Ebay advice
Billyray
Posts: 98
I'm thinking of maybe starting to sell on ebay. Mostly low end to start. I was wondering if anyone has any advice, like best way to ship, etc. It'll be mostly raw to start and I'm not looking to get rich, just to move some extras received from lots.
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WTB an error forum!
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Positive BST Transactions (buyers and sellers): wondercoin, blu62vette, BAJJERFAN, privatecoin, blu62vette, AlanLastufka, privatecoin
#1 1951 Bowman Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#2 1980 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
#8 (and climbing) 1972 Topps Los Angeles Rams Team Set
<< <i>Take good pictures, offer a return policy, and keep shipping costs reasonable.[/q
Perfect
PAYPAL waits to release funds to 'new' sellers
have shipping supplies ready at auction close
forget about insurance (buyers don't want to pay for it
use PAYPAL shipping to print labels
tape item over packing slip (not straight on coin but over flip or bubble wrap) so that no movement in envelope
package 1 coin at a time so that items do not get shipped to wrong place
takes a couple months to get ebay selllers 'discounts'
-only check once a mnth gor top seller or powerseller standings
have to be powerseller for entire month to have discounts applied to months eBay bill
eBay has sided towards buyers, so have to be willing to put up with a certain amount of crap
shipping fee is something to think about - buyers don't like getting gouged
I charged $2/ and gave discounts on multiple purchases
if going to be over 11 oz, then havce to go priority (flat rate envelope or box roughly $5 or $10)
allow foreign buyers if under 11 oz (need customs form)
length of auction depends on item - 1 day gets as good of results as 7 day for bulk silver
if item is a specialized or on fringe collectible, then 7 day gets better as some people may be looking specificsally for that
if auction, consider starting at 99 cents so listing is free - remember some may close there
30 day fixed price alright but ebay fees up there
10 to 15% is going to eBay=PAYPAL and another chunk to post office
takes a good chunk of time
you are never going to get rich unless your product you are selling is 'free'
unless you bought very well, you will lose money on most sales
good pictures and a 7 day return with buyer paying shipping will get a very low return rate
try to answer questions very fast
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
<< <i>keep good records. Paypal now playing ball with the IRS. >>
How? PayPal doesn't have most sellers SS#. Now that will change in 2011, but 2010?
<< <i>
<< <i>keep good records. Paypal now playing ball with the IRS. >>
How? PayPal doesn't have most sellers SS#. Now that will change in 2011, but 2010? >>
2011 it is.
As far as the original question:
1) I encourage PayPal use - 98% of my buyers pay within 5 days, probably 90+% within 2. In my past 300+ auctions since October 09, I have received only 1 money order and no checks.
2) ALWAYS ship insured, with Signature Confirmation on items over $250. State the shipping charges CLEARLY. My shipping is break even/ slight loss and my DSR rating is 4.85. It was the same (or even slightly lower) when I didn't charge at all for shipping. Go figure.
3) Use PayPal shipping, except for transactions over $500 I suggest opening an account with USPS. Online USPS will insure up to $5000. Do your best to stay out of the Post Office. My upside sales by offering International shipping are more than offset by my waste of time in the PO doing customs - I hardly offer it, unless on Foreign coins.
4) Break down and buy some proper shipping materials - bubble envelopes and corrugated coin shippers. Saves a lot of aggravation in the long run, and customers appreciate good packaging.
5) DO NOT SMOKE around your coins or shipping supplies. The smell absorbs, and it stinks - your feedback rating is a big part of your future success, and will suffer.
6) I've found that in sending Insured packages of greater than ~$1400, Express is cheaper than Priority - I always present the Express as a free upgrade to my customers in that situation.
Sinin1 has other good advice in his post, but I disagree on insurance - it's there to protect ME.
BBN is wrong, IMO. Most B&M's will give you nowhere near Ebay gross-10%. My personal all-in costs have worked out to be lower than 10% - considerably cheaper than B&M overhead.
The advice on the return policy is important - stick to it, no questions asked. Your reputation will also determine your success.
Check out my current listings: https://ebay.com/sch/khunt/m.html?_ipg=200&_sop=12&_rdc=1
Right, GSAGUY?
Russ, NCNE
<< <i>
<< <i>keep good records. Paypal now playing ball with the IRS. >>
How? PayPal doesn't have most sellers SS#. Now that will change in 2011, but 2010? >>
And if you don't think that in 2011 the IRS will be looking at earlier years' sales, keep dreaming.
They even eat their own:
IRS nails IRS agent for unreported Ebay sales
No Way Out: Stimulus and Money Printing Are the Only Path Left
If your coins warrant it I'd use the services of a consigner.
Many on these boards will provide the service for you. They can generally be located on the Buy Sell Trade forum advertising as such.
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