ebay novice - please give me a clue

Tiddlywinks

I don't want to start a business or anything but I do have some things to sell and, as I've had all sorts of hassle with buyers in the past, I'm looking for tips to help make things as painless as possible.

I have a lot of unused eyeshadows and blushers... bought in kits... these are the unwanted bits that I won't use.

I have about 8 of each in about 7 different colours and the same brand and colour are going for around £11 - £13 on Buy It Now... postage rates vary from free to £3.

All items are too thick to be letters and so postage will be at small packet rate.

How would you list them? Buy It Now for each batch of 8?

Is it worth sending them on the 'signed for' service which will really bump the price up or should I take the risk and just use ordinary 2nd class?

I just want them gone with the least possible effort... any other ideas please?

Any suggestions for a bulk sale?

Thanks everyone.

Rhymsta

Bulk Sale = Job Lot = Buyer will be someone wanting to buy cheap to break down into lots to sell on....

Tiddlywinks

Rhymsta wrote: »

Bulk Sale = Job Lot = Buyer will be someone wanting to buy cheap to break down into lots to sell on....

That said, it would save me trying to find 50+ buyers with all those trips to the PO I guess...

theonlywayisup

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I don't want to start a business or anything but I do have some things to sell and, as I've had all sorts of hassle with buyers in the past, I'm looking for tips to help make things as painless as possible.

I have a lot of unused eyeshadows and blushers... bought in kits... these are the unwanted bits that I won't use.

I have about 8 of each in about 7 different colours and the same brand and colour are going for around £11 - £13 on Buy It Now... postage rates vary from free to £3.

All items are too thick to be letters and so postage will be at small packet rate.

How would you list them? Buy It Now for each batch of 8?

Is it worth sending them on the 'signed for' service which will really bump the price up or should I take the risk and just use ordinary 2nd class?

I just want them gone with the least possible effort... any other ideas please?

Any suggestions for a bulk sale?

Thanks everyone.

Presumably because they are already on BIN, then you have already stipulated the postal service, bit late to change your mind now.

Have a read of the postage sticky.

Also, just bear in mind, Royal Mail use 'letters', 'large letters' and 'packets'. There isn't a 'small packet' unless you are posting airmail out of the UK.

http://www.royalmail.com/personal/uk-delivery/2nd-class-mail

soolin

One other thing to consider is that a new seller is going to have very low limits in the health and beauty categories, it is usually 3 items a month. so selling in larger lots will get rid of the stuff quicker.

I wouldn't be surprised either if selling a lot of single items all brand new triggered ebay to force an upgrade to a business

Goldiegirl

I don't wear much make up myself, so from time to time have sold a few bits of unused make up that were given to me as presents.

Generally, people seem very keen to buy make up on e bay, and my auctions have done well. In fact I've often wished I had more to sell.

I'd put them in lots of 8, but sell on an auction basis. I'd probably start at 99p, as lots of people would be hooked in at that price, and I'd hope to be pleasantly suprised with the final selling price.

Tiddlywinks

I'm a relative novice to selling but have had an ebay account for about 7 years with 100% positive feedback score of just under 200... might I still be limited on what I can put on sale?

I haven't yet placed any listings as I came to ask for advice first on the best way to do it.

I'm not and never will be a business seller and don't really want to get into any hassle with ebay about that... I know ebay has levels above which they consider you a business seller. I'm just trying to offload my excess items.

I'm a bit confused by some of the answers - please could I just clarify:

I thought a BIN listing would be easier - one for each type and where you advertise 8 or whatever and then it counts down each time one is sold. Is this a good idea?

What would you do for postage? The items are only 'worth' £10 each but even the cheapest postage is £2.20 for a packet as the containers are too thick to go as letters. Would you just use the cheapest and hope for the best or still use a 'signed for' service?

soolin

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

I'm a relative novice to selling but have had an ebay account for about 7 years with 100% positive feedback score of just under 200... might I still be limited on what I can put on sale?

I haven't yet placed any listings as I came to ask for advice first on the best way to do it.

I'm not and never will be a business seller and don't really want to get into any hassle with ebay about that... I know ebay has levels above which they consider you a business seller. I'm just trying to offload my excess items.

I'm a bit confused by some of the answers - please could I just clarify:

I thought a BIN listing would be easier - one for each type and where you advertise 8 or whatever and then it counts down each time one is sold. Is this a good idea?

What would you do for postage? The items are only 'worth' £10 each but even the cheapest postage is £2.20 for a packet as the containers are too thick to go as letters. Would you just use the cheapest and hope for the best or still use a 'signed for' service?

For postage check out the postage sticky thread, it tells you what you need to know. It never hurts to look at completed listings on ebay though to see which postage options sell the best. For instance a couple of my lines 'only' ever sell with free postage , whereas for most of the others they sell equally as well with actual £2.20 postage plus 15p for the packing.

I still think you will be limited to what you can sell in the health and beauty category, but unfortunately you won't know until you list.

As for the BIN, as long as they are completely identical then yes a multi bin would be fine. However, I still have a concern that selling a lot of brand new identical items on a bIN will trigger ebay into forcing an upgrade to business sooner rather than later. Make up is a competitive field and your business competitors will be reporting you within days of your listings going up.

Tiddlywinks

soolin wrote: »

However, I still have a concern that selling a lot of brand new identical items on a bIN will trigger ebay into forcing an upgrade to business sooner rather than later. Make up is a competitive field and your business competitors will be reporting you within days of your listings going up.

TBH I don't really need the hassle... I think I might just sell in bulk then. Would it be better in the 'job lots' section or still in cosmetics do you think?

theonlywayisup

IMHO job lots are more likely to seek you out as a business seller on Ebay than multiple BINS.

Just because you are registered/have to be registered on Ebay as a business, doesn't make you one regarding HMRC rules.

Tiddlywinks

Oh gawd - all I want to do is clear out my dressing table drawers... why is this so difficult?