New to ebaying ...... help!!!!

Legacy_user

I have taken a few shots of things i am hoping to sell, there will probably be more in a day or two if these test bids are ok. Have you more experienced ebayers got any tips for me, as although i have read through the bumf i cant say i have digested much. Does it matter if i start adding stuff now, and some in a few days later? Or shall i wait and list them together?

I think i need a step by step guide in case i fall flat on my face.:(

Browntoa

well first tip i would give you is wait until thursday as it's a cheap listing day on Ebay !!

if you are ready by then list them all that day but set up your account now to save doing it on the day,

1) be realistic with postage + packing costs, nothing bugs people more than high postage.
2) be honest about the condition of things, listing any faults/blemishes etc so people cannot complain afterwards.
3)accept Paypal if possible as it increases the number of bidders (or Nochex as an alternative)
4) if some items are worth alot stipulate UK only sales t stop the scammers from abroad who want to pay by western Union, then rip you off.Make sure the auctions finish at a time you can police it and cancel any bids that break any conditions you laid down
5)Post items quickly and keep reciepts if sending recorded (use Special Delivery for valuable items !!)
6) keep the buyer informed.

aussielle

Browntoa wrote:

well first tip i would give you is wait until thursday as it's a cheap listing day on Ebay !!

I didn't know that, so thanks for sharing

Altarf

Adding to the tips already metioned, think about the end day and time. Are the type of people you are aiming your auctions at likely to be sat in front of the PC at that time.

Photos will help the sale, but use ones of the real items, not ones taken from elsewhere on the internet.

If you choose not to send recorded or special delivery, make sure you get a Certificate of Posting from the post office. If something gets lost it will help your claim. Remember normal and recorded mail is only covered up to £28 and has various exclusions, and you don't want to be out of pocket if stuff gets lost.

If you take Paypal, make sure your account can accept credit card payments.

System

Thanks guys for your help. I have paypal but have never used it, dont particularly like the idea of being charged for using ebay and also being charged by paypal too. Cant i just use cheque or direct transfer? Would i be limiting myself too much if i did?

catsonic

me personally would advise against using paypal for anything other than buying!! As you say you get charged twice!! ebay and paypal! and you have the threat of chargeback if buyer dosnt like item!

I use the bank transfer. easy and efficent if both you and buyer have online banking.

i cant think of anything else to add apart from keep the buyers up to date with everything! I know its a pain having to email them to say yes ive got the cheque but it puts them at rest.

I think the most important thing is to enjoy it!! oh and also have a look on the forums!! rt and q&a are full of really good stuff!! just ignore the trolls!! lol If you see me say hi!!

soolin

If you have an upgraded paypal account then you will be charged for all payments received into that paypal account however they are funded.

However, your end prices will be higher than if you just limit yourself to bank transfers or cheques so it all sort of evens out.

As a buyer I never ever buy from a seller who does not take paypal. A few weeks ago I broke my own rule and got nagged by my son into bidding on something where the seller only took a cheque. I got my bargain as cheque only auctions don't get as many bids but then had to wait over 2 weeks for the seller to get round to sending my item. Never again, paypal only for me.

ALso as a seller paypal is very quick, I can end my auctions say on a Tuesday evening get paid the same evening and post everything out on Wednesday. I'm used to having my whole transaction, including feedback both ways done within 48 hours. With cheques the whole thing takes weeks, I rarely get any cheques for about 8-10 days then have to risk sending things out without any guarantee that the cheque will clear.

Bank transfers are great though but so very few buyers will use them.

Soo

System

Thanks for your input all, its much appreciated. I will get all the items together and list them on Thursday. I think i had better go and look into my paypal account and see how it works. I dont want to use it, but if it will put bidders off bidding if i dont use it, i think i will have to at least consider it.:(

culpepper

you cant say you accept paypal unless you upgrade the account to premium.
I think the transaction would still go through but you wouldnt be able to get at money paid by credit card until your paypal account had converted to premium (it can take a week mine did).
Make sure you state all postage costs upfront (you can weigh your stuff and its packaging and then go to here
to find out how much it will cost)
Dont forget to add the cost of the packaging onto your P&P costs .

Penny£Wise

I would advise anyone to send goods out recorded delivery. Even on small items worth very little. The reason for this is that I have had many people email and say the goods have not arrived. I then go to the Roal Mail site on the Internet and once there you can do track & trace on the item. Always I have found the person has not bothered to collect the goods from the post office. Ususally if they are out the post man will leave a note and lots of people ignore the note. After a week or so the post office returns the item to me. I have then had to resend the item but I charge the customer for having to resend.
I have had two people try to say the item has not arrived and ask for a refund. I was able to prove postage and they never got back again once I had found them out to be "trying it on"

System

Penny£Wise wrote:

I would advise anyone to send goods out recorded delivery. Even on small items worth very little. The reason for this is that I I have had two people try to say the item has not arrived and ask for a refund. I was able to prove postage and they never got back again once I had found them out to be "trying it on"

:eek: I dont think i am prepared for this!!! Spent the afternoon sorting out me paypal. I resent having to set up a direct debit mandate for it though. I am quickly going off the idea.