Is ebay worth sellling on?

[caz79]

Any good or bad experiences of selling stuff on ebay? Does it cost a lot to do it?

[southerngirl]

I sell on ebay all the time and have done so for over a year and have no bad experiences of it. However, you must be careful. When writing a description of what you want to sell it must be accurate - if the condition isn't great then say so, if it is used, say so. The other big thing is not to put postage more than the actual cost of postage and packaging as people are put off by extortionate postage costs.

It does cost to put something on ebay. It is called the lsiting fee and is a percentage of the price you start at if you use auction style. You will also pay a paypal fee if you use this method of receiving payment, there is no fee for buying with paypal.

In my experience, don't take anything other than GBP currency and only accept personal cheques, postal orders and PayPal.

I have perhaps been very fortunate, but ebay is based on trust and I would say 99.99% of people are honest and if you keep communicating with people and are upfront and honest yourself you will get a good response.

The best thing for you to do would be to go into the ebay site and check their selling site and check out the discussion board, where people go to ask questions of experienced ebayers, don't just go into selling without researching first.

I always put my lots on at a low price usually �1.00 as it will find its price with the buyers. If you do not want to sell below a certain price, then put it on at your lowest acceptable selling price, but be prepared for it not to sell.

Finally it is always best to have a photo of your item as items sell better with one. Cost of a photo is 15 pence and is called gallery.

[lia*]

i have shopped on ebay many, many times and have been more disappointed than pleased. never buy a cat in a bag, and some sellers are very deceiving.

[~Wingnut~]

Hi caz79!

Listen to southerngirl! I am addicted to eBay!!! Hubby started it all up and I took over lol I put it off for a few years and really wish I hadn't. I've thrown things away which I now wish I had sold on eBay!!! I've bought good stuff too, it's useful to do your research tho and check the sellers feedback etc..
Before you list something, see how much similar items are selling for. southerngirl is right about the postage too, some of the postage costs are just scandalous! and I am pretty sure in the rules it says your not allowed to make profit by upping the postage.

Go take a scout around the place, once you sell your first item you'll never look back! :o)

[caz79]

Thank you for all your advice think I will give it a go! Have so much stuff that is in good condition seems stupid to just give it away. Thank you all!

[Polotoo]

Hi Caz

I agree with Southerngirl and Wingnut, especially about the postage. It really annoys me when I buy something and they charge �4 for postage, and when it gets here the actual postal charge was only 70p, I know you need to add something on for the packaging, but its annoying when its only a normal envelope!

I do sell on ebay, the only thing I would say is that be careful what you sell and try to be accurate with your postage costs.

I started to sell some books on ebay, but they were only selling for �1-�1.50 and then the postage was exorbitant (as they are heavy!), and on more than one occasion I'd miscalculate, and end up out of pocket.

Personally, I now only sell items that will make a decent amount of money (�20ish) as I'm working fulltime, and by the time I've listed it, paid listing fees, answered any questions, got the money, paid final valuation fees and paypal fees, wrapped it, gone to the post office and sent it, its often not worth it for the small profit I make!

However, your circumstances may be different to me. And as a certain store says 'every little helps' and then I think, well I should do it, but I just haven't got the time, or inclination to faff around with it for a few pence! (so my less expensive items end up at the charity shop)

All of my experiences as a seller have been good, any postage issues have been through my own silly fault. I'd recommend you wrapping it and weighing it when you are listing as it then it much more accurate. Always be honest with your description.

I could waffle on for ages about ebay - I love it, but think I should stop here!

Happy ebaying!

[caz79]

Thanks Polotoo for your advice!

[alijangra]

Its great, made �300 out of a wardrobe clearance!! Go for it.

[pingping]

My best advice to you would be to be very clear in the "payment options" section (when you list an item) and make it explicit what payment methods you accept (e.g. cheque or paypal); deadlines for receipt of payment from buyer (e.g. "buyer must pay within 3 days of the end of the auction") etc. This means that both the seller and buyer know eactly what is required.