How do you make sure your left with nothing after paying selling fees p&p ect?

[auntypurple]

Just wondered how you all do it. I never looked up how much my items would cost to post last time, and was very much out of pocket . I wont make that mistake again. Anyway, what about taking things like selling and paypal things into consideration? I wasn't bothered last time as I was just selling for something to do, but this time I am trying to raise money for mum and dads wedding and want to make as much as poss. I am rubbish at selling so any advice will be great.
Thanks for reading

Sorry also meant to ask, do you know if I can list stuff and save it for later like a week or so before it goes onto ebay. I have alot to do and I want it to all end at the same time. I know you can choose a start date but is there another way? Thanks

A lot of people build the Paypal & ebay fees into their P&P costs - also cost of bag/envelope - and you can weigh items and work out postage before you put the items up for sale.

If people don't like your P&P costs they can choose not to bid after all ?

I thought thats what ppl did, but want to keep p&p low so ppl will bid. Do you think it's better to do a higher start price and low p&p or the other way round? Just trying to get my head round it all. Thanks

there is a program you can download off Ebay to allow you to prepare the listings then just click upload when you're ready

low start price as it costs you less in fees and people tend to look at the start price first and p&p later

Royal Mail Website will tell you what postage is for a certain weight.

Weigh item with enough packaging to wrap it securely- quote postage price as part of the listing, so bidders know in advance how much you're charging.

You are not allowed under ebay rules to charge extra to cover Paypal fees, but plenty of people include it in the postage to get round that- IMO if you don't want to pay Paypal fees, then don't use it.

Make sure you set the starting price at a minimum you can bear to part with the item for- or set a reserve if you want to tempt buyers with a low start price (but you will be charged for a reserve).

Thanks for that sounds ideal, now I just have to find it.

I think people accept a certain level of P&P - but a higher starting price affects the bidding iyswim

Also - I don;t know a better way than putting a start date into the listings. I would stagger them to be honest though - I've just done a batch of 28 items and it's been a nightmare !

use turbo lister. It costs too much to do that start time thingamjig

A lot of people won't bid on items that don't use Paypal - I won't ! I'd rather have the fees included int he P&P and pay them than have to faff about with cheques etc.

If you are selling clothes, consider using plastic bags as the wrapper to put them in. It is much lighter than brown paper or jiffy bags and can keep your postage costs down.

You can go onto the Royal Mail website and look up how much your parcels will cost to post. I always weigh my items first, add a bit for wrapping, and then look up the weight on the Royal Mail website before listing it on ebay so I know what is a reasonable postage to ask for.

The listing costs for ebay are quite clearly advertised, but I admit I found it harder to get my head round the selling fees. You need to take these into account before working out your starting price. Basically, unless you set a reserve, you have to be sure that your starting price will cover fees and give you a profit in the event of you only getting one bid.

Thanks for all the advice it helps alot. I agree I never buy anything that dosen't take paypal, and I am not really fussed with paypal fees I don't think they amount to much. Didn't know you had to pay for the time start(do now thanks). Well I am off to see what I have to sell to raise this money. Thanks for all your help, I think getting my p&p right this time will make a big diffrence.

Selling loads of clothes, just ordered 50 bags for £5 of ebay this afternoon, seen that in another message on here

auntyp it's turbolister you want, try this link

You get them free from shops....

Thanks Ellen, very helpful

click 0-10
then speed up selling
then pre-scheduled
click turbo lister
then see my tool choice

duh sorry I didn't buy plastic bags read that wrong, I brought strong self sealing things

Thanks Ellen, got it now. Will get started