You HAVE to try this!! EBAY your way to DISNEY!!

[Mrs. Snowgod]

I appreciate the good wishes, for the neg and for the boat. It's great to have all of you eBay pals!

It's a new week, with new listings and new questions!

Do any of you save pictures to your own url and then link to them in your auctions, for example using FrontPage? We actually have some web space available through our ISP, and I'm trying to decide if the effort will be worth making for the savings. I frequently use only the free pic via eBay, but when I have something that needs several angle shots, or magazines and books with pictures, it would be nice not to have to pay the fees.

I think, though, I would end up using many photos just because I could... do those of you who do this find you get complaints because pages load slowly? Or do some of you with dial-up find that these types of listings take so long that they turn you off?

All comments will be appreciated!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

If these are your very first listings, try not to get discouraged. You are on the right track with your re-evaluation of your scanner listing strategies. And I think most of us are surprised at how successful relisting can be.

Good luck!

-------------------
Speaking of tweaking for relisting, have any of you ever raised a starting price when you relisted? I'd be interested in your thoughts on this.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Originally posted by Mrs. Snowgod
If these are your very first listings, try not to get discouraged. You are on the right track with your re-evaluation of your scanner listing strategies. And I think most of us are surprised at how successful relisting can be.

Good luck!

-------------------
Speaking of tweaking for relisting, have any of you ever raised a starting price when you relisted? I'd be interested in your thoughts on this.

Thanks Mrs. Snowgod. I've sold on ebay before, but not recently. I usually start with a bid for what I think a bigger item should sell. For instance- the scanner, I started at $15, w/BIN at $35. It's new, only used a few times and in the box. I didn't want to start at $1 or $5 for fear it would go to cheaply. It didn't occur to me on the listing date that the impending holiday would impact selling.

 

[claudia]

I think, though, I would end up using many photos just because I could... do those of you who do this find you get complaints because pages load slowly? Or do some of you with dial-up find that these types of listings take so long that they turn you off?

I have heard from other ebayers that are still using dial-up that there is nothing more annoying than having to wait and wait for a page to load...annoying enough to not bother to bid. When I was using dial-up it definitely bugged me. It pays to reduce the size of your photo.



QUOTE]Do any of you save pictures to your own url and then link to them in your auctions, for example using FrontPage?[/QUOTE]


As far the photos go, I usually list name brand clothing so I think most people already know what the item is like. This way I can get away with only the one photo. Only time I list more than one photo is if there is some "defect" that needs to be pointed out.
What I have seen done is that a listing will say "email me if you would like more photos". This is one way that you could save on the listing costs and then just save the photos to your camera software. I try to limit the time I have to invest in each listing.

 

[claudia]

For instance- the scanner, I started at $15, w/BIN at $35. It's new, only used a few times and in the box. I didn't want to start at $1 or $5 for fear it would go to cheaply.

You could always list it with a reserve price. Sometimes the low start price will attract people to atleast take a look and sometimes place a bid. We are all looking for that bargain.
Then you know the old story, once you're in the race you want to finish first!

It will cost you $.50 to list a reserve auction between $.01 to $24.99. It is $1.00 for $25.00 to $99.99. After that it is 1% of listing with a max out cost of $100.00.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm at the lake right now and will probably be heading home later today or first thing tomorrow - depending on the weather (it's raining like cats and dogs) and how long it takes me to gather up all my stuff..

Here's the problem.. My DD, her DH and my granddaughter were up here for the holiday weekend.. On Saturday morning my son-in-law had to rush my DD to the hospital because she woke up in terrible pain and was bleeding severely.. (She has had on-going female problems and developed hemmoragic abcesses..) Her in-law's were out of town so I kept my granddaughter here and my son-in-law just picked her up this morning.. At this point it's almost a 100% probability that she'll be having a partial hysterectomy (left tube & ovary).. However, they can't do it until the infection is cleared up - which could be as long as 2 weeks or more.. (They're giving her multiple antibiotics via IV..) She will be out of work for quite awhile so it looks like we'll have to postpone our trip to Disney World that was planned for December..

To get to the point (finally) I already purchased - and just received - the tickets for MVMCP for Dec. 4th (2 adults and 1 child).. Can I try to sell these on eBay - or is it against the rules? And if I can, where would I list it - and could someone give me some hints on what bid I would start with?

Also, I "believe" (not 100% sure) I can get some kind of credit from Southwest Airlines where I would have to use the airline tickets I already purchased within a year - right? If that is correct, what would be the best time to take the trip in terms of weather, crowds, etc - January, February, or early March?

Seems like things keep happening to interfere with this Dec. trip and I'm at the point now where I'm actually wondering if this is some sort of "sign" that we shouldn't go then...

Anyhow - advice on what to do with the MVMCP tickets would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Oh, C.Ann, I'm so sorry for your DD, and for your whole family that you all have to go through this!

I already purchased - and just received - the tickets for MVMCP for Dec. 4th (2 adults and 1 child).. Can I try to sell these on eBay - or is it against the rules? And if I can, where would I list it - and could someone give me some hints on what bid I would start with?

Recently someone posted tickets for either the MNSSHP or the MVMCP, can't recall which, right here on the Budget Board - she said Pete Werner gave her permission to do so. They didn't last long, I'm sure. That might be your easiest route... I'll see if I can find the thread and post a link to it or bump it up.

I can get some kind of credit from Southwest Airlines where I would have to use the airline tickets I already purchased within a year - right?

Yes, you'd get a credit from SWA that you would need to use within 1 year of your original purchase (not the date of cancelled flight).

If that is correct, what would be the best time to take the trip in terms of weather, crowds, etc - January, February, or early March?

January is iffy for weather, but great for low crowds. Same with Feb, though in both cases MLK and Presidents weeks are nuts. March is a low period except the end when school vacations start.

I wish the best for you and your family and hope your daughter's surgery and recovery is as smooth as possible. You'll be in my thoughts, C.Ann!

{{{{{hugs}}}}}

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

This is the thread I mentioned above - DIS boarder selling MVMCP tickets

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks for all that info, Mrs. Snowgod..

When the time comes to sell the tickets, I'm only interested in getting my actual investment back - no profit - so maybe I'll email Pete and see if it's okay to put them here..

I haven't said anything to DD yet about postponing the trip (she is SOOOO terribly depressed right now - if being sick isn't enough, Thursday her one and only baby starts Kindergarten and it looks like she won't be there to see her off - plus she herself was to start her college class next Monday) - but I wanted to at least TRY to nail down another trip so I could present a good news/bad news scenario rather than just hitting her with the news of not going at all - you know?

I'm not really concerned with the weather being "iffy" (in terms of cold in Jan.) because living in the northeast, anything about 40 would seem like a HEAT WAVE for us - LOL!

Anyhow - thanks for the response! Maybe I should post on the Theme Parks Board about suggestions on when to go????

 

[claudia]

Just let me say that I am so sorry to hear that your DD is having such a difficult time....prayers said....


To get to the point (finally) I already purchased - and just received - the tickets for MVMCP for Dec. 4th (2 adults and 1 child).. Can I try to sell these on eBay - or is it against the rules? And if I can, where would I list it - and could someone give me some hints on what bid I would start with?

As long as there is nothing printed on the ticket that states specifically that you cannot sell to another person. You might not be able to sell these to a bidder in Florida, but I believe that is only for park passes. Possibly the best way to find out is just to put in a call to Disney. Only problem with listing on ebay for this is that I am not sure anyone would be looking for them there??? Maybe an email to Pete...under the circumstances he may allow you to sell on the board??? Just a suggestion.....
But if you do decide to list on ebay, I would list them under category #16122 as event tickets, with a title that included "Disney".
Here is a link for the one auction that I found on ebay.....maybe this will be helpful...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2189519770&category=16122

Also, I "believe" (not 100% sure) I can get some kind of credit from Southwest Airlines where I would have to use the airline tickets I already purchased within a year - right? If that is correct, what would be the best time to take the trip in terms of weather, crowds, etc - January, February, or early March?

Yes, you will receive the value of your tickets minus the re-ticketing fee (SWA will tell you the amount) All this info is saved on line, to view available Ticketless Travel Funds that you may have from an unused or canceled reservation, enter the confirmation number and credit card holder's name for up to four reservations then click on the View Available Funds button.
Personally I would choose January.....we always went at that time before DS got into the higher grades in school. Cool weather, small crowds and value season.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

Yes, I'm sure you'd get a good response there...

I'll hopefully be there the week of 1/18 through 1/23, so I'd definately recommend that week! The crowds should be fairly managable.

Hang in there, C.Ann.

 

[disneychrista]

C.Ann another option is that I have heard in the past that with unusual/unforeseen circumstances such as your Disney has been known to refund the cost of tickets. You might want to give them a call.

 

[DMRick]

claudia welcom guest

Claudia, where you on under a different name originally? I just saw Robin's welcome back, and I'm hanging my head in shame trying to place you!
Sounds like you do a lot of eBaying also!

 

[DMRick]

For instance- the scanner, I started at $15, w/BIN at $35. It's new, only used a few times and in the box. I didn't want to start at $1 or $5 for fear it would go to cheaply.

I think it's hard to sell a scanner (even a good one) on eBay for a decent price, because with rebates, Staples and Office Max often have them for under $35. I'm amazed at how good some of them work for that price (both of my adult kids have the "cheapies"). People may not realize yours is worth more than the leaders Staples, etc are selling.
Doris

 

[DMRick]

CAnn..sorry to hear the news. She may spring back much quicker than you think.

Southwest is great. You can get back (if you paid for any) any securtiy fees..but we just always leave the whole thing there and book within our year. They have never charged us a reticketing fee..as soon as three weeks ago..Claudia, is this something new? I do have to keep the original number from the first tickets, and use the exact name and credit card when filling out the forms for the second go around.

I think your best bet will be as others said..ask Pete if you can mention the tickets on Dis.

We love going in January, and often do (and plan on it this year)..however last January, it dipped to 29..which it seems to do when we go..but we have warm coats and Mickey Mouse mittens, so who cares. It's interesting watching Disney replace all their flowers in one day. We're been in Feb when it was 32..but again, that's just at night. We love no crowds, so we go when there is no holiday (went MLK weekend..never again), and that's usually January, Feb , May or September..although last year, end of August wasn't bad.

 

[dg39]

C.Ann I'm sorry to hear about your troubles. Some how things always work out in the long run. Just know that you and yours are in my prayers.

 

[psimon]

I have a portable VCR case I want to sell on eBay. I usually send things Priority Mail because of the ease of supplies, relative speedy delivery, etc.

The cardboard box for the case is about 14x12x5. How would I estimate shipping charges for it? I don't get to the post office very often, so taking it there for an estimate would be an extra trip. I can't even use the USPS calculator since I don't know where it will ship to.

How should I estimate shipping costs. It is somewhere between 2-3 pounds. All suggestions appreciated. Many thanks.....

 

[claudia]

Claudia, where you on under a different name originally? I just saw Robin's welcome back, and I'm hanging my head in shame trying to place you!

Oh no...NO SHAME!!! I have always used Claudia, but when Pete updated the site....maybe 2 or 3 years ago, all my posts were lost, so my counter went back to zero. I was one of the originals on the site, but many of the other originals decided for one reason or another to stop visiting the site......and it was kind of lonely and a little sad....and being back to zero was kind of upsetting, so I didn't post much after that.....took the ranks of "lurker"!!!LOL
I "met" Robin a bit ago....and we discovered we shared the same birthday and some other fun stuff. Talking with her re-sparked my interest in participating again. I have just moved and that kind of slowed me down for awhile, but everything is finally falling into place so I have a bit more time to post again.
Now that school is starting up...so is my passion to list on ebay again!!!
Thanks so much for asking....that was so nice!!!!

 

[claudia]

How should I estimate shipping costs. It is somewhere between 2-3 pounds. All suggestions appreciated. Many thanks.....

You need to get an exact weight on your item.....if you do not have a postal scale, then I would put your VCR and all packing materials on a bathroom scale and round up to the nearest pound....better safe than sorry. When you create your listing and get to step 4, shipping and payment, choose the tab "calculated shipping charge" enter your weight, the way you want to ship and then your potential buyers will be able to enter their zip code on your auction page to get their shipping cost.
The best advice I can offer anyone who sells on ebay is NEVER ESTIMATE!!! Make the wise investment of a postal scale and use it for every item. Always use the "Calculated Shipping Charge" ...this way the buyer knows their costs! I always note on my auctions for the buyer to do this BEFORE they bid.....there is never any question or arguement over the s/h charge.
I hope this will help.....ask away if you need more advice.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

As expected, no bids for the scanner today. I relisted, lowering the opening bid to 9.99, BIN to 25.00 and instead of calculated shipping gave a real shipping cost of 10.00, I also added an additional pic of the box, in addition to the image of the scanner I grabbed online. I also added a line to the description, indicating the original retail price of $70. Maybe now that the holiday weekend is coming to a close I'll get some intereted shoppers.

Thanks for the tips!