selling stuff on ebay

[lcg]

right. i have finally opened an account, sorted a paypal thingy and have found lots of stuff around the house to sell. i was wondering if you guys had any tips for me (that aren't necessarily in the manual!) and how likely am i to flog (brand new) shoes and clothes, for example. i would be grateful for any help and be aware of some of the pitfalls of using ebay. mtia, lisa x

[janzman]

Try this for starters
http://pages.ebay.co....ell/basics/start.html

[ELVIS68]

Hi, make sure your pictures are clear and you describe the items well, search items you are selling so you get an idea of what to charge for p&p.

[berniecuddles]

Also be prepared the more you sell the more you have to pay ebay and paypal when you settle up your accounts.

[cathfromsaron]

my advice is to:

1) sell loads of stuff at the same time AND mention that you have other things for sale in your blurb and state that you will combine/adjust postage and packing! with the olympics on, women do a lot of revenge surfing, so you should do well for women's stuff at this time of year!

2) also be very honest about flaws ... people always think they can get creases or wee marks out, IF they know in advance!

3) make sure to obtain 'proof of postage' at the post office and say that you will in your ads! BUT also offer signed for or whatever too, IF they want to click that option, they can pay extra!

4) state that you will post items within 5 -7 days and then do it quicker, but at least if it's rainy or you are busy you have that breathing space!

[Clanad]

Investigate setting up a "Store"... several discounts are available for a very small monthly charge for one of three levels. As already mentioned, use lots of good pictures and describe any flaws clearly.
E-bay gives further discount if you will ship in 1 business day.
Take a look at 'Picasa' for managing your photos. I use it exclusively for cropping and other "fixes" on photos. You can read about it a free-download here: http://picasa.en.softonic.com/ ...
Be sure to give "Feedback"... most folks who sell an item won't give you "Feedback" until you do it first. "Feedback" is probably one of the most important and easily verlooked feature of Ebay.

Use some wit and inventiveness when describing an item. I specialize in "vintage" items and have found most buyers appreciate the historical aspect of the items...

[Ann]

This is all very useful advice for me too, I have loads to sell, but I'm just so nervous about the admin side of it. Does Ebay automatically send the invoice etc. I really must read up on it and take the plunge!

[lcg]

i have just taken the plunge and listed 2 items (decent shoes which i haven't ever worn). i have included postage in the price and excited at the prospect of selling! thank you for your advice, as the ebay website is very expansive! x

[kloofnek]

I too,have often thought about selling on Ebay but like Ann86 am rather nervous about it.My home is stuffed to the rafter with things I have not touched for years or have never used.My daughters are always urging me to sell them...but...really don`t know where to begin...if i were in the States,would just set everything up outside my home...just like they do in films...do they REALLY do that!!!!!

[spotit3]

I agree, kloofnek, wish garage sales would take off here. Last time I was in the states visiting friends they took us for an afternoon of 'garage sales'. We must have gone to about six within a 20 mile radius. It was brilliant.

[boxtops]

lcg, you don't need to include postage in the price - you can name your starting price for what you want to get for the shoes, then add the postage options afterwards. Are you offering to sell outside the UK too? if so you'll need to add those postage options. I sell a good half of the items I sell to people overseas - from Alaska to Australia.

[boxtops]

Clanad - on the UK site you can only be a Business seller if you meet a number of criteria, or sell a certain number of items per month.

I just upload photos from my camera and the listing site lets you adjust the photos to the best effect - I've never bothered with any fancy photo adjustment tools.

I find that when selling clothes etc, lcg, emphasise that the clothes are clean and in good condition, and (if it's so) they are being sold from a smoke and/or pet free household - that matters to some people

[dotty.]

I started selling on eBay 2 weeks ago, I've sold 27 items, 3 were renaged on so have to put a claim in, but the rest were paid via paypal within a day or so, I've got £230 in my paypal account, they withhold the funds for 21 days or until positive feedback is received but it's not a bad earner, the postage has to be paid up front of course and the ebay fees but it's only like paying tax and ni on wages.

[percypineapple]

always make sure the bidding will end at about 9pm on a saturday or sunday night. the customer has probably had a few beers and is keen to bid. do not have things ending at 2pm etc on a weekday, no one is at home bidding. you need to capture the biggest available audience, and thats evenings after 8pm.
percy

[boxtops]

Are they holding the funds because you are a new e-Bayer, dotty? i can call mine down whenever I like.

[boxtops]

I agree with percy - I went through a period of relisting stuff at 6.30am on a free listing day. I won't do that again - nobody's up watching their bids at that time!

[dotty.]

i've hardly done anything on ebay, i only had a 17 feedback score as a buyer but now i have 48! they've released the money as each positive feedback came in, it will all be released 21 days after i set up the paypal account,

[boxtops]

Ah, I see - that's a good incentive to be a good seller.

You've done remarkably well in your first couple of weeks, dotty - well done - I can go some weeks with no interest at all. Some you win, some you lose!

[dotty.]

the majority of my sales have been bikinis and swimwear with matching sarongs and my handbags/evening bags.........sold 12 bikini/tankini sets, amazing, who knew?