Hi, I've never sold on Ebay or Amazon and would LOVE to get into this!! Can someone please tell me what's the first thing I should do to get started? How do you know how much to start your prices at considering the fees and postage and stuff? I'm nervous.
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1|1|Ok here are a few things to know....|jen_ron|bugsmamma@earthlink.net|19:13:12|01/20/2010|
1. People hate to pay outrageous shipping prices. (example, if Im buying a DVD or a video game, I dont want to pay $4 or more for shipping, its just ridiculous) Its ok to make sure it covers the cost of packaging and what not but overcharging just to make a little extra $$ tends to put people off. The easiest way to do your shipping is either with the flat rate envies/boxes, when appropriate, or use your own packaging, weigh the items and do calculated shipping. That means based on weight and zip that is what the buyer pays, you can add a handling fee to cover packaging and delivery confirmation ~ I would ALWAYS use D/C since its your proof it was shipped.
2. If you have a common item, do some research to see what most people are posting their starting price at and then choose the price that is good for you. Be prepared for items to go for less than you expect it to tho, with today's economy its quite common for that to happen. Reserves are helpful in that but then if its not met you dont get to sell the item and your still out of the listing fees. A reserve also causes your listing fee to be higher.
3. Listing in more than one category is a bonus. If it is something that crosses description lines, it is only an extra 15 cents per category but can really help your item to sell. Again, do research for the item you are selling and see what the most popular catagories they are posted in.
4. Pictures are pretty much a must. A buyer wants to see exactly what it is they are buying, so make sure you take a good picture. And always put in a good description.
I know there are other sellers here and hopefully they will chime in and point out the million things I forgot. LOL Good luck!
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Comin to you from 36401.
Always ISO NBPR/NWPR/NAPR mail in rebates or winetags.
My feedback link: http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/288.html
Jen ~ Proud wife of Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet ~ Ron ** Now counting down to Tour #2 (01/07/10)
My Ebay Auctions ~ http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjenayn 2|2|another great tip that a bunch of people miss is.....|jdlaurie|savethosepennies@aol.com|21:03:13|01/20/2010|
Check out the listing charge breakpoints for different priced items you are selling. For instance, if you sell clothing and look at the breakpoints, it costs more to list an item for $10 than it does for $9.99. You have saved yourself more than a penny right up front on the listing charge by lowing the cost of the item by 1 cent! This is such a small thing that so many people overlook! I don't think I've ever seen anyone else bring it up either. Ebay makes enough in fees, they don't need to make extra on each listing! 3|3|Your so right! I forgot about that. Also, its been a while since my last listing but I think they are still doing 5 free listings every 30 days, so if you dont sell too often, its a great way to save on fees but make a little extra $$|jen_ron|bugsmamma@earthlink.net|23:19:49|01/20/2010|
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Comin to you from 36401.
Always ISO NBPR/NWPR/NAPR mail in rebates or winetags.
My feedback link: http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/288.html
Jen ~ Proud wife of Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet ~ Ron ** Now counting down to Tour #2 (01/07/10)
My Ebay Auctions ~ http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjenayn 4|1|THANKS SO MUCH!|destiny|destinyroger@yahoo.com|09:23:50|01/21/2010|
I appreciate all your input~! I took notes!:) Will try and make the time to get started soon.. i'm getting excited about this cuz I LOVE going to yard sales and I have so much junk here I would love to sell! Thanks!!!
Get to know me better. Please visit me at
http://www.freewebs.com/mydestiny7 Where you'll find my blog, refunding, craft, gardening and more!
5|1|Craigslist is an idea, too|hudge4|hudge95@yahoo.com|12:41:37|01/21/2010|
We have a friend that buys used ski equipment (skis, sno-boards, etc) in the spring/summer and then turns around and sells them in the winter. He makes a very good profit, no kidding. People get annoyed with the stuff hanging around taking up space and maybe they don't go to the sno enough so they sell the stuff cheap to get it out of the way.
Since you yard sale, you might think about buying/selling kid stuff. Be careful though, not to sell used car seats. If I remember correctly, they aren't considered safe after 5 years and you can't tell if they've been in an accident.
At least with Craigslist, you don't have to pay fees. You can meet people in a public place if you don't want them to come to your house.
~~Feedback link~~
http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/1021.html 6|1|ebay|cinda68|lacinda68@gmail.com|14:08:53|01/21/2010|
I found this site helpful in the past, I wouldn't necessarily agree with everything Skip says but most of it is good advice. Keep in mind, he is trying to make money too, you don't need his lists or books, etc.
Another thing that I think is essential, do the research on your items and categories are so important. Do a completed items search on every item to see what the going rate is. Know what it should sell for before you list it and with ebay and paypal fees, it isn't worth it to sell something unless you can flip it 3 times, paid 5.00 sell for 15.00. Specialize in one category so you get to know whats hot or not. When you check the completed items, see which ones sold for the most and put yours in the very same category, some categories get more hits than others.
http://www.skipmcgrath.com/auction_sr/77-tips-tools-selling-ebay.shtml 7|2|Oh hey, those 5 free listings on ebay every month are anything BUT free|Beaglesfly|lmllr77@aol.com|20:54:17|01/21/2010|
The stinkers - you save .35 listing fee, but in the fine print you'll notice that the final value fee is 12%, 4% more than the usual final value fee!
Couple of tips that I can think of:
Write your item description as if there were no pictures and take your pictures as if there was no description - in other words, be thorough.
If you're new on ebay (I think it's for less than 100 feedback people), they put a 21 day hold on the funds when you sell something. Your buyer must leave feedback or you must show proof of delivery (delivery confirmation) in order for them to release funds.
Try to use d.c. as there's some that will scam you and say they never received their item and you will have to give them their money back.
You can't offer alternative methods of payment in your listing (like money order or check) unless you're doing a local pickup item.
Read a little on the seller central discussion board - you'll learn A LOT quickly about the ins and outs of selling.
If I have an item that I know there will be a lot of demand for, I price it low to attract buyers. Otherwise, I set the beginning price at an amount that I'll feel comfortable with if it sells at that price.
You can sell things in auctions or buy it nows. I use buy it now when it's an item I know may not have lots of interest, where it may need to sit for a month before someone sees it who wants to buy it.
I've heard you should end your auctions on Sunday nights as that's when there's the most activity....I think it depends though on what you're selling. If it's something a housewife might buy, ending it during the day may work better.
You have to accept returns on ebay. Ebay will say that you can set your own return policy, but when it comes down to it, paypal will back up the buyer 99.9% of the time on returns.
MOST IMPORTANT - Don't sell anything you can't afford to give away as there are some real scammers on ebay these days. They'll buy from you, complain about something, send back a box of rocks to you and still get their money back from paypal! I'd never sell anything over $200 on ebay unless it was a local pickup with cash.
I've probably got a million other tips, but those are some. Good luck, if you have any specific questions, feel free to email me!
Lauren 8|1|Taking notes here and getting nervous|destiny|destinyroger@yahoo.com|09:27:25|01/22/2010|
You guys are being a WONDERFUL help. Thank you! :)
Get to know me better. Please visit me at
http://www.freewebs.com/mydestiny7 Where you'll find my blog, refunding, craft, gardening and more!
9|1|Another Selling Venue is Bonanzle.com - It's Free To List|MommyOf2QTs|MommyOf2QTs@Hotmail.com|18:59:12|01/22/2010|
Posted on Jan-22-10 at 06:59 PM (Eastern) by 24.154.91.20
I've been a member there since April 09 and it's really starting to take off. Bonanzle is just over a year old and doesn't have the exposure of ebay and Amazon but it's growing.
It's not an auction format like ebay. It's more like a store. Even has a shopping cart checkout system. You set the price you want and offer it for sale. But you don't pay anything to set up your booth with items (no listing fees!). Your items stay in your booth for as long as it takes them to sell.
When items do sell, you are charged a small final value fee by Bonanzle on the total price of all the items minus postage (up to $10).
50 cents for under $10, $1 for $10 - $49.99, $3 for $50 to $99.99 etc...
Just thought I'd throw Bonanzle out there. If you are new to online selling, it's a very friendly place to start with minimum chance to lose much cash up front.
If you set up a booth and decide Bonanzle is not for you, then just close it down. You aren't out anything except the time you spent setting it up.
If interested in joining, my referral link is below. I don't get anything from it just recognition that someone I invited joined. There is a little counter on my profile page at Bonanzle that shows "Users Invited".
http://www.bonanzle.com/users/new?referred_by_user_id=91536
10|1|thanks fo the info on bonanzle!|SandyC|sacoates1@msn.com|21:00:38|01/22/2010|
I'm always looking for something different!
:D
SandyC
11|2|that should say "thanks for..."|SandyC|sacoates1@msn.com|21:01:26|01/22/2010|
:D
SandyC
12|2|You're Welcome! Always Glad to Have New Members.|MommyOf2QTs|MommyOf2QTs@Hotmail.com|01:16:51|01/23/2010|
Last edited on Jan-27-10 at 10:29 AM (Eastern) by 170.189.193.3
Posted on Jan-23-10 at 01:16 AM (Eastern) by 24.154.91.20
If interested in joining, my referral link is below. I don't get anything from it just recognition that someone I invited joined. There is a little counter on my profile page at Bonanzle that shows "Users Invited".
Hope to see you there!
http://www.bonanzle.com/users/new?referred_by_user_id=91536
13|3|I just made an order so joined. Looks like a fun & different place to sell & buy.|SandyC|sacoates1@msn.com|10:00:29|01/23/2010|
Browsed a couple hours last night. Lots of info.
SandyC
:D
14|3|mommyof2qts, I just sent you an email with a "B" question|SandyC|sacoates1@msn.com|17:10:22|01/23/2010|
:D
SandyC
15|3|MommyOf2QTs~I just signed up, they asked who told me about site put your username on there. thank-you!|HONEY11|HONEY1@AMERITECH.NET|01:29:49|01/25/2010|
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o0..0o
Linda
16|4|does anyone use the Syndicated Seller program? I just signed up for that, to help me sell stuff.|HONEY11|HONEY1@AMERITECH.NET|03:59:33|01/25/2010|
o
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Linda
17|5|???|HONEY11|HONEY1@AMERITECH.NET|20:34:09|01/25/2010|
o
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@..@
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o0..0o
Linda
18|4|Thank You!|MommyOf2QTs|MommyOf2QTs@Hotmail.com|12:46:39|01/26/2010|
I'll have to check my "Users Invited" number and see if it went up!
I don't use the Syndicated Seller program. Well, I guess I should say I signed up but never put added any items. Sounds like a good question for the Bonanzle Seller forums. Sorry I couldn't help more.
19|5|I hope Bonanzle skyrockets!|Beaglesfly|lmllr77@aol.com|12:56:40|01/26/2010|
Ebay needs the competition. I've heard some people having good luck selling on Bonanzle, others say they haven't sold anything....maybe it depends on what exactly you're selling.
Don't be nervous about ebay destiny. It's not that hard once you get in the swing of things...and you really don't need to know too much to get started...all that other stuff you can learn later.
I have about 950 feedback, so I've probably sold well over a thousand items. Out of that, I've had only a handful of problems - once or twice people didn't receive something and if you looked at their feedback, it was an obvious pattern for them. I just refunded their money, end of story. I figure it's the cost of doing business.
You'll do fine. You only need to know the basics to get started on ebay, and the rest will come with experience.
Good luck!
lauren 20|6|FYI ~ Ebay updates seller fees |jen_ron|bugsmamma@earthlink.net|21:57:17|01/26/2010|
Dear :
Starting March 30, 2010 selling on eBay will be a better deal than ever!
List Auction-style FREE--no Insertion Fees--when you start your Auction-style listing under $1.
Get new, lower Insertion Fees for all other start prices.
Either way, pay one easy Final Value Fee of 9% of the winning bid (but never more than $50)-and pay only if your item sells.
List in Fixed Price for 50¢, with Final Value Fees for the most part staying the same.
This new standard fee structure will replace the current "first 5 listings free"--you'll pay no Insertion Fees whenever you list Auction-style and start pricing under $1!*
Get complete details on the new eBay fees and get ready to SELL!
Sincerely,
eBay Seller Team
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comin to you from 36401.
Always ISO NBPR/NWPR/NAPR mail in rebates or winetags.
My feedback link: http://www.refundsweepers.com/dcforum/feedback/288.html
Jen ~ Proud wife of Operation Iraqi Freedom Vet ~ Ron ** Now counting down to Tour #2 (01/07/10)
My Ebay Auctions ~ http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZjenayn 22|7|Just curious how many start auctions at 99 cents|MommyOf2QTs|MommyOf2QTs@Hotmail.com|10:44:18|01/27/2010|
What if you only get 1 bidder? Then you have to send the item for only 99 cents? I couldn't afford doing that unless you charge an outrageous amount for shipping to make up for it. Then after the fees are deducted, you would probably be losing money.
I think it sounds good in theory but I just couldn't take the chance.
http://www.bonanzle.com/users/new?referred_by_user_id=91536
26|6|Bonanzle just pasted 200,000 users! Sales are increasing.|MommyOf2QTs|MommyOf2QTs@Hotmail.com|11:58:06|02/25/2010|
Here's my link if anyone is interested. E-mail me with any questions too. I'd be glad to help.
If interested in joining, my referral link is below. I don't get anything from it just recognition that someone I invited joined. There is a little counter on my profile page at Bonanzle that shows "Users Invited".
Hope to see you there!
http://www.bonanzle.com/users/new?referred_by_user_id=91536
Thanks!
27|7|Should read "past"...sometimes my fingers do their own thing.|MommyOf2QTs|MommyOf2QTs@Hotmail.com|11:59:14|02/25/2010|
LOL! 21|1|Thanks.. I really needed the encouragement cuz|destiny|destinyroger@yahoo.com|09:34:04|01/27/2010|
There seems to be so much to learn and the more I find out I need to learn, the more nervous i'm getting.
Get to know me better. Please visit me at
http://www.freewebs.com/mydestiny7 Where you'll find my blog, refunding, craft, gardening and more!
23|2|You'll do fine destiny......|Beaglesfly|lmllr77@aol.com|13:05:31|01/27/2010|
It's not at all complicated, just takes a little to get used to the format and what all you need to enter. Won't be long before you can do them with your eyes closed! LOL. Here's the process for you:
- Take a picture of your item & upload to your computer just like you usually would
- Go into ebay and follow their step by step form to list the item
- Figure out how you want to ship - if you have a scale, weigh the item and follow the steps to use the shipping calculator on the ebay form. Ebay will automatically calculate the shipping based on the buyer's zip code. If you don't have a scale, you can just set a flat rate amount for shipping for all buyers
- Wait for your item to sell.
- Send an invoice to the buyer after end of auction (if they don't pay right after the auction). There's a button for sending an invoice, it will fill in all the information for you and you can just click "send"
- Once the buyer pays, box up the item and ship it. If you have a printer, you can even print USPS labels right at home and then just schedule a pick up with the USPS or take it to the post office
- Leave feedback for the buyer
Ta-da, your first listing done! Good luck!
Lauren
ps. feel free to email me with questions or when you're doing your first listing :) 24|3|also if you list 2 items or more than same in one listing, the fee doesn't go up...|HONEY11|HONEY1@AMERITECH.NET|15:43:25|01/27/2010|
I list at least 2 items exactly the same, I notice the listing fee is the same if I list 1 item or 2...it stays at 35 cents for buy it now..
o
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@..@
(----)
( )--( )
o0..0o
Linda
25|1|Do you have to claim taxes when selling on Ebay?|destiny|destinyroger@yahoo.com|09:12:36|02/25/2010|
My sister in law does.. This sounds like way too much trouble and my husband would flip out. We do an EZ form every year... Going long form, he'd never go for that... :(
Get to know me better. Please visit me at
http://www.freewebs.com/mydestiny7 Where you'll find my blog, refunding, craft, gardening and more!
28|1|IM IN CALIF AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN ASKED TO PAY TAXES|crazymomx2|crazymomx3girls@hotmail.com|12:05:23|02/25/2010|
TY 29|2|That helps knowing that..|destiny|destinyroger@yahoo.com|12:23:49|02/25/2010|
Maybe she is talking about someone who makes a business of selling.. I don't know.. I just had a few pieces of jewlery ..
Get to know me better. Please visit me at
http://www.freewebs.com/mydestiny7 Where you'll find my blog, refunding, craft, gardening and more!