Quotations by Adam Ginsberg

People go into business for themselves thinking they'll have more time for themselves. I found out the hard way that the opposite is usually true. You end up working a lot harder a lot more hours for yourself, trying to get your business up and profitable. You think, going in, that this is your key to freedom, and it ends up being your key to killing yourself. You become a slave to it. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

It's not really necessary to like what you are selling. The key is to sell what people are willing to buy. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

A traditional model for starting a business looks something like this: 1. You will end your first year of operations in debt. 2. In the second year, you will perhaps break even. 3. If you are lucky, you will finally turn a profit your third year in business. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

One of the key components to success on eBay is innovation. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

In any selling environment, there are two basic philosophies, or approaches. The first involves low volume and high profit-margin. The second is the opposite--high volume, low profit-margin. Sellers on eBay have to have better prices than what's out there. To create a successful business with a low profit-margin, it is necessary to sell more product than if you were able to charge retail price. Historically, on eBay, this high-volume-low-margin philosophy tends to be the more successful. If you can purchase your product for below the average eBay selling price, you have margin and you're in business. If not, try to find something else. I recommend a product that will yield a profit margin, is available in large enough quantity, and is "UPS-able". [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

One great idea is to buy out of season and sell in season. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

I believe it is an acceptable practice to profit a little on shipping. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

Many buyers will ask if a seller is wiling to list the item as a gift of low monetary value on the customs declaration form. Some sellers are happy to comply, because they feel it increases their chances of making a sale. There is a risk in agreeing to this. You can only insure an item for the amount you declare it to be. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

If you have two or more of the exact same item listed at once, there is no urgency on the part of the buyer. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

Key Keywords for Your Titles: 1. Brand name; 2. Model name; 3. Model number; 4. Condition (abandon "brand" and simply use "new"); 5. "Antique" or "vintage," if applicable; 6. Color; 7. Size; 8. Any distinguishing or personalized features to help buyers find your item. Try not to use words like "gorgeous" or "stunning." [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

What you need is a white seamless background--unless your item is white. Avoid glare, reflections, shadows, and anything else that negatively affects the quality of your image. Never ever use a flash. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

Mangos are my favorite fruit treat during spring and summer, but you have to know where to look to get good ones. Check out Hispanic markets and Indian grocery stores. The difference between a mango from Walmart and one from an Indian spice store is like the difference between a hard, pale, tasteless, pink tomato and a ripe, flavorful, farm-stand heirloom. You should be able to smell the mango at arm's length. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

If you chop the broccoli (or brussels sprouts, kale, collards, cauliflower, or any other cruciferous vegetable) and then wait 40 minutes, you can cook it as much as you want. At that point, the sulforaphane has already been made. (You can also buy bags of fresh greens and other crucifers that are prechopped or shredded, which can presumably be cooked immediately). If you don't have 40 minutes to spare between chopping and cooking, or if you're using frozen greens, just sprinkle the crucifers with some mustard powder before you eat them. The addition of powdered mustard seeds to cooked broccoli significantly increases sulforaphane formation. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

Sweet potatoes can be considered a superfood. They are ranked as one of the healthiest foods on the planet. In fact, they're among the healthiest and cheapest, with one of the highest nutrient-rich food scores per dollar. When picking out varieties at the supermarket, remember that a sweet potato's nutritional content is tied directly to the intensity of its color. The more yellow or orange its flesh, the healthier it may be. Sweet potatoes are healthier than plain potatoes, but if you're going to choose the latter, seek out those with blue or purple flesh. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg

Radishes are completely unable to stop pancreatic cancer cell growth. However, radishes were 100% effective at halting the growth of stomach cancer cells. Orange bell peppers were useless against stomach cancer, but they were able to suppress prostate cancer cell growth by more than 75%. A diversified diet, containing several distinct classes of vegetables (and hence of phytochemicals) is essential for effective prevention of cancer. [2005] - Adam Ginsberg