Man, sometimes I really love eBay

seanq

I had five auctions running, leftover classic commems from the BST. Three of the five sold within 10% of my original asking price, while two sold at about a 30% discount from my original price. Overall, I was pleased with the results, but here's why I'm in love: four of the five winning bidders paid for their coins within five minutes of the close of the auctions, and the fifth guy wrote me a message within minutes of his win asking for permission to send a money order.

With my PayPal debit card, I'll have coins in the mail and cash in my hand less than 12 hours from the close of the auctions. As much as I complained when eBay made PayPal the only reasonable option for small sellers to receive payments, you have to appreciate the efficiency.


Sean Reynolds

HTubbs

Indeed...Something I like about eBay is that there is literally a market for anything. Sure you might not always get the full value of something, but you can at least expect to get a decent price. It's a great way to clear out junk!

darktone

I sure love it when all the people pay or make arrangements right away. I remember the old day's when I would sell ten items and not one would let me know if and when payment was being or respond to emails. Some payments would come in a few days, some would take weeks and some would not even come.

KiltedOne

I remember when there was no PayPal. You would sell an item on ebay, then wait a week for a check or MO, then wait another week for the check to clear, then finally ship out the item. Lots of people payed with MO, but a lot sent checks. I had a lot of items that sat for almost a month before they were shipped. It was the same way on the buying end. You never knew when or if the item was shipped unless you exchanged emails with the buyer/seller. I have really come to appreciate the status updates, tracking and instant PayPal transactions. The bay may have it's issues, but it is what it is.

As for today, as a buyer I always try to pay immediately at the end of the auction. I very rarely delay paying for more than a few hours and usually only when I am totally unavailable at the end of the auction. As to selling, I really appreciate when a buyer pays quickly. I always leave immediate positive feedback when that happens. It does peeve me that many sellers wait until I leave feedback as a buyer before they reciprocate. After all, I sent you my payment, therefore I completed my end of the deal and should receive the positive feedback at that time. Just my opinion.

Amigo

The feedback issue always comes up. People feel adamant about it both ways. I've found since seller's can't give negative feedback to buyers, and many seller's have already given them positive feedback, that the buyer many times wont even bother giving the seller feedback.

cars

Finally a good post about eBay. They take too much flak. eBay has Helped a lot of people earn extra income and helps a lot of people find hard to locate items for their collecting. Where else can you unload the crap in your house you no longer want for decent price.

Mission16

<< <i>Indeed...Something I like about eBay is that there is literally a market for anything. Sure you might not always get the full value of something, but you can at least expect to get a decent price. It's a great way to clear out junk! >>





Amen to that! A BIG reason I ever got on eBay was I had about 200 plastic car model kits and need to make some room. I tried to sell them locally no no avail. finally convinced the wife we needed a computer and eBay. I did really, really well.

Then I bought an old ShopSmith for $250 and never got around to using it. After about a year and a half, I tried selling it on forums and in the local paper for what I paid for it. No dice. Ended up selling it piece by piece on the bay. After ALL expenses, my net was $1318.87.

Then I started with coin stuff. Did really well with the proof SAE boxes and capsules and other supplies. I helped my Dad get rid of a lot of stuff he had.

For all it's faults, there is no better way for the small guy to market stuff

pf70collector

Though they take a fair percentage, it still is a lot less than auction houses.

COINB0Y

<< <i>Though they take a fair percentage, it still is a lot less than auction houses. >>



AMEN!

drei3ree

I love eBay too and have been using it since 1996. Back then it was like the Wild West...crazy stuff going on. Actually, Paypal was the best thing to happen to eBay--but beware the CHARGE-BACK!!!

KiltedOne

<< <i>I love eBay too and have been using it since 1996. Back then it was like the Wild West...crazy stuff going on. Actually, Paypal was the best thing to happen to eBay--but beware the CHARGE-BACK!!! >>



It was the Wild West back then! I started out on ebay selling new and used GUNS and AMMO .... wayyyyyyy back in the 90's. Had a friend who had a FFL (Federal Firearms License) that used to let me ship guns to and from his shop. One time a guy wanted to trade me some 'old' coins for some ammo clips and a new obsession was born! Most of the gun's are long gone, but the coins remain!!!