eBay - what do I need to know?

[Pouffealouffe]

I've listed something on eBay (a phone, so reasonably expensive but not brand new or anything). Now I have people contacting me offering to 'buy it now' or asking for my best price. I would rather just go through with the auction, but I'm very inexperienced at this so please can you share your tips? Any scams I should look out for? I'm accepting payment by PayPal only and sending via tracked delivery. Thanks!

[chickpeaburger]

It's very complicated IMO. I put something on with a reserve price and it wasn't sold. I still had to pay.

Their rules aren't very clear. Try gumtree

[Soubriquet]

Sometimes buy it now price is good because you can ask for a set amount and know that you can get it

With an auction there's a chance it could go very cheap

[chickpeaburger]

It's very complicated IMO. I put something on with a reserve price and it wasn't sold. I still had to pay.

Their rules aren't very clear. Try gumtree

[Soubriquet]

It's not that difficult

We've made £400 in 3 weeks with another £300 left to sell

[nauticant]

You should look on the Internet to work out how to identify the IMEI number for the particular model of phone you're selling. Find what it is and make a note of it. This might help you in the event of the swap scam (ie the buyer complains and returns to you a different phone).

[BrexitSucks]

What price did you start the auction at? This price should be your reserve. There will be no reserve fees to pay, doing things this way. On the current auction, If there are no bids, then you can revise the auction so that the start price is your minimum acceptable.

There are scammers but most people just want a straightforward purchase. Unless there is some reason you need the money faster, you probably want to wait for the auction to end.

Phones are notorious for problem sales, although not as bad as women's clothing.. but phones sell for more ££ so feels like more hassle. I myself would choose gumtree to sell a high spec phone.

[19lottie82]

TBH unless you know what you're doing and how to avoid scammers I would avoid selling a phone on eBay (unless it's a cheapish one), they're the number one item that attract people who know how to work the system to rip people off. As advised use gumtree and sell for cash instead.

If you insist the golden rules are.

1 - Take a note of the IMEI number of the phone and include a note of this in your listing. Also include a paragraph saying that scammers will not be tolerated.

2 - ALWAYS send the phone with proof of delivery and adequate insurance. Use parcel monkey for quotes from different couriers as Royal / Mail parcel force will be expensive

3 - don't send abroad

And in answer to your OPjust reply to messages and say sorry no buy it now but please feel free to bid

[Pouffealouffe]

Thanks everyone for the replies and the tips. I don't really want to use Gumtree for various reasons, so eBay does seem to be the best option. I understand that the money has to clear in PayPal before I send the phone out? I've also listed no returns and only domestic, tracked postage. Is there anything I should be wary of? What are the typical scams? Thanks and sorry for all the questions!

[Cakescakescakes]

See how much CEX will give you for the phone. They've always given good prices for tech stuff for me. eBay is a nightmare for phone selling scams eg you send yours out and the buyer says it is faulty and returns it, but the one they return isnt your actual phone or has had parts removed etc.

[Cakescakescakes]

And if the buyer says it is faulty etc then you'll have to accept a return regardless. Another scam is for them to say that the package they received was empty so if you really need to go ahead with eBay then make sure to take a photo of the weight of the package you send with the phone visible eg package on scales etc or post office receipt with weight showing.

[Pouffealouffe]

Hmm I'm getting a bit worried now... can I take down my listing if I want? And can I choose not to sell it to someone? I'm not experienced at this at all...

[19lottie82]

As long as there is more than 24 hours left, yes you can cancel the listing.

Essentially, yes you can choose not to sell it to the winning bidder BUT you will incur a defect on your eBay account and run the risk of negative feedback (i.e. It's not good eBay's practice).

[19lottie82]

As stated "no returns" is a useless statement in an eBay listing, it's really unenforceable.

[PutThatPomBearBack]

Tip 1. Avoid eBay altogether.

[Cakescakescakes]

Yes you can take it down if there is more than 24hts left and I think you have to have no bids either?

[nauticant]

I've also listed ... only domestic

Have you done this simply by stating it in the listing (this isn't sufficient) or have you gone properly into your account settings to exclude the relevant countries?

[OMGtwins]

I always say UK buyers only, tracked delivery, good feedback required, mediate payment required through PayPal only, will send only to confirmed address in PayPal. That and making a note of the IMEI should be enough to keep you safe.

Also, I never auction things, only list as Buy It Now at a price 10% less than the typical price the items sell for (search for your item and filter by Completed Listings to see these), with the Best Offer option (with an automatic decline of any offer below my reserve). I also list to finish at about half 9 on a Sunday, to catch more and/or tipsy people bidding ;)

[BrexitSucks]

I would filter by Sold Items, not Completed.
I list (buy-it-now) for a stupidly high price to start (compared to recent sale prices for similar item). Revise price down a little every 10 days or so.

Still agree that some kind of local cash sale off Ebay is a safer bet for phones.

[Pouffealouffe]

Thanks all, you've really put my off selling it on eBay! If I go down the Gumtree route, what should I know? I'm just a bit scared of meeting up with someone to exchange an expensive item...

[ImaLannister]

I have a phone to sell but I won't sell it on eBay. N I've been a seller for 10 years now on there. Mainly because things like that attract a lot of scammers. Because here's the thing, you post it signed for, they receive it. They can then lie n say not as described fir whatever reason blah blah. You then have to accept the return, they return you something of no value, tatty jumper or whatever. But they will send that signed for, and because eBay will be able to track that it got delivered to you there's nothing you can do about it n they then refund the buyer n they have ur phone.
I avoid selling any phones n things like that. Of course what I have said is pretty extreme, n most buyers won't do that. But any one in the know how or how to scam will be looking for phone sellers to target.

[ImaLannister]

The only thing to protect you from being money scammed on eBay with this would be cash on collection, NO PAYPAL. There would be no payment received in your PayPal so eBay can't refund. But that depends if your happy to do cash on collection.

[hellokittymania]

I tried to sell a few things on eBay, one thing was sold on a Saturday evening. I had trouble getting to the post office to send it and I didn't know how to send it. I sent a message to the lady who bought it and told her I didn't know what to do, and she walked me through it and was very patient. I still haven't figured out how to collect my money though!

[ImaLannister]

What do you mean haven't figured out how to get your money kitty? Do you need some help. There's a lot of experienced sellers on here including myself.

[ImaLannister]

Your money will be in your PayPal. You can withdraw funds to your bank account.