Selling on eBay

[cakeycakeface]

I've seen a few comments on MN that don't seem to have a high regard for selling on eBay. I last sold something on there about ten years ago without any issues. I was planning to do a huge clear-out and try again, but would like to know if eBay has developed into something less useful since I last used it. Please tell me your thoughts on using eBay.

[lljkk]

You need to provide a professional service, imagine what service you'd like from M&S online, for instance. Be scrupulously honest about how much you have used things & how worn they are.

Women's clothes are considered the nightmare items that buyers moan about & pay a pittance for. If you must sell women's clothes, give every measurement you can & be painfully honest about every single sign of wear.

Buy it now is better than auctions (more attractive, gets better prices).

Research what similar items have sold for (use advanced search/Sold option).

Only list for a price you can bear to see it go for. With Buy It Now, I often list for 30 days for what I think is a stupid high price. Then relist a bit lower the next time (if it hasn't sold), etc.

I list stuff with postage costs included so buyers can't moan about that. You need to research best cost options so that your list price gives you a profit & pays for Ebay fees (14%) & covers delivery charge.

YOU are responsible if item doesn't arrive. Back to M&S standards of customer service.

I only send recorded for items worth £10-£20 or more. I very rarely have to claim from Royal Mail using that strategy (but claims have been easy enough for me).

Take the best quality pictures you can. Show any problems clearly.

Sorry if that's complicated. There is a learning curve. Not very steep, but real enough.

[lljkk]

ps: Ebay still the best place to get best price for many things. BUT, if you're not sure, check your local Facebook selling pages. Esp. heavy stuff.

[astormgivenflesh]

I really dislike eBay and find that I rarely make money from it but end up stressed! I used to sell lots of clothes and send them normal post but WITHOUT FAIL a few would 'go missing' every time and I'd end up having to refund. As a result I now only send recorded second class which costs £3.95 per small packet - this really puts buyers off I find but the risk of losing all profit when a few parcels go missing isn't worth the stress and worry of only sending normal post.
I normally only get 99p or £2 for anything, even expensive dresses - I once sold a dress with tags on that cost £60 for £1.49 and I was gutted so stopped.

Postage costs, parcel bags, PayPal and eBay fees plus the trip to post office where everyone is sighing and tutting when you pull out a pile of parcels all add up to not being worth the few pounds I might get from a big clear out tbh!!

[dollyollymolly]

You will get best prices if you list as buy it now for 30 days. Research your items and list as high as you think you will possibly get. I normally reduce slowly every five or so days. Include the postage charge in your price and offer free postage and packing. There is then no room for complaints about postage charges.

Royal Mail first or second class is fine if you use the online postage via eBay. Before I did this I had a few parcels go missing supposedly.

[ememem84]

List items to end on a Sunday evening around 830/9pm. I don't know why but that's optimum selling time.

Take as many pictures as you can and be honest about any faults.

Communicate with buyers. In my listings I note how long it'll take me to post an item (I post within 2 working days of receiving gifts payment) and how long I'll take to respond to any queries (24 hours).

[layercake9]

I've been selling unwanted clothes on ebay for the past 10 years with mixed success. Items that I listed to end specifically on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7pm onwards get much higher bids. Other evenings attract very little bids - bidders are out and about. Listings that end during the day are a waste of time as potential bidders are out or at work.

I make a habit of keeping clothes in clothes bags, shoes in shoe boxes, folded clothes stored neatly not only to help them last longer but just in case one day I might sell them on eBay.

Make clear refund policies. There are some very tight, picky and unreasonable buyers out there unfortunately. Some demand refunds just because the clothes "don't fit" or the dress is "too creased". Once I advised a lady to purchase a good iron from Argos

[LemonSqueezy0]

It has mixed reviews but I use my hermes. It's under £3 and is tracked and insured for £25 (or you can pay more for more cover) so if it does go missing you're covered. All you need is a printer.... I also do 30day buy it now but allow offers.

[NerrSnerr]

I sell on Enay sporadically. I sell nicer children's clothes, toys and at the moment doing really well with old Lego. I don't get many issues with buyers.

[imsorryiasked]

The main thing that's changed with eBay in the last 10 years is that you more pay final fees on the item price AND postage charge. So if you sell something for £10 with £3 postage you will lose £1.30 in fees. Plus any listing fees, plus the PayPal fees.
You can of course do cash on collection only but that limits your buyers hugely.
On the plus side there are loads more shopping options available now. In particular if you have anything large use the eBay sellers discount centre to send it Parcelforce 48 for around £8 - much cheaper than standard cost and a "trusted" carrier.

[HalfaFishFingerAndTwoPeas]

I used to have an eBay business. NEVER AGAIN! There's too many odd bods on there, it's just not worth it Imo.

[imsorryiasked]

*shipping not shopping

[HeadsDownThumbsUpEveryone]

I used to use it all the time a few years ago but honestly have to agree with the poster up thread. Find yourself local selling group with a good number of people in and use that. It saves you the hassel of having to refund and if people as it's all sold as see, plus if they are unable to collect you can deliver locally without the fuss of postage. I have also found that items which I thought would go for pittance and I'd listed at 2/3 pound have caused bidding wars just like on ebay. It might not be everyone's cup of tea but personally I feel selling sites are the way forward (plus the no listing fees certainly help you end up with more profit).