# eBay storefronts **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 25, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-storefronts/231165 "2004-02-25T20:05:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Carnal\_knowledge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@Carnal\_knowledge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnal_knowledge)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-storefronts/231165/1 "2004-02-25T20:05:56Z")
There are a few companies out there that will list your stuff for you and handle all the selling, shipping details, such as: > **[eBay Franchise Opportunity | iSOLD It on eBay](https://www.i-soldit.com/)** > > iSOLD It on eBay is the number one eBay franchise opportunity & eBay drop off stores in the United States. Sell your item on eBay today, call 619-334-2749. and [http://www.auctiondrop.com/](http://www.auctiondrop.com/) Makes sense to me, but I thought I would get some other ideas. Would you use them? Do these stores have a chance of surviving for long? Brilliant or dumbest thing you’ve ever seen? ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-storefronts/231165/2 "2004-02-25T23:00:37Z")
Would I use them? No. Ebay is too easy for me to use. I can see someone like my mom (a comper illiterate person) using the companies, though. Over all, I would guess that companies like that won’t last long. I don’t really see a point in it. Most people that browse ebay are computer literate enough to sell an item themselves, no? If it’s the hassle of shipping the item, I don’t know that the companies make it any better. I didn’t really look at those sites, so Ihave often wondered how they handle shipping. Do you ship it to them and then they ship it to the buyer? Do they send you the address and you ship it? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-storefronts/231165/3 "2004-02-25T23:18:54Z")
> [@Bad News Baboon](#): > > Over all, I would guess that companies like that won’t last long. I don’t really see a point in it. Most people that browse ebay are computer literate enough to sell an item themselves, no? If it’s the hassle of shipping the item, I don’t know that the companies make it any better. Not to mention that places like [Mail Boxes Etc.](http://www.mbe.com/) will handle the packing & shipping for you. ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-storefronts/231165/4 "2004-02-26T00:53:04Z")
> [@Bad News Baboon](#): > > I can see someone like my mom (a **comper** illiterate person) using the companies, though. Unlike her daughter, a plain ol’ illiterate! 😉 Le sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Carnal\_knowledge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c57346/32.png) [@Carnal\_knowledge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carnal_knowledge)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2004, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ebay-storefronts/231165/5 "2004-02-27T16:04:58Z")
> [@](#): > > I didn’t really look at those sites, so Ihave often wondered how they handle shipping. Do you ship it to them and then they ship it to the buyer? Do they send you the address and you ship it? Nope, these are actual storefronts in whatever your location is, so you just drop it off at the store like you would dry-cleaning or something. > [@](#): > > I can see someone like my mom (a comper illiterate person) using the companies, though. Yep, I think this is pretty much their target market. Folks who maybe aren’t computer literate enough to use eBay. Or those who don’t want to deal with shipping. I know that I don’t like having to go to the Post Office and stand in line for a half-hour to ship a package. I suspect others feel the same… > [@](#): > > Not to mention that places like Mail Boxes Etc. will handle the packing & shipping for you. This to me is what makes the most sense, is to put it in this type of store. The only competitive advantage one of these store has over an MBE is one of specialization, focusing on just doing the one thing, instead of doing several things and, oh yeah, we can also sell your stuff for you on eBay. The question is are they going to make enough margin doing it…