If you sell on Ebay...

[richmond282]

That sounds right..about 16%-13%..I just round up to 20% in my head, since I hate paying 10% on my shipping fees and I buy shipping supplies and often undershoot the shipping cost so lose on that. I don't build in cost..I try to start bid fairly with hopes it will go up and also try and hit actual shipping cost plus maybe a bit more to cover the 10% fee, which goes along fine until I undershoot the shipping and lose several dollars. Clothing is so easy to ship, but I rarely run across anything of value in that area.

The key to estimating correct shipping cost is to weigh your item before you list it. I bought a scale off amazon for less than $20. I weigh everything and enter the correct weight when I list it.

 

[polineedyan]

There is still money to be made on Ebay. In any category. I make our mortgage payment off Ebay sales, and I'm by no means working my tail off. With that said, it is not easy. Nothing is. The 'sales' end is easy. Its not like doing cold calls and whatnot.
Someone had mentioned not opening and Ebay store. I would advise against that. Soon, those without stores will be limited on their BIN sales(fixed price.)They will be forced to make some of the items auction.
I also would disagree that you "should not do it as a business." If you are selling for profit, you are, by law, "in business." So, you will be taxed accordingly. Which is not such a bad thing, because, as a small business owner, you can take a LOT of deductions. No one who is selling from home as an ebayer should be paying any taxes. I would think if you are doing it right, you can write off those taxes.
As for itemry, the advice about the shipping of breakables is good advice. I would stick to non-breakable items. However, I've ordered some electronics lately that were pretty shoddily packed. So, I wonder how many people out there trying to sell breakables even know what bubblewrap is..I've had one item break in 4 years and it was USPS fault. They destroyed the box. One in hundreds.
You're not going to make a million dollars. However, if you really want to make money on ebay, like any business, at some point you are going to need help.There just isnt enough time to buy,clean, test, list, pack and ship all that stuff. You can make GOOD money on your own, but for ebay, two heads are better than one.
Also, as an ebay seller, like others mentioned, dont disclude those local FB selling groups.I see people buying stuff on there ALL the times. Often,they pay more than what the stuff would sell for online.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I sell on eBay for my second job. There is money to be made. I sold $37,000 worth of used clothes on eBay last year. I pay about 20-25% in fees.

This is our "fun" money. I pay my car payment every month with eBay money, I pay for our yearly vacations (a week at Disney and 2 weeks at the beach), plus all my clothes (I love to shop) and all of Christmas with it.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

That sounds right..about 16%-13%..I just round up to 20% in my head, since I hate paying 10% on my shipping fees and I buy shipping supplies and often undershoot the shipping cost so lose on that. I don't build in cost..I try to start bid fairly with hopes it will go up and also try and hit actual shipping cost plus maybe a bit more to cover the 10% fee, which goes along fine until I undershoot the shipping and lose several dollars. Clothing is so easy to ship, but I rarely run across anything of value in that area.

I got (very minorly) burned a couple of times trying to list items at .99 and squeak by on the shipping, so now I may list at .99 but I make darn sure my full shipping price including supplies is covered! For me, it's easier to keep straight, and honestly, as people lose their minds they forget about the shipping so I don't undercut myself - I forget to mentally add the shipping when I bid sometimes too! And then kick myself because I can get free shipping on almost any site at almost any time!

The key to estimating correct shipping cost is to weigh your item before you list it. I bought a scale off amazon for less than $20. I weigh everything and enter the correct weight when I list it.

Yes! Plus, I am a nerd so I also use it several times a day in the kitchen - to weigh flour (normal) or to measure that the 2 cake pans weigh the same (not normal ) - it pays for itself in one round of sales at least - just in the gas and hassle of running to the post office, or overpaying because you're scared of something getting sent back "Postage Due"!

I sell on eBay for my second job. There is money to be made. I sold $37,000 worth of used clothes on eBay last year. I pay about 20-25% in fees.

This is our "fun" money. I pay my car payment every month with eBay money, I pay for our yearly vacations (a week at Disney and 2 weeks at the beach), plus all my clothes (I love to shop) and all of Christmas with it.

You are an inspiration!

 

[LisaInNc]

I sold for years on ebay. No longer. Their policies changes and I have no protection, paypal is a nightmare and it just got to be not worth it.

Lisa

 

[Princess_Nikki]

just remember as well at the end of the year you have to claim any profit on your taxes, most likely as small business, and they take a chunk of the profits as well.....

Depends on the state you live in.

PayPal and eBay are required to report it to IRS only after you sell a certain amount.

I sell on eBay once in a blue moon these days. Used to all the time. The fees didn't scare me away, the eBay/PayPal buyer guarantee did! It's crap for sellers.