The Salehoo Controversy and Untapped Ecommerce Niches
Filed under Salehoo Scam
The controversy surrounding Salehoo seems never ending, and I can’t count how many people find this site wanting to know if Salehoo is a scam or not. That is why I’m talking about the Salehoo scam question again in this post. This bears on the issue of hot niche markets and untapped niche markets, which is of concern to ecommerce marketers specializing in focused niche targeting. You can find other posts on this topic by searching under the category, “Salehoo Scam.” And make no mistake, there is a very outspoken sub-niche of people who fervently, and loudly believe that Salehoo is rip-off.
Perhaps you have come to this site seeking untapped ecommerce niches and want to know if Salehoo would be of use. So these are two questions I’ll try to help with–the Salehoo scam issue and untapped ecommerce niches. First, a word of disclosure–I am a Salehoo member. I paid my membership a fee a few years ago because I was curious about Salehoo, wanted to learn more about product sourcing and ecommerce, and was seeking new ideas for marketing physical products. Did Salehoo deliver?
Speaking from my own experience, I would say, “yes, it did.” I did learn more about product sourcing and ecommerce, and found many new ideas through the Salehoo resources and through interaction on the forum. In fact, I would say that on several occasions when some of the more experienced members and longtime Salehoo staff opened up, I had some real eye opening moments in regard to selling on eBay and how eBay works. I have to say that over the years of my membership, I have never felt that Salehoo was deceiving me in any way or engaging in any sort of bait and switch tactics.
The Salehoo directory really does offer contact information for a vast number product suppliers. The site claims access to 8000 categorized product suppliers across approximately 150 to 200 product categories. There are 19 main categories each with 5 to 10 subcategories, so in total between 150 and 200 product categories. In addition, there is a member forum where you can seek and give advice and opinions and ask for help finding product suppliers if you are having trouble. Many people joining Salehoo do so with specific plans to sell on eBay, and Salehoo does actively offer help with the know-how of selling on eBay and in other auction environments. Over the years since eBay started, it has developed into quite a sophisticated market place–it is no longer the naive selling environment of its youth, and for that reason alone, Salehoo’s eBay advice can be life-saving for eBay newcomers. And speaking of alternative auction venues, there is a rather long forum thread on just that subject that I use as my primary reference for that subject.
One thing I should mention at this point–should have brought it up at the beginning–is that Salehoo does not sell physical products. I know there is some confusion on that point, so I’ll say it again. Salehoo itself is not involved in any way in the selling of physical products. When you join Salehoo, you are NOT joining a sort of virtual Sam’s Club where you buy stuff. You are joining a membership that provides product supplier contact information and ecommerce know-how. That is very important, and I know that some people have joined and been very disappointed to discover that Salehoo was offering information on where to find products and how to sell them. So, one last time, Salehoo does not sell products.
Other people have been disappointed to find that they could still not make money on eBay or on their own ecommerce sites. That is unfortunate and truly sad. If you have a dream of financial independence and you see yourself not succeeding, that is very frustrating. And I appreciate and feel your frustration. However, doing business and making money requires persisting through the learning curve until you acquire the business know-how to begin succeeding. For some that know-how comes quickly, and for others more slowly or never at all. Believe me, some business knowledge is very important, and if you are starting from scratch, give yourself time to learn some of the basics.
Do you need Salehoo to find product supplier? In my opinion, not necessarily. Do you need Salehoo to find untapped ecommerce niche markets? Again, no. But then again, do you need can opener to open a can of tuna? Not necessarily, but it sure helps. The Salehoo staff and membership can certainly give advice on productive under utilized niches, and you can also use the Salehoo research tools. However, you certainly don’t need Salehoo to find niche markets. Can it help, yes, but you can do your own research (I talk about that in posts on this site) using free online and offline resources. However, Salehoo might just be the helpful resource you need to reach that tipping point where you topple over into success. I honestly can’t say. I certainly haven’t regretted joining, but that’s just me.
For more information:
take a tour right now!: online global wholesale directory
Aid and Trade Wholesale Directory Resource: New Slant on Product Sourcing
Learn Everything You Need to Know to Start Making Money with Niche Marketing!
Thank you for commenting–I’m glad you found the article helpful! I think Salehoo is a good resource and would encourage you to check it out. However, I also advise figuring out your business plan to the point where you know whether or not Salehoo would fit into your particular kind of business.
Thanks for the article. I want to start my online business and have recently heard about salehoo. I may give this a try and see how it pans out.