EBay seller from SoCal gets feedback from 1 million

There has been much discussion of the American dream of late. Depending on who you ask, it is "slipping away" or possible to achieve only if you are a wrestler. But if you ask EBay, the American dream is alive and well. Why? Because a seller just reached 1 million feedbacks on the popular auction site.

For those of you who have never tried to earn some quick cash by selling your junk on EBay, feedback is one of the ways you can tell whether sellers are trustworthy. Once you buy something from someone, you can rate that seller. The seller then has a number by his name showing how many people have rated him and what percentage rated him positive.

Now, Jack Sheng, a El Monte business owner, has garnered 1 million feedback ratings with two different accounts on EBay: everydaysource and accstation. They both sell consumer electronics. Sheng started the company, Eforcity, eight years ago out of his garage, selling things mostly on EBay. EBay says Eforcity makes $30 million a year, and Sheng says he has 180 employees with offices in El Monte, China and Hong Kong.

"It's really about the American dream," EBay spokeswoman Wendy Sept said.

If you're not sure how reaching 1 million feedbacks on EBay relates to ...

... the American dream, ask Sheng. He says that thanks to the site, he was able to start a business with little investment and grow it quickly. EBay helped buyers find his goods, and although they might not know him, they understood from his feedback rating that he was dependable. The feedback ratings for everydaysource and accstation are currently at 98.8%.

"The feedback itself plays the most important role in attracting more business," he explained. He's had the most feedback ratings on EBay since late 2005, according to tracking site Nortica.

How does one celebrate achieving the American dream through EBay feedback volume? With a company party with cake and champagne, Sheng said. Also by reminding employees that the American dream is all about striving for more.

"At the party we said we wanted to do a better job to reach the 2 million feedback a lot faster than we reached 1 million feedback," he said.

-- Alana Semuels

EBay photo, top, by Ryan Fanshaw via Flickr

Jack Sheng photo, bottom, by Angel Luk

Comments

[Jared]

I think 1 million ratings is just as noteworthy as having 1 million friends on Myspace. Congrats.

[flippedchick(ebay moniker)]

not an easy task-I have 13!

[okjsdfjkl]

I've 35. But I can reach 1 million, he can't reach 35.

[smoke]

1 million friends on MySpace doesn't equal $... 1 million feedbacks on Ebay means people spent $... at least 1 million paying customers... r u still confused?

[kat]

Hey Jared, you should take your "congrats" and shove it. This guy is a multi-millionaire and you're not and never will be. So shut up.

[Radical Raul]

I bet none of his employees can afford their own apartment.

How much do you want to bet?

[dave]

great accomplishment for a refugee.

[smoke]

dave - where does the article mention that he is a refugee? no where. like where u r.

[d.stanford]

I read in another article about the company that the employees are really happy to be working there....big bonuses, quick promotions, exciting environment. I'd want to work there!

[darkmatter]

WOW...This guy made it big , not by winning the lotto or having money drop on his lap , HE WORKED FOR IT!!! People like me respect that and not hate him for it, he went for the american dream and did it not like some of the americans who has the american thought " hating the rich" because their to LAZY and FAT to do something about it.

[miragetou]

d. stanford, am interested in reading that article that you mentioned.. do you know where i can find it? i happen to know an employee there and i am not sure he would agree...........

[H.R. Woods]

Successful auction merchants make money DESPITE Ebay and their crappy practices.