I have not used ebay to sell ever. Only my local CL and that has been fine. I am in need of selling some things now because I am off work for the summer so I am thinking of actually using ebay.
Does anyone have any helpful tips for this if it must be done? A PM is fine or here or whatever seems appropriate to you.
Thanks in advance!
Curtis
Run away! Run fast and run far! LOL
Just kidding. I hope you do well... after you give ebay their cut and then wait until the buyer gives you positive feedback before Paypal releases your funds and takes their piece of your profits.
Just one big happy family. And guess who is 'sole support' for that family? That's right, buddy. YOU!
Best of luck with your sales. Myself, I'd stand on a street corner first and sell drums rather than give those blood-sucking, scam artists another penny of my money.
John
Ebay can be tough starting out. Your first few sales might take some time being a new seller with no feedback. With so many scammers it's sometimes hard to tell the good from the bad. Once you get some sales/buys under your belt and get some postive feedback it'll be easier. John is right on the cut they take. I used to buy and sell a lot there. Until it became too expensive fee wise. It is a great venue to sell on and you should do well. Paypal can be a whole nother nightmare. Hopefully more will chime in on current things you need to know. But a seperate bank account for paypal only is a must. In no way link it to your other accounts.
Save yourself the aggravation, the shill biddin, the outrageous fees, the Paypal-Ebay double dipping, the 21 day hold of YOUR money (and yeah you gotta ship out of your pocket), The scams, the dead bidders, the BS, etc,etc...Its just not worth it...
With over 500 plus transactions on eBay, I feel that I need to put in my 2 cents. Although eBay does have its fees, it also allows you to reach a larger amount of interested parties. You can also deal with all the flakes of Craigslist who call and B.S. you about your listing or you can post your item to a potentially worldwide audience and get what it would sell for, or should I say, what the market would pay for it, less eBays fees.
People will always ***** about eBay, because it is what it is. A publically traded corperation that has shareholders who want to see their stock grow, which can only happen when a profit is made.
It's an evil thing to a lot of folks, but it's also the easiest way to reach the masses with your produc to sell. Fees are just eBay's way of charging you to reach those folks in an easier way.
People on Ebay's forums complain about not making any real sales, not being seen, and once they sell international they got way more chances to be scammed (not to mention that Ebay now is charging you also for the shipping). I sell as much on my own website as I use to do on ebay (where I reached more than 500 positive feedback)...the potential audience is the same as the one you have using facebook,tweeter,forums and specialized magazines...I understand that Ebays got the right to charge for their "service" what I dont understand is the need to always change the "user agreement" to side with the buyer (who can scam you left and right) but theres is no protection for honest sellers. You guys can read the horror stories about Ebay and its evil twin Paypal here:http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum/Seller-Central/143
What about EbayClassifieds? I understand that it is similar to Kijiji here in Canada. Granted it's intended more for "local" sales, but from what I've seen on the web, the postings seem to be on a state-wide basis. Perhaps not as broad a coverage as Ebay gives you, but then again, no fees and you're not limited to PayPal for payment. Set your price, make it firm or negotiate with potential buyers. Shipping may be an issue with some sellers, I know it is on Kijiji given the preference for local sales. However, if you and the buyer don't have any concerns there shouldn't be any problems. I know that Kijiji has worked very well for me.
well i have to say i sold out 90 % of much loved inventory this last month on ebay i i did sell at a great profit on witch ruffly 700 in fees still being tallied my down beat alone with snare went off at 1685 + shipping 1 71 kit went for 1200 my 62 bdp with snare went off at 1750 and assorted snares and some cymbals , oh the ss octa went at 2900, 80 fender lake placid blue the strat 1555 so all in all except for the Netherlands bidder who thought id ship guitar for 124 i had fun and saved the farm now to start all over again...HA HA HA ALL A BOARD
...It's an evil thing to a lot of folks, but it's also the easiest way to reach the masses with your produc to sell. Fees are just eBay's way of charging you to reach those folks in an easier way.
I'm with backbeatkeeper on this one. EBay is what it is. They're up-front with their fees and policies. And, even though I've only had a couple of transaction disputes, eBay NEVER sided with the customer; quite frankly stood behind me a took care of it.
And... I guess I'll have to admit I may not be well "versed" in this area, but I'm not sure where the new "fees on shipping" charges come from except that they do very much encourage you to offer your items with "free shipping" which then of course allows them to charge their percent on your total amount. HOWEVER, have you noticed that your shipping rates when using eBay or PayPal shipping are LOWER? I've sold items on here (that were NOT Paypal transactions) and when I take the item to ship at the local PO or UPS place, the shipping is ALWAYS more than it is when I pay and print my shipping labels online! And, believe-it-or-not, when I do list an item with "free shipping" it ALWAYS seems to get more "views" than when I don't list with free shipping... so, to me it's a case of "you-get-what-you-pay-for!"
I've argued this before: eBay is fine, as long as you work it and don't let it work you. When I set up my listings, I take the time to figure out the details including eBay fees, shipping charges, etc. and what I need to get out of my item to cover it all and then set my starting bid accordingly.
Besides, I live in an area of the country that if I had to rely on local sales, I wouldn't even be in business.
I guess this whole idea is just like the glue vs. tape thing. NOTHING said will change some people's minds... :)
Bill
Oh yeah, one more thing...
I've completed a LOT of transactions with a LOT of VDF members. MOST of them were very good deals (for both my customers AND for me), and I've delveloped several "regular" customers through the forum...
BUT... there have also been a few not-so-good transactions as well. Items "not as described" that I have purchased, and even a couple of deals where the "buyer" was IMO extremely "nit-picking" my descriptions trying to "scam" a better deal for themselves. In other words, even though the majority of VDF members operate at my standard of honest business, there are some on here that do NOT choose to operate that way. That idea of "scammers" is NOT reserved just for eBay...
