What do I need to know about E-bay?

[EX#996]

OK Everyone:

I've heard how good E-bay is and that Paul and I should set up and account and sell all this 'stuff' that we have around the house (archery inventory, take offs, cycle parts, car parts, ect.).  However, I've always been leary of purchasing or selling over the internet.  Not to say I haven't done it, I've always made sure I talked to the person on the phone before finalizing the transaction.

So here are some questions for you:

1.  What cut of the sale price does E-bay take?

2.  Are pictures necessary to sell an item?

3.  What is the best way to receive payment?

4.  What shipper have you had the best luck with?

5.  Any helpful hints?

I would appreciate any advice or words of wisdom that you could share.

Dawn   ;)

[StumpysWife]

1.  ebay charges you a fixed listing fee based on the opening bid you set for the item (if you start your item at 9.99, the fee is $.35 but if you start your item at 10.00, the fee is $.50, I believe), plus a final value fee which is a percentage of the final value .
    Go to ebay and go to the help page and type in fees and you'll find the page that details that stuff.  The fees are higher if you are listing a vehicle.  I think the fees are very fair.  We've sold over $6,300 worth of stuff in 146 auctions and paid about $480 in fees at the library.  The thing is, without ebay, we never would have sold this stuff locally.    

2.  Yes, I think pictures are necessary.  People want to see what they are bidding on.  

3.  I take paypal and money orders and that's it.  I have never had a problem personnally with paypal or with the account I have for the library I work at.

4.  Priority mail is the standard, but I really like fedex ground, too.  The buyer pays shipping 9.9999 times out of 10--but that's up to you as a seller, too.

5.  Keep it simple and put every thing in the description that you should, including if you will accept returns.  You are writing the terms of sale so be specific.  I'd start with a small item just to get the hang of it.  
  I teach Buying on Ebay and Selling on Ebay here at the library and, it never fails, I always have a person who, literally, can't even click a mouse who wants to sell a motorhome or an antique car on ebay.  That just scares the bejeezus out of me.

This is the stuff of the top of my head.  Hope that helps!

Heather

[Jkf95]

http://pages.ebay.com/services/index.html?ssPageName=h:h:serv:US

1. this link will answer most questions.
2. pics are a must to do any good.
3. set up a paypal account. instant payment.
4. depending on size of item. UPS or USPS
5. check everyone's feedback before dealing with them.

Good luck....

[Baltobuell]

And of course I'll give you the anti social aspect. I bought alot of stuff off of EBay until the credit card company called and to confirm my $800.00 purchase of stereo equipment at a Target in Pennsyvania. It may or may not have been connected, but go ahead and open a new account at a new card company to seperate Ebay from the rest of your life. The rest seems to be all good.
 A neighbor sold a car and shipped it after payment. Then Paypal called and wanted the money back because of a deadbeat.  (FAT CHANCE) So keeping it seperate pays.

[Baltobuell]

HEY! I'm a board expert. Now if I only race enough points paying classes maybe I can do it on the track too! I need a life in the winter.