E-Bay: Can Someone Give Me The Basics

[Doug123]

For those who use e-Bay, could you answer the following questions for me:

1. What types of products sell the best (i.e., clothes, collectables, etc)?

2. Are the items usually stuff you have around the house, or do you find great deals around town, and then turn around and sell the stuff through e-Bay for a higher price?

3. What are the main pitfalls or lessons you've learned the hard way in selling things on e-bay?

4. Have you found a successful "strategy" toward selling your items?

5. What are all the expenses associated with selling?

Anything more would be appreciated. I'd love to start into this, given the knowledge of how to do it.

 

[catherines_mama]

1. I think basically any item would sell good. Before I decide to sell I will look search for that item, and see how it is selling. Then decide to sell it or maybe wait to another time of year. Ex: being the Christmas season, I sold 2 Gameboys quick and for a good price because of course... the Christmas season is here.

2. I have only sold 6 times, so for me, its things at the house. Things my DD does not wear / use anymore. Things I don't use / read / watch anymore. Some people do however make a living out of eBay and shop for bargains then sell them on eBay.

3. Shipping. Really have your shipping cost down before you sell. I have sold before and lost $ on shipping. Its really no fun. So have the box and the package ready to go before you sell, that way you can go to the post office and KNOW the shipping cost. Use a 'ship to' zipcode of far away to be safe.

4. No real strategy. Things sell good. Do a great write up on it. Be very specific about the quality and status of the item. Be pleasant.. to me as a buyer that matters.
Tip: set up a Pay Pal account. This is the easiest way to accept payment.

5. Expenses.. Ebay selling expenses. Selling a product for $30.00 cost me about $1.20. If you put more pics or style to your selling post its more $. Paypal fees, fees are more for credit card payments, and of course shipping, but this is paid by most buyers.

Also.. inside Ebay there is a discussion board that has tips/ hints, etc. Good luck. I have enjoyed the few times I have done it. Also, I found this on that discussion board. at USPS.COM you can order boxes etc that are free if used for shipping.

Hope I helped.
Deedee B

 

[claudia]

There is a huge discussion on all the info you may want/need on the budget board...."Ebay your way to Disney....started by C.Ann....check it out

 

[FatCow]

Answering your questions in point form.

1. You can virtually sell anything. I even sold ONE plastic fork for US$30 plus shipping without lying. However, don't even bother trying to sell Cellular Phone accessories. The others' prices are too low for you to make any profit whatsoever.

2. I usually sell things that other people throw away (or practically throwing away).

3. The only pitfall is that too many people don't know how to read. You write "payment via PayPal only" and somebody asks you whether it's okay to pay with money order. Aaaaaargh!

4. Strategy:
a. Don't sell if your item is the only item being sold. No comparison usually means no/less bid.
b. Don't sell if there are too many duplicates of similar items being sold.
c. Write up a story about the item you're selling rather than just writing the spec
d. First picture is free, use it. It's easier to sell an item with picture rather than without.

5. Expenses: posting fee, selling fee and payment fee (if you use PayPal, the most common method of payment).

 

[Gillian]

The jumbo thread is just too much to read! I even tried printing it to put together the important info but it's waaay too long!

I hope more people will post short how to info here to help people get started! TIA.

 

[psimon]

Originally posted by FatCow
Answering your questions in point form.

1. You can virtually sell anything. I even sold ONE plastic fork for US$30 plus shipping without lying. However, don't even bother trying to sell Cellular Phone accessories. The others' prices are too low for you to make any profit whatsoever.

OK... you have my curiosity..... what was so special about a plastic fork that would make someone spend $30 for it?

Paul

 

[FatCow]

Nothing special about the fork. Here's the description on the fork:

"You are bidding on one brand-new, never used, white-coloured plastic fork.

Feel the thrill and excitement* of owning your very own limited-production** white-coloured plastic fork.

* "Thrill and excitement" may vary depending on the individual, void where prohibited by law.

** limited-production in mathematical term, meaning that there is a finite number of the number these plastic forks being manufactured."

... and somebody bought it.

Unfortunately, nobody bought the matching white-coloured plastic spoon.

 

[psimon]

What possessed you to post a fork? I can't ask why anyone would bid on it because I'm sure there isn't a rational answer. How many bids did you get for it? Did the buyer take insurance on it? Is there a big market for plastic forks? Did you post a photo?

I'm sorry for all the questions..... it's just really has me floored!

Paul

 

[FatCow]

I was just trying to prove to my students that there are too many stupid people with money.

I didn't post any picture whatsoever and 3 days later somebody bid on it.

PS: shipping insurance was not offered

 

[DMRick]

The jumbo thread is just too much to read!

But the info on that jumbo thread is priceless!

eBay takes work..lots of it. It's our main income, besides our retirement pensions (we retired at 50 and 53). Just think of that thread as your "study" course to getting ready for eBay.

Not everything sells on eBay, no matter how good you write up the ad. Some things sell in spite of how bad you make the item sound.

I spend a lot of money on duds..on the other hand, I sell a lot of items that more than cover the duds.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Doris, you were nicer than I'm inclined to be.

About 2 weeks ago, a veteran ebayer who is new to WDW trip planning and these boards posted a link to a tips site she created, which has a lot of really good information. I don't think she'll mind my posting the link here:

eBay how-to site

This was from the "jumbo thread".

ebay is a time consuming effort, and you need to be willing to be a shipping clerk and a customer service rep. You need to be willing to do research on the items you are selling, and you need to be able to tolerate people who just don't read.

The "ebay your way to Disney" thread will not only give you a zillion ideas for things to sell, it will also inspire & motivate you. The success people have found after reading the thread and seeking help from it was, IMHO, a combination of using tips and having constant reminders of the reason for their efforts.

So, read the Jumbo thread. You'll be glad you did!

 

[disneychrista]

The ebay basic's :

What you think will be HOT on ebay won't sell. The things that you put up "just because" will sell like hot cakes.

If at first you don't succeed wait a few weeks/months and try again.

Do not just "guess" at shipping, get a scale or take your packaged up items to the PO. Once you have the wieght you can either use the postage calculator on ebay or a fixed shipping, find a Zone 8 (which depends on where you live) and use that to calculate shipping. Use USPS.com to find shipping.

Research what you are selling by doing an advanced search for completed items.

Set up some templetes for your auctions so you can list more quickly.

Read the jumbo thread, it has lots of good information.

 

[DMRick]

What you think will be HOT on ebay won't sell. The things that you put up "just because" will sell like hot cakes.

Boy, ain't that the truth. And the stuff you are carrying out to the garbage? You may see it up on eBay, by someone who picked your trash the night before pickup!!

 

[Shelby5514]

I agree totally that people will buy anything. My husband and I took up going to estate auctions just for fun and ended up with doing quite well on ebay. I bought a box of junk at an auction for $1.00, yes that's right $1.00. No one else wanted it so I paid $1.00 for it. To this day I have sold all but a few cheap picture frames. My total profit from this box of junk was $65.00!!!!

Here's my secret to finding out whether or not to list something and for what price. Search for the item and when the page comes up scroll down and on the left side you'll see "Completed Items". If you click on this it will show you what these items have closed at most recently. Or if they sold at all. I use this for pricing also. If I see that a month ago the item closed at $30.00 but within the last week it only closed for $15.00 then I won't list it right now.
Good Luck at E-bay!!!

Shelby 5514

 

[Vals]

I have been thinking of selling on Ebay for a long time now! All of you have perked me up & have decided to go for it! I have a full time business-have employees a shop etc etc. We manufacture rowing (crew) clothing-sell it @ regattas in our area In ontario, canada & in the US as well. We also do embroidered logos, names, etc etc for individuals, small busineses & corporations. At the fall regattas, our "crazy print spandex shorts" sold like hot cakes! In fact we sold out of them @ a few of the regattas. We sell them for a great price. I know that others -other than rowers would go crazy over them. So I think that I will try them on ebay. any suggestions on the descriptions? how do you do a template. I would list for eg. stars & stripes, size small etc -would list each sze/print separately?? If I start the price @ $6.00 what would the ebay fee be? I guess that I should use a separate email address, than what I use for my business? thanks for any & all suggestions

 

[DMRick]

So I think that I will try them on ebay. any suggestions on the descriptions? how do you do a template. I would list for eg. stars & stripes, size small etc -would list each sze/print separately?? If I start the price @ $6.00 what would the ebay fee be?

You won't need a template..ebay has them in their turbo lister. I would suggest you go to ebay, click on the sell button, and then new seller, and take the tutorial. Then come back here if you still have questions.

Listing fees vary, but are on eBay. A $6 item is .30 to just list, then if you elect for extras, .05 for a buy it now, .25 for a gallery picture, .10 for a 10 day sale, plus end of auction fees. But you really should take their tutorial first.
You would not have to list sizes sep, in different auctions, since for that type of thing, eBay allows choices, as long as you get fulfill each size you have.