Is it worth selling things on ebay for 99p?

ClaireLR

I have got quite a few things to sell on ebay, books etc that I'm probably only going to get 99p per item for.

What would my profit be on each item assuming that my P&P charge reflects what it actually costs to send, and the buyer uses Paypal? This is also assuming each item costs 25p to list.

After what I've just asked, think I may have answered my own question

I think it would probably be more worthwhile putting the lot together and selling it in the local rag as car boot items for a tenner maybe

StaffsSW

On the assumption that the final selling price is 99p, then you need to be shifting plenty to make it worth your while, but remember that P&P is more than just a stamp - so do not sell yourself short on it. The new fee structure may make it cheaper to list items, but more expensive to sell - a higher chunk is taken off upon each successful sale.

If it's 99p start auctions, then there is a chance that the items will take a few bids to boost the price.

More people are realising that eBay is now not the same place it was a few years ago - cheap items can really only be sold profitably from Shop Format listings, or as part of multiple purchases.

Aurora_2

You may be right to some extent, but one thing I have learned is that you never know what an item will get bid up to if more than one person wants it and if you're not over-optimistic about something's chances, at least the listing fee is cheap at 99p. What had you in mind to sell? Have a look on the site to see if other things of that type are selling. If they are, give it a go; if not, don't waste your money.
I think there is still a place for the car boot sale, as a lot of things do sell at them on impulse if someone takes a fancy to the items and of course they don't have postage costs to pay either. I'm thinking of making up some boxes of my eBay "failures" and taking them to a car boot sale to have one last attempt at flogging them off.

Brooker_Dave

ClaireLR wrote: »

I have got quite a few things to sell on ebay, books etc that I'm probably only going to get 99p per item for.

What would my profit be on each item assuming that my P&P charge reflects what it actually costs to send, and the buyer uses Paypal? This is also assuming each item costs 25p to list.

You need to decide if it's really worth all the hassle to end up with about 40p per item.

Obviously 40p is better than nothing, but even if you shift loads you're still on paper round money, and if anything gets lost in the post or you get a stroppy bidder....

Is none of it carbootable?

Failing that, assuming that it's not taking up too much space, try one of the free auction sites - Tazbar or Ebid, granted they're much much quieter than ebay, but some people have had some luck sellling over there, and at least it's free to list.

Grade_A_Reject

When I was quite new at selling I sold a big heavy computer book for 99p. What I forgot to factor in was the fact that the Paypal charges were on the amount sent which included the £6 postage costs (these were the actual costs).

By the time I'd deducted all the fees I'd have been better off sticking the book in the bin.

baffcat

All the above assume that all your books sell - unlikely as that is, so you'd probably need to factor in re-listing fees.

To answer your question simply - No.

Probably better to list them in batches of similar books and start at £4.99 (to keep listing fees down) and use DHL through an ebay reseller to send them.

Baff

NewbieMoneySaver**

You can also try Amazon market place where you only pay if the book sells. Also they sort out all the p&p for you and its a fixed amount. Give it a go. All my books go on there.