posted on November 6, 2002 07:37:40 AM new
Does anyone have a general idea of what an
average PERCENTAGE for all fees incurred for an auction would be? My average sale is $50.00 and I start everything at $9.99. Including just the basic listing fees, ebays commission, auctionwatch fees and commission, and Paypal cut. I used to have a GENERAL IDEA, thinking it was around 10%? but it seems higher now, and I can't figure out who raised what fees while I was looking the other way. I am not asking anyone to break a mental sweat for me, I am just wondering if anyone has already figured this out (lately) as a point of reference for themselves?
Thanks!
posted on November 6, 2002 05:44:33 PM new
WOW, I did'nt think this was THAT mundane of a thread? Does anyone consider the AVERAGE cost of listing?
The reason I am asking is because (as I have mentioned in just about every post ~ sorry) I sell antiques and collectibles and I know that an actual auction house takes 20% -30% commission. I am wondering if anyone has compared the 2 venues...?? ANY thoughts?
posted on November 6, 2002 06:02:29 PM new
I would think if you check your eBay invoice for listing fee, FVF and what other services you use. Then go to AW and do the same thing for the same item you should get your total. If you start all your auctions with $9.99 with no other charges like BIN or reserve that is a 30 cent fee. FVF is a certain percent of the final auction Price. It also depends on the AW service that you use. It won't be hard to figure out.
posted on November 6, 2002 06:15:39 PM new
inot, saw your question on the other thread, and posted this response there.
I did the math for my wife (who runs the product end of our sales) so she had a better understanding of how to set minimum prices. These figures are from before the latest price increases, and are without paypal factored in (we get an even mix of paypal and money order payments).
fv=$ 1, 46% paid to ebay/aw
=$ 3, 22%
=$ 5, 14%
=$ 10, 10%
=$ 40, 9%
=$ 50, 11% (yup, goes up a tick)
=$100, 8%
=$200, 6%
=$500, 5%
=$ 1k, 4%
I'm sure the current fee structures raise the numbers by at least a point. I don't remember why the uptick at $50., but it works out right according to the ebay and aw rules at the time.
-Rob
posted on November 6, 2002 06:50:27 PM new
Hey Rob, Thanks so much! I know what all of the fees involved are, and I do a breakdown for consigned pieces but I was just asking for a rundown of averages to make quick fee estimates...and that's what I got!
posted on November 8, 2002 01:03:17 AM new
vrane.com has a feature called "sales reporter" that I've found informative. You have to purchase some of their "universal credits" to use it, but for low-volume me it's only pennies a report. Their import info from eBay and report the stats like this: You can run reports for any time period you choose.
final auction value fee -4.28
insertion fee -1.50
picture fee -0.30
buy-it-now listing fee -0.25
total final price 126.00
Total eBay fees -6.33
eBay fees as percentage of your total sales -5.02%
posted on November 8, 2002 05:26:43 AM new
Mine is right under 5%
Question: Are some of you setting your minimum bids with an eye towards keeping listing fees down?
I ask because based on what I'm reading on this board, various articles and other discussion boards, that seems to be how a lot of sellers are setting their minimum bid, which seems fool hardy to me, because I think your minimum bid should be set with an a minimum profit margin in mind.
posted on November 8, 2002 08:50:21 PM new
Mine used to be 10%, now with paypal and figuring in listing fees for no sales they are closer to 25%. Sad, but true.
posted on November 10, 2002 07:51:23 AM new
I have been selling on eBay for 5 years. Mine used to be around 8%. Now just over 6%. This year, I did some rethinking and brutal cutting of items from the product line I carry (now mostly sell unique items that I manufacture myself). My overall profit per sale has gone 'WAY up; unfortunately, my overall income is 'WAY down, as I am not moving as much product as I have in previous years. I can sell virtually everything I can make; I just need to find ways to make more.
