Ebay novice

franny

Morning ya'll

I regularly read that selling on ebay is a good way of making money on junk that is littering our cupboards but to be honest, I have never used ebay and wouldn't know where to start.

I was just this morning looking for a new lap top battery on ebay for the first time and was bombarded with a million odd sellers selling the same battery but some you could buy now. These are much cheaper than the usual RRP so wonder what the catch is.

Maybe a lame post but could someone talk me through the process of selling something on ebay. I have set up an account and a paypal account as I was looking on it earlier but just need a little layman explanation really.

Thanks for reading.

Fran

MissEyre

Hi Fran,
I can't help you with the advice you are after, but I'll be watching this post with interest, as I have tons of stuff I think I could sell on ebay, just not really sure how it works either!
Good luck x

hooby_groovy

There is a specific ebay board on here outside the debt-free board, thats always a good start.

In terms of selling on Ebay I've had over 3000 positive feedbacks, so I've done a bit on there! I think you would be better-off registering, and then perhaps buying one or two things to see how it works before selling. You will be best to also register for Paypal (this is a site that allows electronic payment) and getting familiar with that.

With the laptop battery, this is where you need to be careful (and where your Ebay education starts), many will offer 'buy it now' on electrical items at a really low price (often even a penny), but look at their shipping price - many sellers sell at a loss then make-up their profit with an over-inflated postage price. You will also have to watch out for drop-shippers - these are people selling the goods in the UK, but the goods are actually being sent straight from China - thats not a problem in itself, but shipping can take a couple of weeks.

Don't let this put you off though, Ebay is great fun and very profitable, I cleared-out my loft a couple of weeks ago and have been selling bits and pieces, I sold 4 items that I've had since I was a boy last night (I had forgotten about them) and got over £60 (woohoo).

In addition, I've bought jeans from Next Clearance stores in the past for £4 a pair and sold them within a week for £20 a pair on Ebay - it really can work for you!

So, to recap, register and find out for yourself, as with anything the more you do the better you will get, and good luck!

pennypuppy

I sell on ebay sometimes its quite easy. Just look up the item you are selling, see what category it's in. You need a picture and if you want an idea how much you should get go to advanced search and click the completed listings box. Make sure you note all the details of what you are selling (if clothes arm length etc) and take it wrapped to the post office to get a price. Oh I block certain places from bidding (outside Europe) and those with bad feedback. Make sure you get a certificate of postage from po (its free).
In your local library they have books telling you how to do it.
Lastly join the discussion forums on ebay, tey discuss your ebay listing problems.
Good luck.

pennypuppy

Don't list the price too high, I have found a lower price entices the watchers and bidders (mind you you risk selling it for that too!)

stampyfoot

Start off slowly, find just 1 or 2 things you wish to sell. Look it up on ebay to check what other sellers are selling the same thing for and what postage they are charging. I think it is essential to have a digital camera. Try and take a good quality picture of your item. Go on to ebay and click selling. Ebay will guide you through the each process of listing your item, try to be a descriptive as you can about the item and upload your picture. To work out the postage, weigh your item in the package you would send it in and go onto the royal mail website to find postage prices. Factor in the cost of the package(envelope) and this will give the P+P total that you list on ebay. Decide when you wish the auction to end, I find Saturday and Sunday evenings best, think about when you can post the item to the winning bidder. Only accept paypal or cheques/postal orders. List the item as cheaply as you can as this attracts potential buyers. Just try it and see how you go. Let us know how you get on.

franny

Hey

Thanks all, I have just set up my paypal account and am just waiting to verify my bank a/c. I don't have a credit card so I'm guessing this is the best way to go about things.

I am still in the market for a new laptop battery, does anyone know where I might find one as cheaply as possible? Ebay has so many for sale I don't know where to start.

I will have a root around under the bed for some things to sell, I've got an old XBox just sitting there although I gave all the games to a friend.

I will let you all know how I get on. Thank you

Merlot

Im too an experienced E-Bayer, its can be great but be careful when to list, I tend to list towards the end of the month or beginning of the month when the majority of people get paid, although I do have to say E-Bay is slowing down and has been since November really, and watch those fees, it could take your profit away.

Merlot.x.

Willa_2

I've been selling on ebay since 1999, so I know my way around the site. I don't have time right now to go into a lot of detail, but I would definitely recommend purchasing a few items before you begin listing. It will familiarize you with the process and terminology. Especially watch your shipping costs. Don't guess at it. Find shipping boxes, and know your costs up-front. I always charge enough in my shipping charge to cover the listing fee, final value fee, and PayPal fee.

As far as the battery, check the shipping cost, check the seller rating. I wouldn't purchase from anybody with less than 98% positive feedback. Other than that, you're not likely to get a better deal elsewhere.