I end up LOSING money selling stuff on ebay

[jardy]

Seriously,I put stuff on for 99p and try to keep postage costs down to a minimum.
Then my lovely stuff goes for 99p (or a few pennies more).I wrap the goods up beautifully,post ASAP.I am always well out of pocket.
Mainly womens clothes.
I take pleasure in thinking someone out there must really want the stuff.
But enough is enough! Also,I am paid by paypal.Does this mean that when you buy things off ebay,the money comes out of the money you have made?Ultimatly I would like to use ebay for all my purchases for clothes etc.
I have made a couple of hundred pounds selling big items like a top box in mint condition,and some mint toy steam trains belonging to dh.Does the money stay in my paypal account ? I would appreciate your advice but I am a sensitive soul and I am feeling fragile,so some nice supportive helpful comments would be appreciated.THANK YOU!

honestly I think you need to start higher than 99p - it costs more but is worth it. You are right after fees you won't make any money selling at 99p

Paypal fees are deducted before you receive pymt but eBay you get a monthly invoice. The money will stay in Paypal unless you spend or withdraw it to your bank.

I've sold a few things on Ebay for 99p too. Brand new shoes that cost me 40 quid etc. TBH nowadays I just buy stuff, it's amazing how many people are willing to flog the lovely skirt that cost loads for a fiver.

A friend does a lot of buy it now prices which are more expensive so it's a gamble. Also they have free listings periodically so maybe wait till then? I'd ditch the nice packaging too. Whilst it's nice to receive tissue wrapped items sealed in a new post bag it's going in the bin/recycling at my end anyway. I'm happy to receive my goods in recycled packaging and suspect most people are the same.

I always try and list stuff on ebay when they have 'no insertion fee' weekends. I try to keep postage charges low but do add a small fee for packaging to cover the costs of envelopes, mail bags etc.
I always start higher than 99p collectable stuff but popular 'named' usually goes well.
My main suggestion would be to list stuff so it finishes sat/sun evening about 9pm when there is higher traffic on ebay and not during the day mon-fri.
I built up a balance in my paypal account and now buy packaging off ebay as well as print postage labels and buy new clothes as I sell my stuff, so it all sort of keeps itself going (whilst making sure I have enough to pay ebay fees).

This weekend, for example, is free listing, at least in some categories, so you could put some of your stuff on for more than 99p starting price and not have to pay any extra.

Also, don't put on box-set DVDs, because there's a postage limit of £1.25 on DVDs. That's fine to send single ones, but you end up losing money on box-sets.

(I should say: don't put on box-set DVDs at 99p - obv you can make up the postage shortfall if they sell for more than that.)

Thank you so much for the replies.I thought it was free to list at 99p-must have got the wrong end of the stick.Also I have bought loads of stuff for 99p like tops etc (in the beginning I would naively bid £5 straight away,thinking that is what the suff was worth at least ) and tbh I have been so grateful I have even emailed the seller expressing my appreciation!I will persevere in baby steps,thank you again for encouraging me to stick at it.

Never pay for packaging materials - keep all the jiffy bags etc that come through the door and Sellotape the new address over yours. Also, any non-see through carrier bags (eg the green M&S ones, Debenhams, DPs) make good packaging for clothes etc that are non-breakable, just chop off the handles and turn the bags inside out.

And add on a little bit to your p&p costs, over what it actually costs to post the item, for your time (packing the item, going to the PO), that's not unreasonable IMO.

It is free to list items for 99p, but if it sells eBay will take a cut of the final selling price. Ie if you list something starting at £5 (unless it's a free listing weekend), eBay will charge you X amount for listing the item PLUS a cut of what you sell it for. And then Paypal take their cut too. They are buggers

Thanks Jim,I still love ebay,despite the set backs!

Sold 3 items tonight.Got far less than I expected but was pleased to get £7.50 for one item that would have just been given away.Hopefully I will improve!

Just a few little suggestions. Be careful where you list your items, the amount of things I've been lucky enough to win as people haven't put them in the right place and don't get the other interest. Be as honest and descriptive as you can in your blurb about the item. Get a rough idea for how much the item will cost to post by checking the Royal Mail site, that way you won't be out of pocket. An I have to agree with the others, recycle, I brought 10 plates from Debenhams in the sale an they sent it in 10 individual boxes!!! Anyway keep at it, an the very best of luck :)

I second the suggestion to be sure you're listing in the right place. I recently sold an organiser/journal related to a particular hobby, when hardly any previous copies had ever sold. I noticed that all the previous ones had been listed in a general "organisers/journals" category, so instead I listed it under the hobby itself, because I figured that was where people were more likely to look. I also put the usual retail price (because it was brand new) in the heading. Got £8 for it .

Yes 99p items are free to list, but it's only about 10p to list up to £4.99.

So if someone is willing to bid £1.99 as much as 99p, you get 90p more than if it sold at 99p (then take off final value fees and Paypal fees, but it's still 80p more).
I tend to list at a high price first and then relist (or 'sell similar' on a free listing day!)
Also look to see what everyone else is charging for similar postage, and consider investing in a 50-pack of plastic mailing bags for under a fiver, as this reduces the weight of your postage and makes it easier to confirm you won't be out of pocket on postage. If it turns out you've overcharged for postage, just send them a Paypal refund for 20p or whatever, which always makes buyers happy!

Make sure brand names, sizes and as many useful words as you can get into your title are in there - "L@@K!!! nice dress!!!" won't get you bidders, but "Monsoon size 16/18 dress for party/wedding reception strapless navy blue silk flowers RRP £120" will. I buy furniture and stuff off Ebay and spend ages going through listings of 'chest a drawers' to find bargains, followed by contacting the bidders to find where on earth in 'London' they are for collection...

But in general clothes are a lot of hassle to sell as they need great photos and there's so much competition, unless it's a really popular brand. Anything with a model number that came in a box tends to be a lot easier!

Thanks for these great tips and for taking the time to reply.I really need to make some money,although there is something rewarding about sending something off to someone who really wants it,as I know how much I appreciate Ebay.Often people will say to me oh I buy loads of stuff but its too much hassle to sell,but if I got into a better routine it would be possible to have a tiny income that helps.Sometimes I think I could branch into selling antique jewellery or something that is sellable but not too much hassle.I believe I read somewhere that someone made a fortune selling t-shirts on ebay with cheeky slogans.It must be able to be done.Anyone on here who has made serious money with ebay,was it perseverance that clinched it or having the goods people wanted?

im glad iv read thes comments now. i have just lost out on selling a beautiful real leather jacket started the price at 5.00 and it only sold for 8.25 gutted !! :(

You shouldn't have started it so low. It is free to list at a higher price so there is no point starting at a price lower than you would accept if there is only 1 bidder. What make was it?