15 Creative Ways To Raise Money For Your eBay Business

Raising enough cash to start your own business can be difficult.  In fact, lack of start-up cash is one of the major reasons many businesses are not taken from idea to conception. The following are some ways you can raise the start-up money you need to initiate your business venture.

1. Apply for a low interest credit card with a decent limit:  This is not the most ideal option, but it is one way of getting your hands on cash.  The drawback, as it is with any line of credit, is the interest that you will have to incur on each purchase. 

2. Apply for a business loan:  This is tough to get as most banks still do not give loans for online ventures without your showing that you have an equal amount invested. It is worth a try, however.

3. Family loans:  This is another type of loan that you probably do not want to do, but if the amount is small enough, you can probably pay it off quickly and avoid any family tension.

4. Open a revolving line of credit: With this arrangement, you use the line of credit to pay your expenses and then pay off the balance after your customers pay you for your product or service. This is available from most banks, but you do have to present them with either a favorable credit history or a convincing business plan.

5. Selling items you already own to build a cash reserve:  We all have stuff lying around that we do not use – that is why we have online auctions. Using this “stock” can generate some cash and costs you nothing but the auction listing fees.

6. Take in consignment items initially: Use your auctioneer consignment commission fees to start your full-fledged eBay business. As such, you are building a business and generating income on someone else’s inventory.

7. Dropship: With this arrangement, you do not pay for merchandise until you sell it.  You sell it and then have the dropshipper deliver the product to the buyer. The only money you’ll have to spend before the sale will be on auction listing fees.

8. Take in a silent partner:  This is along the same lines of a loan, but family or friends might be more willing to help you out if they get an interest in the business. Realize, however, that you cannot just kick them out of the partnership once the investment amount is repaid.

9. Hold a yard sale: This will allow you to sell many different products from around your house that might not sell on eBay. Use the cash generated to build a reserve.

10. Pawn unused items:  This is not a preferable option for most people, but it is a way to generate cash. If you do a temporary pawn on an expensive item, you will have 30 days to return to the pawn shop and reclaim your merchandise. In the meantime, you can use the funds to give your business a jumpstart.

11. Take on a temporary part-time job:  Go work for a supermarket or a retail store, or seek another type of employment that you might enjoy. It is short-term, relatively easy work and, because you do not need a lot of training, there will not be no hard feelings when you leave.

12. Borrow from your retirement savings:  You might want to consider cashing bonds or stocks, or borrowing from your retirement savings. This money can always be paid back (with interest, if you like) once your business is up and running.

13. Sell eBooks online:  You will have to invest your time and research, but if you have a hobby or skill that you are proficient at, writing and selling eBooks online, or purchasing pre-written eBooks and selling them, may be a way to jumpstart your business. If possible, sell them on eBay so that you can charge a higher ticket price per eBook.

14. Go in on a “one-time” venture to make money:  Ask a friend to spot the start-up cost for one round of selling.  That way they are not a partner in your business—only in one venture—and you will have a little money to put towards your business.

15. Use a tax refund as investment assets:  Most people spend their income tax refund to pay off bills, go on vacation or purchase items they would not normally be able to purchase.  Instead of doing this, put your refund towards your business start-up cost