Cost of eBay.

[commoner]

Hi all you eBayers....could you please tell me just how much it costs to sell and buy on ebay....Firstly, if I sell something for �100 and the buyer pays the postage, how much would I actually get in my hand? ...similarly.if I buy something for �100, how much would it actually cost me in real terms if the postage was say �5.
Thanks for any input, I am thinking of selling a few items and would like first hand knowledge on these points....commoner ;-)

[camioneur]

If you buy something for �100 plus �5.00 post the total cost is �105.00 only..thats it nothing else at all....If you sell something for �100.00 the cost of selling normally works out at around 5% ish so around �5.00 for selling it and around �3 or �4 for listing it. postage is here nor there as you can charge whatever you think is correct and then just pass that on to the customer so selling item for �100 you'll end up with about �90..hope this helps

[camioneur]

I should add that if you use PayPal to pay for your purchase thats free as well but if you accept PayPal for something you've sold you're gonna pay around 3-4% of the total price to PayPal for the privelidge. Might seem a lot but worth it I reckon as your purchases are guaranteed and if you're selling your money comes instantly and you're not waiting for post and cheques to clear and the like.

[commoner]

Thanks camioneur...just the answer I needed.....commoner :-)

[marshman]

Just like to add that not everyone likes Paypal,and if you insist on that payment method you will loose customers,I buy a lot on Ebay but never from Paypal only sellers.

[commoner]

Hi marshman...how exactly do you do the deal then please?......commoner

[Ethel]

Listing fees can be very high if you use optional extras such as 'featured gallery', so check out all the listing fees first.

http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/fees.html

As a buyer I much prefer to use PayPal, especially for more expensive items. As well as being free for the buyer the transaction is instant so I should receive the item quickly.

Most importantly, PayPal provides protection for buyers and will try and recover your money if things go wrong.

Your best bet is to read the eBay help sites and the Community Boards where you will quickly become aware of the pitfalls and advantages of eBay.

Good luck!

[rachela500]

Paypal - please remember, if you receive payment by paypal, make sure you only send to the address that the seller has listed with paypal (it will show in the 'payment received' email from paypal). Otherwise you will not be covered by their protection policy.

If a buyer files a complaint that they have not received the goods, you need to be able to prove that you posted to their verified address and also used a tracking service such as Recored Delivery (or international signed-for for overseas). Just getting a proof-of-posting certificate is not enough. You will end up with no money and no goods!

[rachela500]

sorry, first bit should say buyer's address not seller!

[Ethel]

Rachela - you are quite correct about PayPal but all sellers have the responsibility of ensuring the buyer receives the goods.

If the buyer says he hasn't he should be refunded in full, including postage costs.

If the item sold for less than �30, this can be claimed back from the Post Office provided a free certificate of posting was obtained at the time of posting.

For low value goods it is not always worth the extra cost of special or recorded delivery.

[rachela500]

My point is that there are lots of false claims surrounding paypal at the moment. If you send recorded delivery (the buyer pays for it anyway, it's only 66p extra) you have the proof of a signature and therefore it is much more difficult for the false claims to be allowed.

If a buyer did not receive goods I had sent, I would claim from Royal Mail myself then refund their money (unless they had already left bad feedback, then I wouldn't bother).

[marshman]

I pay by cheque but one can use postal orders too.I find that cheque is the best for me,I do not mind waiting a few days for the cheque to clear,I do sell sometimes too but state that I do not accept Paypal.My reasons are that it is "messy"to set up and they charge the seller extra for their cash,so loosing out on final payment.

[commoner]

..Thanks marshman that seems a sensible idea...and thanks too to all of you guys for your suggestions.....much appreciated........commoner ;-)

[PhilBy]

I run two powerseller ebay accounts and if accepting PayPal (you will lose about 50/60% of sales if you don't) make sure you use a 'trackable' postal service, this is essential if posting out high cost items.... If you do not use a trackable service you will lose any chargeback issued against your account. (ie. They get to keep the goods, they get a full refund and you get charged a further �7.50 admin fee)

With low value sales (DVD's etc) as a rule of thumb when I receive a 'where is my item' I always reply stating that I have the proof of postage and as soon as I receive written confimation (via email) from them that the item has not been received I will get the post office to investigate the loss ........ I very rarely get a reply!?!

You must remember PayPal is not a Bank, they are nothing more than an online payments broker and offer very little back up for the charge levied .... Unfortunately scamsters world wide are now aware how to obtain free goods from ebay .......... USE TRACKABLE POST.... you have been warned!!!