OMG !!! How do people survive the fees?

[jackandpamsplace]

Been a long time since I sold anything on ebay but I purchase lots of stuff.  Sold and got the buy now price of 85 (they didn't pay the correct shipping cost) but I let it go....then I paid over 10 bucks listing and Paypal fees. Then shipping out of that. Wow, that has changed.  You have to be a volume seller it seems and have a store because an individual doesn't stand a chance.  Actually, If you do take a look at items they mostly are volume sellers and not geared to the people that got them where they are now.  Really is big Business. Just my opinion and observation.  Jack

[pierrelebel]

"How do people survive the fees?"

Most sellers on eBay expect to pay fees of 10% to 20% for the privilege of listing and selling on eBay and getting paid online through PayPal.

In general terms, the higher the value of the items sold, the lower the average fee percentage.

Are they lower cost alternatives to selling "stuff" and collecting the proceeds than eBay?

Yes, of course.

Good Luck.

[jackandpamsplace]

Understood but the individual doesn't have buying power like a volume seller and if you even try to collect the 10 or 20% plus shipping you will never sell anything used, even in new condition because now you are as high as buying it new anyway.  Especially when I see the message from ebay saying the average selling cost was ..... and the highest selling cost was..... I just meant that back when I sold in the beginning it was a good place to get deals but now the only deals are from China.

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

I budget 25-30% for ALL costs including acquiring the widget. So, as a business, I keep $7 out of every $10. I pay all my overhead after that. Then it comes down to volume. One widget every now and then you will make money, jusy slowly.

What if you do one sale a day, to start? That adds up pretty fast. Next goal is three sales every two days. I have an average daily sales target. I always exceed it.

Thinking in terms of one day, or one sale, will stop you very fast. I can go 24 hours without a sale and sell $600 in 24 hours. I stopped the sweating of the down days and the elation of the busy days. On average, I am way ahead.

Pierre does this for a living, I do this for a living.

Fees are a cost of doing business and having access to the entire world.

[widgetc]

You have to have the right product for this venue. 20% costs to sell is cheap compared with a brick and mortar location. You have to have a product that sells for a reasonable rate compared with what it costs to ship. Many items are not suitable for sale here and lend themselves better to local sales.

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

Jac, here is how I survive. The last two days I got $700, my eBay retail, worth of parts. All fees @25%, $175, plus my cost to buy, $25, equals $200. I will make, clear profit of $500 before misc overhead.

[bb_cool_stuff]

Yes, add you eBay & Paypal fees on to your cost which hopefully will reflect your selling price. Very important.

Funny i don't remember that being mentioned on the forums previously.

Use the eBay Fee Calculator. I have all my Price Points in front of me which shows the profit, hopefully, i am about to make on all my items.

Nice margins Inuk.

[femmefan1946]

and if you even try to collect the 10 or 20% plus shipping you will never sell anything used, even in new condition because now you are as high as buying it new anyway.

Gee, I guess my 3000 feedbacks for used books, dress patterns and other memorabilia are just an illusion. (Yes, I'm boasting. Just hit the 3000 today. Yippee yi ki yea.)

As the old joke goes-- VOLUME!

The sellers who are doing this professionally, not all of whom make their living doing this, know that you make your profit when you buy your stock not when you sell it. Buy low, add all your costs, set your price to make a profit, and find a venue where it will be seen.

I cross-list my stock to Bonanza,which offers free listings,  and have made no sales there since January 8. Which is why I list on eBay- for the sales.

[inuk_the_polar_bear]

You look quite fetching in a 3000.

[nuvistors]

Been a long time since I sold anything on ebay but I purchase lots of stuff.  Sold and got the buy now price of 85 (they didn't pay the correct shipping cost) but I let it go....then I paid over 10 bucks listing and Paypal fees. Then shipping out of that. Wow, that has changed.  You have to be a volume seller it seems and have a store because an individual doesn't stand a chance.  Actually, If you do take a look at items they mostly are volume sellers and not geared to the people that got them where they are now.  Really is big Business. Just my opinion and observation.  Jack

It is not the buyers problem if you do not have the correct shipping in the listing !