new ebay fees or new hobby

pikachu_bumface

It's a shame because I think it really makes eBay a less attractive option for casual sellers, and it's not much fun for business sellers either. EBay just loves sellers that offer free postage, and you have to absorb the cost. I've been on eBay for over a decade and the only way I've found to not lose out is try and beat the system - when I worked out how to send my items as large letters it saved me over £30 a week, but I still have to absorb the cost into my profit margin. And with fees being charged on postage too it really does take the fun out of selling

pikachu_bumface

The international prices are ridiculous too - such a big jump from one bracket to the next, costing £7.20 to send things to the US is just such a pain.

soolin

jetplane wrote: »

I don't think the OP is referring to business sellers, but small sellers of everyday items like baby stuff, bags, shoes, ornaments etc must be losing out. I don't sell it's too much hassle but I do know that I buy at similar prices as before as I have always included postage cost when calculating my highest bid, so now I bid less on the actual item. I have also noticed that some sellers do not check their parcel costs before listing and I have had a few things over the last few months where the postage cost more than my entire bid. I have noticed that other small sellers are explaining the high postage in their listings.

A small private seller does not have the sales to absorb losses or low dsrs and where's the fun in that?

On the other hand if sellers are just selling unwanted household items and bits and pieces then it is not as important for them as someone trying to run a business to pay the bills.

If you don't want something then getting money for it is better than just giving it away and as they won't have any stock as such to worry about they can also look at other selling opportunities like car boots, Facebook etc.

Although having said that I follow several challenge threads on other boards here on MSE and the profits that many people are making as 'private' sellers is astounding .