posted on May 7, 2002 06:22:22 PM
Hi guys, I've been lurking for a while and read over a good portion of the previous posts. I'm new the whole eBay selling game and am wondering if it'd be appropriate for me to ask some 'unenlightened' questions of the group? I didn't see a FAQ around anywhere that addressed newbie netiquette so I figured I'd ask first. Better safe than sorry and all that rot, right?
If you feel like it you can scroll through the 219,641 posts here.
And I'm sure you'll come up with a 'unenlightened' answer for every one of your 'unenlightened' question's!
Otherwise you'll just have to try asking,I'm sure someone will answer.
[ edited by dadofstickboy on May 7, 2002 06:39 PM ]
posted on May 7, 2002 06:52:14 PM
Thanks dadofstickboy. I've been burned a few times asking 'stupid' questions on boards before, gotten flamed, all that noise. It just wasn't a pretty picture.
Ok, here's the deal, I don't want to turn this into a full-time business or anything, but I do want to make extra cash. First, is there a specific book or site or anything that anyone can recommend with tips on how to maximize your income from eBay and other places? Basically I just want to make sure I get as much moolah from my items as possible.
Second, how do you guys feel about preset and mandatory shipping, handling and insurance on auctions? Good idea or no? Right now I've got my first 7 auctions up and all of them have preset and mandatory s/h/i on them. I did this to save myself the hassle of having to deal with getting the postage amounts and emailing the winning bidder with them and then the possibility of something not reaching the bidder and me having to refund their money thereby taking a hit in my own pocketbook!
I'm sure I have others, but my brain's a little muddled right now and besides, I think two questions is a good start
posted on May 7, 2002 07:27:55 PM
pertaining to que#2:
I preset all my S&H Fees & Carrier.
Ins. I leave optional,I preset it but I leave it optional as to wether or not they want it.
Saves a lot of time & annoying questions.
If they don't like what I charge or who I use,move on!
posted on May 8, 2002 03:00:39 AM
I preset the shipping also, it is so much easier to weigh and package first then to deal with all that after the auction. I do let people choose insurance unless the item is really fragile then I include that in the shipping. Of course, all that goes out the window when buyers win multiple auctions! I always combine items in one box to save buyers money on shipping and they seem to like that a lot.
As to what to put for a minimum bid, that is hard for me too sometimes. I look at what other items that are the same are selling for and then aim for the average selling price. Sometimes I just put what I paid for it plus possible fees to be sure I don't lose money. I am not a big seller but have been doing it for a while. It is still fun for me, hope to turn it into a retirement suppliment income. Good luck with eBay!
posted on May 8, 2002 06:11:46 AM
mental... a lot depends on your type of items. I sell stuff between 20 and 300 $ that goes insured 1st class or insured priority. Mostly 4oz. to 1 or 2 pounds. I am mentioning this because depending on your circumstances, it may be easy to quote SHI. All of my listings state S/H/I is $x.xx, and I keep it reasonable. If I lose or make 50c on a mailing, no big deal. SHI on items under $10 is a whole different story. Please let us know your type of sales, and we can be a lot more help. Dave.
[ edited by rgrem on May 8, 2002 06:17 AM ]
posted on May 8, 2002 07:39:59 AM
Wow, you guys are great, thanks SO much for helping me out here
Dave, to answer your question the type of stuff I'm selling ranges from computer game cds to radio equipment, just a little of everything really. I just moved and so I'm clearing out all the stuff I bought thinking "this is a great deal! I'll use/give/sell this later" which of course I never did any of those Nothing over 50.00 or there abouts really. My main reason for insurance isn't to protect the buyer it's to protect ME! I know I've ordered in the past and it's never arrived and I always felt so badly about the seller refunding my money, after all it's not THEIR screw up, it's the postal system that screwed up. I just don't want to lose any money if I can help it. Do you guys find that people raise hell when you charge, say 3.00, for s/h/i on an item and the postage is only .90 or so? I feel like my time, effort, packing materials etc is worth SOMETHING. Am I out of line here in this thinking? How do you guys handle the cost of shipping/packing etc? I just want this to be as painless as possible for me, but I don't want to anyone to feel as if they've gotten screwed over either.
Another concern I have is that I have several computer components that I'm honestly not sure work. Is it acceptable to sell them "as is" as long as I put something in the description about my not having tested them since the last time I used them? Again, I don't want anyone to feel like they've been had, I just want to unload all my extra stuff
posted on May 8, 2002 08:58:04 AM
Actually, when I see a pre-set shipping amount in an auction I regard that as a bonus. A perfect shipping line in my mind would read:
Shipping for this auction is $4* for U.S. first-class postage, secure packing and insurance. I ship within 2** business days of receiving payment.
*or whatever you're charging.
**or whatever your shipping policy is.
That way I know what I'm paying and about how soon I can expect it. That's all the info I need to decide whether or not to bid on your auction. It also subtly reminds bidders that packing material <i>also</i> costs money.
Unfortunately, it might be a little TOO subtle for some. There are eBayers who will flame you for charging one penny more than the postage shown on the envelope.
Here's the formula I use to determine shipping cost AND starting bid price:
I start by figuring out the amount I'd reasonably expect the item to fetch.
Using that number, I calculate the eBay listing and final value fees, the Auctionwatch image hosting, listing and final value fees and Paypal fees. I add all those together to come up with a value for fees.
I figure out the lowest amount I'd be willing to clear for the item. I add half the fees to that amount. That's my starting price.
I figure out how much shipping will cost, what method I will use and what my packaging cost will be. I add the other half of the fees to that amount. That's my shipping and handling charge. I usually make insurance optional for low-dollar items, and require it for anything that starts over $20. I also sometimes offer a choice between priority and first-class.
Some people prefer to roll all their fees into the starting bid. Others prefer to put all their fees into the s/h/i category. The only thing I would urge you to do is MAKE SURE YOU BUILD THOSE FEES IN! Otherwise, you WILL lose money.
posted on May 8, 2002 09:32:01 AM
What everyone else said here
Make sure that you put what the Shipping and Handling is, right in your ad, makes for less headaches after an auction... and stick to them, don't let a buyer tell you that it 'can be stuck in an envelope and sent for .34' I've heard that one
Its your auction, so you set you TOS (terms of service)
outoftheblue, I've almost discouraged buyers wanting to buy insurance on items that are $10-$20. it seems like a huge waste to me, most of the time. When insurance was .85 cents, I used to insure every single package out of my pocket... and never had one claim, still have never had a claim, for those wanting insurance. Sure I know things could still happen... lost by the USPS or damaged by the USPS. I figure if that would happen with a $20 item, I can refund, if they let me know. If the D.C I put on every package shows its in limbo after a certain amount of time. (Plus I use Endicia, and love to just drop off my packages and not have to wait in line )
posted on May 9, 2002 12:17:21 PMBasically I just want to make sure I get as much moolah from my items as possible.
The best advice I could give is to know your product. Know what it is worth, and what you want to get for it. Also, look through your category to see what you can reasonably expect to receive for the item. If you are unsure, set your minimum bid high (at or near the estimated value) to avoid disappointment.
how do you guys feel about preset and mandatory shipping, handling and insurance on auctions?
Hot topic of debate for years, with no clear concensus among sellers. IOW, whatever works for you.
Is it acceptable to sell them "as is" as long as I put something in the description about my not having tested them since the last time I used them?
Yes, but make sure the disclaimer is in bold plainly-visible type. This type of sale often brings complaints to your feedback and will harm your reputation. Figure one unhappy customer will cost you ten sales. I'd suggest you test everything first, if possible. If not, offer a guarantee. (Then make a secret mark on the item so the buyer can't pull a switcheroo.)
Newbie guides are probably worth the investment, but the best teacher is experience. (And this forum, of course! )
posted on May 9, 2002 03:41:15 PM
Hi MentalToilet (what a great name),
You know - whatever you put in your auction TOS (terms of service), there will be some bidder that does not conform.
I have been selling on eBay since 1998, not in a big way, just here and there. I sell mostly jewelry (nice and light, small, not a packaging hassle) and some antiques. If I feel a particular buyer might be "flighty," I purchase delivery confirmation, just to be sure the item was received.
I also buy; I do not like to see a yard long ramble concerning TOS. Just tell me what shipping will cost! Some sellers write a book on what they will do to you if you don't conform to their standards - it's a real damper. Makes me think that their service was lousy in the past and they had trouble with bidders.
My advice (for what it's worth) - a short, factual description and "Shipping: $3.50 Priority Mail. Insurance extra, if desired."
posted on May 10, 2002 07:25:55 AM
I sell on eBay and also buy. Mostly I buy fairly lightweight items under 3 - 4 pounds. If total shipping charges aren't included in the description and I'm in a hurry, I pass by the item. Especially if I'm looking at what's closing today and am pretty sure I have only a 50-50 chance of getting a response on shipping from the seller.
Consider that many buyers today look only at "ending today" items and think how chancy it is that they'd get a response from you within just a couple of hours. Then set up your auction accordingly.
I recently had some luck with unloading some old computer parts. I had no way of testing them and I made it quite clear in the titles and ads that they were untested.
I had no idea how these things would go. Surprisingly, I had quite a few hits and bids. One of the buyers e-mailed me that she is an artist and uses old puter parts in her sculpture pieces.
Didn't get great prices but I really just wanted to unload them. Our resale shops won't even take them.
I didn't see a FAQ around anywhere that addressed newbie netiquette so I figured I'd ask first. Better safe than sorry and all that rot, right? 