Does anyone sell on Ebay? - YouLookFab Forum

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Does anyone sell on Ebay?

claire

I think I'm almost done with purging. I've donated a LOT, to local charities, womens shelters, Dress for Success and I've consigned a few higher end pieces. Last year I consigned quite a bit to some local consignment stores but I wasnt very happy with them. I'm now left with a few things that are too good to donate and I don't want to consign, so I thought I might give ebay a try.

Does anyone have any experience selling on ebay, and is it worth it? I'm in canada, so there may be an additional hassle of selling from here. Any suggestions or advice?

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15 replies

Latest reply was from BethL

ironkurtin

Veteran

Yes, there are a number of threads on this if you look. eBay can be a big hassle, so it's just a question of return on effort. You may make more, but in the end only you can decide what your time is worth.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Mailed something off just today. It can be a long haul of weeks upon weeks where nothing sells, and you can get buyers who don't pay (had both) but also it's fun to get $$$ for things you don't want anymore.

claire

IK, I have loads of time on my hands right now, so I guess this is the time to try it!

Mo, do you have recourse when someone doesn't pay, or do you wait to send the item until you've received payment?

Ebay sounds complicated, but other than consignment there doesn't seem to be any other options...

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I sell on eBay, and I think I can answer a few of your questions, Crackers...

There is no sending the item until you get paid - eBay doesn't even prompt you to print a shipping label until the buyer pays. (You do have the option to go to the Post Office, but I think eBay gets you a USPS discount + a tracking number, which is useful).

If the buyer hasn't paid within 4 days of purchase, it automatically goes to an unpaid item status, and eBay - to the best of my knowledge - haunts the buyer until they pay. After x amount of days (I think it's 30), eBay will relist your item for you, and the buyer who 'defaulted' gets a strike on their record.

I have had two instances of this happening when I first started, and then I learned I can set buyer restrictions: if someone has had two unpaid item cases in the past twelve months, they can't bid on my stuff. I also don't allow anyone who doesn't have a Paypal account to bid, as I am not set up to take credit cards!

I probably don't get as many bidders this way - but the stuff that I do sell, I get paid for in a timely, stress-free manner. I price my items at the minimum that I am willing to take for the item (as opposed to just donating or giving it to a friend or family member). I usually get my minimum, not usually more than that. As Mo says, there are stretches of nothing selling, then I will have a bunch of stuff sell in a short span of days.

Marley

Veteran

I sell on EBay all of the time - seriously - it's part of DH's and my business. LBD (above) has pretty much described the way that it works. I find it to be quite easy and pain-free - much more than other sites that I've sold on.

claire

LBD, that's really helpful and makes a lot of sense, thank you! That gives me a lot to get started on.

Marley, thanks. I guess I just have to jump in and see how it goes.

Anything new is daunting for me because of my brain injury, I tend to get overwhelmed very easily but I really don't want to just donate what I have left and would love to get some money back to help with the clothing budget for fall/winter.

Gigi

Veteran

Crackers, perhaps you could have a friend come and help you with listing the items on eBay. I got a couple of items ready for listing on eBay with the help of a friend. It was nice because I could let her navigate the site to get answers to my questions (like what happens if a buyer doesn't pay, etc.), so it wasn't such hard work for me. Also, they do have a number you can call to talk to a human if you can't figure things out.

I would just take things really slowly. Maybe just do a few items each day? If you know you start getting spacey or headachy after half an hour, set a timer for 30 minutes and then take a break so you don't get overwhelmed. That helps me a lot. You could measure your garments ahead of time, before your friend comes, or maybe your friend would be able to do that for you.

claire

Gigi, great suggestions (as usual from one who knows!). You're right about taking it slow, the timer is a such a good idea, I always forget and do too much. I think starting with one at a time is a good plan... Thanks!

Deborah

Veteran

I sell quite regularly on Ebay. I find it very straight forward and to date my selling experiences have been positive. I only accept paypal payments. Initially it was a bit confusing but once you get the hang of it, it's fine. I have the app on my iPad and generally take my photos and post an item in around 20 mins:). I sell things I have finished with and I also buy second hand designer pieces to sell. My DH helped me set up my account, my paypal and ran me through it all. that was really helpful as I would have struggled navigating it all on my own. I totally recommend it as as an easy way to make some money back on tags you no longer want. Good luck.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Another alternative is to use Twice. It's easier, but maybe not as profitable. They send you a bag, you fill it with approved brands and mail it in for free. They give you an offer before the clothes even sell. Don't expect big $$. But it's better than giving away for free! liketwice.com/JZDkj

claire

Thanks Deborah, good idea, I'm going to wrangle DH to help me get set up on paypal and get started. If I can do it all on my iPad that makes it easier right away, I'll go download the app.

Mo, thanks, I looked at Twice but it looks like they take more of the clothes that I already donated, gap, br, loft, etc. What I have left that I was are some premium denim, purses (matt n natt, coach, roots), sweaters like Free People and some Fryes and Danskos, all barely used or very gently used, so I think they might be worth trying to sell?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Got it. One thing I found as an easy start for eBay selling was to look up an item like the one I want to sell, and click on the link under the picture that prompts you to sell one like it.

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claire

Mo, I never noticed that button! (how could I have not seen that before?!).

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Heeeeeey... I never noticed that button, either!

BethL

(website)

Veteran

Mo, thanks so very much for the link for Twice. I have a ton of stuff that's headed for Goodwill. I think I'll go through it one more time, and pull some things to send to Twice. I wouldn't mind getting some money back, even if it's just a few dollars.

I'm taking notes on EBay, too. Thanks, everyone!