So far, eBay has been a mixed bag for me! Most feedback I received has been positive, but there were a few negatives
. Can’t please everyone, I guess. Sometimes it is not worth the stress it causes, other times it gives more of a reward than expected – like with hot toys, broken electronics and name brand items. This is not meant to be a comprehensive how-to, but rather a short “go get ‘em” article to sink your teeth into.
eBay never ceases to tickle and tease with delight and wonder! Things you think will make money sometimes just won’t. Like for example, some jewelry, antiques and computer parts.
However, bring on a pair of old jeans, name-brand clothes (new or used), and broken electronics, now you’re talking cash!
Some Items you buy on eBay you will want to unload right away; it’s just a fact of life. Like the time I had a pair of Skecher’s roller skates. I decided they weren’t for me and I would be happy just to regain the money I spent on them. Well, I did just that plus a cool $30 cold, hard cash! All this and I still have my day job!
For those of you around who are curious as to how it’s done, come dip your toe in the water! Everyone has his or her talents. You may not even discover your sales or writing skills until the first time you write your item description on eBay. If you are shy, this is a great place to let yourself be heard. It is usually much easier to put something in writing than to actually sell it face to face.
If you need money for something, go easy on yourself! Consider selling your stuff on eBay rather than taking out a loan or using a credit card. Start with your household items. Think twice before hauling that stuff around your house off to charity, it could put some immediate cash in your pocket! If you are in the minority and don’t have stuff lying around your house, scour rummage sales and buy (for cheap) what’s selling on eBay! You can also put your baking talents to good use. People are always on the hunt for goodies! Or, if you have a talent such as making baskets, gift bags, scrapbooks, sewing, poetry, calligraphy, well, then the sky’s the limit for you! There’s no end to what you could dream up to sell! Take stock of what you like to do.
If you are not that computer savvy, that is perfectly acceptable. However, you should have a computer so you can monitor the entire goings on of your cyber rummage sale.
Do spell everything out for your buyers, including shipping charges. Check out other listings that are similar to yours for pricing and description ideas.
If you do take the plunge and sell, start low, and don’t charge too much for shipping, either. People will not bid if they feel ripped off. You should know eBay generally beats a rummage any day of the week, unless you’re doing a rummage for social reasons. You can find exactly what you need, the size or amount and some unusual things and bargains without running all over town and wasting your time and gas!
There are a lot of nice people on eBay, but like anywhere, there are the not so nice as well. And, there are large companies that sell in bulk. I try to avoid these types of venues, as you are a “number.”
I haven’t lost a lot of dough, under $100 total. I also have not had problems with Paypal or fraud as you hear so often. This summer, I did have my account suspended after my son clicked on the “buy it now” for a pricey item, but I challenged the strike I received and they reversed it and my account was restored after a few weeks. I was persistent, I might add. I googled “eBay suspension” until I was bleary eyed most days! After 6 years and with 450+ feedbacks, I didn’t just want to let my account fall to the bottom of the ocean!
I have not bought a big-ticket item, such as a car. But, I am happy to tell say someone I know bought a car for under $5,000 from someone who was 500 miles away from him without incident. He is pleased with his purchase and after doing research feels he could not have done this in the local paper or on a used car lot. As always, proceed with caution. They even have a rental/real estate side to eBay, which would be worth checking out.
You do not need credit, a bank, a checking account/credit card, or even to use Paypal to be on eBay. There are other options for payment. You decide how you want to proceed. If you are buying, check the listing to make sure you can pay the shipping and are in agreement with the payment methods the seller offers. If you like things simple and are selling, just have them send you a check, or do local pickup only for larger and delicate items. It’s all up to you!
Don’t be afraid of Paypal! Explore their site www.paypal.com. Paypal can give you a debit card, something you can use just like a credit card both off and on the Internet, and you can receive a cash rebate each time you use it! Not a bad deal!
There is a fee for Paypal, in addition to fees for selling on eBay so be sure you know what they are before you start. There is always a small listing fee, which varies from the price you initially set for your item. You will also get hit with a final value fee on your item once it does sell. Naturally, eBay would want a piece of your action, which is usually a percentage of what the item sold for. If it doesn’t sell, they will give you a chance to re-list the item and then if it sells you may escape having to pay the additional listing fee. Don’t get too excited, you won’t get rich; it’s probably less than a buck!
There are other sites, such as westernunion.com, bidpay.com and c2it.com that will handle all the financial hassle for you, as well. Their fees vary, so hop on their sites and double check before you sign with them.
Ship the items out to your buyer quickly. This builds goodwill between you and your fellow eBay inhabitants. I frequently patronize the US Post Office to ship my packages, always making sure they are well wrapped. In case the shipping service plays Frisbee with their item, please encourage them to purchase insurance or include it in the cost of shipping. Again, spell this out in your listing. I’ve gotten nailed with negative feedback when some of my shipments went missing even when buyers opted not to spend the extra buck to insure their precious items!
I re-use envelopes and boxes I get from my purchases. I purchase packing tape in bulk and make my own labels or write on the package itself. You can also print labels out from shipping services or Paypal. Don’t have boxes? Don’t fret because the post office has you covered with priority mail packaging for your use. The other shipping companies, FedEx and UPS also have supplies. If you live near a drop box or store/outlet, you can check them out. You can also set up an online account with any of these with ease.
Good communication is important in life and eBay! You will be rated well if you email, even only once to your buyer. Treat them like someone you know, like a customer, friend, and pal, whatever. Just be nice! If things don’t go right, be sure to ask them to help you work it out. Do not resort to negative feedback because that will close off all negotiations. Only do that if you have no other outlets.
What about those non-paying bidders, you ask? Well, goes without saying – I dislike them. Not much you can do except report them to eBay and try to get your final value fee reimbursed. This happens after 7 days of silence from your reluctant buyer. Sometimes this actually works in your favor as the item can be relisted & sells higher. You can also block those non-paying User ID’s so they do not come back and haunt you again!
I do enjoy my overseas bidders, as they are extremely polite. You’re selling them something they either can’t or don’t want to get in their part of the world. You do not, of course, have to sell internationally and are able to limit countries where you do sell. It’s a good idea to spell out where you will and won’t ship and how much you will hit their wallets for. I have them checkout with Paypal and then ship the item to them. In the post office, you will need to fill out a short form for the friendly neighborhood customs service.
So what are you waiting for? The time for action is now! Get on eBay at www.eBay.com and starting making some cash for you and your family and getting some great stuff! It’s also an awesome place fulfill your dream of being your own boss!
