Tips for selling on Ebay

[sdmom]

Hi!

I have some unopened LEGO sets that I want to sell.

We have purchased but not sold on Ebay and I would like tips for avoiding problems with unscrupulous buyers.

I read the thread on shipping and appreciate those tips so I believe I'm ok there.

I have read the tips and instructions on Ebay so have the "official" guides, but know there are experienced people here on the Dis that may have more to add.

Thank you!

 

[sunshinehighway]

Hi!

I have some unopened LEGO sets that I want to sell.

We have purchased but not sold on Ebay and I would like tips for avoiding problems with unscrupulous buyers.

I read the thread on shipping and appreciate those tips so I believe I'm ok there.

I have read the tips and instructions on Ebay so have the "official" guides, but know there are experienced people here on the Dis that may have more to add.

Thank you!

Look up sold and completed listing for the sets you have so you price them right.
Take good pictures and describe any problems with the boxes.
Lego sets can be hard to find boxes for because they are odd shapes. Making custom boxes from bigger ones sometimes can really help keep shipping costs down.
Avoid making agreements with people trying to go around the auction. I sold some Lego sets and had quite a few people message me trying to buy them on the sly.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Restrict your auctions to buyers in the US only. Do not accept any offers to sell off eBay. Ship only to the buyer at his or her verified PayPal address and always ship with a form of tracking/delivery confirmation.

 

[sdmom]

Look up sold and completed listing for the sets you have so you price them right.
Take good pictures and describe any problems with the boxes.
Lego sets can be hard to find boxes for because they are odd shapes. Making custom boxes from bigger ones sometimes can really help keep shipping costs down.
Avoid making agreements with people trying to go around the auction. I sold some Lego sets and had quite a few people message me trying to buy them on the sly.

Thank you!

Your comment about the boxes makes a lot of sense. Too bad I didn't save all the Amazon boxes from Christmas.

 

[sdmom]

Restrict your auctions to buyers in the US only. Do not accept any offers to sell off eBay. Ship only to the buyer at his or her verified PayPal address and always ship with a form of tracking/delivery confirmation.

Thank you for your reply.

I will add your tips to the list.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Thank you!

Your comment about the boxes makes a lot of sense. Too bad I didn't save all the Amazon boxes from Christmas.

Glad I could help.
The box thing was really something I didn't realize until I had a few sets that were really long and could only find huge boxes to fit them. They would've cost more to ship just because the box was so big. It was pretty easy to unfold the box and cut it to size. There's online tutorials if you need help.
Good luck. I had heard Lego sets sell well but was really surprised by how quickly they sold.

 

[justmeinflorida]

Restrict your auctions to buyers in the US only.

Don't agree with this "totally"...I use Ebays' "Global Shipping" program. You ship your item to a US shipping center (that Ebay has) and they ship your items overseas. The Wii I told you about in pm is going overseas to Canada I don't know how much feedback you need to offer this but like I mentioned in pm, get your feedback up with smaller items and Ebay will offer this service to you. For now I Agree NO international shipping.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Don't agree with this "totally"...I use Ebays' "Global Shipping" program. You ship your item to a US shipping center (that Ebay has) and they ship your items overseas. The Wii I told you about in pm is going overseas to Canada I don't know how much feedback you need to offer this but like I mentioned in pm, get your feedback up with smaller items and Ebay will offer this service to you. For now I Agree NO international shipping.

There's just too much fraud on eBay these days, especially when you get involved in international auctions. I would not advise a new seller to sell internationally.

 

[bcwife76]

Canada isn't exactly international - we are still part of North America!

I sell on ebay and sell to both Canada and USA, but won't sell overseas, it's too much hassle. You can also narrow down your buyers by their own feedback. For instance I block any buyer who:

Has received 2 Unpaid Item strike(s) within 1 Month(s)
Has a primary shipping address in a location I don't ship to
Has a feedback score of -1 or lower

 

[justmeinflorida]

There's just too much fraud on eBay these days, especially when you get involved in international auctions. I would not advise a new seller to sell internationally.

Exactly why I said "for now NO international shipping". When OP gets their feet wet and IF they are comfortable shipping international via Ebay Global then that is up to them. JMO!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Canada isn't exactly international - we are still part of North America!

...

It is a foreign country if you live in the US. I need a passport to fly there from the US.

That said, I hope you don't take this as a slight against Canadians! I actually own a house there and enjoy visiting.

 

[sdmom]

Canada isn't exactly international - we are still part of North America!

I sell on ebay and sell to both Canada and USA, but won't sell overseas, it's too much hassle. You can also narrow down your buyers by their own feedback. For instance I block any buyer who:

Has received 2 Unpaid Item strike(s) within 1 Month(s)
Has a primary shipping address in a location I don't ship to
Has a feedback score of -1 or lower

Sounds like good advise.

Thank you to all who replied! I really appreciate your tips.