When Should You Hire Your First Employee for Your eBay Business?

The burnout threshold

Most solo eBay sellers hit a wall at 100-150 orders per month. You're spending all day listing, packing, shipping, and answering messages — with no time to actually grow your business.

Signs you need help

• You're working 60+ hours per week regularly
• Late shipments are increasing
• You can't list new inventory because you're too busy fulfilling orders
• Customer response times are slipping past 24 hours
• You're turning down profitable sourcing opportunities

Who to hire first

Most eBay sellers should hire a shipping/packing assistant first. This is the most time-consuming, least strategic task. It frees you up for sourcing, listing, and strategy.

Before you hire: automate first

Before paying a salary, make sure you've automated everything possible. Many sellers discover they can handle 2-3x more volume with the right tools before needing an employee.

ShopManage automates messages, orders, and alerts — often eliminating the need for your first hire. Try free for 14 days.