eBay

ericsells75 · ‎07-13-2020

Ok - I'm on a posting roll so let's keep going.

I'm a new seller - I basically sold off everything I've had around the house and have started visiting thrift stores. Things are going pretty well but often when I pop into the forums some topics seem like a forge in language to me. So to keep this post specific, as someone who has learned the essentials and basics - where would you propose I look to dive in to more advanced topics/techniques? Sourcing products, listing efficiencies and strategies, etc... As in learning what it might take to make this more then just a hobby.

femmefan1946 · ‎07-13-2020

Books are slow sellers.

Your lots of similar titles are a good idea, and keeping the shipping below the price of the lot is also sensible.

Use lettermail to ship books under 2cm thick. No tracking, but your procurement cost will also be low if you choose the right thrift store.

Buyers hate to pay shipping. Even fair shipping.

Which is why I would recommend (on books!) that you consider Free Shipping.

DON'T PANIC!

Free Shipping means you include the cost of shipping in your asking price.

Which is cheaper:
A $10 book with $5 letterpost shipping?

A $15 book with Free Shipping by letterpost?

With books heavier than 500 grams or thicker than 2cm, you will have to use Calculated Shipping, so only list those on dotCA where that is available.

But books that can ship LetterPost at a fixed rate (which includes Free Shipping) can be listed on dotCOM in US dollars.

esclyons · ‎07-13-2020

as a new seller, i would advise you to tread lightly selling used i-phones, one of the biggest scam categories on ebay..

people offering to pay with gift cards, trying to pay off ebay, getting phone and sending you back a broken one, or nothing in the box..

be very , very careful..

ericsells75 · ‎07-13-2020

@esclyons wrote:
as a new seller, i would advise you to tread lightly selling used i-phones, one of the biggest scam categories on ebay..
people offering to pay with gift cards, trying to pay off ebay, getting phone and sending you back a broken one, or nothing in the box..
be very , very careful..

Thanks for the heads up! I have photos of the IMEI, Serial # etc.. of my devices. I'm also stuck with them since my carrier doesn't buy them back anymore and apple only gives you apple credit, so trying to get something for them. Plus I know only accept approved payment methods and always stay on eBay so I feel somewhat 'covered' but I will be extra vigilant. Thanks!

femmefan1946 · ‎07-14-2020

The phones may be best saved for another day, when you have more feedback and appear less vulnerable.

But you may also want to consider dropping Best Offer on those (you will get some anyway) and adding Immediate Payment Required which keeps them available until someone pays for them.

Since we are talking about scams, there are fewer than you would think, but keep in mind that:

The Money Back Guarantee does not apply to forwarded items, so if your customer is overseas but uses a freight forwarder in Delaware (eg) your responsibility for delivery ends at the forwarder.

And you can demand Return before Refund, which is expensive from overseas, even if you (foolishly) have a No Refunds policy.

There are local online classified sites which allow payment on pickup.

travis7s · ‎07-15-2020

You have a good mix of items and good looking listings so I think you have a good eye for what sells. The main thing is to keep finding things and keep listing everyday. The next level would probably be to buy a basic eBay store and ramp up your listings to 250 as quickly as possible. There are a few good benefits to having a store. Your eBay fees drop from 10% to 9.15%, you can run markdown sales and promoted listings, you get discounts at the shipping supply store. Theres no real secret method to sourcing, its different for everyone's situation/location/resources, you just have to figure it out for yourself.