Benefits of Amazon over ebay?

cheesenmarmite

Just started using ebay in the last few weeks and it's proving handy for offloading the odd frock I'll never wear again. Now I feel even braver and would like to get rid of a few books, DVDs, games and even (if anyone still buys them!) CDs.

However, just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on whether it's best to use ebay or Amazon marketplace for these types of items? Any benefits or drawbacks to them both?

Would be grateful for any advice!

Thanks!

sedso

Amazon is so much quicker for listing items as you enter a ISBN/bar code, condition, any extra comments and a sale price.

Ebay is better if you want an instant sale but items listed on Amazon are done on a list and wait basis.

I would say items listed on Amazon go for higher amounts but postage costs are fixed.

cheesenmarmite

Thanks sedso. I did think that at first glance it looks easier to list on Amazon.

Not sure how succesful I'll be though - just looked to see how much used copies of 'A Child Called It' are selling for and there are over 1000 of them - all at just £0.01!! How does anyone manage to get their listing noticed, sell anything or make even a small profit? Or have I just been looking at a bad example of a book as it's so popular?

Thanks!

Meadows

No, not a bad example, there are a lot of books on Amazon that are on sale for 1p. Even with postage the sellers only make pence back.
Hardly worth listing if books down to 1p, check eBay prices and it maybe that the books will just not sell on either so it's down to the charity shop with them.

The good thing with Amazon is it costs nothing to list and will stay on there for ages.

soolin

If it is a 1p dreadful on Amazon then charity shop it, it isn't worth storing. Books that were very high in the charts for a short period of time tend to sell in the tens of thousands and all the books then get touted around the seocnd hand market, they are worthless.Likewise dump Da Vinci codes, Jilly coopers and Jeffrey Archers.

The only exception is a 1p book with very few copies and also very high in the ranking, that might be a seller. However to even break even if must be thin enough when packed to go as a large letter or if too thick it must be under 250g ..however you will make pennies on it at best.

cheesenmarmite

Thanks Soolin - you've pretty much confirmed what I was beginning to think - our book collection is so low brow, we'll never be able to retire on the sales proceeds!

Off to Oxfam it is!

Ames

I've been pondering this myself the last few days, with the option of a car boot as well, so I'm glad you've saved me asking!

Is there some way of working it out, for instance, books of a certain weight are better on amazon? I've been thinking that even if they sell for 1p, if they're thin they might make more than on ebay where the final price would be higher, but the ebay and paypal fees wipe out any profit, especially as you can't really make anything on the postage.

I need to buy a set of scales and do some weighing and working out!

yeslek

so many DVD's and book on amazon are less than a pound, but on ebay they tend to sell for a good couple of quid.
On the other hand, there are some that are up to 4 times more on amazon eg a certin DVD i own that was limted release, has about 3 for sale starting at £80, but ebay have about the same number, starting at around £30, so obviously that DVD is listed on amazon

it's worth checking both IMO, unless your wanting a more likely sale, sooner then ebay's your better bet

cheesenmarmite

Thanks yeslek - good thinking. Not sure anything we own is that desirable or collectable, but might be worth having a look anyway!

DaveAshton

OP, have you looked at Play.com for selling your DVDs? You might get better prices than Amazon.

Oh, and your username's made me hungry :drool:

mrcol1000

If we have any books to sell we check on Amazon and if people are selling them for a penny then we don't bother. Either recycle them or send them to charity shop. I think its only worth selling on Ebay if they are rare, 1st editions or signed. Its the same for CD's. Music Magpie doesn't give you much money for CD's but to be honest once you have paid Ebay fees your probably not get much more on Ebay than Music Magpie will offer you.