1. What is your occupational background?

I am trained in marketing and management and have always been interested in Thai art and handicrafts. I also have artist friends who produce high quality handmade products. From here I developed a business idea to sell their unique products and in 2005, I opened my own online store as well as a physical shop in Bangkok’s Chatuchak Weekend Market in 2006.

2. How did you get started on eBay?

Inspired by a book I read named, "Get rich with eBay," I started selling papier maché pets, Lanna-style paintings, and embroidered clothing crafted by my friends and villagers from Northern Thailand, particularly Chiang Mai, on eBay in 2007.

I chose to sell on eBay to expand my marketing channels. As my physical stores were set up for wholesale, I already had many products in stock, ready for shipment. However, the wholesale business generates rather low profits. With eBay, I quickly discovered that I can earn larger profits and that it is a very effective way to reach new customers globally. eBay is available in 39 countries worldwide.

3. How long have you been buying and selling on eBay?

I have been buying and selling on eBay for around 2 years.

4. What are you currently selling on eBay, and on which eBay sites?

Most of my eBay customers are repeat buyers who collect papier maché pets. This has attracted much attention from international customers due to the growing global “green” awareness. Papier maché products are very environmentally-friendly as they are made from used newspapers and mulberry paper which are easily available in Chiang Mai.

More than half of my customers are from the US with a growing number from Australia, England, France, Japan, as well as other European countries such as Germany, Norway, Denmark, Holland and others. I usually list items on eBay.com and offer to ship the item worldwide.

6. Where do you source your products from?

There are made by my artist friends, as well as villagers in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand.

7. How much do you earn per month? (Or how many items do you sell each month?)

There were times when I sold as many as 200 items in a single month. This translates into approximately three kilograms of waste reduction.

8. Are you satisfied with the amount you are earning?

’m very satisfied with what I earn from eBay as it requires minimal investment. Also, I earn better profits selling on eBay than from my physical store at the Chatuchak Weekend Market and my own website.

9. How do you set competitive pricing for your products?

My products are very unique in style and quality. The supply is not easily obtained by other sellers. This allows me to price them slightly higher than the market average.

10. Any useful tips to share?

My marketing strategy is to focus on product differentiation and ensure constant communications with customers. Since I always keep in close contact with my customers by responding to their queries within 24 hours and updating them on receipt of payments and shipment status, I constantly receive very positive feedback from them. I was able to become an eBay PowerSeller in only a few months.

11. Any advice for entrepreneurs who are keen to start an eBay online business?

To be successful selling on eBay, you need to find your niche and be creative. Take these papier maché pets for example. Its value lies in the fact that it is environmentally friendly and original, with precise Thai craftsmanship unmatched elsewhere in the world.

12. In your opinion, what are the benefits of selling on eBay as compared to other e-commerce sites?

• eBay is an efficient online marketplace that has helped me reach new global customers quickly and easily.
• eBay also provides online tools that allows me to run my business efficiently.้
• PayPal, the preferred payment method on eBay, is also a safe and convenient way to send and receive money for both buyers and sellers.