Is selling on ebay a good choice right now?

[flipflopmom]

I've never sold anything there, other than some football tickets that we had a friend post for us. I am decluttering, and trying to earn money to pay off some CC debt. We are having a yard sale in a couple of weeks, and I thought about putting some things that don't sell on ebay.

For those of you experienced, I know I would need to buy something to calculate shipping expenses. A scale maybe? And then the shipping supplies themselves.

It might be mostly clothes, but I'm not sure what all I would have until after we finish gathering for the yard sale.

Is this something I should look into, are sales on ebay going well enough that it would be worth the investment into shipping supplies?

Thanks!

 

[becky1960]

You can get shipping envelopes and boxes free from the P.O. Ebay is a little slow right now. You might do a little survey by looking up on Ebay what you have to sell, some things do well and some do not..

 

[prncess674]

I would sell small in weight, but high in value items on ebay. If the clothes aren't name brand (Polo, DKNY, Chanel, etc) then it probably isn't worth selling on ebay. Designer baby/kids clothes sell well on ebay. Look for completed ebay sales on items you are considering. Designer handbags and shoes sell well.

Garage/yard sales are usually at rock bottom prices. Pickers will come through your sale early cherry picking the "best" items that they can resell either at antique stores or ebay. If you think something has $$$ value, then try it on ebay first.

 

[pamrob]

We have sold larger items on our local craigslist with good results. Listings are free.

 

[cdrn1]

I don't buy nearly as much on ebay as I used to. The shipping is usually outrageous, presumably designed to increase profit for the seller. I bought a jar of origins body cream a few weeks ago and paid $6 to ship it and when it came it was in a padded envelope with less than $2 actual shipping charge and it was smashed to smithereens! I did get a refund but the point is there was at least $3 in added profit to the seller. Nothing wrong with that; the seller has the right to do that but again, it inflates prices so I don't buy as much.

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

I have sold quite a number of things on ebay and have found that sometimes you make some money, sometimes you break even and sometimes you make someone else a very happy person as they get the deal and you don't lol. It honestly depends on the value of the items that you are selling. If you selling a brand new designer bag that you either received as a gift or bought at an amazing price, then you will probably do well on ebay; especially if it is sold out everywhere. However, if you are selling a no name used bag that you honestly don't care how much you get for it, then you might either make a few dollars or cents on it or it might actually cost you more in having sold it! I have listed items and they haven't sold which costs money since you have to pay to list. I have also sold items that are worth alot more than they sold for but I didn't care since it was better to get something back than nothing at all as I didn't use the items anymore. And I have sold items that after adding up all of the ebay fees and/or miscalculating shipping fees, I wound up either breaking even or having the sale cost me out of pocket. Selling on ebay is a gamble. You have to make your listing as enticing as possible but always be upfront and honest. As for shipping costs, I always estimate and am usually right; with the occasional error. I have found that with heavier items, UPS is cheaper than USPS. If you have old boxes, re-use them for your packaging so that you do not have to buy any. Check out the items that you have and see how much they are worth on ebay. Also, list your items on craigslist as it is free to list and you might wind up doing better there than ebay. I have sold on both and found that craigslist was so much easier. I could list the item(s) for free, I didn't have to keep watching my auction as it isn't an auction but an actual ad, I didn't have to ship the item(s), craigslist doesn't make a commission on the sale like ebay does, and I received emails from interested buyers and could negotiate with them either on the phone or through email. You could always try both websites and see which one works for you. The big difference between the two is your audience as ebay expands your listing nationwide as well as international (you do not have to choose to list internationally), while craigslist is mostly local.

 

[ajh88]

I'm gearing up for my yearly ebay selling session. We usually sell things from September to November - although the holiday season is so hit and miss with non-paying bidders to contend with. However, we have always come out ahead in the end. We've been on ebay for nearly 10 years and there are ups and downs - I don't think I like it as much as I used to (I feel like they have really squeezed the small-time sellers like me out), but it is still somewhat profitable so I'll keep at it.

I like to list clothing in big lots - don't take the time and energy to list items separately unless they are really high-end/brand new. For almost all of the clothing we have ever sold, I take a lot of pictures and describe things the best I can - then start the auction at 99 cents and let it go. I've never been disappointed - I have always made more than I would have at a yard sale. Kids shoes (in excellent condition) are another category where I have done very well - be sure to clean them up before you take pictures.

My philosophy is nearly always to start auctions at 99 cents with no reserve. It is the cheapest way to list and a better way to attract more bidders. The only down side is that you might end up selling your item for 99 cents, so make sure you're OK with that ahead of time.

Shipping - man is it expensive to ship stuff! If you can use Priority flat rate boxes, those will simplify your life immensely - but I'd reserve them for heavy items. Priority mail is based on weight AND size now, so the smaller the box, the better. We try to use bubble mailers when feasible as well. We get free Priority boxes from the post office, recycle other boxes we receive or find, and use plastic bags from the grocery store and newpapers as packing materials. I try to weigh everything before I list it to get an idea of how much shipping will be and I always try to charge actual costs. Incredibly, my "shipping cost" score is good, but not perfect, even though I have lost money on shipping more than once. It is OK to build in a "handling" cost (maybe $1 or so) to help cover your shipping materials, but people will detect if you are trying to pull one over with inflated shipping fees (like the person who wanted to charge me $30 to ship a toner cartridge - no thanks!) - not to mention that it is against ebay policies.

Sometimes I will put a Buy it Now price on an item of about $5-10 more than I think it will sell for and offer free shipping. That way, shipping isn't really "free", but the buyer perceives it as such. Does that make sense?

We also list seasonally - I'm getting Halloween costumes ready to go now. They must multiply in the closet because I swear we sell several every year but always have several more to sell the following year. Anything holiday related won't get listed until the first of November. Any toys or kids items might do better in November as well, as people start looking for holiday gifts.

Is it worth it? Well, for me, yes - I sell stuff we have laying around the house anyway (man, we have a lot of junk!), sometimes DD's clothes she has outgrown - anything I'm not using. I don't have a lot invested in the things I sell - we have used them or acquired them so long ago that their value is diminished to us, so whatever I get, I'm happy with. If you go in expecting to make a small fortune, you may be disappointed. If you hope to make a few bucks off of something that was just taking up space in your home, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Good luck!

 

[cats mom]

We are having a yard sale in a couple of weeks, and I thought about putting some things that don't sell on ebay.

I seldom sell on e-bay anymore, especially clothes. The fees have gotten so high I find it's just not worth the time and effort, at least to me. But back when I did a bit more e-bay selling, I did the opposite of what you're planning. I'd try e-bay first, and if it didn't sell there, I might garage sale it for pennies on the dollar. That, or donate it. That's my preferred method of getting rid of all our outgrown stuff now.

 

[hambirg]

I haven't sold on e-bay in eons. It seems the fees were just getting too much to really make anything. There are somethings I have thought about trying again. I have several Halloween costumes that might to well and some new toys in my gift closet that are now past the ages my kids would play with or give for a birthday.

Another thing to think about is Freecycle if you have it in your area. You won't make any money, but, in my area you generally have to post a "have" for a "wanted". I kind of see it as a swap. For example, I posted a bag a DD's clothes. . .nothing special. . may or may not have sold at a garage sale. . .but asked for some gray concrete paint. Somebody got clothes and I got paint.

 

[Kit'smommy]

I have netted about $300 in the past few weeks for about a dozen pieces of clothing that I listed. It was all J Crew, Ann Taylor or Banana Republic and some Janie and Jack of my sons. I don't list any brands that are less expensive than those. EBay is much slower now than a few years ago, but I still do better than I would at a consignment shop or garage sale, so it still may be worth your effort.

 

[plummer925]

I started ebaying in 1999 - I made a LOT of money the first few years. As time has gone by and more people have started to ebay, the profit has gone down CONSIDERABLY. Lately (last couple of years) ebay has become too greedy (they already make MILLIONS a year...but they want much more) and the fees have become ridiculous and not just the fees, but even though YOU pay the SAME fee as another seller, if their ratings are higher then THEIR items are "featured" first (and if they list more their items are too) meaning you are paying the same amount as someone else, but it's harder to find YOUR items.

I no longer sell on ebay. It was a sad and tough decision. One year I NETTED over $20,000 as a VERY part-time seller (buying a few things at yard sales on weekends and listing them during the week, and also with used books too). I'm sad to have that money gone, but the few times I've BOTHERED to list lately has cost me money in the end.

I just GIVE my stuff away now...much less of a headache!

 

[Dorisk3]

I would try a few things and see how it goes, as another poster stated you can try the free shipping materials from the post office if you are going with priority shipping.

There is still money to be made on ebay, and the more people drop out and don't sell, the better chances your stuff has.

I don't like craig's list at all, I would avoid that like the plague.

ajh88 has great advice!

 

[MarilIncredible]

Honestly, I think ebay is best for collectibiles or vintage one-of-a-kind items. I made a killing with my old Strawberry Shortcake stuff, and with some Disney and Epcot pins from the early 1980s. I'd gues that unless the clothes are NWT and designer labels, it is not worth the time and effort to do ebay.

 

[curious3069]

I would agree that it definitely depends on the stuff you've got. I've been going thru 20 years of accumulated stuff and have been selling on Ebay for 2 year. Have paid for 2 Disney trips with my profits! Most of my things would be considered seasonal items (Halloween/Christmas/etc), crafts or collectibles. Definitely go with the advice to sell in season...I'm getting ready to go thru my Halloween things to start listing mid-September.

I have lost some $$ on a few things, but I make way more than I lose. It is a PITA managing auctions and shipping stuff out. I'd say everyone who Ebays is really really really good at packing up a box!!!

Is it the best way to do things? Not necessarily, I don't like the fees and a lot of times it feels like as a seller, you have no rights at all. Unfortunately, Craigs list is not really a viable option in my small town and I'd never make the $$ I make now in consignment shops or yard sales.

I'd add one more thing...do some research on what your items are selling at before you list them and price accordingly!!!

 

[Disney-Kim]

We have been on ebay for 12 yrs...selling here and there. I have sold a lot more actively in the year. The fees are crazy high now, basically 10% of your sale. that really adds up if you sell 1-2k.

I also use priority mail, I order supplies off their website for free. I bought a mailing scale too as I was getting short chagned on shipping a lot. i don't overcharge on shipping but i do charge actual. priority mail is pricey but I have it down pretty good now. the scale was an ebay purchase...great deal.

I also use tissue paper, grocery bags, bubble wrap for shipping. so some cost is involved in shipping. and you can print all your mailing labels thru Paypal...even media mail and regular mail.

I only use Paypal...fees or not. your not protected as a seller if you use anything else.

I have had good luck in the last few months...but the key is...price low if you really want it to sell.

I have been collecting Disneyana for 20+ years and basically have cleaned out my collection. if you have the time...I find it worth it !!!

it helps fund our Disney trips