"Fleabay" question

Raybo · December 17, 2011 2:17PM

I have never sold a thing on the "bay" but have bought a LOT.

I'm thinking of selling a few items and was wondering if it's worth my effort, here's my questions.........

How do they figure the "juice" (and that's with the PP charges)?
Is it graduated with the price of the item, or is it just based on a flat rate?

Thanks as always,
Ray

LanceNewmanOCC · December 17, 2011 2:23PM

.
there are pages of this on the ebay site

just look it up, much easier than posting it all here

also if you have the TRS badge you get a FVF 20% discount

if you have power seller levels you get discounts

there are many benefits of store vs non-store

i could go on and on but this is not the place to seek your answers
.

BaseballAbs · December 17, 2011 2:27PM

link

Raybo · December 17, 2011 2:32PM

<< .
there are pages of this on the ebay site

just look it up, much easier than posting it all here

also if you have the TRS badge you get a FVF 20% discount

if you have power seller levels you get discounts

there are many benefits of store vs non-store

i could go on and on but this is not the place to seek your answers
. >>

"TRS" and "FVF" helps me out a lot, thanks for the help Lance.

I was just looking for some basic information for a newbee and just wanted someone to throw me a bone, guess it wasn't you.

Cheers,
Ray

Raybo · December 17, 2011 2:36PM

<< link >>

Thanks BBA!

The quoted % and than the PP juice on top of that?

derryb · December 17, 2011 2:39PM

Ebay and Paypal fee calculator

Raybo · December 17, 2011 2:44PM

<< Ebay and Paypal fee calculator >>

Thanks for the link, looks like i'm in the wrong business!

Ray

Raybo · December 17, 2011 2:46PM

They charge you for your postage costs?

WOW!

derryb · December 17, 2011 2:58PM

<< They charge you for your postage costs?

WOW! >>

They charge you fees on all proceeds from the sale.This change was instituted to counter the sellers who were listing low buy it now prices with extremely high postage charges to avoid fees.

airplanenut · December 17, 2011 3:00PM

<< 

<< They charge you for your postage costs?

WOW! >>

They charge you fees on all proceeds from the sale.This change was instituted to counter the sellers who were listing low buy it now prices with extremely high postage charges to avoid fees. >>

And the net result is that if you charge a fair amount for postage (a few bucks) the overall fee you pay is less than it was when they weren't charging a fee on postage costs.

coinman23885 · December 17, 2011 4:23PM

<< I have never sold a thing on the "bay" but have bought a LOT.

I'm thinking of selling a few items and was wondering if it's worth my effort, here's my questions.........

How do they figure the "juice" (and that's with the PP charges)?
Is it graduated with the price of the item, or is it just based on a flat rate?

Thanks as always,
Ray >>

You have your normal listing fees, fees for extra photos and other bells and whistles, which usually cost a couple of bucks. If an item that is a pure auction sells, eBay gets a 9% commission and then an additional 3% for PayPal. If item is sold through a buy-it-now, it is usually 12% commission + 3% PayPal fee.

GoldenEyeNumismatics · December 17, 2011 6:08PM

<< 

<< I have never sold a thing on the "bay" but have bought a LOT.

I'm thinking of selling a few items and was wondering if it's worth my effort, here's my questions.........

How do they figure the "juice" (and that's with the PP charges)?
Is it graduated with the price of the item, or is it just based on a flat rate?

Thanks as always,
Ray >>

You have your normal listing fees, fees for extra photos and other bells and whistles, which usually cost a couple of bucks. If an item that is a pure auction sells, eBay gets a 9% commission and then an additional 3% for PayPal. If item is sold through a buy-it-now, it is usually 12% commission + 3% PayPal fee. >>

Actually, BIN is typically cheaper than true auctions now.

golfer72 · December 17, 2011 8:52PM

<< 

<< I have never sold a thing on the "bay" but have bought a LOT.

I'm thinking of selling a few items and was wondering if it's worth my effort, here's my questions.........

How do they figure the "juice" (and that's with the PP charges)?
Is it graduated with the price of the item, or is it just based on a flat rate?

Thanks as always,
Ray >>

You have your normal listing fees, fees for extra photos and other bells and whistles, which usually cost a couple of bucks. If an item that is a pure auction sells, eBay gets a 9% commission and then an additional 3% for PayPal. If item is sold through a buy-it-now, it is usually 12% commission + 3% PayPal fee. >>

I was interested in this also so thanks for your answer. That wasnt so hard now was it Lance?

crypto79 · December 17, 2011 8:58PM

I just plan on10% and call it a day

LanceNewmanOCC · December 17, 2011 10:38PM

<< I just plan on10% and call it a day >>

that is pretty much the way to sum it up

and when you get some extra discounts, holiday bonuses, just figure them as extra

an example, for the holiday season a $850 sale ended up costing me less than $50 in fees, a nice bonus

if you have the TRS badge and powerseller status, december 2011 is a phenomenal time to sell items with $1000 or less

play your cards right and the fees could be around 4-6%, maybe less
.

LanceNewmanOCC · December 17, 2011 10:45PM

<< 
"TRS" and "FVF" helps me out a lot, thanks for the help Lance.

I was just looking for some basic information for a newbee and just wanted someone to throw me a bone, guess it wasn't you.

Cheers,
Ray >>

If you want to succeed on ebay you need to read information on their site, there is a reason they do billions in revenue annually

their site is geared to provide you with all the answers to all the questions you may have

that includes people/businesses that do hundreds of thousands and/or millions annually that write for hours on how to succeed on ebay, none of those posts are on this site

if you want to succeed on ebay, asking help from people on a site (this one) that has a large member base that thinks ebay is poison is not the way to go about it

thought my post inferred that
.
you want a tip, use turbolister or file exchange
.

ambro51 · December 17, 2011 11:02PM

An easy way to sell things and avoid all fees is simply to put a large sign up in your front yard telling the World what you are selling.

Of course, only .00000001 percent of the 'World" can see your item for sale....but there are NO fees

AUandAG · December 18, 2011 1:31AM

Between 15 and 20% with shipping (Paypal, Ebay, God, Mother Mary tax, etc).

bob

yellowkid · December 18, 2011 1:44AM

They suck, but I've bought and sold four or five thousand dollars worth of merch the last month or so, I not sure if "fleabay" is the right term. It's all relative, what's 'worth it' mean to you? $100? $1000? $10,000$ You're the judge of that.

derryb · December 18, 2011 1:44AM

Buy it Now Final Fees are only cheaper if sell price falls between $120 and $2850. Below $120 and over $2850 final fees are cheaper with auction style format.

COALPORTER · December 18, 2011 2:36AM

<< I just plan on10% and call it a day >>

Your day is not going to be as long as you think. When all is said and done,
you are closing in on 20%.

one big hint - always wait for free listings (no cost to run add)- you start with 50 free listings per month, and
ebay usually offers you more free listings 2 times a month. You dont want to pay to run tons of items and none
sell- that is how the fees stack up fast.

mrpotatoheadd · December 18, 2011 2:52AM

I'm curious where the claim of 20% for fees is coming from. I wonder if those who are obtaining that result might be willing to share their method for calculating fees that produces that number.

COALPORTER · December 18, 2011 3:05AM

<< I'm curious where the claim of 20% for fees is coming from. I wonder if those who are obtaining that result might be willing to share their method for calculating fees that produces that number. >>

Easy. Take ((Gross sales amount - Net sales amount)/Net sale amount) x 100 = cost % for sale .

Let say you list a $100 item 3 times to finally sell it and you offer free shipping.

Cost : 3.00 listing fees (may vary on price of item, photos, fancy stuff)
9.00 ebay Final Value fee
3.30 paypal fee
5.00 shipping and hand, (may vary,)
.45 ebay fee on shipping.

total cost = 20.75
net sales = 100 - 20.75 = $79.25 ----(20.75% lost to costs)

mrpotatoheadd · December 18, 2011 3:18AM

The original question was:

"How do they figure the "juice" (and that's with the PP charges)?"

Based on that, the fees being asked about are what eBay and PayPal charge to use their services.

<< Let say you list a $100 item 3 times to finally sell it and you offer free shipping.

Cost : 3.00 listing fees (may vary on price of item, photos, fancy stuff)
9.00 ebay Final Value fee
3.30 paypal fee
5.00 shipping and hand, (may vary,)
.45 ebay fee on shipping.

total cost = 20.75
net sales = 100 - 20.75 = $79.25 ----(20.75% lost to costs) >>

Two things are problematic here. First- assuming multiple listings, you can make the percentage as high as you want it to be. Plenty of things sell first time out- why not show that cost instead? Second- shipping costs aren't eBay fees. If you're concerned about those costs, you can charge for shipping and recover them.

19Lyds · December 18, 2011 3:21AM

<< They charge you for your postage costs?

WOW! >>

Yes. A Final Value Fee on what it costs YOU, the seller, to mail the item to the buyer.

They must have hired someone from the IRS!

19Lyds · December 18, 2011 3:30AM

<< The original question was:

"How do they figure the "juice" (and that's with the PP charges)?"

Based on that, the fees being asked about are what eBay and PayPal charge to use their services.

<< Let say you list a $100 item 3 times to finally sell it and you offer free shipping.

Cost : 3.00 listing fees (may vary on price of item, photos, fancy stuff)
9.00 ebay Final Value fee
3.30 paypal fee
5.00 shipping and hand, (may vary,)
.45 ebay fee on shipping.

total cost = 20.75
net sales = 100 - 20.75 = $79.25 ----(20.75% lost to costs) >>

Two things are problematic here. First- assuming multiple listings, you can make the percentage as high as you want it to be. Plenty of things sell first time out- why not show that cost instead? Second- shipping costs aren't eBay fees. If you're concerned about those costs, you can charge for shipping and recover them. >>

Some items sell the first time out. Most, do not.

And, while mailing is not a fee that eBay charges, eBay does try to force sellers into offering free shipping where the shipping is only "free" to the buyer. The seller still has to oay those fee's or invite folks to drive over and poiuck the item up. As such, it is a "fee" for selling on eBay. Also, those shipping envelope's, saf-t-mailers, and packing tape aren't free.

JamesMurray · December 18, 2011 3:39AM

In fairness ive never been "forced" to offer free shipping , it's suggested often but nothing untoward has occured because i do not offer free shipping. I do find it annoying though to see "free shipping" plastered all over ebays home page though as i feel it only sets sellers up for a poor review/feedback when in fact they charge for it. I agree with 192lyds,when ebay supplys my bubble mailers and stamps i'll offer free shipping.

mrpotatoheadd · December 18, 2011 3:42AM

<< Some items sell the first time out. Most, do not. >>

How many times should one expect to list a 99 cent no reserve auction before making a sale?

<< And, while mailing is not a fee that eBay charges, eBay does try to force sellers into offering free shipping where the shipping is only "free" to the buyer. The seller still has to oay those fee's or invite folks to drive over and poiuck the item up. As such, it is a "fee" for selling on eBay. >>

Only if you choose not to charge for it. Which is entirely differnet from listing, final value and PayPal fees, which are not optional.

<< Also, those shipping envelope's, saf-t-mailers, and packing tape aren't free. >>

Of course they're not, but then again, they're not eBay/PayPal fees and you can include the cost for them in your shipping charge if you choose.

I think it's misleading to someone asking specifically about eBay/PayPal fees to add in things that are not eBay/PayPal fees.

derryb · December 18, 2011 4:38AM

<< 

<< I'm curious where the claim of 20% for fees is coming from. I wonder if those who are obtaining that result might be willing to share their method for calculating fees that produces that number. >>

Easy. Take ((Gross sales amount - Net sales amount)/Net sale amount) x 100 = cost % for sale .

Let say you list a $100 item 3 times to finally sell it and you offer free shipping.

Cost : 3.00 listing fees (may vary on price of item, photos, fancy stuff)
9.00 ebay Final Value fee
3.30 paypal fee
5.00 shipping and hand, (may vary,)
.45 ebay fee on shipping.

total cost = 20.75
net sales = 100 - 20.75 = $79.25 ----(20.75% lost to costs) >>

Correct calculation =

.50 listing fee (currently free auction style listings) X 3 = 1.50
final valuation fee from ebay = 8.50
paypal fee 2.9% of $100 payment = 2.90
shipping = 5.00
Total cost = 17.90 or 17.9% of sale price
Actual fees (not including shipping) = 12.90 or 12.9% of sale price

Ebay and paypal charge fees only on the total amount paid by buyer (price paid + shipping fee charged). If free shipping is offered there is no addition fees due. Keep in mind that you pay $5 shipping whether you sell it on ebay, BST or a TV coin show. Shipping is not a fee, it is an expense. You pay fees (commissions) for using a venue to sell and/or transfer the proceeds to you. You pay shipping no matter how you find your buyer.

I'll post it again for those that don't read entire threads: Very accurate Ebay/Paypal fee calculator

Note in the calculator that discounts are available to volume sellers with good feedback. I currently pay 2.5% paypal and receive 20% discount on final valuation fees. in the above example my total fees would be $11.10 or 11.1% plus $5 shipping.

M · December 18, 2011 4:39AM

<< I have never sold a thing on the "bay" but have bought a LOT.

I'm thinking of selling a few items and was wondering if it's worth my effort, here's my questions.........

How do they figure the "juice" (and that's with the PP charges)?
Is it graduated with the price of the item, or is it just based on a flat rate?

Thanks as always,
Ray >>

Ray, I don't sell much but when I do, it has been well worth the effort on coins/collectables. I encourage you to scour the ebay site for seller info and also read paypal's seller protection rules carefully. Get the required delivery or signature confirmations to protect yourself. I like BIN over auctions on most but not all things (if you know the value). I will never do .99 auctions again, brings out the nutcases. Good luck!

I believe derryb's 12.9% to be right for an occasional seller, ebay and paypal fees. If you want to offer free shipping, it's much easier than getting the postal scales out and trying to figure what to charge the buyer, but boost your selling price a bit to cover the cost of it.

derryb · December 18, 2011 4:43AM

<< They charge you for your postage costs?

WOW! Yes. A Final Value Fee on what it costs YOU, the seller, to mail the item to the buyer.

They must have hired someone from the IRS!

>>

They charge you a final valuation fee on all the money the buyer pays you. this is not the same as saying they charge you a final valuation fee on what it costs to mail the item. they don't charge you a final valuation fee on what it costs to mail an item. They do charge a final valuation fee on any additional shipping costs you charge your buyer in addition to the selling price. What you tack on as an additional shipping charge is not necessarily the same as your actual shipping cost.

notwilight · December 18, 2011 4:47AM

They have pushed "free shipping" so that you include the shipping costs in the sales price so they get FVF on it. That shouldn't be hard to figure out.

21.9% Use this ebay and paypal fee calculator. and type in a $10 BIN price.

add free shipping by putting 0 into shipping charged and $1.75 for a 3 oz package with one slab and you're up over 26%.

--Jerry

notwilight · December 18, 2011 4:48AM

<< In fairness ive never been "forced" to offer free shipping , it's suggested often but nothing untoward has occured because i do not offer free shipping. I do find it annoying though to see "free shipping" plastered all over ebays home page though as i feel it only sets sellers up for a poor review/feedback when in fact they charge for it. I agree with 192lyds,when ebay supplys my bubble mailers and stamps i'll offer free shipping. >>

If you don't offer free shipping your auction will be much lower in the search results. --Jerry

derryb · December 18, 2011 4:53AM

<< They have pushed "free shipping" so that you include the shipping costs in the sales price so they get FVF on it. That shouldn't be hard to figure out.

21.9% Use this ebay and paypal fee calculator. and type in a $10 BIN price.

add free shipping by putting 0 into shipping charged and $1.75 for a 3 oz package with one slab and you're up over 26%.

--Jerry >>

Ebay charges you FVF on total you collect from the buyer. Whether shipping is included in price or is an add-on is irrelevant. Paypal charges fees on total amount transferred.

JamesMurray · December 18, 2011 4:56AM

<< 

<< In fairness ive never been "forced" to offer free shipping , it's suggested often but nothing untoward has occured because i do not offer free shipping. I do find it annoying though to see "free shipping" plastered all over ebays home page though as i feel it only sets sellers up for a poor review/feedback when in fact they charge for it. I agree with 192lyds,when ebay supplys my bubble mailers and stamps i'll offer free shipping. >>

If you don't offer free shipping your auction will be much lower in the search results. --Jerry >>

I don't think that really matters at all , not selling coins anyway. I think a lot of ebayers use the "ending soonest" feature so eventually my listings will look attractive to bidders and ultimately bring what i expected. Im sure most ebay sellers have a base of regular customers too that keep us in saved sellers as within hours of my listings the same buyers kick things off.

notwilight · December 18, 2011 4:59AM

<< 

<< 

<< In fairness ive never been "forced" to offer free shipping , it's suggested often but nothing untoward has occured because i do not offer free shipping. I do find it annoying though to see "free shipping" plastered all over ebays home page though as i feel it only sets sellers up for a poor review/feedback when in fact they charge for it. I agree with 192lyds,when ebay supplys my bubble mailers and stamps i'll offer free shipping. >>

If you don't offer free shipping your auction will be much lower in the search results. --Jerry >>

I don't think that really matters at all , not selling coins anyway. I think a lot of ebayers use the "ending soonest" feature so eventually my listings will look attractive to bidders and ultimately bring what i expected. Im sure most ebay sellers have a base of regular customers too that keep us in saved sellers as within hours of my listings the same buyers kick things off. >>

It matters a lot to dealers competing with other dealers selling the same thing. --Jerry

derryb · December 18, 2011 5:00AM

Many buyers, when looking at BIN, will search by "Price + shipping: lowest first." Free shipping makes no difference in this type search.

M · December 18, 2011 5:00AM

Also, buyers look for new BIN listings - I had one sell in 6 minutes and I thought the item was slightly over priced!

You beat me to it...

66Tbird · December 18, 2011 5:03AM

Lance pretty much nailed it. If you have the inventory then a storefront, freeship and sell your way into TRS status you'll be good at <%10.

I never knew about the TRS thing or the storefront till I sat down and spent a few minutes and really read up on it, then did a storefront. Then one billing cycle I noticed my fees were way less than before yet my selling pattern remained the same. I quick check showed I'd made TRS and I've been happy ever since.

JamesMurray · December 18, 2011 5:05AM

<< 

<< 

<< 

<< In fairness ive never been "forced" to offer free shipping , it's suggested often but nothing untoward has occured because i do not offer free shipping. I do find it annoying though to see "free shipping" plastered all over ebays home page though as i feel it only sets sellers up for a poor review/feedback when in fact they charge for it. I agree with 192lyds,when ebay supplys my bubble mailers and stamps i'll offer free shipping. >>

If you don't offer free shipping your auction will be much lower in the search results. --Jerry >>

I don't think that really matters at all , not selling coins anyway. I think a lot of ebayers use the "ending soonest" feature so eventually my listings will look attractive to bidders and ultimately bring what i expected. Im sure most ebay sellers have a base of regular customers too that keep us in saved sellers as within hours of my listings the same buyers kick things off. >>

It matters a lot to dealers competing with other dealers selling the same thing. --Jerry >>

I'll take your word on that , i sell US coins , World coins , PM's and occasionally stamps and collectors items , i don't recall ever being unsatisfied with the final bid.Its almost as if ebayers won't allow anything to be sold underpriced.My latest example was all week id been leading an auction and with 10 seconds to go my bargain price was slaughtered bumping me up to triple the cost ..no bargain there.

COALPORTER · December 18, 2011 5:10AM

If you dont count the cost of shipping in your ebay business, you are headed for the poor house.
It does not matter if i charge the buyer for shipping, because when i goto the post office, guess
where the money comes form?- MY POCKET, NOT THE BUYERS!! About all i do sometimes is transfer
money from paypal to buy more shipping supplies and pay off shipping (which i put of credit card)

Really, Paypal charges 3% + 30 cents, so for really low cost items, you really get robbed.

I do not think too many coins sellers dare to start certifed nice coins at 99 cents and no researve- dont
see that too much, unless they have shill bidding as a back- up plan, or they use the poor practice
of ending items that are not getting enough bids.

mrpotatoheadd · December 18, 2011 5:19AM

One of the problems with discussing eBay sales is the wide variety of items people sell there. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another. As an example...

<< If you don't offer free shipping your auction will be much lower in the search results.
...

It matters a lot to dealers competing with other dealers selling the same thing. >>

for the kinds of things I sell, this is irrelevant as there might only be a couple others aside from mine available at any particular point in time. So I charge for shipping- even if I'm at the bottom of the search list, it doesn't really matter when there are only six of them listed for sale. If you're selling something of which there are hundreds, you probably have to do things differently.

derryb · December 18, 2011 5:25AM

<< If you dont count the cost of shipping in your ebay business, you are headed for the poor house.
It does not matter if i charge the buyer for shipping, because when i goto the post office, guess
where the money comes form?- MY POCKET, NOT THE BUYERS!! About all i do sometimes is transfer
money from paypal to buy more shipping supplies and pay off shipping (which i put of credit card)

Really, Paypal charges 3% + 30 cents, so for really low cost items, you really get robbed.

I do not think too many coins sellers dare to start certifed nice coins at 99 cents and no researve- dont
see that too much, unless they have shill bidding as a back- up plan, or they use the poor practice
of ending items that are not getting enough bids. >>

The OP is a question about "juice" from paypal and ebay, not about business costs.

to the OP, use the fee calculator I posted earlier and you will be dead on. You can plug in all kinds of different scenarios to see the results. As I stated earlier, FVF are cheaper on items that sell under BIN in the $120-$2850 range. Another rule of thumb is to start your auctions at your lowest acceptable price. If it doesn't sell keep relisting until it does. This prevents them feom going too cheap. Currently a promotion going on with no insertion fee for auction style listings up to 100 (I think) a month. You can also save on additional picture insertion fees by linking your photos with html in your description. I do it from photobucket. While in html mode (ebay description block) type <CENTER> before and after your pic html link to center pic on the page.

mrpotatoheadd · December 18, 2011 5:31AM

<< If you dont count the cost of shipping in your ebay business, you are headed for the poor house. >>

Nobody said not to count that stuff. The OP asked about eBay/PayPal fees, not shipping expenses.

edited to add... I guess I shouldn't have gone to take the stuff out of the dryer before posting.

edited again to add... if you're analyzing eBay/PayPal fees for your business, including things such as shipping costs in those fees is likely to be as damaging as ignoring them altogether.

LanceNewmanOCC · December 18, 2011 5:43AM

.
there is some nice analytical posting happening here

hope people are paying attention
.

OPA · December 18, 2011 7:02AM

Read & study Derryb response. He's dead on with his answers. That Fee calculator has provided me with a reference point for years. Opening a store front, if your sales volume is adequate, is another way to reduce the fees. (cost for basic..$16 per month) I've enjoyed the 20% kickback in fees and this month it will be an additional 20% kickback on FVF for the items that have free shipping.

notwilight · December 18, 2011 12:01PM

<< Many buyers, when looking at BIN, will search by "Price + shipping: lowest first." Free shipping makes no difference in this type search. >>

I'm trying to sell to all buyers, not just the most astute 10%.

"Fleabay" question

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&quot;Fleabay&quot; question

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"Fleabay" question