January "Ask a Seller"

[tyler@ebay]

Howdy everyone - 

In the spirit of trying something new I want to begin a new monthly post feature called "Ask a Seller". I've collected some questions from new and intermediate sellers over the last few months and would love to have your input on these. Hoping that these can spark good conversation and be a resource for folks getting started.

And so with that introduction (drumroll), here's this month's question:

What's one piece of advice you would give someone just starting out on eBay?

[cumos55]

Everyone who plans to sell on eBay should do the following.....

Stand in front of a mirror  and ask yourself

Who am I?

How do I relate to people on a daily basis?

Am I rough and tough or very flexible?

Do I listen carefully or do I ignore what others say?

-------------------

Selling on-line means you do not see the potential buyer who asks a question... or a buyer of your item that was sold..

How will you communicate with someone... on-line.?  The most important consideration is knowing what not to say.... that is knowing how to be accommodating.

If you are unhappy or mad....  step aside and then respond carefully.

Establish a protocol where you respond to a buyer after the buyer has paid....  Say thank you and then indicate when the parcel will be made. 

For me  shipping to the US means my telling the buyer when to expect the parcel to be delivered, and then the parcel may be delayed in customs or the postal system.

[esclyons]

i 100% agree with mo, be a buyer first,  and learn, about researching what you buy before you do, learn to understand what buy it now or best offer means, and learn about fair pricing,, only by being a buyer for a couple of years, did i learn the ins and outs of Ebay, to make me comfortable to dip my toes into selling..

My own piece of advice is the customer is always right, even when they are completely wrong..

This goes along way in the selling business.

[cumos55]

How  can a seller determine the character of a buyer?

Buyers can only receive positive feedback.    Sellers cannot leave positive feedback with a negative comment.

With a fixed price sale, the buyer's feedback can be viewed,  and a seller might find out that the buyer has left negative feedback for other  sellers.....  A buyer that leaves negatives for sellers must be dealt with very carefully.

With an auction sale,  the feedback profile of a bidder can be viewed before that bidder makes a purchase.... unless they make a bid in the last few minutes  of an auction listing.

The feedback left for other sellers can be critical  in determining if that bid should be cancelled and that bidder should be blocked from bidding again.

and finally....What should be done if the buyer/bidder have made their feedback private. 

Buyer's can make their feedback... private....  This is something a seller cannot do... a seller's feedback must always be visible.

The buyer with private feedback  might want to hide the feedback they have left for sellers or they have been buying from the adult category on eBay.com.  Be very careful with such a buyer.

[reallynicestamps]

Feedback is voluntary.

Feedback is NOT used by eBay to measure a seller's account.

It will be used by some buyers to measure the seller.

Any feedback should be calm and factual.

If you can't leave positive feedback, leave no feedback.

Feedback for a buyer is equivalent in sincerity and importance to the supermarket cashier's "Have a nice day."

[momcqueen]

It's been said before but it bears repeating: get to know your postal options. Which are tracked, which deliver within the accepted time-frames, and what countries are considered safe to ship-to for your category of merchandise while checking the merchandise itself is allowed into the places to which you're offering it.

Study the terms of the MoneyBack Guarantee from both the perspective of a seller  and buyer and  learn where it's different between ebay and Paypal's Protection policies.

Read the Discussion Boards with an open mind. Avoid taking the advice of Youtubers who claim you can get rich quick. They're selling you snake oil, and made-in-USA snake oil at that. Almost nothing of what they claim is legitimate advice for a seller based in Canada.

Invest in proper shipping supplies, starting with a kitchen scale. Learn to pack your orders like you are solely responsible for safely mailing the future of all mankind to the Antarctic. Sooner or later, an elephant will sit on your teacup while it's on the back of a mail truck, so learn to cover your bases sooner rather than later.

[parts_and_diecasts]

you should see some of the German sellers, calling "stupid" some of their buyers in the feedback section. I guess it's cultural and doesn't have the same weight as here in North America. I have also seen Americans calling buyers "**bleep**", I don't know how eBay let's that slide. btw, I was not on the receiving end in either case, just reviewing feedback of potential sellers I'd deal with.

[parts_and_diecasts]

your last paragraph about shipping supplies is key, I learned the hard way scrambling for the right size box last minute, literally looking through trashes of local business to find boxes I could use. I now use Staples Industrial and know my standard box sizes, no longer an issue

[parts_and_diecasts]

In terms of product selection:

1) Focus on what you know and like

   don't try to be a jack of all trades     

   don't sell what you don't know or care about, it will show from a mile away, I guarantee. 

I have seen a fellow Canadian seller receive a recent negative feedback for a tape iPod adapter (that wasn't working) sold for $0.99, was that sale worth it given that is average listing is $50+ and focus mostly on one high margin category? 

2) Anything that fits in Small Packet USA / Small Packet International is preferable

    Canada Post rates have the reputation of not being competitive compared to other countries (like USA/Japan/Germany/Netherlands/Hong Kong) but you would be surprised how competitive and reasonable they can be when using Small Packet, often beating International US shipping rates and be on par with low cost shipping originating from places like Japan and Hong Kong.

3) Don't be afraid of selling International (beyond the US)

This is where my opinion differs 100% from the poster above.

I see many Americans (and Canadians) leaving money on the table by selling only to the US or going GSP or nothing, that's their loss. Destinations like Western Europe, Japan, Hong Kong are typically safe, I have had good experience, fast shipping times and repeat business with them. Not to mention that there are many deep pockets in those regions. Yes, you will want to avoid some countries that are notorious for fraud or long customs delays, you can learn about them by reading more experienced sellers listings (Italy, Russia, Nigeria come to mind for example).

[around_again_records]

Take advantage of these Discussion Boards. There are good people here willing to answer questions that will most certainly pop up as you get started. Check in on a regular basis and see what is being discussed and you will often get answers to questions before you even have to ask them, or become aware of issues that you might not have thought of.

If something is not working properly, the Boards are the fist place I go to check and see if it is an on-line issue. If it is, someone else has usually reported it and I save myself a lot of time trying to figure out what I did wrong.

BOOKMARK the Discussion Boards so you can always find them when eBay decides to change your User Interface 😞

[retroman_studios]

In regards to shipping, make sure you have the required box or supplies before you list. There is nothing more stressful than trying to pack something with supplies you don't have. You will end up buying supplies that cost you more than they would if you prepared ahead of time.

There are lots of creative ways to pack items. For example, I am shipping out a DieCast car in original display box. I wrapped the original box with bubble wrap, then cut a paper bag down all four seams (so branding is not displayed on outside) and placed the package in the now inside out paper bag. Use plenty of tape, wrap it up, and now you have good protection plus you didn't have to use an even bigger box which can really increase your postage costs. Like mentioned, have a scale and measuring tape. 

For those wanting to sell various things whether you go to flea markets, garage sales or thrift shops, be aware that eBay's automated pricing suggestions can be hit or miss. Sometimes they tell you to list way too high, other times they devalue your product, so make sure you research around including past sales on eBay. When you look at past sales, make sure you take into consideration the specifics of a seller's description. It could be a defect or other issue caused the price to be so low. Lastly, just because there is a large string of previous sales that suggest a stock item may sell, many items go in and out of popularity, so sometimes they are not in "season". 

Invest in a good program to maintain your inventory and sales, when tax time comes you will be thankful that you have a program that can break down your costs and gross/net and any losses. I still have to finish mine (I use FileMaker) but on the years I used it, it made taxes a breeze as everything was calculated at the press of a button.

[forester_studios]

Invest in a good quality, reliable shipping scale. I bought mine online years ago for about $40 if I remember correctly. The few $ you invest in a good, accurate scale will save you time, money and aggravation for years to come.

[momcqueen]

If you’re planning to sell collectibles? Talk to collectors first about precisely what they’re looking to gain from an online purchase. For most collectors I know, condition of the package is paramount and absolute care must be taken with shipping. Any scratch or dent degrades the value of that item; sellers are expected to pack collectibles so there is no danger whatsoever of ‘crushed blisters’ or ‘soft corners’ in transport. This means up to two layers of bubble wrap plus air pillows in sturdy cardboard boxes, not re-used cardboard containers that may no longer be structuraly sound and certainly not envelopes. Maybe ship Sharpies in a stiff clamshell in an envelope but don’t dare do so with any collectibles, or you will soon regret it thanks to livid buyers filing Not as Described returns. And do NOT use terms such as ‘mint’ loosely or you are asking for trouble. ‘Mint’ means ‘godly’ to avid collectors and they will accept nothing else.

You’ve got to pack collectibles like you’re shipping your grandmother’s finest, favourite teacup. Still filled with tea. No second chances are granted.

[rose-dee]

If you haven't done so already, do some buying on eBay for a while before starting to sell.  You'll be surprised how much you'll learn about selling -- without the consequences! 

[parts_and_diecasts]

As a vintage diecasts collector, buyer and seller, I couldn't agree more.
I myself avoid using the word "Mint" for the same reasons you listed.
I only ship in sturdy boxes and I'm very generous with the bubble wrap and packing supplies for the same reasons you mentioned.
It is OK to sell an item that is not Mint as long as you disclose it clearly in both written form and with pictures. Cue to my use of a tooth pick in some of my recent listings, lol. They still sell, as long as you DISCLOSE it. You don't want the buyer to find out after the fact and retaliate with a refund claim and bad feedback.

[pmlinne]

Make sure you have an idea of what the shipping costs will be to avoid getting a nasty surprise when you go to the post office. Know that ebay and paypal fees are based on the cost of the item and the shipping costs.

[reallynicestamps]

@pmlinne

https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/far/business/findARate?execution=e1s1

https://postcalc.usps.com/?country=10440

Worth bookmarking.

Your buyer sees the Canada Post rate for shipping. You may be paying a discounted rate through Canada Post/SnapShip, Paypal , or Shippo.

[retroman_studios]

Tyler,

I highly recommend that we have a similar thread but for buyers. There always seems to be misinformation spreading around.

[momcqueen]

Back when we were allowed Guides, I’d written a nice one for buyers. Or so I thought.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Sadly, confusion for buyers and sellers can be caused by numerous situations:

• Misinterpretations or just reading too fast
• In an attempt to share information, typing too fast(accidentally not including something properly) or not fully researching the problem before posting
• Searches bringing up confusing variations of the same information
• Help Links that won't load
• Brain System Overload - Too many changes over the course of eBay history
• Everyone's brain processes information differently
• Not doing due diligence when creating a listing
• Speaking to several CS reps and receiving a different answer from each one
• CS Reps giving incorrect answers or just guessing
• The onset of Alzheimer's...The mind is the first thing to go, the other things I forget! 🙂
• Check the boxes...See how many you can tick off.
• Others...Most very likely!!

-Lotz

[cumos55]

 New sellers will come to eBay with some unique inventory.  With very little, or almost no competition they do very well  for weeks, or months....  and then sales drop.

What happened?        A select group of buyers saw the listings and then  less and less people wanted to buy.

The people  who wanted to buy  did so  at a high level, initially, and less people were interested in buying, after several weeks/months.

A seller can work a unique niche....  Success is achieved when inventory in complementary categories are listed.   Success in selling on eBay occurs when new listings of new  and different inventory are listed on eBay.

A seller must work and rework listings , only then will sales continue