Selling on e-bay for the 1st time.

GUMPO

I have been having a clear out lately and have a ton of stuff that is no use to me but worth a bit of cash. I have never used e-bay before but am not totally in the dark as to how it works.

If I set up a profile and account what are the chances of anyone buying my stuff with no feedback.

Any suggestions to make my life easier gratefully recieved.:beer:

frivolous_fay

Start small before listing the big stuff. Assuming you don't want to buy a few items to build up your feedback.

GUMPO

Thanks much.

Another thing, how do you work out postal charges. Is there some kind of leaflet?

Contains_Mild_Peril

Yes, you can ask your local post office for a leaflet with lists of postal prices, or you can find the info on their website
http://www.royalmail.com/portal/rm/product1?catId=500185&mediaId=400023&keyname=delivery_services

FloFlo

If you can start a few things at 99p and this should generate some interest in your listings.

sfc_boy

GUMPO wrote: »

I have been having a clear out lately and have a ton of stuff that is no use to me but worth a bit of cash. I have never used e-bay before but am not totally in the dark as to how it works.

If I set up a profile and account what are the chances of anyone buying my stuff with no feedback.

Any suggestions to make my life easier gratefully recieved.:beer:

Honesty is the best policy - tell people in your description that you've had a clear out and that you've not used ebay before - it's better than just letting them see no feedback/no sales/no purchases with no explanation.

Make full use of the space for the title description as well - look for similar items before listing yours and see what style you like and has attracted previous bids and that will also give you an idea of what postage to add.

HTH.

countingthepennys

Weve found that if you start the auction at a penny no reserve it generates a lot of interest but that is a risk!Also ad paypal they are quite dear but most people tend to use it as its convienent unless you are selling a car or really heavy items then it ll be pick up only.If sending by the post office always get a receipt either send by recorded delivery or ask for a free certificate of posting saves problems with people claiming they havent received the item later on and also state in the auction that you will obtain a receipt to prove but if it goes astray you will not be held responsible to cover yourself.Insist on payment within 7 days and communication from them within 48 hrs so you know they are genuine.If you do get a paypal account get yourself verified hassle but worth it and insist that buyers are verified to it saves your item going to a different address and the buyer claiming that they havent received it.If you do sign up for paypal + if you get verified never go through to paypal from an email if you get any emails allededly from paypal login to paypal to see, you would not believe the amount ive have trying to trick me into loginning on to my account from saying to verify my account when its verified etc.Sorry about my ramblings on!! Just some things ive learnt over the years im more a buyer than a seller although i hope it helps!!Ive been an ebayer for 6 years so know a little bit and have learnt a few valuable lessons from it so take care!

soolin

I'm doing my usual Sunday morning trawl through ending soon items in several categories I watch (it is surprising what you can pick up at odd times at very low prices).

I just saw this auction as an example of how not to do it 320092410387 . No real description, just buying a pig in a poke, poor feedback and no paypal. Normally I wouldn't even see this auction as my default setting is only for auctions where paypal is accepted, but my ebay settings appear to have readjusted themselves (again).

This one is also a no no,220091109569 book price is fair, but post and packing is too high and makes the book about the same price as can be bought from the Black library brand new.

This one is interesting 160095517978, a good photo, decent post and packing and great feedback. However, no description of the state of the book just 'used' so it could be falling apart, and also strangely the buyer has chosen to list at £1 which cost her 10p, where if she had list at 99p she would only have paid 5p.

Look through auctions before you place your own, work out what you like to see and what would make you place a bid. Also work out what puts you off and avoid doing it on your own listings.

Be careful with post and packing, not too low that you make a loss, but not too high that it puts people off. A good photo helps and a good description. I also think that it is almost impossible to sell without paypal, but that is my own opinion and not one that everyone shares.

Keep certificates of posting for everything you send, and don't throw them away for a good few months.

Good luck, you will soon be hooked.

Fritha_2

GUMPO wrote: »

Thanks much.

Another thing, how do you work out postal charges. Is there some kind of leaflet?

There is also a Price Finder tool on the Royal Mail website, I use it because it's easy!:

http://sg.royalmail.com/portal/rm/PriceFinder;jsessionid=1OVG5IEU2J2LKFB2IGGUNZQ;jsessionid=1OVG5IEU2J2LKFB2IGGUNZQ?catId=23500532&gear=pricingcalc

Weigh your item, then put the weight in, you also need to check whether you item is a letter, large letter, or packet, the measurements are on the website when you've put the weight in. That'll tell you how much the postage will cost you, add on how much your packing will cost you and Bob's Your Uncle! :-)

rosh12

I've just made my first ebay sale and got my first feedback which was positive- hurrah!! I would say definitely do the PayPal thing, be clear + honest in the description, and be nice to people with questions! I sold something for more than 3 times my starting price and I am now hooked. Except I can't find anything else to sell... :think:

I think I read a thread on here from someone saying that they don't like newbies (no feedback people) bidding for stuff, however all eBayers had to start somewhere- the person that won my item had loads of feedback and obviously an eBay old hand and I didn't scare her off.

Also, keep asking questions on here!!

GOOD LUCK!

PS- postage is a bit confusing... look at similar items that have already sold, look on the post office website, and include the package materials! Mine ended up being about a pound cheaper than I 'd estimated (based on the Post Office website- and thanks to the helpful man in the post office who was keen to get me the right postage deal!!)-- however I understimated packing costs so it evened out in the end.

Sorry for waffling!!