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Selling on Ebay
Professor Snugglesworth
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I've accumulated a large amount of electronics and such that I've shelved over due to upgrades (examples include a Gamecube, an HDMI DVD player, and so forth), and I've been meaning to start selling them on Ebay.
However, I require some advice on selling items on Ebay. I used to sell and ship my items a year or so back, but I suspended doing so on account of the shipping costs plus the required travel. In my nearest postal store, they would charge ridiculous prices just for the packaging and shipping of items as small as a PS2 game. However, I was able to find a far cheaper post office that's about 15 minutes away, and closes early in the day.
So my questions mainly focus on the shipping aspect, but I'll toss a few others in there as well.
1. I read that some Ebay sellers use Paypal to print out a custom shipping label, which they then stick into a makeshift box of their choosing. How exactly does this work?
2. For shipping rates, should I stick with a single flat rate for all my items, or offer the online calculator to have customers determine the shipping prices?
3. What's a choice day of the week to have bidding periods on items begin and end (example: start on sunday, end in friday)?
4. For payment options, should I only use Paypal, or offer other payments such as money order (I prefer just Paypal, but if it alienates potential buyers, I should be aware of it)?
5. Should I offer bundles in order to increase potential interest, or just stick with the basics? For example, a Nintendo Gamecube with component cables and a Wavebird, or just the Gamecube by itself and the other items sold individually?
That's about it. I really want to start clearing my closet and make some extra money for my old junk, so I appreciate all the advice you have, especially in regards to shipping.
However, I require some advice on selling items on Ebay. I used to sell and ship my items a year or so back, but I suspended doing so on account of the shipping costs plus the required travel. In my nearest postal store, they would charge ridiculous prices just for the packaging and shipping of items as small as a PS2 game. However, I was able to find a far cheaper post office that's about 15 minutes away, and closes early in the day.
So my questions mainly focus on the shipping aspect, but I'll toss a few others in there as well.
1. I read that some Ebay sellers use Paypal to print out a custom shipping label, which they then stick into a makeshift box of their choosing. How exactly does this work?
2. For shipping rates, should I stick with a single flat rate for all my items, or offer the online calculator to have customers determine the shipping prices?
3. What's a choice day of the week to have bidding periods on items begin and end (example: start on sunday, end in friday)?
4. For payment options, should I only use Paypal, or offer other payments such as money order (I prefer just Paypal, but if it alienates potential buyers, I should be aware of it)?
5. Should I offer bundles in order to increase potential interest, or just stick with the basics? For example, a Nintendo Gamecube with component cables and a Wavebird, or just the Gamecube by itself and the other items sold individually?
That's about it. I really want to start clearing my closet and make some extra money for my old junk, so I appreciate all the advice you have, especially in regards to shipping.
Professor Snugglesworth on
0
Posts
Paypal is usually enough just for personal sales. You can upgrade your Paypal accounts to take credit cards too.
As a customer I'm usually more comfortable with the shipping calculator, so I just use that with my auctions. I guess one could artificially inflate the price just as easily, but it just feels better.
I concur
1. I believe you need a scale for this. Not sure, I have had bad paypal experiences and don't use it anymore.
2. I like the calculator personally.
3. I agree with KalTorak, end on saturday or sunday night is best.
4. Offer postal money orders, but put a specific time frame [ex: must receive MO within 5 days of end of auction] or some people will just string you along for no reason. as someone that hates paypal, but buys from ebay, I would offer it.
1. I wouldn't recommend using the paypal shipping labels unless you've already weighed the box that's going to be shipped and know FOR SURE what it's going to cost you to mail it. If you don't put enough postage on the box it will get returned and you'll have to buy all new postage for it. Usually I take my stuff to the post office and have them weigh it for the furthest point away (California for me). I post that as the shipping cost, but offer shipping coupons depending on where I'm actually sending it.
2. See 1.
3. Whoever said Sunday night is the best night to end them was right. You'll typically get more when they on on Sunday. Another thing you can do is wait until after thanksgiving to list them. Sometimes you'll get more when people are buying for Christmas.
4. Paypal is the best way to go. It protects both you and your customer from fraud. I've never put anything but paypal as an accepted payment method, and never gotten less than I wanted for something.
5. Definitely offer them as single auctions, but offer shipping discounts if someone buys more than one item from you. People like discounts.
This is 1000% correct. Never take checks.
I can has cheezburger, yes?
Also, make sure you get delivery confirmation to cover yourself (shipping calculator doesn't include this, so you have to eat this cost, it's only like a buck or two).