Teen eBayer makes mark as an entrepreneur

The main office of one of Columbus’ most successful global businesses was housed, until recently, in the typical bedroom of a teenager looking forward to college in the fall.

Todd Messing, owner of Messinc, has sold and shipped consignment items for his clients to countries all over the world including Australia, Korea, Israel, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Canada.

The roots of Messing’s successful eBay/packaging/tutoring business began with a search for a rare video game about five years ago.

In 2006, his business, Messinc, began to grow.

“I really wanted that game and finally convinced my Mom to let me look for it on eBay,” Messing said. “I got going on eBay from there. You really can find anything you want and usually cheaper on eBay than anywhere else.”

In 2006 Messing tried selling his own video games on the online auction giant.

“The first time out for me didn’t work at all,” Messing said. “It took me about six months before I tried to sell it again. When it sold, I thought to myself; ‘I have an entrepreneurial spirit, I wonder if I could try to sell things for other people?’”

Messing pursued his idea and began selling items for family and friends. As he became more expert in researching the value of items online he broadened his offering, took the training offered by eBay, and has since became a member of the local Chamber of Commerce.

“I’ve put out some flyers, but word of mouth has given me most of my best customers so far,” Messing said.

In 2007 Messing took the “Introduction to Entrepreneurship” course at Central Community College-Columbus Campus.

“The entrepreneur class really helped me to see this was something I could run with and it helped dispel some of the misconceptions I had about how business works,” Messing said. “The classes went from September to November of last year, and since that time, I’ve been able to quit my job at one of the local grocery stores.

“The business is doing great. I’ve really not had a bad month yet. It’s been growing steady every month.”

Messing explained that his business is strictly a consignment business and once an agreement is reached with a client to sell their goods, a simple contract is signed to detail the procedure and protect both parties.

Messing performs research at no charge to establish the value of the items a client wants to sell. He then consults with the client and recommends the most effective method of selling, which can include a straight auction, “Buy It Now,” or a combination of the two.

“Once we agree on the price, the method and the time frame for the sale , the contract is signed,” Messing said. “At that point I list the items and the waiting begins.”

Messing said one of the toughest parts of his business is helping the client to see the market value of an item that may have very great sentimental value to them personally.

“We can sell anything you can imagine on eBay, as long as it’s legal,” Messing said. “From golf clubs, to baseball cards to clothing accessories and everything in between.

“One of the tough parts is when clients come with items that have great sentimental value, which is worth less in the eBay world than they might have expected.

“My rate is a flat 15 percent commission above the eBay and Pay Pal fees,” Messing said. “I don’t get paid until item is safely delivered and the buyer is completely satisfied.”

Messing said he’s able to keep his rate low by avoiding the overhead of a brick and mortar storefront.

He adds further convenience to his customers by offering free pick up services for his client’s items.

Custom packaging is one of Messing’s secondary businesses that is evolving as a result of his eBay venture. Because of the volume and nature of the shipping component of eBay selling, Messing can assist current sellers with packaging difficult or oddly shaped items.

Messing also completed training at the first of the year qualifying Messing to hang his shingle as a registered eBay Education Specialist.

He began teaching the intricacies of eBay selling at Central Community College-Columbus Campus in January of this year. His classes are offered on an occasional basis as enough students sign up for the program.

“The training cost me $150, and there are certain requirements from eBay such as a certain amount of feedback, status and account history,” Messing said. “Then you must pass a final exam with an 80 percent score or better. After all that you are officially certified. You don't receive a lot of the benefits until you have received 10 positive feedbacks from students that take your class. So it’s pretty rigorous and prestigious.”

Messing said the Web site to learn more about becoming a registered eBay Trading Assistant is online at www.poweru.net/ebay.