Calling all Ebay experts, please?

[nearlyfour]

Hi, I'm thinking of selling some things on ebay and have been reading through all the instructions to sell, but getting a bit bogged down with it all (probably just being stupid), and was wondering if any ebay experts out there had some beginner's tips for me please?

I suppose my main questions are: do you start with a very low opening price, is it best to group things together rather than individual items(I'm starting with children's clothes), do you need to be specific re postage costs, how does paypal work, mmm, etc etc? Its just that the sellers sites (or whatever you call them) look very professional and know what they are doing, and I don't! Yes, I think I am stupid!But any tips would be gratefully received.

Hiya

When I sell dd's clothes I sometimes start at 1p going up to 99p, once the items go over 99p you tend to get as much interest, you don't have to be spot on with postage, most sellers but the approx amt (you can weigh the item and use the royal mail calculator to tell you the price) then add about 50p on top to cover packaging & handling etc. Paypal is convenient, but you have to pay for each transaction and sometimes it works that you dont actually make a profit, the only time you don't have to pay PayPal charges is when you accept a payment from balance, if you accept payment from a credit card you have to pay 3.2% +20p, so on top of the listing fee and final valuation fee you don;t really make that much

HTH

Nearlyfour, here is the postal calculater link for you.

calculator

Thanks a lot Rae, that makes things a lot clearer. Will be busy with the digital camera tomorrow and away I go.!

Any other tips very welcome.

I've personally found it better to sell dd's clothes in lots rather than send off loads of little parcels.

I am as specific as possible with the postage charges. If I over estimate by a lot, say £1 then I send it back with the parcel (I just wouldn't want people to think I was didling them) but mostly I use the Royal Mail website and get the charges right.

Always get some proof of postage.

I try and communicate as much as possible, letting people know I've received their cheques/sent their parcel.

I started off thinking some people were draconian with their messages, 'If no payment received I will leave negative payment and relist after 7 days' etc. until I got messed around and so now I put exactly those types of things in my adverts!

Try to have the bottle to start as low as possible to get the bidding going.

Paypal is convenient but expensive.

HTH

Hi, its a good idea to already have feedback when you start selling, people are weary of buying from a new seller, when selling clothes, check them over twice to make sure theres no hiden stains or buttons missing and check the labels to make sure they are the size you think they are!
My first item I sold as BHS and it was mothercare and i got the size wrong!!!!!
Got better at it now and have just shifted 70+ items of clutter from my house in the last fortnight!
Whatever your selling look it up on ebay first to get a rough idea of how to present it, also look to see what category to put it in.
Branded clothes sell better than un branded so stick 2 next tops with 2 unbranded ones as a job lot. Dont get your p and p wrong as you may end up out of pocket!
When your up and running its a good idea to put the items somewhere the kids/cats/dogs cant get to them so they are still in the same condition as when they were listed.
Ramble over, fellow ebay addict!

Thanks Charliecat and Clayhead. Again great advice! Can I ask a silly question Charliecat: How would I get feedback before I start selling?

By buying!

Hiya,

I'm no expert but my buyers are protected by paypal thing, so must be at elast Ok by now!

The price thing si always an issue - where to start and what reserve... I'd say best thing to do is start at price you are willing to take and if possible put a buy it now (BIN) price up as you can sell quicker and for more! BUT if the item you're selling is only of small value (less than a fiver), the BIN thing isn't worth it as costs will eb too high! Does this make sense?!

To get feedback do some buying first, small value items are best from long standing ebayers.... Be wary who you buy from even if they have good feedback....! I tend to do collection for expensive stuff if I can so I can see it before I part with any dosh! Also I woudl recommend toalways ask if the item is marked so they can't hide behind, "I don't think it's too bad" excuses!

GOOD LUCK dib_mumof2