Ebay....more hassle than its worth?

elfieb

I havent sold anything on ebay for about a year now, used to do it quite regulary, and have a 100% feedback.

I frequent this board often, not posting much, but having a nosey at what is going on in the world of ebay.......
Im currently in the throws of having a major sort out, and was planning to sell a number of items on ebay, mainly clothes and shoes.

I guess what I am trying to say, is that after reading many posts on here, has the fun gone out of ebay?
There are so many stories of unhappy buyers, unfair negatives, unjust paypal appeals........is it just not worth the effort anymore?

It also appears that ebay has been swamped with large businesses, is this making difficult for the humble solo seller, who is simply having a clear out??

hermum

I must admit that reading this board it sounds as though every one on ebay is out to fleece every seller. Remember though that all the horror stories are a very miniscule percentage of all ebay sales.
It may be worth checking local car boots to see if they do well for selling what you have.
At least with ebay you don't have to load up the car, unload, load back up & bring home everything that doesn't sell. Car boots also have their fare share of dodgy characters.
Personally I prefer ebay. Don't forget that a private seller can list up to 100 items a month starting at 99p or less for free.

iieee

A lot of people only come to this board when they need help with a problem, so you're not really getting a balanced view.

I have to admit though that I am ebaying a lot less lately, having a huge clearout and need rid of things quickly, and I just don't have the time and energy to ebay properly (which to me is clear descriptions, good photos and posting things same or next day). There is still money to be made though, you just have to work for it!

tabskitten

Yep- stopped using it at all now as it is certainly more hassle than good!

Strapped

Well, you know there's a market for the shoes, judging by some of the recent posts! :eek:

Brooker_Dave

elfieb wrote: »

It also appears that ebay has been swamped with large businesses, is this making difficult for the humble solo seller, who is simply having a clear out??

Ebay is for business sellers.

Gumtree is being groomed (by its owner ebay) to be the next ebay for normal people flogging their excess tat.

spendaholiceejit

I am totally finished with Ebay. I just can't be bothered with it any more. The people that were buying from me were in general 90% fine. But the 10% of nightmares were giving me sleepless nights.

When I bought things, more often than not, they were coming to me completely worn out and bobbly. I just decided I was totally finished with Ebay.

I have used Gumtree recently with pretty good results.

mulligatawny_2

There are other options to eBay though it must be a big hats off that eBay have a humongous user base. A user base that's too big to control perhaps. Ebid, CQout and Castoff are all viable alternatives for the more patient seller.

caeler

I have these worries too. I've got a few things I'd like to sell but I'm not sure I want to do it.

mulligatawny_2

Nothing ventured nothing gained. Be clear and concise with your descriptions and terms, take a few good photos, lay down your P & P costs and a way you go.. Recycle to your hearts content and pay for decent postage.

George666

Hi OP my advise is give ebay a try as someone else said all you will see in a forum like this are the horror stories.
Let's face it there would be no need to post a question if the sale went through with no problems and you cannot see on a forum like this one the millions of sales that are made on ebay everyday that are perfectly okay and hassle free.