Ebay....more hassle than its worth?

RFW

Well we've done around 10,000 transactions per year since 2002, I'd be surprised if the number of problems we have had ran into treble figures. I wouldn't say we were big business.

Mr_Oink

It seems to have become a mixed bag in the last couple of years - which is a shame as it has a large, fluid user base. From a buyers perspective I've found more often than not it's a bad consumer experience with lazy sellers slowly shipping badly listed items. Some even listing things they don't have. I personally could not operate like that as a seller making maximum effort in underselling items and shipping as fast as I physically could.

On the other hand I stopped selling entirely on eBay as a side line when they introduced stupid free or low postal charges and removed the ability for a seller to leave a scank buyer negative feedback. I've heard they have addressed some of the postal charge issues, but I won't list anything ever again whilst the stupid one-way negative feedback rule exists. It's simply not worth the hassle for me.

Just adding to the 'other viable options'. Gemm.com for music, video, records etc. Amazon (very wide userbase) and - up and coming and often overlooked - Facebook 'market place'.

thesupergirl

I stopped selling on eBay a while back following some bad experiences.
I’ve now ventured back with a bit of a splurge on Castoff after all I have to sell my stuff somewhere and believe me I’d built up quite a backlog! They are local to me and look that bit different to ebid and at least with them having so few customers they certainly look after them! I completed about 20 or so deals since they started with no problems at all and I’m backing them to be a winner eventually.

martindow

I think a lot of the comments in this thread relate to buying and selling in general. Whether in a shop, mail order, selling from a web site or on Ebay there are going to be a few sellers and a few customers who are not trustworthy or reasonable. That is just the way of life.

Everyone needs to use common sense and be aware of their rights or responsibilities but problem buyers and sellers are an incredibly small percentage of the total.

zerno

unfortunately when it comes to selling second ahnd stuff your options are pretty limted. there are four options i can see:

ebay - hassle to take pics, posty and get descriptions right. Though has a huge userbase, secure payment methods and once listed you dont have to do much.

Gumtree (ebay owned) - again hassle to take pics, but you can ask set prices and it has a bit more of a community feel to it. most people prefer to collect from your home

bootsale - lots more effort than above, but if the weather is nice it can be a really good day out. might not get as much as on ebay/gumtree and you will have to deal with people timewasting/haggling.

charity shop - you wont get anythign for them, but it goes to a good cause.

MadelinesMum

Hi, my husband recently offered me £50 not to list anymore items on Ebay - he says I'm always stressed about something Ebay related, lol. I enjoy Ebay though and will continue until my house is no-longer full of clutter, lol. Good luck with whatever you do. x

2Sheds

I stopped for a while and then cleared the loft out, some of my old stuff sold for really good prices, so that made up for the rest

elfieb

Thanks for the responses everyone.

I have decided that I'm going to try a test run of listing 10 items and see how I go from there.
Was all ready to list last night, but for some unknown reason, Paypal have restricted my account, and I have to wait for them to send me a letter containing a code before the restrictions can be lifted! No idea what the reason is, but Im hoping that is not a ominous sign for the future.....;-)