Full Version: thinking of joining the ranks of ebay sellers
You're currently viewing a stripped down version of our content. View the full version with proper formatting.
I am thinking about becoming an ebay seller. I am not trying to get rich or use it as primary income; I intend on simply getting rid of things I don't really need and am hoping to make a few bucks in the process. I have bought a few things from ebay, the last being about 3-4 years ago, but have never sold anything. For those of you who have sold on ebay, do you have any helpful advice? And if you think I am better off trying to sell elsewhere, what do you suggest is better? I know people call it FEEbay because of the fees, but they do have the largest audience, and probably will get the highest bids. After all, I have seen pure junk sell on ebay for Eek Eek Eek Eek .

I am completely new at this. Are things like minimum bids and reserve prices a good idea? What about payment methods and shipping options?
From what I head they raised their sellers fees again and a lot of the seller are po'd about it
tomustang Wrote:From what I head they raised their sellers fees again and a lot of the seller are po'd about it

I think it is 9% now Eek But, if selling on ebay gets one at least 9% higher price due to higher visibility, then it is worth it, I guess. I don't know if any of the other more specific auction sites get the visibility or bidding wars that ebay does.
I sold tons of my Track Guards on eBay over a 3 or 4 years' span, but haven't sold anything since then. The postage increases really killed the item - some were as much or more than the item itself....The fees back then weren't all that bad. I just figured them into the price.... Goldth Nowadays, you'll also be hit with the PayPal fees, which is mandatory for making/receiving payments.
What can be a pain is the packaging & mailing... Curse
Ill vow the insane jump sold 2 locos total 130$ and 2 hoppers total 60$ for a total of 190$ feebay wants 89$ listing fees Eek never again to sell via feebay. Now all they got to do is fee buyers 790_smiley_picking_a_fight 790_smiley_picking_a_fight
I think you have to decide if the stuff you sell is suitable for shipping, or whether it will simply be a pain to do so. Local selling via "used[your town here].com or kijiji.com might be a better option unless you feel that an international audience is really needed.

Andrew
MasonJar Wrote:I think you have to decide if the stuff you sell is suitable for shipping, or whether it will simply be a pain to do so. Local selling via "used[your town here].com or kijiji.com might be a better option unless you feel that an international audience is really needed.

Andrew
kijiji brought me to <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/">http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/</a><!-- m -->
Of course there is always <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.craigslist.org">www.craigslist.org</a><!-- w -->
viperman Wrote:kijiji brought me to <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/">http://www.ebayclassifieds.com/</a><!-- m -->
Of course there is always <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.craigslist.org">http://www.craigslist.org</a><!-- m -->

Interesting. kijiji.ca in Canada still gives you the option of finding you local site (e.g. mine is ottawa.kijiji.ca).

Andrew
Are you selling excess model railroad supplies, or general merchandise. I received an email notification of a new Yahoo train group for selling ho trains and supplies.

The url was listed as:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOTrainproductsforsale/?yguid=1135556">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HOTrainpr ... id=1135556</a><!-- m -->

The text read as follows:

"A new group has been created for selling HO Train Products-modeler to modeler. No dealers or auctions. No attachments."

I don't know if this is of interest or use to you, just in case, I posted it.
I dunno, but does amazon still do auctions?? Never been there, but have a friend who used to sell his "Transformers" there.