First time seller - is Ebay still the best method?

elsmandino

Hi,

Although I bought some small itmes from Ebay a few years ago, I am a complete novice when it comes to auction/selling sites and was hoping for a bit of advice.

I am currently clearing out my loft and feel that I might be able to sell a few items - computer/electrical items, books, clothes etc.

I was just wondering whether Ebay is still the best method as much of the recent research I have done suggests that it is no longer financially worth if for many items.

Are there better alternatives for specific types of items that are being sold?

Flyonthewall

You have a number of options. Ebay, Amazon, Gumtree, Facebook or carboot.

If you use ebay or Amazon be sure to read up on selling, describe items clearly and honestly, take photos, know the fees and make sure you know the postage costs before listing. Also, write down serial numbers on electronics before selling just in case.

Books are generally worthless though. Non-fiction books may be worth worth. Do look up the prices to double check, not all are worthless, but many are so don't be surprised if you can't sell them for much.

Check over electricals before selling.

Clothes can cause issues, mostly due to people not realising the sizes things are (even if stated sizes vary between brands). Clothes don't always sell for much either.

You may do best doing a carboot, but look up prices, see what everything is worth and work out ow much you'll actually get after fees and postage. Then you'll be able to see which option is best for you.

RFW

Always worth checking books on Amazon. Some are surprisingly valuable and others not. Put the barcode or isbn in the search box and you'll see how much they're selling for.

Ting-Tang

For general stuff like that I'd say anywhere but Fleabay.

RFW

Ting-Tang wrote: »

For general stuff like that I'd say anywhere but Fleabay.

Sounds like an unbiased view:p Any suggestions as to where or did you just want a dig at Ebay?

elsmandino

Thanks very much for that - going to have a quick look at the potential value of some of the books that I might like to get rid of.

Ting-Tang wrote: »

For general stuff like that I'd say anywhere but Fleabay.

This does seem to be a growing view of Ebay (at least from reviews I have read on the web) but, unfortunately, as I have no first hand of selling on Ebay, it is not clear what the main problems with it are.

I realise that you have to pay a commission to Ebay but doesn't that cost at least give you access to the biggest auction site going?

What sort of commission/fees do they charge?

Also, I note that there are sites that specialise in buying certain items e.g. CDs, musical instruments, technology etc. Are these worth considering?

My general guess on these is that as you are selling them to a third party rather than an individual, the need for a profit margin is going to mean that you are going to get a lot less for them (even taking into account any auction fees/commission).

Is that a fair deduction?

Flyonthewall

elsmandino wrote: »

This does seem to be a growing view of Ebay (at least from reviews I have read on the web) but, unfortunately, as I have no first hand of selling on Ebay, it is not clear what the main problems with it are.

Competition and amount you end up with items as far as general items go.

I realise that you have to pay a commission to Ebay but doesn't that cost at least give you access to the biggest auction site going?

What sort of commission/fees do they charge?

13.4% +20p. 10% ebay final value fees, 3.4% +20p Paypal fees. They do have random offers on though and as a private seller you can list 20 items with no insertion fee (35p after that).

Yes, ebay get a lot of traffic and it is the biggest auction site, it has no competition on that.

Also, I note that there are sites that specialise in buying certain items e.g. CDs, musical instruments, technology etc. Are these worth considering?

My general guess on these is that as you are selling them to a third party rather than an individual, the need for a profit margin is going to mean that you are going to get a lot less for them (even taking into account any auction fees/commission).

Is that a fair deduction?

It depends. Anyone selling on what you give them will most likely offer less than what you can get selling them yourself.

I have sold a couple of video games to game shops for more than I could get for them anywhere else. Mostly it's not worth it though selling to them. So it's worth checking prices and making sure that you won't be selling for less than they offer after fees and postage.

For the most part you're best off selling them yourself and use them as a guide.

Usually best off selling in store though if you do go for that option to be sure nothing gets lost or damaged or anything. Sites often have mixed reviews for that.

hollydays

The best advice I can give is-if possible don't be in a hurry to sell.
That way you can start items higher and reduce prices if they don't sell-with free listing-dont just press relist as they charge for that.
If you are in a hurry, beware if you get low prices it just may not be worth the effort.
If possible avoid cash on collection.
As for clothing, it needs to washed ,pressed and nicely photographed. Sell things by season-don't try to sell summer things in winter. Personally , unless it's classy stuff I give my clothes to a charity shop .Most clothing gets very low prices

RFW

elsmandino wrote: »

This does seem to be a growing view of Ebay (at least from reviews I have read on the web) but, unfortunately, as I have no first hand of selling on Ebay, it is not clear what the main problems with it are.

I don't know that it's growing as a view, it's been there a while. Given the nature of Ebay there will always be more people wanting to slag it off than those who do well from it leaving positive reviews.
A good indicator of buyers' view is looking at feedback, on Ebay positive feedback is over 98%. Sellers will often have a gripe after being a victim of their own stupidity, not following simple guidelines and expecting Ebay to step in. That's not to say that can't be heavy handed and do things wrong. I actually speak as a former Ebay seller.

Flyonthewall

hollydays wrote: »

The best advice I can give is-if possible don't be in a hurry to sell.
That way you can start items higher and reduce prices if they don't sell-with free listing-don RELISTED as they charge for that.
If you are in a hurry, beware if you get low prices it just may not be worth the effort.
If possible avoid cash on collection.
As for clothing, it needs to washed ,pressed and nicely photographed. Sell things by season-don't try to sell summer things in winter. Personally , unless it's classy stuff I give my clothes to a charity shop .

I agree with most of this, but what is wrong with cash on collection?

If selling as collection only then cash is the best option option. Paypal leaves them open to being scammed.

I understand wanting to avoid collections (waiting in, giving your address, not liking strangers in your house, having to check the cash is real etc). Plenty of reasons why people prefer to post instead. But I don't get avoiding cash on collection.

hollydays

Flyonthewall wrote: »

I agree with most of this, but what is wrong with cash on collection?

If selling as collection only then cash is the best option option. Paypal leaves them open to being scammed.

I understand wanting to avoid collections (waiting in, giving your address, not liking strangers in your house, having to check the cash is real etc). Plenty of reasons why people prefer to post instead. But I don't get avoiding cash on collection.

I don't avoid it but I find it immensely frustrating and time wasting when people try to wriggle out of making arrangements to collect when they say they will.hence I have very strict rules to avoid having my time wasted. It's still a pain though.a newbie to this should be aware of this. Also, ignore buyers who ask you if you've got a buy it now price they are just looking to buy it cheap