Ebay

[237SJ]

I have sold a few things on ebay before (such as bits of china that my mum had) but have never sold anything that I have actually bought. I`ve got a good idea for selling some collectables that I can get abroad. They`re not expensive (about £7.50) but could probably make a few quid. It`s just for fun really. How would I go about listing them? If I put the starting price as the price I paid, would that put people off? Are people attracted to items when they have a really low starting bid? Would it be better to do it as Buy it Now? Obviously, I don`t want to sell them for less than I paid.

[ELVIS68]

I'd go for the 99p starting price and see how it goes from there

[dotty.]

it's really risky i think, buying something specifically to sell on ebay, have you seen these same things sell well on there?

[bednobs]

plus if you are buying things to sell, you have to declare income for income tax purposes

[hc4361]

And register as a business seller on eBay.

[237SJ]

Thanks for your replies.
Dotty, I have seen them on ebay on buy it now for £33 plus a ridiculous amount of postage £30+ because the seller is in the US

[ojread2]

If you dont get the price you want when listing for 99p will you send it to the winning bidder? If your answer is yes, then start at 99p.
If your reply is no, start it higher and a price you are willing to accept
If you don't send an item worth a tenner that was won for 99p, then you are likely (hopefully) to find yourself with an NPS. Too many of them and you wont be able to sell any way

[237SJ]

Thanks oj. I just have the one at the moment so if I don`t get the price I want I will certainly do the honourable thing and send it. The first one can be an experiment. Maybe I could start off at about half the price. Would you suggest a 7 day listing as it gives more time for the price to go up? I`ve heard on here about free listing days. Where can I find out about them?

[woofgang]

you may have seen those items listed at that price but have you seen them sell? I am currently watching an item on its third listing that hasn't sold!

[hc4361]

Free listing days are not the time to start selling a new product.
eBay gets swamped at free listing times with every mother and her dog trying to offload their tat.

[237SJ]

Thanks for the advice hc. Just as well as I`d probably not be here on the right days anyway.

[roslyn251254]

Listings which end on a sun night are good because you get all the "weekend traffic" looking.

[237SJ]

Thanks roslyn. This weekend would be a good time to do it then.

[237SJ]

Have just found one on ebay from this country with 9 hours to go and the latest bid says £16. There aren`t many around so I might be in luck.

[ojread2]

I suggest you have a look at those listings from the US and see how many sell
Use goofbay - it's a very useful tool

What you should also do, is make sure you know what fees you will have to pay. eBay and PP fees are payable for seller

[ojread2]

should have in there 'as well as those in the UK'

[Clanad]

I buy and sell vintage Ray Ban sunglasses (especially the aviator style (surprise) and, while it is fun, I just naturally don't want to lose money on it. I list the item with at least a 10% markup, depending on the style and condition... if it doesn't sell... list it again after a while. I've relisted some items 3 or 4 times only to have them sell immediately. I always list with the five day auction since 7 days seems to dissuade some folks who just don't have the patience for that long. I never use "Buy it Now" since it adds to the selling cost, but that's just a personal quirk, I imagine.

Always research and thoroughly understand the additional shipping charges, 'cause, as you've already deduced, they can be significant.

Just bought a pair of 30 year old Ray Ban's from a guy in London... don't know, of course, where he comes up with them, but they are all very high quality for being anywhere between 20 to 40 years old... great to do business with. I watch the other listings on Ebay for guidance on what things are bringing...

Good luck! (How's your Papeete trip coming?)

[237SJ]

Thanks Clanad. I don`t think I`ll bother with the Buy It Now. I`ll probably try putting it on tomorrow but I`m just stalling now because I know trying to upload a photo will be a pain. I hate computers!
The Papeete trip went down the pan a bit. I then had a free ticket (with business class if available) to Grenada and managed to get confirmed. I have just cancelled it in favour of going home to Devon for a holiday instead. I must be mad!

[Clanad]

If you'll download Picasa ( http://picasa.google.com/ ) you won't have any hastle uploading photos to Ebay. It's free and a Google product... I use it exclusively to manage th ephotos... give it a try...

[237SJ]

Thanks Clanad. I have picasa. I have a new camera and the software that comes with it is sooo complicated. I`ll give it a bash tomorrow. Now I`m looking for packing boxes. I think I`ll have to pay a visit to The Container Store in NY. I love that shop. You always come out with something you didn`t know you need, don`t you?

[wildwood]

As a mainly buyer I rarely go for the low starting price auctions as they often seem to be a scam with greatly overinflated P&P or curious bidders, I personally prefer to go for the buynow and get it straight away.

Not important, but just the habit of one ebay buyer for you info.