITION HARD COVER BOOK $29.99 Available 230390124973 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 08:39:05 $13.99 X-Men First Class HC New TPB Marvel Comics Cvr $24.99 Available 360199797772 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 08:45:26 $5.99 FANTASTIC FOUR FLESH AND STONE TPB ($12.95) FF Marvel Available 360199798579 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 08:49:07 $6.99 Peter Parker Spider-Man One Small Break TPB Comic New Available 230390128573 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 08:51:42 $9.99 YOUNG AVENGERS FAMILY MATTERS Allan Heinberg NEW HC TPB Available 360199801541 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 09:00:06 $6.99 Robert Asprin Myth Adventures 2 Vol II Book New $24.95 Available 230390131931 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 09:03:19 $6.99 Crystal Dragon The Great Migration Duology Book New HC Available 230390199147 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 12:00:12 $24.99 ELVIS DIECAST 1:24 RUSTY WALLACE MILLER NASCAR CAR NEW Available 360199863570 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 12:19:28 $7.99 Marvel The Amazing Spider-Man TPB Book of Ezekiel Vol 7 Available 230390226132 Oct-19-09 Dec-18-09 13:28:23 $6.99 MARVEL ALPHA FLIGHT YOU GOTTA BE KIDDIN' ME TPB COMIC Available 230390431849 Oct-20-09 Dec-19-09 07:19:18 $9.99 RUSSIAN MILITARY MODEL MAGAZINES LOT 4 MAGAZINE MINT Available 230390443469 Oct-20-09 Dec-19-09 07:58:06 $7.99 Drifter High Stakes Drifter Lot 3 New Starter Deck Game Available 360200170242 Oct-20-09 Dec-19-09 13:48:42 $12.99 Hippie 60's WOODSTOCK Wally Shirt Costume Adult Stand Available 360200995903 Oct-23-09 Nov-22-09 08:58:43 $16.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Lot 4 Ties Space Battle Anakin Droids Available 360201242098 Oct-24-09 Nov-23-09 08:24:02 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Young Skywalker Tan Brown Tie New Available 360201244923 Oct-24-09 Nov-23-09 08:36:20 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Battle Droids Blue Tie New Available 230391798895 Oct-24-09 Nov-23-09 08:39:24 $6.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Jar Jar Binks Blue New Tie Available 360201247158 Oct-24-09 Nov-23-09 08:45:02 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Race to Freedom Anakin Sebula Tie Available 230391803697 Oct-24-09 Nov-23-09 08:54:10 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Jar Jar Binks Yellow Gold Tie Available 230393274747 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 09:39:13 $8.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Sith The Dark Side Black and Red Tie Available 360202410383 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 09:44:26 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Naboo Space Battle Tie New Available 360202412267 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 09:48:13 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Obi-Wan Jedi Knight New Tie Available 360202422355 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 10:05:12 $15.99 STAR WARS NeckTies Lot 3 Jedi Knight Tie Ties New Available 360202426872 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 10:20:02 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Darth Maul Sith New Tie Available 230393295068 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 10:34:45 $6.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Battle Droids Blue New Tie Available 230393299609 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 10:48:29 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Jedi Obi Wan New Tie Available 360202436101 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 10:51:41 $7.99 STAR WARS NeckTie Master Jedi Qui-Gon Tie New Available 360202477999 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 13:15:15 $25.99 STAR WARS CLONE TROOPER BLASTER NON WORKING Available 230393367317 Oct-28-09 Nov-27-09 13:36:11 $12.99 My little pony So soft Pinkie Pie New Non Working Available 360202678648 Oct-29-09 Nov-28-09 08:13:01 $19.99 JOHHNY LIGHTNING RANDOM LOT 10 CARS NEW OLD JL DIECAST Available 230393907593 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 07:07:37 $13.99 Avengers #503 (2004) VF / NM Lot 8 Comic Marvel Comics Available 230393908713 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 07:12:14 $12.99 Avengers Annual Lot 8 11 12 13 Marvel Comics Comic Available 230393909535 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 07:16:08 $11.69 Avengers Lot 311 - 360 Marvel Comics Comic Books VF/NM Available 360202982154 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 07:44:07 $13.99 Avengers Lot 201 - 250 Marvel Comics Comic Books VF/NM Available 230393918187 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 07:53:46 $13.79 Avengers Lot 124 - 203 Marvel Comics Comic Books VG/FN+ Available 230393920683 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 08:03:05 $12.59 Astonishing Tales Comics Lot 7 - 34 Old Marvel Comic Available 230393924431 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 08:16:13 $10.99 Amazing Adventures 18 - 39 War Worlds Comics Comic Lot Available 230393928287 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 08:31:19 $12.99 Amazing Adventures Comics Lot 18 - 39 War Worlds Comic Available 360202995173 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 08:35:28 $9.99 Alpha Flight Marvel Comics Comic Lot NM #1 x 2 #2 x 5 Available 360202997364 Oct-30-09 Nov-29-09 08:45:42 $7.99 Adventures of Superman Comic Lot 470 -526 NM DC Comics Available Go see all current items for sale by this member.

FeedBacks

User:bamaskippy( 88)  Date:Nov-21-09 11:00:09 PST Praise: great deal good price A+ seller User:harlock_224( 210)  Date:Nov-21-09 09:20:49 PST Praise: Perfect shipping and service! Incredible seller, deal with upmost confidence. User:cthulhuftaagn( 107)  Date:Nov-21-09 01:40:05 PST Praise: Very good ebayer User:katanablade57( 18)  Date:Nov-19-09 17:01:25 PST Praise: Awesome Deal from a Seller Worthy of Five Stars!!!!!!!!!! User:paulfly-417( 324)  Date:Nov-19-09 13:56:03 PST Praise: Very fast delivery, Thanks Again! User:ms_schmultz( 119)  Date:Nov-19-09 13:18:05 PST Praise: Fast shipping. My son loves it!!! Thanks!! User:pizzadude18( 55)  Date:Nov-19-09 12:54:08 PST Praise: Great seller. Fast Shipment. Would buy from again. A++++ User:twylla23( 236)  Date:Nov-18-09 15:51:33 PST Praise: fast shipping, great seller! User:tatersaladelaine8211976_1( 848)  Date:Nov-18-09 12:30:47 PST Praise: <(*_*)> ø¤ºTOPº¤ø,¸¸,ø¤ºEBAYERº¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤ºTHANKSº¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º //(*_*)\\ User:patty71730( 459)  Date:Nov-18-09 10:45:55 PST Praise: fast shipping, thank you To see all feedback for this member, go to the Member Profile page.

Cosmic-King Toys and Collectibes