Selling things on eBay

[Anonymous]

Getting the house cleaned out and organized.

I currently have 18 items listed on eBay, and still have 9/10 other items I haven't listed yet. That's almost 30 items; this is a record for me. I always forget how much work there is into it: write something out, take pictures, find boxes, print packing list, take time to drive past USPS on my way to UPS.

Hopefully they auction off well; two items just sold ("Buy it Now").

[TG76]

It is a lot of work that's for sure!.. I sold my whole Video game collection on Ebay, I have been at it since the middle of June, 139 transactions later and I'm finally done...It was well worth it, I made a killing!!!!  

[lunch]

When you calculate the income you're getting from selling things on eBay, don't forget to include the hidden costs, in addition to the eBay and PayPal fees and your valuable time:

- packing supplies (tape, boxes, bubble wrap)

- paper and ink to print shipping labels

- gas to drive to UPS/USPS

[fishbjc]

I am a seasoned seller on feeBay....er eBay. Boxes, peanuts and bubble wrap
Can be had for FREE. Usps will drop off supplies and pick up. The
Costs should be built into the price of the item anyway. Buy a good scale.
Always ship with delivery confirmation.

[Anonymous]

Work allows me to take home boxes, and packing paper free of charge! Plus I save most of my boxes anyway. Helps ALOT; although, I did have to buy some ESD packing material (no biggy).

fishbjc, or anyone, what are your thoughts on UPS Delivery Confirmation with no/signature vs. DC with signature? UPS/Fed EX only, I don't use USPS.

Just curious.

[lunch]

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@fishbjc wrote:
I am a seasoned seller on feeBay....er eBay. Boxes, peanuts and bubble wrap
Can be had for FREE. Usps will drop off supplies and pick up. The
Costs should be built into the price of the item anyway. Buy a good scale.
Always ship with delivery confirmation.

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Not to get into an argument, but almost nothing is free in life.

I've been selling on eBay since 1999, so I have a lot of experience too.

You may be able to get boxes, peanuts and bubble wrap without paying cash, but there is a cost in the time and driving it takes to do the scrounging. Also, tape, paper for labels, the scale you recommend ... none of those are free. USPS pick up is not a viable option for many people who sell part time and are away from home during the day at work. They cannot leave packages unattended for the postal carrier to pick up.

Most casual sellers, and a many dedicated sellers,  do not understand the cost of their time and of incidental supplies and do not calcuate the actual net gain they get from selling on eBay.

I'm not saying this applies to you or that selling on eBay cannot be profitable. It can be.   My post was meant as a caution to anyone who is looking at eBay as a way to get some quick cash. They should carefully understand the actual net profit of each sale after factoring in eBay and PayPal fees, their own time, and all other expenses.

[Anonymous]

@lunch, if you read my post you should realize I'm simply cleaning out things I no longer use, or have replaced. I'm not trying to make a "profit", neither am I asking for advice (though its welcomed).

Total sales (not finalized): $1,652.15 - more than I predicted.

[masscredit]

The things that I list on eBay, I'll also list on Craigslist. Both can be profitable and they can both be "interesting". 

eBay has high fees when you sell something. They also get a cut of the amount that you charge for shipping. Plus you pay for the money transacton (I use ProPay). I find that better than PayPal that is eBay's close cousin.  For shipping I use the postal service. I find it to be easier (2 minutes away). 

For Craigslist, I have a Google phone number so I don't get out my real number. To many flakes and scams out there. I also never meet at my house. The parking lot of the local busy store/gas station works great.  I've sold about $26k with of stuff on eBay in the last 5 years and probably at least $15k on CL.

Things that I don't like about eBay -

They will side with the buyer most of the time. Even if that person is 110% wrong. I sold toner cartridge in a sealed box (it was new). Never heard from the buyer, then got a dispute with them saying that it was used. I provided pictures and everything, they won. 

Non-paying bidders. Yeah, they get a strike against them (big deal).  We should be able to leave negative feedback. 

eBay seems geared towards the buyer. The seller loses out if the buyer doesn't pay or isn't honest and lies about what they received. 

[SuperKirby]

eBay is a lot of work!

I remember one summer during college I didn't have a job so I decided to sell everything in my apartment. I ended up selling over 500 items that summer! it became a full time job! 

What made it super easy for me was living next to a 24/7 USPS APC machine! I would ship late at night (midnight) and there wasn't a line so I could take my time and not feel guilty coming in with like 20 packages.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

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@SuperKirby wrote:

eBay is a lot of work!

I remember one summer during college I didn't have a job so I decided to sell everything in my apartment. I ended up selling over 500 items that summer! it became a full time job! 

What made it super easy for me was living next to a 24/7 USPS APC machine! I would ship late at night (midnight) and there wasn't a line so I could take my time and not feel guilty coming in with like 20 packages.

Good luck!

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I thought about using one of those machines, but there is no option for delivery tracking and/or confirmation.

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@masscredit wrote:

... .. .

Things that I don't like about eBay -

They will side with the buyer most of the time. Even if that person is 110% wrong. I sold toner cartridge in a sealed box (it was new). Never heard from the buyer, then got a dispute with them saying that it was used. I provided pictures and everything, they won. 

Non-paying bidders. Yeah, they get a strike against them (big deal).  We should be able to leave negative feedback. 

eBay seems geared towards the buyer. The seller loses out if the buyer doesn't pay or isn't honest and lies about what they received. 

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Just about true

Though the only time I had a "problem", and I mean a big problem, eBay ended up siding with me (lucky me). 

Right now, I'm the OP, I have three items with no payments. Sent out an unpaid item case.

At least one of the three contacted me, here is his message:

"I dont have moeny in my creditcard, what we can to do?"