Any Ebay advice

Chippa's Ebay post has motivated me to set up an Ebay account. I have so much stuff I need to get rid of. I'm a little nervous to sell stuff and not looking forward to the trips to the post office but I'm looking forward to possibly making a few bucks.

Anyone out there have any advice for me what to watch out for when selling or any helpful hints to make my selling more successful?

I am glad I motivated you.

Read feedbacks when people bid this way it gives you an idea of what to expect from that person and I think (I am not sure because I never did this) you can refuse a bid from someone who has too many negative feedbacks or only a few feedbacks.

If you feel a certain item should sell for a certain definatly do a reserve price this way its not a binding contract and you do not have to sell to that person. (on ebay, its considered a binding contract once an auction closes)

I have learned my lesson, accept paypal only. This way you dont have to wait for a check to come, then clear, it could bounce, or have to wait for a money order. Definatly accept paypal only. Unfortunatly it may limit who your buyers are as some may not have paypal accounts, but its better for you.

Also in your auctions clearly state (this will protect you) where you will ship too (only US, outside US, etc..), when you ship, insurance is optional but extremely suggested as I am not responsible for items once they leave my hands, and any other information that you find important to let the person know before they bid and even when the auction ends.

Ebay has crazy fees so definatly start your items at either a penny, 99 cents or 9.99. anything over 10 dollars is a higher fee. Definatly get familiar with all the listing fees as it does add up quickly.

I also notice if you do a buy it now option items sell quickly. So definatly consider doing a buy it now option. What the option means is if you have something up for 9.99 which is ending in 5 days, with a buy it now option for 30 dollars the person can do that just buy it now and the auction ends.

hmmm what else is there...

oh definatly post pics. it helps a lot.

describe the item in great detail and make the listing fun. You can type in different colors (html format) and sizes.

You can add borders or backgrounds but that is an extra fee and very quickly a simple item can cost you almost 3 dollars to list.

let me know if you have any other questions I'll be more then happy to help

Thanks so much for the advice - I really, really appreciate it.

I'm setting up my Paypal account now. I agree with you, I can't be bothered waiting for checks. Do you find shipping your items to be a pain?

Thanks again!!!!

I will try to post some ebay advice if I get a chance to write a long post but with Paypal, if you accept debit card payments, you incur no fee. However if you accept credit card payments, you are charge a fee as the seller, I want to say it is $0.30 + 2.5% of the amount...or something like that. I only accept debit, why should I pay another fee to Paypal if I dont have to? I post it very very clearly in my ebay listings but believe me, people still try to do it, I deny it though. I would NEVER accept personal checks on ebay. Even if you wait for it to clear, if it doesnt you get charged $10 or $15, whatever your bank hits you for, not worth it. I'm there to make money, not lose it.

Good luck.

I will try to post more, I've been doing it for awhile

Definatly do delivery confirmation. its 35 cents but very very well worth it.

I dont really find it a pain too much because I go on line to USPS.com and order all my shipping supplies through them (its free) and all I have to do is just pack and ship. I try and do all my shipping on Wednesdays and Saturdays this way I dont find myself going to the post office everyday. One or 2 shots to bring all my stuff. Saves me time and energy.

For shipping what I have been doing is saving newspapers this way it is used for packing and their is no jiggly in the box.

Keeping organized that a pain. I print out everything and write notes all over the paper. Its good when people pay vial paypal (when you withdraw funds it takes 3 - 4 business days to hit your account) because the payment is in the account. Then just print out a shipping label, pack and store in the hallway till its time to ship. I find if you do things right away you dont have to worry about it later on.

What I do for shipping is I have a fixed rate because I have been selling a lot of this one particular item so I know how much it costs but I usually list it a little higher because for some states its actually a little more, so I put a fixed rate of 10 dollars.

You dont have to do a fixed rate. When the auction ends, ask the person for the zip code to where they are having the item shipped, then go to USPS.com and put in the zip code and it will then give you the rate of how much it is then I would estimate a few dollars more for the weight of the item, then email the person the amount of the item when it ended at the auction, the cost of shipping and ask them to send you an email back to confirm they have received this information.

Definatly make things clear in your postings when it comes to payments. That is very important. Its not your fault if people dont know how to read

I always feel like I have so much to sell on ebay...but who wants it?

can you guys tell me what types of items that you sell?

books, records, posters, clothes, cassetts, candels that were never used, lava lamp, baseball equipment, sunglasses, old cordless phone, costume jewelry, picture frames and just about anything else I can find and have no use for.

You would be surprised as to what people buy. I put up a book that is about 4 years old, brand new (it was a college text book) and I sold it for more then I expected. Then I have stuff I thought would sell for a lot more then it did.