New to Ebay

toozie_2

I know everything will be listed at some point on the board. But because I'm lasy, and haven't looked at all the threads, could someone just give me some quick tips.
I am down to a 4 day week at work, so I thought on the 5th day, I might dabble on Ebay.

As yet, I have no account, so will start by going through GreasyPalm. I will be selling cheap light stuff at first, Video's, CD's, kids clothes, ornaments and toys. I have a bank account I don't really use much, so thought I might make this "My Ebay account" to see how much I can make this year!
You don't have to set up paypal do you? I do have a digital camera, and I have noticed that Ebay sometimes have a Free Listing Day. Is the cheapest way to sell, with no photo, and no reserve? What about postage, do you send it normally, or by registered, or does it depend on what the item is??

Please help me get a clear idea of what I'm doing!!

Thank you.

divadee

Your first photo is free, so i always put a photo on the item, you might get many bids on an item without a photo. People like to see the item and actually check you have the item that you are selling.

Also have a look Here for more tips on newbies to ebay

soolin

Hi Toozie,

There are lots of tips but I will try and confine myself to some major ones.

Firstly if you are lucky enough to have already found a supplier of the goods you want to sell then that is your first major hurdle overcome. Finding things to sell is to me the hardest thing of all.

Once you know the guaranteed price you can buy at, work out all associated ebay fees, post and packing etc and make sure you really can make a profit. It is surprising how fees and things mount up turning a healthy looking profit into something not worth bothering with.

Don't wait for free listing days, they are very rare and you have just missed a cheap listing day so there might not be another one for months. Also, on free listing days people tend to list thousands and thousands of items meaning that the good stuff often gets lost in the listings and will make less than it does on a normal listing day.

If you list a basic item with one free photo then the listing fees start at 15p for items priced at 99p and below. However, always make sure you list at the lowest price you are willing to accept, you can gamble listing things at 99p and hoping they will run and run but if they don't you might be stuck with making a loss.

You also have to pay final value fees based on the final selling price.

I prefer paypal, 99% of my items are paid for using it and my auctions tend to finish at higher prices when I offer it. I do however also try and suggest bank transfers as they are safer for the seller (no chargebacks or bounced cheques) and take about 4 working days to reach your account. I dislike postal orders having had a couple lost in the post very recently, and cheques are just a pain although I do still accept them.

before you start to sell build up a little feedback first buying a few odds and ends, it will also get you used to ebay as well.

Shipping, if you do decide to take paypal then you must either self insure your items or send them using a trackable method. In the case of a chargeback paypal require the seller to prove delivery, not posting. I usually send all my small items standard post but with a certificate of postage and in the unlikely event of a parcel getting lost I can refund the buyer and claim against the post office. For larger items I use recorded as this shows delivery but only insures up to £28. For more expensive items it has to be special delivery. Make sure you weigh your items and clearly indicate on the listing how much post and packing will be.

Finally, good luck, it is quite addictive! Feel free to PM me with any specific questions, there are also a couple of power sellers on this group who can probably offer better advice as well.

Soo

soolin

Sorry just realised I didn't answer one of your specific questions.

You can only set a reserve of over £50 so if you are likely to be selling cheaper items a reserve won't apply.

Soo

angelcake

I think soo has covered most of it!!

Just add a few little bits!!..... One of the best days to post is Thursday, this way it covers both weekends and ends on a weekend - this is if you list for 10 days - enabling maxium coverage of people at work etc to take a peek!

Always describe everything as it is, no point in selling something with damage and getting more money if it gives you more hassle in the long run! People prefer honesty and they can decide whether the damage warrents as much as they would like to bid or not.

You can add more photos for free using an online photo storage like https://www.photobucket.com add these when typing out description and you can put as many as you like, but be aware that the pictures take a little longer to load and you may need to adjust the size (Well it takes longer on dial-up anyway!) If you don't know how to do this just say and one of us helpful people will explain! ;D

Also search for the item you have got to see what sort of price things go for and what people state about them etc!! ....make yours better

Be as accurate with postage as you can allowing costs for your packaging etc. Do this by weighing items on kitchen scales allow yourself a bit of leeway and check on royal mail website!

Sorry if I have repeated anything.....

Good Luck!!

toozie_2

Geeeeee thank you everyone. Been busy tonight so haven't read everything carefully, will have more time tomorrow night.

I will be selling things from the house, I am a bit of a hoarder, Mr. T says the attic floor will cave in soon!! I hope to start this Wednesday. Will let you all know how I've got on in a couple of weeks.

Thanks again ;D ;D ;D ;D You've been brill

cjb02

I am also thinking about doing a little e-baying. This post has been very helpful.

Thanks

CJB

robowen

Keep a good list of addresses of all the people you send items to,............ later when they don't give you feedback FOR NO REASON AT ALL, YOU CAN GO ROUND THERE AND ...................... sorry, I'm getting carried away from an earlier post :-[ ;D