Attention eBay users!

[RRYANSMITHH]

So eBay users, I need some help.

I have a whole bunch of crap at my house that I'd really like to sell, but I've never used eBay. (I know, I have been living under a rock.)

I was just wondering if the selling and buying process is fairly easy? Me and my father were thinking about starting a little eBay thing. I really need to sell some of this stuff to make money for a good medium format TLR anyways.

Thanks in advance!

 

[480sparky41 40]

It's fairly easy, but you're not going to get as good of a price as you think because you'll be a noob with no history. People will see your low feedback numbers and stay away.

If you do decide to start selling, one word of advice: GET DELIVERY CONFIRMATION when you ship. Otherwise, the buyer could easily claim they never got the item and you're stuck with paying 'em back. Add the cost into your S&H charges.

 

[RRYANSMITHH]

Thanks!

I'll definitely try it out, there's no harm in trying anyways. I suppose the more I sell, the more my feedback rating will rise?

 

[480sparky41 40]

Your feedback numbers will only improve if you do a good job so they buyer can't complain. Basically, provide a good service. Accurately describe the item, flaws and all. Don't claim it's new when it's used. Package it well as the Post Office is heavily ladened with Neanderthals. Let the buyer know when you've shipped the item, and to contact you immediately if there's an issue. Offer a refund if the items isn't accurately described ('grossly misrepresented' is a common phrase). Many folks think every ebayer is a brick-and-mortar business when that's not true.... there's tons of people selling stuff from their kitchen table. Don't lose faith if you don't get the price you want.... that's the nature of the system. On some things, selling prices can vary day by day....... $50 today, while an identical item will sell for $300 tomorrow.

If you want $50 for something, don't start bidding at $49. Check past sales to see what similar or identical items have sold for to make sure you're not overpricing it. I've seen things sell all day long for $50 new and some bozo will come along and try to sell a used one for the $100 they paid for it 12 years ago. Also, don't go overboard on the S&H charges. No one will buy a $100 item for $50 if the shipping is $75. Use calculated shipping and add a few bucks for your expenses.

DO NOT leave feedback immediately. Wait until you're sure the buyer has received the item and does not have any complaints. If they pay you right way and you leave them positive feedback, that's ammo they could use against you if there's a dispute.

You could easily bump your numbers up by buying a bunch of small-$ items first to at least establish yourself.

 

[RRYANSMITHH]

Thanks! That was a big help.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Keep in mind Craigslist is free of fees and paypal fees, and usually don't have to ship. And you can list in your town and surrounding. I usually avoid ebay.

 

[dxqcanada2]

PayPal account.


You might just want to go on eBay and purchase some items (cheap things you may want) to get your feedback rating up.

Keep descriptions accurate.
State if there is a return policy, and if so what it is.

Streamline your shipping ... ie get appropriate boxes beforehand, arrange/figure out your shipping services and costs.

Yes, I always ship with a service that offers confirmation.
Shipping insurance is something you should inquire about on expensive items, and add into the costs if required. You do not want to take a loss if your item is lost by the courier.

Research the price of the item ... ie froogle, eBay completed items ... etc.
You do not want to under/over price the starting bid.

 

[480sparky41 40]

Keep in mind Craigslist is free of fees and paypal fees, and usually don't have to ship. And you can list in your town and surrounding. I usually avoid ebay.

And you severely limit your potential customer base. I really don't read the Cl ads on the other end of the country.

 

[RRYANSMITHH]

I agree, I think with eBay, you do limit your customer base quite a bit.

However, nobody likes fees.