New to SELLING on ebay -- any advice???

rosee

Hello fair ladies!

I've been buying on ebay for years but I have never sold anything. I was thinking on selling mostly clothes, some shoes (some other stuff) on the site. Have you any advice about the best strategies to approach this?

One thing I worry about is that shipping costs from Canada might be a deterent, and if posts from Canada will be on the US ebay site (I'm thinking of listing on ebay.com not ebay.ca, but I don't know how much overlap there is). How much money does one need to have ready for shipping costs prior to selling (b/c I know you don't get paid until delivery so you have to upfront the shipping costs)?

Any and all advice appreciated and thanks!
(hello Rae and Mo, looking forward to your responses, among others of course)

14 years ago

Shopping

7 replies

Latest reply was from rosee

(website)

Veteran

I have only sold a few things but the shipping cost is included in the total price the buyer pays. So it will hinder you from Ca I think Another option is to do free shipping and just up your price of the item to cover what shipping will be. I'm new to it, as well, so Rae is probably a better resource for answers. Good luck!

14 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

- Take the best possible pictures.
- Describe the item in fun but totally honest terms.
- Research how much similar items are selling for.

Posts from Canada do show up on the US site; you can select which countries you can ship for, and that including the US.

You *do* get paid well before delivery. Never ship until you get payment, and always use delivery confirmation! Canada, like the US, may offer flat rate domestic or international shipping options, so check that out and use that as a bar.

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

Thanks very much Mo and IK! very helpful! I agree with the great pics b/c that really helps when I shop (mind you, my favorite purchase so far had not too great pics and it turned out really great). Do you know if it costs extra to post several large pics? What is the maximum limit they give you without charging extra? (some items may not be worth the extra expense).

Anybody else?

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

le bump

14 years ago

Diana

Veteran

A blogger that I read and like, Cynthia, just posted her guide to selling on ebay, which I thought had a lot of good tips.

http://www.befabulousdaily.us/.....es-on-ebay

I've had mixed luck myself selling on ebay. I think there are certain brands (like Anthropologie or Fluevog for example) that sell a lot better than others and these days I'll only list things that have a decent chance of being sold at a decent price, otherwise I don't think it's worth the hassle. In my opinion, it's not worth selling on ebay if I don't think i'll get at least $10 back after fees and shipping. I get less from the consignment shop but it's a whole lot easier.

14 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I have bought and sold extensively on ebay. Do lots of research first to see if it's worth it. Advance search like items for completed sales to see what sold, what the starting bid was and what they charged for shipping. Ebay now charges fees on shipping so those who used to sell $1 items with $20 shipping must pay for that. Shoes are weighty so cost to ship, a postal scale is key if you will be doing a lot of selling. You can either charge exact shipping (put in the weight) or an estimate and take a chance you'll make a few cents or lose a few dollars. It's a lot of work to take photos, post them, answer questions, track down payments, package, ship and post feedback. If you have a decent consignment store and not a lot of extra time that is the way to go. You pay to post, you pay a % of your sale and shipping and in the end only the buyer can leave negative feedback now. It's gotten much worse than it was.

14 years ago

rosee

Veteran

Thanks again Diana and JjSloane -- great advice. I have checked out the link -- brilliant!

14 years ago

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