Loans, Funding and Working Capital for eBay Sellers.

In order to succeed on eBay, you need to provide a consistently high level of customer service and consistent product availability. However, there are many reasons why it might be difficult to keep your inventory stocked at all times. For example, if you sell seasonal products, you will need to invest in your inventory when cash flow is typically at its lowest. You may have also been one of the many businesses hit by supply chain issues brought on by turbulent economic times of late. These reasons, among many others, can make life difficult for eBay business sellers.

Ecommerce finance allows sellers to tap into funds and improves cash flow to invest in what matters most. From warehousing costs to paying staff wages, buying inventory or investing in marketing, there are so many ways in which finance can help eBay sellers to not just keep their online shopfront running but to grow their offering.

eBay is aware of this need and has released its own finance product in 2021. eBay Seller Capital is provided by YouLend and specifically targeted towards small sellers who are struggling with cash flow issues.  

Ecommerce is no longer the future of retail - it’s the present. Even the most successful online retailers can benefit from finance at certain periods in their operations, and eBay has released its own product in an attempt to answer this need.

Funding Alternatives to eBay Sellers Capital

So, how does eBay's own funding work, and how do you know if it's right for you? Capital for eBay Business Sellers is provided by YouLend. It offers selected sellers the opportunity to apply for between £500 and £150,000 in covering 6-12 monthly repayments, repayable as a fixed percentage of sales.

According to eBay's UK General Manager, Murray Lambell, the launch of eBay Business Capital came as a response to COVID-19 and the lack of support available to small businesses: "Capital for eBay Business Sellers is intended to help plug this gap, giving small businesses quick access to a range of financing options."

Capital for eBay Business Sellers relies on a number of factors meaning it may not be suitable for every business. Firstly, you must be among eBay's Eligible Sellers. If you are relatively new to eBay, even if you have a record track record selling on another platform, you may not be able to apply. And even if you are accepted, you may not get the best rates. 

While eBay does aim to provide an answer within a matter of days, some sellers have to wait longer to find out if they are successful and then again for their funds to be released. For many small businesses, this is a vital time, and a quick response is absolutely vital to the survival of their business. 

How does the You Lend / eBay funding parternship work?

In addition, eBay will use its own data to help their lending partner Youlend calculate your finance, including what you are eligible for and the terms they provide. As a result, sellers who are already struggling may not be able to secure the amount of cash they need to pay all their bills and continue to buy stock. Since the finance is only reflective of your past business and not your future plans and ambitions, it's not appropriate for big, long-term investments like large stock acquisitions or even buying another business or property.

Capital for eBay Business Sellers is a very specific short-term product designed with a certain kind of online seller in mind. As a result, rates can vary greatly. The platform states that rates start from 8.9% APR - but a more common rate is likely to be 18.9% APR. This means that eBay Business Capital is an expensive way to borrow the cash you need, especially if you need something longer term. 

Consequently, business owners should take into consideration whether it really suits their needs or if there is another product out there for them. So, while it's great that eBay is stepping up and providing this option for its sellers, we highly recommend you explore the full market before deciding which finance product is right for you. 

How business loans and working capital can help eBay sellers

When it comes to finding success as an eBay seller, you have to know your finances inside out. From understanding the value of your inventory to managing seller’s fees and paying warehousing costs, it can be an expensive venture.

Managing ecommerce cash flow is one of the most critical considerations for your success. In an ideal world, you will reinvest your profits into the business so you can purchase stock, pay wages and make any other necessary payments. However, there are often instances in which this might not be possible. From seasonal sales changes to late payers and supply chain issues, there are so many factors affecting your cash flow that are out of your control. 

That's where ecommerce finance can help eBay sellers to stay on track. From merchant cash advances to business loans and corporate credit cards, there are several different options on the market - all with different purposes. Depending on your goals, one or multiple of the finance products available to you may be suitable. For example, if you already have several finance products with different lenders, it may be preferential to refinance the entire deficit rather than take out another short-term loan with Capital for eBay Business Sellers.

eBay Loans in the UK

According to eBay's own data, over 200,000 SMEs are actively using its platform in the UK. Each of these businesses will have different needs and priorities, and some may find eBay's short-term finance solution to be perfect for them. Keeping in mind the pressures of running an eBay store, here are some of the highest costs:

• Inventory management and storage/warehouse costs - your stock will need to be ordered, tracked, stored and rotated
• Equipment maintenance - from a stapler and franking machine to a forklift, carrying and dispatching stock will require a range of equipment, which much be bought and maintained.
• Marketing and advertising - the more you invest in your marketing online, the more people will come to your site and the more business you can expect to do
• Product photography - making sure your products are shown in the best light means spending on professional photography.
• Transactional/processing fee costs - dealing with money always costs money
• Cybersecurity - the web is a dangerous place for the unwary. Your business - and your cash - could be under attack by cybercriminals at any time. Protection is vital, and good protection may not be cheap
• Insurance - your stock and premises - and your staff - will all need the protection of proper insurance coverage. You have legal obligations that you cannot afford to ignore

What finance is available for eBay sellers?

So, how do you find out which is the best finance option for you and your eBay store? While traditional lenders are starting to work with ecommerce businesses, not all banks are able to provide online retailers with the cash they need as they often don't have the fixed assets necessary to finance funding, such as property. 

You'll find that there is a lot of choice on the market, from eBay's own finance product through to the banks and specialist lenders. The only way to determine what's right for you is to take the time to determine your goals and then explore the whole market to find the funding suited to them. 

Ecommerce finance is typically calculated by taking several factors into account, including the value of your inventory and monthly sales. If you sell across multiple platforms, for example, then a specific product like eBay Business Capital, PayPal Working Capital or Amazon Lender won't take into account your whole business performance, just the income you've made on that platform.

At Rangewell, we take a different approach. We are independent finance brokers specialising in helping businesses find the right finance for them. We have access to the whole of market, from the big banks to ecommerce specific lenders, so you can rest easy knowing we've scoured what's on offer to find you the right deal.

As experts in all aspects of business funding, we work with you to assemble a comprehensive application and even identify risks early on, so lenders are well-equipped to offer you funding on the best terms they can. 

We know that lenders will vary greatly in what they offer, and even a fraction of a percentage point can make a substantial difference to what you actually pay each month. It means that getting expert support to find the right deal is essential to make the most of the potential of your ecommerce business.

Our knowledge can not only help you secure the funding you need for your ecommerce business - it can save you a great deal of cash. Ready to get started with funding for your eBay business?