Ebay 101

[KatyPeary]

Is there an ebay 101 thread? Or can someone talk me through what/how to sell on ebay? Apologies if this has been done 100 times.

I have some clothes, a few fancy items (designer dresses worn once and the like) and then some BNWT stuff, that I would like to sell.

Is it worth it? Is it too much hassle?
So, say with my designer stuff, can I put a decent reserve on it, or does that put off buyers? Or am I obliged to sell no matter what offer I receive?
How do I get the best price?
Really basic I know, but can I do this on an app?

Do I mail items as 'signed for' post or ordinary mail?

I know this is basic to most of you but I really haven't a clue.

[momb]

First: always post tracked: otherwise if a buyer denies receipt then you don't have a leg to stand on and ebay will refund so you lose everything.
Second, yes, you can set a realistic reserve, but often it's easier to just set a start price in the region of the minimum you would accept, as setting a reserve costs more.
It is hassle but is worth it just to clear out the cupboards on occasion: you get less hassle on FB selling pages so try those too (no fees). Remember if you sell via Ebay you must honour so don't sell on ebay and elsewhere simultaneously, try FB first then ebay..
To get best price describe accurately but with positive language, use good quality well lit photos, and finish at a time of day when your target market will be online (not 3am for example).

[lurkingaround]

Thanks so much.
I don't like facebook (I'm nearly ancient) but i do have an account so I will take a look at some selling pages.

[KatyPeary]

I really need to make sure I've stated the correct postage, don't I?

I thought if I sold on Ebay (rather than Facebook) I might get better prices, esp for the designer stuff. Am I wrong?

I really need a wardrobe clear out.
Thanks for replies

[glammanana]

Remember to stick with the seasons lots of things are selling well at present due to that bit of sunshine we are having,I would market your good designer stuff in Special Occasion wear ie.Weddings etc they always get good prices,last year I resold a suit for double what I paid for it on ebay after my sons wedding,always pack your items nicely I invest in tissue paper for all my items nothing worse than getting an item stuffed into a plastic bag (I have received this-awful).Keep a check on feedback from buyers and if you don't feel their feedback is good swerve them if you can.My hermes is a good courior their tracking costs are included in their price which are very good.Best of Luck selling x

[KatyPeary]

Oh there's an 'occasion wear' section? See how much I know. I thought it was just 'fling it up on womenswear'.
In the title I presume I put the designer's name, the item, the size. So e.g. Armani dress, size 12, to get all the people searching for that designer/item?

[glammanana]

Do your title like this,: Ladies dress by Armani size 10,then scroll futher down and your give the more indepth measurements ie arm pit to arm pit/length/material etc.The more info the less chance you get of someone saying they don't like it when it arrives,also be aware some comedians think they can wear a dress and then send it back but thankfully it doesn't happen often so take special care with your top of the range stuff. x

[robin64]

First go to advanced search in top corner and search similar items to yours but click the "sold" box underneath. This way you can research good listings and the prices items sold for. This will give you a realistic idea and show you how people list. Use the best photos you can with a plain background.
List all measurements. Send signed for royal mail or courier if you prefer. I just use RM mainly because 1st class usually gets there next day. Items worth over £50 you need to send special delivery if you want to cover them. Signed for overseas will probably be at least £10 postage so charge the right price.

I buy good quality tissue and mailbags on ebay. Start your items at a minimum you would be happy to get and fingers crossed for more. Don't bother with a reserve - you pay for this and might as well just start your auction at the right price.

Send promptly and leave fb after you have received it. As a private seller you can opt out of returns on your listing (can help put people off returning for no reason) but in reality if there is an issue you will need to refund after receiving item back. Ask here if there is any specific help you want to sell your items and good luck.

[KatyPeary]

Thanks. That's all so helpful. I will (hopefully) take photos tomorrow, figure out how much postage is, have a look around, set my price and make my ad. Woohoo!

[Cherryapple1]

List as buy it now with best offer and free p&p. Then you guarantee what price you will achieve. I send everything Hermes for under £3. Link Hermes to eBay and it adds the tracking to the listing for you. RM don't often bother with a signature I find.

Waiting to leave feedback is pretty pointless tbh. And don't state no returns on your listing - means nothing and makes you look obstructive.

[AnulTheMagnificent]

You can sell on Buy It Now and set it to immediate payment only if you know what you want for it. This will reduce the amount of time you have to wait for payment to zero, unless you get paid by an echeque, in which case do not post until it has cleared.

Check your settings in 'My Ebay' and set them as tightly as you can.

[AnulTheMagnificent]

If you use Hermes you will need to adjust your postage times to avoid low star ratings for slow postage, it takes a few days longer to arrive, so if you set it at say 4 days dispatch time, buyer cannot open a case until the estimated delivery time so it gives a bit longer.

I only Royal Mail because they do give the best service. You can check online for track and trace to see if there is a signature on signed for items, and if not phone and ask them to update the site. Often items that have 'not arrived' will miraculously appear with a neighbour if you say you have the signature confirmed.

I am a private seller and I have the 'no returns selected' because I really don't want the stuff back for change of mind. If there is a problem I manage to sort it out by asking people to communicate before opening a case. I measure everything, photograph it with the tape measure in place so it shows in the top of the listing, people don't always see the actual description if using a phone.

[robin64]

I agree with Anul. I changed my setting to no returns and have never had a problem - doesn't look obstructive and I get less hassle than I used to with returns for no reason. Of course I would accept returns if there was a genuine reason. Plus I offer to give my photos should buyer want to relist due to change of mind or fit (has never happened)
Like Anul I don't want returns for change of mind - it's a pain and I have had people return clothes they have worn (yuk!)

I prefer RM for speed of delivery (keeps stars high) and use Hermes only for larger items. However I only charge normal RM 1st class £3.50 and cover the extra signed for bit myself as it is as much for my peace of mind and ebay stats. I now upload the tracking number asap too as that gives you auto good stars for delivery time. I tried free P&P but felt it was too much to lose out on unless a really good price for the item so I now charge reasonable P&P and it works fine for me.

Ebay is very much a personal thing and you work out your own preferred methods - some people do brilliantly with 99p starts but I find them too risky. I use a mix of auction & BIN and sometimes add best offer but not alway. Some MNers like couriers better, some like RM. It is what works for you. Best advice is always send tracked, take the best photos you can, measure up and consider when your auctions will end (eg not when everyone is ogling Poldark!!!)

[AnulTheMagnificent]

Robin, you sell like me - been doing it for a long time and battled all the changes and 'improvements', this new system is beating me though, it is not fun any more.

However, I charge for 2nd class Royal Mail and often post 1st class. I tend not to use recorded unless there is something I feel I need to be careful about - multiple occupancy addresses for instance, and if I am unsure I Google it on streetview. I also pop small items into the post box and find that they arrive much faster.

If an item will fit through a normal letterbox I only send recorded as above or if it sells for a good price, it means the buyer gets their widget faster if they are out, and they don't have to arrange re-delivery. If it is bulky then that is different as it could be left outside, with a neighbour, taken back to the delivery office and a card is not always left so I check online for a signature.

I start auctions at the minimum price I hope to achieve. I use a lot more BINs these days, it stops the non-payers. Reserves are a waste of money, it is an extra fee to pay.

Free P&P isn't free, it is inclusive - I use it quite a bit, adjust the start price to include it.

I have a lot of stuff to clear, hence not wanting things back (no returns) and am letting it go for less than would have done at one time because the alternative is to give it away.

Designer items I tend to take to a dress agency, they charge a percentage of what it sells for but to me it is less trouble than some of the buyers.

[Fifis25StottieCakes]

I will only buy off sellers on ebay using Royal Mail as i have had so much hassle with Yodel, i can't be bothered to message people when it says courier as sometimes i have done this and it has taken days for them to reply.

Im a complete technophobe but 2 xmas's ago whilst out of work i had a massive clear out and made over £500 for the kids xmas presents, stuff i never thought would sell went for more than i expected. I used my kitchen scales and Royal Mail 2nd class but would send first class sometimes if i got more than i was expecting, used the post box at the end of street or if a bigger item, wait till i had a few finishing at the same time and nip them down the post office, i sold a load of books and kids clothes. Thinking about doing it this year as well.