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eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

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Original poster

Is Ebay really worth it?

33 replies

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 14:26

Ok so I have just ebayed some old things I have had around the house, they are in fab condition otherwise I wouldn't have bothered but I do wonder why I have bothered tbh. Brand new fleece, sold for 99p (adult), postage spot on (oh ok 8p over) less ebay and paypal fees total income.......60p

For all the effort I should just have given it to the charity shop shouldn't I. I know I could have started at a different price but it isn't the only thing that has gone for ridiculously low price.

So, if I want to continue do I factor in more than 8 frigging p for postage?
Or does that just look greedy?

OP posts:

whyme2 · 21/02/2012 14:32

It is a difficult one isn't it? If you are sure your item is worth more than 99p you need to risk starting it at a higher price and not selling.

It is very discouraging when something goes for 99p when you expected more but the fun is when random things really take off and make a tidy profit.

We do make a tiny profit on postage.

kissmyheathenass · 21/02/2012 14:36

Keep at it. I am surprised by what some of my stuff goes for (sometimes pleasantly surprised and sometimes disappointed, there seems to be no pattern). I sell everything - clothes, dvds, whatever I can find that's not nailed down! Although some amounts are small they do add up and recently I have funded a lot of Xmas, 2 big birthday presents and 2 lots of party bag stuff with whats in my Paypal account. It will add up if you keep going!

Original poster

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 14:38

I usually add about 50p to the post office pricing - this is because I weigh without the packaging on so if it is close to the weight then I put it into the next bracket.

I am now just waiting for some kind of "rip off" postage feed back on something that went for 99p . Interestingly I was selling a bundle of tops and realised as I was putting in the envelope that there was a mark on a couple of them. Said to the buyer that this was the case and was happy to refund. She said for 99p she had a bargain anyway so wasn't worried and hadn't bought for those particular items anyway. Still so gutting though...

OP posts:

fergoose · 21/02/2012 14:39

it is always a risk if you start at 99p - I always start higher if I am unsure, not worth it to sell something for 99p once you take away paypal and eBay fees, it certainly isn't worth it then I agree with you. You could also consider buy it now, maybe with best offer but that does cost more. Also buy it nows you don't need to worry about listings ending at the right time of day, buyers remembering or being available to bid, etc.

Original poster

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 14:42

Good point fergoose. I am happy getting rid of things I really am and very uncharitably I would prefer to have the 60p than not. I just think its a bad day iysim. I will consider the bin and bo options with some things. It also only seems worth it to add lots of listings at the same time so I end up at the po at the same time otherwise I will go insane popping backwards and forwards like a yo you . But after fees and postage I still came away with a tidy £25 so it is worth it but if you break it down its just plain bloody depressing on some items.

OP posts:

Bramshott · 21/02/2012 14:45

I decided a while back that it wasn't. I sold a load of baby stuff and made £75, which is not to be sniffed at, but I am self-employed, and in the time it too me to photograph the stuff, list the stuff, answer questions about it, then package it up and post it, I could undoubtedly have earned more than £75!

Original poster

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 14:52

Bramshott - I worked out that I would have paid myself about £5 per hour with photographing, emailing, washing, packaging and travelling. But I am not self employed so I guess it was bonus. I think its best not to think about it.....on an hourly rate anyway!

OP posts:

AnotherSurreyMum · 21/02/2012 14:57

It is when you sell value items.. (like our old kitchen for £3.5 K )

But not when you have the faff I just had over two items which went for 99p each, followed by a non-paying bidder, a dispute, relisting, non-sale etc etc....

higgle · 21/02/2012 15:03

I tend to ebay three times a year - once to clear out my winter clothes that I haven't worn that year and again early summer as there are always summer things that don't look right for that year. I have a third go in the run up to Christmas to fund extra presents. I only sell things that are a really good make ( tend to buy my new stuff in the sales and then get about 1/2 that price back when I sell) Some makes of clothing just don't sell very well at all, especially those geared towards older ladies - I have a lovely CC dress that suits me very well but this year it will go to the charity shop as they will get a good price for it and ebay would be 99p.

Unless it is North Face or similar I wouldn't sell a fleece on ebay as there are lots of quite nice ones in Go Outdoors etc for £5, so people won't pay the price secondhand.

You are all right about the faff of listing, I've just listed 9 items and it took me the best part of a day to do so.

I think it is worthwhile for me - it gives me a bit extra to buy nice new things, but it is a real effort to do so

Original poster

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 15:15

No you are right about the fleece, tbf it is one I got through work but I thought as it was a branded one it might get some interest - hey ho!

I listed a whole load of Isabella Oliver stuff - only one thing sold. I possibly priced it too high - £20 per item, I am going to relist for a longer period and for a lower price I think or with a buy it now option.

OP posts:

fergoose · 21/02/2012 15:18

it you are listing at auction make sure they end in the evening, I find monday and tuesday nights the best, just don't clash with soaps like EastEnders. Also a too high start price will put people off. I think buy it now with best offer makes buyers think they are getting a bargain still :)

Original poster

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 15:56

Thanks Fergoose, will revise what I am doing and see what happens. I just have that whole wanting to get it out the house thing going on!

OP posts:

fergoose · 21/02/2012 16:00

yes I know, it is frustrating. I do think eBay is slow at the moment too. I don't think anyone has much money to be honest.

Original poster

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 16:18

right - the remaining item has been revised to a lower price with a buy it now option. Lets hope that works as it is really very nice and in fab condition.

OP posts:

MegIet · 21/02/2012 16:29

It bugs me when I only sell for 99p (and make an even tinier profit) but when that happens I see it as keeping my e-bay profile 'active' with good feedback. As long as I get good feedback I think it will help get higher bids on big ticket items as I will look like a trusted seller.

Not considered ending on Mon / Tues evenings before, I usually do weekends but might change.

fergoose · 21/02/2012 16:31

I never end at weekends, Saturdays folk may be out and Sunday nights on eBay used to be massively glitchy so I never bother with then either. I think more people are home Mon & Tues nights so more potential bidders (hopefully).

Original poster

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 16:53

I hadn't thought of it like that but that makes sense - bored at home with rubbish telly and no hope of excitement until the weekend! I do most of my shopping on those occasions too which is why I am suprised I had never thought of it!

OP posts:

higgle · 21/02/2012 16:56

OP - I'm surprised you didn't do well with Isabella Oliver stuff, maybe it was just a bad week.

onadietcokebreak · 21/02/2012 20:04

I Only list on free listings weekend at a price I'm happy to see it go for. At the moment free listings us every 3-4wks.

Send everything 2nd class recorded for actual cost.

Original poster

PoohBearsHole · 21/02/2012 20:05

So am I! Its really very nice and in great condition, if it doesn't go I think I will do a bundle of it with buy it now for a high price and see what happens or leave it in the cupboard for a couple of weeks until I feel more secure aobut selling it!

OP posts:

MegIet · 21/02/2012 22:10

I've started testing the waters and have just listed something to end on a Tuesday. Will be interesting to see if it makes any difference.

notcitrus · 21/02/2012 22:39

Stuff doesn't seem to get multiple bids any more - too many sellers for clothes etc.
So I only list stuff that should make a fiver, or is really easy to list and post - plastic mailing bags are really useful for saving a few pence on postage.
also 1/2-term week best avoided.
any eve that isn't fri/sat seems ok for me.

fergoose · 21/02/2012 22:49

I agree, there are so many sellers now - eBay isn't like it was in the old days wistful

hermionestranger · 21/02/2012 22:56

eBay is bad at the moment I think. Had a postage dispute with a £3 item and shipping overcharge. £4 total cost was £2.75 postage so said I would refund the quid (2 mile drive to po) buyer called me a cunt and eBay did nothing about it!

Just sold my buggy, collect only, buyer quickly paid PayPal and demanded I courier it, cancelled and am now selling it all through a Facebook group instead.

I used to love eBay but the fees they and PayPal charge are just silly and I only ever lost on free weekends.

fergoose · 21/02/2012 23:11

Gasp - Hermione what a horrid buyer over the postage

Make sure you get your fees back for the buggy too

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