new ebay/payal

soolin

glentoran99 wrote: »

Interested in why you say this? have discovered a few items that i could but that are selling for much more on ebay, was thinking of doing this, Why would you advise against?

The fact you ask that question shows why this is a bad idea.

If you had read the new eBay requirements for business sellers you can immediately identify issues, how will you manage returns to a UK geographic address and ensure your drop shopper has all the items in stock and can ship immediately. Assuming the shipper is overseas that is going to put people off due to customs and duty charges and length of time to wait for goods. Buyers get nervous when they see your UK geographic address (which as a business you are required to show) yet items are abroad. This also identifies an issue with your idea to fraudulently misrepresent your address.

Drop shipping can be done, but I suggest it is best undertaken by a very savvy long term seller who has a personal relationship with the wholesaler, and not just someone they picked out of an advert online.

Also have you actually sat and worked out costs? PayPal and eBay costs, your National Insurance contributions and tax as well. Plus build in an element of leeway for returns where you will be required to refund in full, and also to cover losses on INR claims.

I talk to a lot of people. Seeing something overseas for £10 selling for say £15 here does not equal an instant profit once all the fees are accounted for.

campdave

Ebay rules also forbid selling items you do not hold the stock of.

soolin

campdave wrote: »

Ebay rules also forbid selling items you do not hold the stock of.

Is there not now a clause that says you can as long as you state clearly where item is held and can still guarantee shipping speed?

I bought something the other day where the seller had a UK geographic address but item location was Hong Kong and the description stated it would be sent from a warehouse in Hong Kong and warning people not to bid if they didn't accept the 21 day shipping time. Something my son wanted otherwise I probably wouldn't have bothered , and it was only £4

I am becoming more and more uncertain what eBay say and don't say now as they announce things that either get forgotten or just never appear in the rules.

campdave

soolin wrote: »

Is there not now a clause that says you can as long as you state clearly where item is held and can still guarantee shipping speed?

If the stock belongs to the seller that's fine. If they just go on Amazon and order it once they get the order, that's not fine by Ebay's rules.

As to if you'd get away with it, probably, but with managed returns now coming back to you, drop shipping will become less sustainable on ebay IMO.

soolin

campdave wrote: »

If the stock belongs to the seller that's fine. If they just go on Amazon and order it once they get the order, that's not fine by Ebay's rules.

As to if you'd get away with it, probably, but with managed returns now coming back to you, drop shipping will become less sustainable on ebay IMO.

It isn't something I would want to do and as you say the new managed returns will be a nightmare especially with Far East items that might not be the quality that people expect.

For a small seller in a difficult market I can see them getting swamped quite quickly, paying the dropshipper for goods that end up being returned to their UK home address and sitting there gathering dust while the eBay and PayPal fees mount up.

girlycara

Don't jump to assumptions guys, I never mentioned drop shipping and this is not my idea. I don't want to give details as I don't want to put the idea in someone else's head, I've tried it on Gumtree very successfully but eBay has a much wider audience

forgotmyname

Sell enough on gumtree to clear the balance and then your good to go.

Do expect them to hold your funds until a point where feedback is received or 30 days just in case and your OK.

If you carry on thinking it wont happen to you. Its likely when you need access to that money the most.