Ebay -is it really worth the hassle?

exessexmum

I have recently taken a load of stuff to the Charity shop or freecycled it because I find Ebay to be a complete faff. It takes ages to photograph and list stuff, then listing fees are a huge amount, then you sell stuff for 99p. The last lot of stuff I listed was barely worn kids clothes from Next and OshKosh and the like, and all the bits went for pennies, to be honest it cost me more in packaging materials and shoe leather walking to the post office than I actually got. Then you pay your final fees back to Ebay and wham bam, you're out of pocket!!

immoral_angeluk

It really depends on what you sell. We recently sold quite a few things that sold really well such as a guitar, 2 guitar amps etc and we've made over £300... for money like that I have no problem losing a bit to ebay and the post office!

roswell

You summed up your problem perfectly in that post,

Supply and demand, How many childrens cloths auctions are surrently running ?? there for your unlikely to make much.

You need to decide whats worth Ebaying, What falls into car boot £1 an item, and what falls into not worth anything.

black-saturn

I agree it's a lot of hard work for little return but in the last 2 weeks I've made £101 which I am using towards my holiday spending money. If you take off the fees and the postage charges I've made about £70 which is £70 I wouldnt have had otherwise.

Mrs_Sparkle

It depends what you list. eBay seems flooded with children's clothes at the moment which is brilliant for people like me to buy baby stuff cheaply but not so good if you're only getting 99p for something that originally cost you a lot more.

I find I win some weeks and I lose others- sometimes it's the things you think will definitely sell that just don't shift or get much interest. The eBay goldmine thread on the eBay board here is worth a look- you'll be able to work out what sells and what doesn't.

Rachie_B

Ive always done really well on ebay,selling mainly the boys outgrown branded clothing and baby equipment etc

why is it costing YOU for P&P materials ???? you add that onto the buyers P&P costs !

Yes it is a pain to list and photograph everything but once i get going i find i can list lots in a short amount of time.
i use an evening when the kids are in bed and ive nothing better to do lol

i do also take things to the charity shop,cheaper brands of clothes that wouldnt sell for much on ebay etc and some toys / videos etc

i also do a carboot sale now and again but find people want things for practically nowt !

Broken_hearted

Ebay was great years ago, now its crammed full of junk and business sellers. So I gave up as a buyer and seller. There are still some bargins but it takes hours to find them.

evie451

exessexmum
I thought it was just me that happened to! I have made some money on some auctions my best was £15 for an empty (but refillable) perfume bottle! sometimes its difficult to second guess ebay.

I have done a local car boot which was more fun and I made more money but the car boot was a one off so I am looking for a weekly one in the area. If you have one nearby give it a try I made £65 without much bother not bad for 4 hours on a Saturday

headcase

Why dont you try https://www.gumtree.co.uk. It does not cost anything, and its the same as ebay. I use ebay and gumtree. Ebay for expensive stuff and gumtree for small stuff.

BeckyBloomwood_2

I think if you put together a great listing, and have something worth selling then it is great. Try putting things together into larger lots if they are only 99p items.
I sold my car on ebay for twice what I paid for it! I also sold a lamp that somebody gave me for £60. I also bought jeans for £25 and sold them for £90 (through auction, not buy it now, I never expected £90!) I bought enough pairs to make the money for my car.
If you are clever with your listings, you can really make a good profit.
I do agree that actually posting the items in a pain in the butt though!

exessexmum

Thanks everyone, and sorry for posting this on the wrong board (oops) Just trying to find different ways to help with the debt reduction.