Just converted to Ebay and was ever so excited at the prospect of selling loadsa stuff. Than I came on here...

[EdieMcredie]

...And it's nothing but horror stories!!!


Do I take my stuff off???

Is that possible???

Are there any positive stories?

HELP!

[FAQ]

I've been using ebay for nearly 7yrs now (not constantly - have "spurts" of selling stuff then don't use it for months on end). Have almost exclusively good experiences both buying and selling.

[smeeinit]

oh blimey!
dont panic!
ive sold loads on ebay and bought loads......no problems.
just sell away and get some extra pennies!

[EdieMcredie]

Oh good. God it was really starting to concern me.

Going to sound stupid but not sure I have worked it all out yet...What is the best way to accept payment for bigger items? Am selling a bed and a sewing machine, collection in person only and I want to make sure I don't get ripped off if/when they buy...cash is surely just as dodgy as Paypal...

[smeeinit]

i always ask for cash on collection for pick up only items.
paypal isnt dodgy is it????? always had good experiences and not heard of any bad ones.....

[frogs]

What FAQ said. I like ebay, though when I first started ebaying an old-time ebaying Mner posted "remember that the intellectual level of ebayers is rather variable". I have found this to be true -- no matter how large the letters in which you state your precise location in the text of the auction, you can guarantee that someone will email you and say 'whereabouts are you?' The more stupid questions people ask, the less likely they are to actually bid, ime.

For pickup in person items I'd take cash on collection only, though this is arguably against ebay rules now that you have to offer paypal, grrr. It's also worth adjusting your settings to block bidders with low feedback scores and bidders in countries you're not prepared to send to.

And state in your listing and in the ebay invoice you send out when you want the item picked up by I usually say 'please make contact within 24 hours of the auction ending to arrange collection' or some such. Also make it clear in the listing whether your item will fit in a normal family car or require eg. a van. We sold a dismantled shed last year and the original winning bidder hadn't really thought about how she was going to transport the item doh.

[EdieMcredie]

There are some stories here of people taking the money back from Paypal once they have the goods...so they have what you have given them plus the money for it too and you have nothing. Not sure how true this is but don't want to find out IYSWIM. Cash I guess and get them to sign a receipt...

[EdieMcredie]

Thanks Frogs that's great advice.

PML about the intelligence factor-Ill remember this!!

[frogs]

Also, if you ever try to sell techy stuff (phones or old laptop etc) you will get peculiar emails from strange ebayers in faraway countries. Ignore, they are either weirdos or scammers. Ditto people who email you wrt to some item that you don't have up for auction or haven't bid on.

There are also paypal-based phishing scams, so don't reply to any email purporting to be from paypal and asking for your personal details.

Happy ebaying -- it is very satisfying when it works (can you tell I'm still basking in the glow of having sold a large bagful of my 4yo dd2's outgrown clothes, mostly not bought new anyway, for northwards of £100.

[EdieMcredie]

Oh that's fantastic-what a nice feeling! I have some people watching my bed and it still has 6 days to go, I take it that's quite a good sign??

[Flossish]

hello edie! Your dd looks gorgeous!

I've had mostly really good experiences on there - just be extra cautious when selling more valuable items about people bidding with no feedback or asking you to send to nigeria (ie don't do it!). hope you are well!

[EdieMcredie]

Thankyou! Very sweet of you to say. Do I know you from another thread?

Will remember this too, im glad to be getting all this good advice!

[Flossish]

we had our babies the same time - was flossalump sorry!!

[EdieMcredie]

Arr I did wonder if that was you! How is your LO?

[bubblerock]

Don't be afraid to offer postage on large items under 30kg - postage is only around £7 with couriers like PPW - they collect same day and are very good. It will open items like your sewing machine up to more bidders!

[Philpot]

I just got well and truly scammed by someone selling biits, lied about size and condition, went on ebay to try and sort out a return and she had de-registered. Have emailed her but no response. Am fuming. Anyone ever tried redress via paypal? Especially cross as the boots wiped out profit from stuff I'd been selling.

Also, does anyone ever suspect that auction prices are being bumped up by the seller somehow? Or am I just being very paranoid as a result of being done over?

[DforDiva]

hi edie, you will have some bad and good experience. be careful to post abroad, as many people will claim not received, specially, bulgaria, ukraine, estonia etc... countries. do not respond any email unless it has got your full name as resigstered on ebay or paypal. make sure you keep buyers aupdated when payment received and goods posted etc...
frogs, just wondering if it was you selling 3-4 designer bundle and boden green velvet dress this week. i was watching boden dress but forgot, i often buy new stuff for bargain price

[EachPeachPearMum]

Haha- I was watching that green dress too! Thought it may be a mner

I have had (thankfully) positive experiences selling- only really done 2 lots, but made a decent return.
Buying again mostly positive, but there seem to be a LOT of very new sellers who have no idea of what constitutes good (or even Very good) condition! Items arriving with stains or cat hairs all over, despite me emailing questions about condition of item. As a buyer I find you ALWAYS need to ask if it is a smoke-free home otherwise you may have a nasty surprise. A lot of the new sellers seem to have extremely unrealistic price expectations too- starting prices so high that by the time you've added the postage, you could buy the item brand new I think they will be very disappointed.
If you are pricing realistically and not overcharging your postage, I think you could do well.
There does seem to be quite a lot of crud on there at the moment.

GL with your selling!

[Flossish]

She is good thank you. Had a few days at mum's where she was threatening to become a complete drama queen but seems more settled at home (for now....) she's one next week! I'm guessing your DD must be one already?

[EdieMcredie]

Yes she was one last week-doesn't time fly?? Were we on a conception thread or post natal? I do remember you well but have joined so many threads I can't remember where from!!

Thanks for all advice. Am getting myself in a state wondering if im going to remember it all.

The small bits I haven't put on recorded delivery-Is it too late to change now??!!

Bubblerock-How do I go about this??

[EdieMcredie]

OMG-Just setting up PayPal and it's asking for direct debit instruction-what is this for??!!!

[EdieMcredie]

Anyone?

[aintnosaint]

I run my own website and sell off all my end of line stock on ebay to clear the decks for new stock.

It's not all bad and I've made a tidy profit from some of it even after all the ebay & paypal fee's

I set my buyer requirements to that that I feel comfortable with. I will not on any occasion send anything to Italy (It never arrives)

I don't have a problem with new buyers, we all have to start off somewhere but I have my settings to not allow anyone to bid that has had 2 unpaid strikes in the past 12 months. I send everything recorded now as the increase in non received items was getting ridiculous.

The majority of buyers are fab but theres always the ones that will try it on for a freebie or a refund (the downside of paypal I'm afraid)

Proof of posting is not considered proof of receipt as far as paypal is concerned so without online tracking to prove delivery any seller will lose an INR claim and will have to refund buyer regardless.

Keep your wits about you, go with your gut, and try to protect yourself from the scammers and freebie hunters and you'll be fine.

Good luck with your sales x

[aintnosaint]

Unfortunately getting a signed receipt that the item/s have been collected will cut no ice at all if buyer has paid via paypal. No proof of = delivery seller loses

Philpot - if the item you purchased was not as described etc put a claim in through paypal, you will unfortunately have to pay to return by recordable means and be able to prove so to paypal though to get a refund.

There are some stories here of people taking the money back from Paypal once they have the goods...so they have what you have given them plus the money for it too and you have nothing. Not sure how true this is

This is very true, I've had it done to me plenty of times, thats why I now send everything recorded to deter it. Some are even that hard faced they will even email you to thank you and gloat about getting a freebie

[EdieMcredie]

I sold some of my items!

Well I specified on invoices that p and p would be £4.20-parcel deliverey. But I think I will send recorded, despite being a bit out of pocket.