Selling on EBay

[daughtersrus]

I've sold college text books on Amazon but I've never sold on eBay. I tried Craigslist but the items I want to sell are for a small market so there were only a few contacts both of which just sounded fishy so I didn't pursue those buyers. (Improper English, asking for an address?..The items are new and boxed but they are rather heavy -about 15lbs. I'm not looking to make a profit or even get my money back. I just don't want to get burned with shipping and huge commission fees. I'd like it either do a Buy It Now price or put a reserve because it's not worth my time if they sell for a $1

Any advice?

 

[damiel]

I sell on EBay all of the time. It isn't my "job" just a fun way to make extra $. Here is what I can tell you: Do your research and see what it has sold for in the past and price accordingly. To research what it has sold for just type in the description of the item you are selling. On the left side you can click on a tab that says sold listings. It gives a list of all items that match your description that sold in the last month. Read them to see how your item compares and how to best describe your item. Take good pictures and lots of them. Give an acurate description noting any flaws. When you list you can use the shipping calculator to price your shipping, remember to add in the weight of any packing supplies. You can have the buyer pay shipping fees or you can include it in your selling price. Good luck!

 

[Kevin_W]

I've sold a few things here and there (including a book last year) and all went smoothly. (Just watch out - Ebay takes 10% of the sale price. Factor that into your asking price.)

Ebay claims that items with free shipping sell better, so it might be best to factor that into your price as well. I always do, partly because I can ship through my work at really low rates.

It sounds like you aren't in a hurry to sell - go ahead and do "Buy it Now". The listing is free and if it doesn't sell you can always relist later at a lower price.

 

[mattykin]

I agree do some research to see how the item is selling. My daughter has made around 400.00 in the last month selling American Girl items and other things she no longer want to keep, she is saving it for vacation and our trip overseas. I have sold text books (nursing) on Half.com which is an ebay site also but you only get paid once a month or twice a month and have had decent luck.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I've sold a few things here and there (including a book last year) and all went smoothly. (Just watch out - Ebay takes 10% of the sale price. Factor that into your asking price.)........

This isn't correct. Fees vary widely depending on a lot of factors:

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html

 

[nunzia]

..and that 10% fee is also applied to shipping costs! so adjust those as well. And then after you sell, PayPal has a fee for getting paid (also owned by Ebay)