to ask you to explain Ebay

[Ebaygum]

and how anyone makes any money on it?

I'm trying to sell a couple of items on Ebay with no success. They are both nice things and in good condition. First time round I priced them what I thought was appropriately. Second time, I dropped price to 0.99 but still no one is interested!

The first time I sold something on Ebay I made a loss because I hadn't costed the postage properly. So this time I weighed them and worked it out - postage costs around £6.

Do you think this is the sticking point? Do people just expect free P & P?

I have a good description, several photos, its listed in the correct category; schedule auction to start/finish around 6.30pm (as I'd heard was best to do at end of day).

What am I doing wrong? Can anyone help me with Tips please?

(I read these stories about people who make lots of extra money on ebay and I just don't get it. I can't sell anything!)

I often sell on e bay (but buy more often), to be honest, the only things that sell for decent money are labels - which can often go for a decent amount. Depends what is currently popular. More everyday things often don't sell or just sell for 99p but that is still 99p you wouldn't have had. Photos are very important and you seem to have the rightish time. You must make sure you check postage first but the small parcel rate goes up to quite a decent weight if it is clothes you are selling. In my experience people certainly don't expect free postage. It does help once you get your ratings up. People more likely to buy from you. Good luck. It can be great fun.

Is it clothing that you're selling?

As long as it fits into a 'small parcel' size I don't think it's done on weight. I've sold a few clothing items recently and it's just £2.90 for second class.

I've had a lot of things go unsold even though they are in good condition/good price. I just relist a few times and if they don't sell accept defeat

If it's not clothing or it's particularly heavy I might be wrong re postage.

You could try gumtree for non-clothing items

Depending on the item sometimes when you factor in postage you'd be cheaper to go the shops yourself or get a new one delivered from amazon for free, so ebay is false economy - i'm thinking, kids clothes, toys, books, games etc.

Make sure you title the item using all possible search terms including size, brand, style. For example: Girls Top Tshirt Shirt age 3-4 red pink spring summer floral Next.

I tend always start at 99p to sell clothes in bundles e.g 6 pairs of shorts, 6 tshirts, 6 trousers etc. single items don't seem to sell as well unless designer or new. I always put in my lisitng 'from a smoke and pet free home, please look at my other items as i can combine postage'

Are you getting views?
The problem with Ebay is that since they changed the search engine a few years ago the whole thing has changed. If you haven't sold anything in a while your items are lost in the bottom of the search.
It is suggested to try to sell some cheap items that people will buy and build up your selling in order to be able to sell the things that you want to sell. It is a pain.
Or you could try selling on Ebid, the forums there are very comprehensive if you need advice.

I find if I sell anything that is American Apparel, Topshop, Urban Outfitters, etc it will sell and usually at an alright price.

I've tried to sell some gorgeous hand knitted (not by me) things and good baby bundles but just have no luck at all.

But yeah I don't really use it to make money, it's more to just clear out. If whatever I've listed doesn't sell first time then I take it down to the charity shop.

I used to work for them and a lot of it is about brands and brand partnerships - if you're just selling stuff that isn't a proper brand, they're less likely to make you money.

What are you selling?

Shoes and a collection of chic lit books (as a job lot)

I have managed to sell 2 Radley bags and a pair of Dr Martens for over 50 quid each but a pair of brand new Nike trainers (sporty rather than fashion) and a leather jacket haven't sold. It needs to be a desirable item and new or nearly new IME.

I buy a lot of shoes on eBay so if yours are in good condition and priced correctly, I'm surprised they aren't selling.

Books I can't see selling so well, not generic chick lit ones anyway. Do people still read books I thought most people had some form of eReader these days?

Newish books are dire on ebay because the big traders sell them all at a price that it would cost more for us to send! It is worth listing older books, particularly non-fiction, as they tend to sell for higher amounts.

How often do you relist stuff?

Is the rule that if it doesn't sell first time round, it won't sell? Or is it worth persisting? Or if you are relisting do you need to change something (P&P cost for example?)

^ Anyone??? Do people bother to keep relisting?

I use the eBay app to sell so I relist on there a few times because it is literally just a click of a button so it's really easy. Doesn't always mean it will sell though but a few things have sold on the second go.

My sister has recently introduced me to Depop, an app where you buy and sell clothes. I haven't listed anything yet but she's bought and sold a few things now. Might be better for the shoes you're trying to sell.

I would never ever pay more than 2.90 postage - 3.90 signed for if it was something valuable.

We charge what it costs to post. I don't understand why paying 5 pounds for something quality but heavy would put people off as long as the OVERALL price they pay is cheaper than going elsewhere.

We sell loads of stuff but wouldn't list books - they do better at car boot sales - as too heavy and therefore too expensive.

We certainly always look to see what similar items have made (and postage costs) - not just want people have asked..

I agree with other posters that getting your rating up is key to prove your authenticity.

I sell lots on eBay

Clothing / shoes / kids clothes

I only do Buy it Now with best offer

Clothing needs to be good brands
Well photographed ( I use my iPhone and the app) so against a white wall etc
I also have a little half body mannequin I bought on eBay for around £9 to put my clothes on

I only sell things that are virtually pristine , so I wear things a few times then sell in and use money to buy other things .

Use the full 12 photo entitlement
Describe everything in full
Use every single word available in your title so instead of Toast Silk Kaftan
Use " Toast 12 Silk Kaftan pink Embroidered Floaty pop over beach "
Etc

Supermarket and low end high street do not sell in my experience
I bag these up and charity shop them

Standard Royal Mail second class parcel is £2.90 this covers majority of clothing or shoes ( up to 2kg).

Sorry last thing v important /useful ,definitely check completed and sold listings to give u a ballpark idea of sales price and also if there are any sales or demand for that item

6:30pm: people are eating tea! That's a lousy finish time. Try 8:30pm, if you MUST auction at all.

There is no such thing as "free" Postage, no matter whether Ebay uses that word or not.

I tend to suggest check sold listings for most similar items, list for the median price people paid previously for the same thing (inclusive of postage, tick the "free postage" box so you don't have hassle of someone quibbling later), and list it as Buy-it-Now (30 day listing). If you will end up with less than £1 profit after Ebay fees, then take it to charity shop, instead.

I hate auctions. Who the F wants to bid & wait to see if you won? I only purchase BIN items.

finalfeecalc.co.uk/

This is a really great tool I use to calculate my profit on something

You can find out whether something will sell and how much for by doing an "Advanced Search".
IMO some things aren't worth buying on Ebay because of the P&P and I could get it cheaper in a charity shop or other local shop.
Also (this might be obvious but) it needs to be something people are looking to buy I collect a series of books and when a "job lot" came up I sold the duplicates well. Job lots of toddler clothes always sell well -I always end up in a bidding war when I want some.

I have had some success with listing the item as buy it now for the price im after including postage, so it then looks like £19.99 with free postage. I set it to continue until sold and people buy when they're ready. The model doesn't work for everyone having to wait til a specific time at the end of am auction.

Can't be doing with eBay faff anymore! I sell things on Facebook marketplace. Free and so much more straight forward!