Selling For First Time - Any Tips?

Bubbles

Hiya

I've been thinking about selling some stuff on ebay (to make up for what I'm spending lol). I'm still really wary of it though, keep thinking that anything that can go wrong will happen to me. I think it's something I should just do and learn from experience. But, just wondered if anyone has ever came across any difficulties and can warn me beforehand.

I'm not gonna sell anything expensive, just start off with a few bits that I've never used. Also, gonna keep it to UK buyers only, at first anyway.

If I offer recorded delivery and people don't accept, but I've got proof of sending, where do I stand if they say they haven't received it?

Also, if someone's not happy with the item, what happens then, even if I've listed it correctly? Can they just claim money back through paypal?

Is there anything important that I should be adding to the listing to protect myself?

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

culpepper

Make sure to block bids from bidders with -1 feedback.
List any defects an item has including stains ,creases,tears and dog-ears when selling books.
Take good clear pictures(you can photograph small things with a scanner).
If you only want to accept paypal you can block bidders who dont have a paypal account.

soolin

"If I offer recorded delivery and people don't accept, but I've got proof of sending, where do I stand if they say they haven't received it?

Also, if someone's not happy with the item, what happens then, even if I've listed it correctly? Can they just claim money back through paypal?

Is there anything important that I should be adding to the listing to protect myself?"

If you accept payment by paypal then you must protect yourself against loss of item in the post. The recorded delivery is to protect you, not the seller and just because they don't want to take up that extra doesn't mean you don't remain responsible.

Paypal require proof of delivery, not proof of posting to stop a chargeback being made.

However, I rarely use recorded delivery on low cost items. Instead I always get a certificate of posting (COP) when I send the item and in the rare event of an item not being received just refund my buyer and reclaim the amount off the Post Office. I do use recorded for more expensive items, and special delivery where the item price exceeds £28.

Accepting paypal increases your end prices, but even if you choose not to accept it you are still responsible for making sure your buyer gets the item if only to stop yourself being reported as a non performing seller.

If a person is not happy with the item and you are content that it was listed correctly then it is up to you whether you offer a refund or replacement. When you list your items there is a section where you can state your refund policy.I usuallyleave that blank as I'm not really running abusiness and sell one off type things so can't really do swaps. However, I have had requests for refunds or echanges and usually deal with each request as I want to at the time. If someone has just changed their mind I won't refund, but I have exchanged before when I was lucky enough to have something in a different size but that is rare.

Keep your listings simple, don't add lots of terms and conditions it puts people off but do make sure you list the item accurately and with a decent photo.

Good luck, it is quite addictive

Soo

Bubbles

culpepper wrote:

Make sure to block bids from bidders with -1 feedback.
List any defects an item has including stains ,creases,tears and dog-ears when selling books.
Take good clear pictures(you can photograph small things with a scanner).
If you only want to accept paypal you can block bidders who dont have a paypal account.

Yeah, that's one thing I'll be doing, taking decent pics. I hate it when I see an item I'm interested in but the picture is totaly blurred and you can't even make it out, why bother?

Thanks for reminding me about blocking people who don't accept paypal. This would probably make things easier for me, save me going to the bank or PO. Do you think I'd lose a lot of buyers by doing this? I know I prefer paypal as it's quick and easy, otherwise I'd prolly forget to post the cheque lol, but I don't know if it's the same for everyone. Maybe be easier for me just to start off accepting paypal until I got into it.

Thank you

Bubbles

soolin wrote:

If you accept payment by paypal then you must protect yourself against loss of item in the post. The recorded delivery is to protect you, not the seller and just because they don't want to take up that extra doesn't mean you don't remain responsible.

Paypal require proof of delivery, not proof of posting to stop a chargeback being made.

However, I rarely use recorded delivery on low cost items. Instead I always get a certificate of posting (COP) when I send the item and in the rare event of an item not being received just refund my buyer and reclaim the amount off the Post Office. I do use recorded for more expensive items, and special delivery where the item price exceeds £28.

Accepting paypal increases your end prices, but even if you choose not to accept it you are still responsible for making sure your buyer gets the item if only to stop yourself being reported as a non performing seller.

If a person is not happy with the item and you are content that it was listed correctly then it is up to you whether you offer a refund or replacement. When you list your items there is a section where you can state your refund policy.I usuallyleave that blank as I'm not really running abusiness and sell one off type things so can't really do swaps. However, I have had requests for refunds or echanges and usually deal with each request as I want to at the time. If someone has just changed their mind I won't refund, but I have exchanged before when I was lucky enough to have something in a different size but that is rare.

Keep your listings simple, don't add lots of terms and conditions it puts people off but do make sure you list the item accurately and with a decent photo.

Good luck, it is quite addictive

Soo

Thanks for your reply.

My items probably won't exceed £28, just selling small things. Is there a certain amount that can be refunded by Royal Mail if I have certificate of posting?

My items will hopefully be listed correctly, so I hopefully I won't have any complaints. I suppose I'm just worrying over what could go wrong. I'm better just getting into it and dealing with things as they come up.

Was supposed to put a few things on today, but got to dig out my digi cam, and been for dinner and a few drinks, so maybe not the best time to do it

Cheers

soolin

The COP covers you up to £28, as does recorded delivery. I find that enough for virtually all my items and only rarely have to use special delivery for more expensive items.

It might be worth trying to list at least one item tonight as Sunday evening is a good time for sales.

Soo

scottishlizzie

I have bought on ebay but want to start selling. I understand that setting a reserve price can only be done if you want at least £50 for the item. But what if you don't want it to go for,say, less than £25? Also, what is the difference between reserve and starting prices? Can something be sold for less than the starting price?

So many questions! Also, I have a heavy item - hi-fi stand 16kg - to sell. How would I work out the p&p for that? Would I be foolish to say local pick-up only?

danmanchester

You're right about the minimum £50 reserve price feature..that's really aimed at relatively high value items, what you really have to ask yourself is what is the absolute minimum you will accept for your item..and select that price as your Starting Price..then no one would be able to bid unless they matched it. However, this would limit the number of viewers your auction will get..as many ebayers do their searches for "lowest starting prices"...I start all my auctions from 99p..this is the gamble of ebay auctions as it seems to attract most interest and watchers.:D
As for listing a heavy item...personally I'd list it as local pick and see what happens...I might even gamble and put NO P&P in the auction title, then you could explain in the items details/description that buyer collects.
Good luck!;)

Sofa_Sogood

Bubbles?

Sell it cheap and sell it to me

Seriously? Be honest as people have suggested (I'd rather know if something was marked, even on a 'new' item)

And just read what others have posted. I daren't sell yet so I know it must be daunting. Good luck by the way. This lot are priddy clever

scottishlizzie

danmanchester wrote:

You're right about the minimum £50 reserve price feature..that's really aimed at relatively high value items, what you really have to ask yourself is what is the absolute minimum you will accept for your item..and select that price as your Starting Price..then no one would be able to bid unless they matched it. However, this would limit the number of viewers your auction will get..as many ebayers do their searches for "lowest starting prices"...I start all my auctions from 99p..this is the gamble of ebay auctions as it seems to attract most interest and watchers.:D
As for listing a heavy item...personally I'd list it as local pick and see what happens...I might even gamble and put NO P&P in the auction title, then you could explain in the items details/description that buyer collects.
Good luck!;)

Thanks for this. Do I still have to pay if I do not receive a bid to match the starting price?

soolin

Yes, your listing fees are not recoverable if the item doesn't sell.

However, you have the option of relisting and if it sells the second time having used the relist button, you get your second lot of listing fees back. If it doesn't sell the second time you lose both sets of listing fees.

Soo