Selling unwanted items is an easy way to pocket some cash. We see this happening daily at garage sales, estate auctions, and similar sales opportunities.
Another way to sell unwanted items is to create listings on websites like eBay. You can put things up for auction or choose a Buy It Now option for listings, accept offers, and negotiate deals with potential buyers.
The problem with those processes is that it takes time to generate money. You need to create a listing, take pictures, and respond to inquiries.
With eBay Valet, the idea was to create an all-in-one system where you could sell items without much effort in return for paying a significant commission.
The Story Behind eBay Valet and Alternatives You Can Use
With eBay Valet, sellers had access to a program similar to Amazon’s FBA. People could send their products to a warehouse. In return, eBay would write the listing, take photos, and communicate with customers. Fees ranged from 20% to 75%. It started in 2014 and stopped in 2018.
The premise of eBay Valet was good. Creating individual listings on this auction site takes a lot of time, so anything that could save time would be helpful.
By combining the warehousing idea of Amazon FBA with the full-service support of creating listings, writing content, and managing shipping logistics, someone could become an eBay seller without doing anything more than sending their items to the company.
The consignment programs weren’t as consistent as eBay hoped they would be, and the kinks never got ironed out of the system. Although the complete reason for eBay Valet’s closure was not publicly announced, the platform did offer this brief statement at the time.
“We are always looking to provide the best experience for our customers. We’re focusing on simplifying the selling process and invite you to sell at eBay.com/sell or try our consignment program for luxury handbags and wallets, eBay Authenticate.”
When reviewing the feedback from eBay Valet, the primary issue with the program seems to involve the quality control aspects of listing content.
Although this idea didn’t work, it did solve a marketplace need for people to start businesses or sell extra items without a massive time investment. This gap still exists, which is why exploring today’s alternatives to yesterday’s eBay Valet efforts is worthwhile.
Alternatives to eBay Valet for Today’s Sellers
The reason why eBay Valet was a unique program was that it went far beyond what fulfillment offers to today’s sellers. This program would store, pick, and ship a seller’s items without them needing to do any of the work.
This idea also meant eBay was photographing and listing the items on the seller’s behalf. It created a hands-off approach that made the idea of a side hustle viable to almost anyone. You’d send the stuff to one of the program’s locations, wait for the item to sell, and get your cut of the transaction.
Although eBay has yet to create an alternative to the Valet idea, there are a few resources available that work to minimize the time it takes to have an e-commerce presence today. Here is a look at the choices currently available.
eBay Valet Alternative #1: eBay Consignment
The eBay Consignment Center is a sub-platform that hosts a few third-party sellers. Each one is chosen and trusted by the platform, ensuring a high-quality result for shoppers.
There are currently a dozen consignment categories available to consider. Your items must fit into one of them with clarity to qualify for this program. At the time of writing, here are the options from which you can pick.
| Comics | Collectible Toys | Sports Memorabilia | Sports Cards |
| Cycling | Coins | Stamps | Art Pottery |
| Jewelry | Watches | Handbags | Clothing |
To qualify for the Consignment program, sellers must have expertise within their preferred category. If your items don’t qualify for one of the currently approved areas, you can reach out to eBay to request an update.
Customers contact sellers directly with this program, which makes it different from Valet. Some businesses use an end-to-end approach while providing a diverse range of services.
Think of this option as a bridge between eBay and Etsy, where you have more exposure, but need to do additional work than what a fulfillment support provider typically offers.
eBay Valet Alternative #2: eBay Quick Sale
This program was launched in 2016 to simplify the sales process for tablets and phones. It doesn’t help in other categories, but it is a viable alternative to Valet for those with mobile devices.
The only two categories in this program are for selling tablets and smartphones.
When you choose this resource, you’ll receive a prompt to enter the device’s information to determine the current amount you’ll be offered. If you choose to accept it, a free shipping label can be printed so that the product gets shipped to eBay.
Once the company receives the device and verifies it works, you’ll receive the amount that was offered through this program.
The only issue with this alternative is that sellers don’t have control over the offer amount. You get a guaranteed sale, but it could be significantly less than what you might receive with a private transaction.
Many people use this program for a one-off sale when they upgrade to a new device.
eBay Valet Alternative #3: Deliverr
This third-party fulfillment service operates in the United States. It offers a specific branch for eBay sellers. Through this option, you’re in charge of creating the listings.
What you receive is help taking care of the other logistics, including storage, packing, and shipping.
You can integrate Deliverr with other platforms as well, and you can have badges that apply to each listing to help them stand out to potential customers. The service has a pricing scale to consider, so it helps to review what to expect for pricing in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
eBay Valet Alternative #4: Sellery
This fulfillment service offers multi-channel warehousing support for sellers with eBay Stores. Unlike other third-party providers, this company doesn’t promote itself on the shipping materials sent to your customers. It is more tailored to your brand.
The services Sellery offers have a lot of flexibility, allowing each person or business to configure their investment to make it more personalized.
Several pricing options are available, but the minimum monthly costs are likely higher than what startups and small businesses want to pay. This eBay Valet alternative is more for larger or well-established companies.
eBay Valet Alternative #5: eBay Global Shipping
In the United States, some eBay sellers find international buyers for their items. This program is free to access, removing the barriers that sometimes exist when mailing things overseas.
Although this option isn’t a complete alternative to Valet, it will handle the import and customs process on your behalf. Sellers who want to join must meet specific criteria before they are considered.
Once approved, you send the items to a dedicated center with eBay. Everything gets processed from there. You’re responsible for the customer relationship and listing the article, but the program will help you get through the remainder of the logistics.
eBay Valet Alternative #6: Amazon FBA
Did you know that you can use Amazon FBA to manage your eBay sales? This option is possible if you have an Amazon Seller Central Account.
Although the FBA process is meant for those with an Amazon account, you can sell on multiple channels to take advantage of the logistics support. The e-commerce giant’s warehouses are set up already to handle large order volumes, and you gain access to a global network.
Those assets make it much easier to handle shipping, storage, and fulfillment.
If you decide to use Amazon FBA as an eBay Valet alternative, please remember to keep these four points in mind.
- The items you sell on eBay will arrive at the customer’s address in Amazon-branded packaging.
- Some customers might compare what they paid you with listings on Amazon or other sites, which could initiate unexpected returns.
- People purposely avoid Amazon because of the experiences they’ve had in previous transactions, so seeing this brand unexpectedly could stop repetitive sales.
- Fulfillment support is more expensive when selling items outside of Amazon’s platform.
If you use Amazon FBA, it is the closest thing there is to eBay Valet right now. You’ll need to work your listings and handle customer issues, but the final mile support is valuable.
eBay Valet Alternative #7: e-Fulfillment Service
EFS is another third-party provider that won’t offer help with the eBay listing process, but they handle almost everything else in the transaction chain.
You’ll find a specific branch dedicated to those who sell on eBay. EFS takes care of receiving, inspection, and storage. Once you receive an order, they’ll handle fulfillment duties, including shipping and returns.
They even handle kitting and assembly work.
The sole purpose of EFS is to provide fulfillment support. If you have other online sales channels, you can integrate and automate most platforms into this resource. Although some of the branding feels outdated on their site, actions speak louder than words. The reviews they earn speak for themselves.
What Can I Do to Start Selling Online Today?
Automation is the ticket to success in an e-commerce world where transactions move at lightning speeds. Without fulfillment help, the logistics of managing the end-to-end journey for each customer can quickly become overwhelming. Starting with a third-party provider to handle these items will simplify the sales process.
I began my journey on eBay in 2007, although I’d had an account on the site from almost the very beginning. I’d recently been laid off, unemployment was running out, and I needed something to change.
That’s when I decided to do something I loved and sell different sports and gaming cards. In my first year on eBay, I sold over $22,000 worth of merchandise and stockpiled about $60,000 in inventory while operating on a shoestring budget.
Although automation options weren’t around much then, I did create a generic listing text where I could just change the item name and photos to speed up everything.
The fees, deposits, and taxes add up quickly when you’re not getting sales, so working with a third-party provider that simplifies logistics is super helpful.
I thought eBay Valet was brilliant and loved using it. The idea allowed me to explore other business avenues. With these alternatives, that option is still possible, although it requires a little extra work.
