Ebay for dummies?

[Gina]

Not sure if this is the right place for this... but it *is* about making some extra money for my budget!

I have a bunch of clothes my son has grown out of, as well as a number of other miscellaneous things, that I would love to try and sell on Ebay but am so overwhelmed as to how to do that. My biggest question is, how do you know what to charge for shipping?? I'm so afraid I would end up losing money somehow. Can anyone recommend a link or anything that explains selling on Ebay for the 3 of us left in the world who have never taken the plunge?

Thanks!!

-gina-

 

[zoemurr]

I box up the thing I want to sell and then weigh it. Then I go to usps.com and plug in a far away zipcode. It will tell you the cost. (I live in NY, so I use 90210 in CA) That is the amount I charge. If it will fit into a flat rate box, that is often cheaper.

Take good pics, and then just go to ebay and it will talk you through it. Check out successful auctions of items similar to yours.

Good luck!

 

[uk_wildcat]

For shipping I always put my items in boxes and weigh them. Then I use the USPS option that will calculate shipping when a person puts in their zip code. This way they can find out how much it will be for themselves. I can then also go into Paypal and create my shipping labels and get shipping confirmation.

The best way to list clothing, IMO, is in lots. Make sure it isn't stained or torn and take good photos and have good descriptions. I think name brand clothing is really the only thing that sells well.

I like to check completed listings for similar items before I list. If I see that they aren't selling, I will just put those items in my yard sale or donate them. This will also give you an idea as to how much to start the auction. I tend to start most of mine really low.

Maybe try starting with just a few items and see how you do. If you find it to be too much work or not for you, you won't be out too much in listing fees.

 

[Gina]

Thanks you guys! Stupid question probably, but how do you weigh the stuff? Do you have to buy some sort of postal scale or something?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You need a postal or similar scale. I have a small food scale which works for me.

I agree with trying just a few items at first. I have been using eBay for many, many years, and selling has become so expensive (with all the fees), so competitive and such a pain, that you may find it's easier just to donate those clothes to the Goodwill.

 

[Vijoge]

I used to buy and sell on ebay quite a bit but it got to be such a hassle. Now if I have something to sell I head for craigslist. I buy on craigslist, too, and I only use ebay when I'm looking for things that are hard to find.

 

[NYCDiane]

Or you can do it the simple way and use the Priority Mail flat rate shipping boxes. When I did selling on ebay, that's all I ever used and there was never a question about how much shipping is because it's the same no matter how much the box weighs. The post office has different sized boxes for different prices.

As for selling clothes? If there's a lot, I found that rolling the clothes as opposed to folding them allows you to get a lot more into the box. For example, you would fold the jeans in half length-wise, then roll them from ankle to waist. With tops, same thing --- fold in half length-wise, then roll.

Pluses of Priority Mail:

Free boxes, tape, and labels
You always know how much it costs to ship, regardless of weight
You don't need to spend $$$ on a postal scale

 

[Gina]

I really appreciate all the suggestions!! I thought about Craigslist, because of the "free" part, but I really don't want to have to meet with buyers in person. Too many wackos out there, you know?

Thanks again for all the very helpful replies!!