Ebay

[Bazile]

I have several items i would like to sell - i'm thinking of selling them on ebay

I have not used ebay before .

- What should i look out for / be careful of ?

- Any advice on listing stuff etc ?


Thanks

[horseshoes]

I'm a HUGE fan of eBay and sell lots of things on it. What I'd suggest you do before actually selling, is to just spend a few hours browsing the site. Go into the "advanced search" and enter the item YOU want to sell. Then, scroll down to "completed" items and you'll be able to see what the item sold for. I find the COMPLETED listing tool invaluable. You'll soon get into the swing of it.

Be VERY careful if you're selling mobile phones or other techy stuff - that's the area you'll find most scammers.

Always let your auctions run to the end. I NEVER sell to anyone who offers a Buy it Now price. Chances are if they're willing to pay, others will be too.

Always pack well. NEVER post anything before its paid for. TRY to use a recorded/tracked postage service. I use Royal Mail for my small items - anything which can be posted as a "small parcel" (look at RM website) and I use MyHermes for larger items - some people complain about them, but I've NEVER had a problem with them.

Good luck:-)

[4candles]

eBay is essentially all about trust, and many people will be wary of buying from a new member with no track record.
Buy a few items first to obtain some positive feedback.
Good advice from 'horseshoes', to which I would add -
Good photos make all the difference to a listing. As it's on a website, high resolution is not required - just take care with lighting, framing and focusing.
Good luck!

[EDDIE51]

Yes join and buy a few cheap items first and pay immediately to get some feedback.
Even a feedback of 5 is a lot better than 0.

[Berniecuddles2]

I sell loads on ebay one thing I will say ebay will always side with the buyer even if their in the wrong
Last week buyer gave me my 1st negative feedback in 7 yrs because the parcel turned up and she wasn't in it went back to the delivery office ...I complained ebay sided with her !!
Having said that it normally runs smoothly so really it's a good thing

[Bazile]

thanks all

[Sycamore3House]

All excellent advice above. Make sure you describe your item correctly especially if there is a bit missing or damage. Some people may be wanting spare parts for an item so damage may be irrelevant. Ask for payment via PayPal. If you have a bulky item list it for 'local pick up' or buyer arrange courier.

[rccatnap]

Horseshoes' advice is excellent, as are the others. I've been a member since 2004.
If you're new to EBay, I would first try and buy a couple of smallish items and get a couple of positive feedbacks. You'll get a good idea of what to expect when completing the transaction. When you receive the goods safely, don't forget to leave good feedback.
When selling items, it's often a good idea first to look for a similar item for sale. If it is, then see what is being asked for it in 'BIN' Buy it Now, or wait to see what it actually goes for, if on auction.
If the goods are collected from you, it's got to be cash only and you should insist on a copy of the invoice you sent the buyer which should be presented to you on collection. This is to ensure the right person is actually picking the goods up from you. You should also have a printed copy of the invoice. The buyer signs one to give to you, saying they've received the goods and you sign yours to give to them saying you've received payment.
Job done! If they pay via PayPal before picking up the goods, then refund them immediately, insisting they honour the agreement of cash on collection. This would have been spelt out in your description and terms.
I've only had one negative feedback and this was given to me before the buyer approached me to sort out the problem. I told the buyer that was not the way to do things on EBay. I gave him an immediate refund and he withdrew the negative feedback. That's why EBay will usually side with the buyer, because it's they who withdraw the negative feedback, not EBay.
Good luck with your sales.
If you're interested in photographs, look at an item I'm selling. 122297276103

[EDDIE51]

eBay will cancel negative feedback if they agree it has been incorrectly given. I have had this happen to me.