Selling on ebay

[green mum]

Hi there

I'm considering selling some stock on ebay and just wondered whether I should have my own ebay store or not. What experiences do other people have?

 

We have our own ebay store for our chess sets, initially we found it hard going as the store listings display below the natural listings so if you have items that are heavily displayed in the everyday listings you can find it a bit quiet. We balanced it by having all of our items permanently on display in the store but also running some normal listings as well, this seems to have worked well and we now get pretty regular trade from ebay through both the listings and the store.

The advantage with the store are the listing costs are much cheaper and you can keep things running permanently with an auto renew facility at the end of every 30 days.

 

I would also recommend using Auctiva for your store as its much faster for uploading items and the scroll bar of all the related items draws sales, plus you can design your store look quite easily then

 

[GreatSEO]

I think Ebay is great it is just the fees and the way that you present your products/services to the audience that determines how much you make from it.

I would give it a go on a small scale first and see how it goes that way you can monitor it effectively

Hope this helps

Regards

Dave

 

[green mum]

thanks guys. Yea, I think I'll just start with a few items and see how it goes. I'll look into Auctiva Boho - thanks for the tip!

 

[Jay08]

I also suggest you use Auctiva makes listings items so much easier and will save you plenty of time when you have to relist them.

 

[stamfo]

its easy to get addicted to ebay but make sure you dont rely on it 100%. the other time i got suspended for a month for reminding people to make sure their credit cards are activated before buying as I was told it was against eBay rules. I failed to understand... but ...

i would say unless you are planning on putting a substantial amount of listings, just go through the normal route as i believe you have to pay subscription fees for shops

 

[ian&kelly perfume]

Hi there

ive open a ebay store now i am doing this full time i sell perfume all day its brill christmas day i made 2000 pounds buy selling perfume on line email if want to join any one can do it very simple thanks ian

 

[MatthewOgborne]

its easy to get addicted to ebay but make sure you dont rely on it 100%. the other time i got suspended for a month for reminding people to make sure their credit cards are activated before buying as I was told it was against eBay rules. I failed to understand... but ...

i would say unless you are planning on putting a substantial amount of listings, just go through the normal route as i believe you have to pay subscription fees for shops

Yes, you're right, the fees need to be watched, the same as the amount of time that eBay can exorb, it can quickly become "eBay order blindness".

However, I'd just start small to begin with and prove what you're doing works, there wil become a time that taking up a basic shop for £15 a month, allowing for 20p listing will become good value, as you progress, a featured eBay shop for £50 and 5p a listing will help.

eBay Shop fees: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/storefees.html
eBay Shop benefits: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/storefronts/Subscriptions.html

Hope that helps,

 

[catchtheniche]

You don't need a store to start selling on eBay. eBay store is an alternative to normal e-commerce web site. So you can sell in fixed or auction format without no problem.

 

[David Steele]

I have an ebay store, I think it makes your listings more professional looking.
I have a Shop template and listing template that mirror my website.
Another benefit is I can have a domain name that links to my shop.

The fee`s are cheap for the exposure you get to potential customers.

 

[catchtheniche]

At first people like eBay because of auctions, it was created with this idea. And if you test a lot like I do, you will get better prices in auction. Second thing, I also use html template and my listing looks professional. And people come to buy not from professional companies but from people, another reason why eBay was created.

I created eBay shop for 1 account because I have 500 items and it works good.

So you have to think what you want first.

 

[NYtoUK]

I dont think you should sell on ebay.

Because there policies are always changing,
and there customer service is bad.

1 little negative feedback & you will get banned.

Take it from me i was a power seller.

 

[MatthewOgborne]

Hi there

I'm considering selling some stock on ebay and just wondered whether I should have my own ebay store or not. What experiences do other people have?

Howdy,

I think you should sell on eBay, its a vibrant marketplace full of potential buyers and an obscene amount of transactions go through the site every day and you'd be crazy not to include it in a set of on-line channels.

You can "dip your toe" in the water with eBay very easily as the barrier to entry is extremely low. Infact I'd strongly suggest that you start very small and build up. Go careful of the processes (can be seen as red tape and obviously caught out the person above) by reading their help files thoroughly here and never be afraid of asking questions.

There are some some changes coming up in the May eBay 2011 update that change the dynamics of the marketplace, which include a fees hike to make it more-inline with the rest of such sites (eg Amazon) and there are some pretty exciting updates around variation listings.

Soo... take it slow and build up, but 100% use eBay.

Matt

 

[catchtheniche]

I dont think you should sell on ebay.

Because there policies are always changing,
and there customer service is bad.

1 little negative feedback & you will get banned.

Take it from me i was a power seller.

You was suspended because of 1 negative feedback common! Dont lie to people. I have many accounts and half of them are top rated sellers, if you do everything right and dont scam people everything is fine with ebay. I also can say, dont go to walmart because the milk is bad. Stupid fact I think.

 

[apples69]

ebay is good, but now they have the new detailed selling ratings DSR and they can restrict any sellers account if your not meeting the levels of services.

i would NEVER put all my eggs in the same basket - if you can make a web site as well, so if you have any problems with ebay in the future at least your web site is up and running and your making money, instead of just relying on ebay

your own websitem amozon and advertise on forums as well

 

[David Steele]

I dont think you should sell on ebay.

Because there policies are always changing,
and there customer service is bad.

1 little negative feedback & you will get banned.

Take it from me i was a power seller.

Selling phones or electronics from a non-business account?

I think ebay has changed for the worse over the years but still is a good place to sell but be aware that buyers are top in ebays eyes and sellers are 2nd best.

I am a TRS and have always aimed for top service for all my customers but as I am sure any seasoned seller will tell you , you can`t please everyone all the time.

Amazon is a good place to sell, but you need product barcodes to list new items and a Pro Seller account.

 

[privateb]

Hi Guys,

I might jump in here save creating a new topic,

We are also looking at putting a few end of range items on Ebay just as a regular sale rather than create a shop.

Do you think we could add into the text something like

"for more product like this please visit our webste www.boobbaby.co.uk"

Or would this break Ebays rules?

Thanks

Ryan

 

[David Steele]

This would break ebay rules but there are ways round this .
You can add a link that takes buyers to your "information" web page, if you know what I mean.

Do you have an `About Me` page ? You can link to your site from there.
Here is a link to my page: http://goo.gl/BCos2 I will be adding a link back to my website for more product help.

 

[privateb]

This would break ebay rules but there are ways round this .
You can add a link that takes buyers to your "information" web page, if you know what I mean.

Do you have an `About Me` page ? You can link to your site from there.
Here is a link to my page: http://goo.gl/BCos2 I will be adding a link back to my website for more product help.

Hi thanks for that,

So I could put something like this?:

Phillips Avent Electric breastpump
Product Features:

• Learns and continues your pumping rhythm. Electronic memory learns and, at the touch of a button, continues your personal pumping rhythm.
• Gentle vacuum mimics baby's suckling for steady milk flow. The

Bla bla bla

For more information on pumps and breastfeeding click here

http://www.boobbaby.co.uk/breastfeeding-zone/


Thanks

 

[David Steele]

Hi thanks for that,

So I could put something like this?:

Phillips Avent Electric breastpump
Product Features:

• Learns and continues your pumping rhythm. Electronic memory learns and, at the touch of a button, continues your personal pumping rhythm.
• Gentle vacuum mimics baby's suckling for steady milk flow. The

Bla bla bla

For more information on pumps and breastfeeding click here

http://www.boobbaby.co.uk/breastfeeding-zone/


Thanks

Yes that should be okay.
Do you have an about me page? You should have plenty you can add to it.

Dave.
ps if they do ask you to pull the link make sure you ask them to explain why and then tell me.

 

[yehudili]

You don't need a store to start selling on eBay.eBay store is an alternative to normal e-commerce web site.So you can sell in fixed or auction format without no problem.

I agree this idea.

 

[Chilcott]

Rather than using ebay why dont you start up an ecommerce website and just hvae your reduced to clear items on there! get a google product feed and if your cheap enough your get plenty of sales!!!!!

 

[KateCB]

How do you get a google product feed? Seriously, I am interested in that!

Ebay is good for exposure to the masses, but I think that their store fees are too high, despite them reducing the listing fees, and their final valuation fees can wreck any profits - particularly as they are now planning oncharging a commission on the shipping fees too!

I have a friend who has just started selling on Ebay, oemworldpc - computer systems and hard drives and things, but the costs make a mockery of everything (he says) and although he is developing his own website, marketing on a non existent budget for a new website is tough, so getting people to know the name is best acheived by using eBay....Amazon just got silly with their pricing for sellers, they really turned it into a numbers game, which isn't helpful at the moment!

 

How do you get a google product feed? Seriously, I am interested in that!

Ebay is good for exposure to the masses, but I think that their store fees are too high, despite them reducing the listing fees, and their final valuation fees can wreck any profits - particularly as they are now planning oncharging a commission on the shipping fees too!

I have a friend who has just started selling on Ebay, oemworldpc - computer systems and hard drives and things, but the costs make a mockery of everything (he says) and although he is developing his own website, marketing on a non existent budget for a new website is tough, so getting people to know the name is best acheived by using eBay....Amazon just got silly with their pricing for sellers, they really turned it into a numbers game, which isn't helpful at the moment!

So, what about CQout - seems to be very active over there and cheaper

 

[MatthewOgborne]

particularly as they are now planning oncharging a commission on the shipping fees too!

This is currently in the USA only and the UK is unaffected, although we're likely to see it in the next eBay update

 

[catchtheniche]

Hi, there.
If you have alot goods to sell,open a ebay shop is a good decide.If not,you 'd better to sell on normal ebay website.
I have ever sold more than ￡3,000 in a month and found decide whether you open a ebay shop is how many goods you want ot sell on ebay and you could offer the ebay's fees.
If you want to talk to me,please contact me.


fortuneluck

eBay shop is alternative to normal e-commerce web site. Please tell facts. If you have a lot of items and you should open ebay store is not a fact. The fact is if you dont want to have web site you can open ebay store. If you want just to sell on ebay you dont need ebay store. I make thousands of dollars without ebay store.

 

[tyro1979]

You was suspended because of 1 negative feedback common! Dont lie to people. I have many accounts and half of them are top rated sellers, if you do everything right and dont scam people everything is fine with ebay. I also can say, dont go to walmart because the milk is bad. Stupid fact I think.

I think a valid warning was raised. The internet is awash with people with similar stories. Those new to Ebay need know the dangers. The rules frequently change leading to people innocently disobeying rules. Worst yet, many claim their accounts have been suspended with no apparant reason and zero communication or feedback from Ebay.

Personally I'd avoid selling on Ebay, the fees, postage cost, postage problems, overly critical cosumers (feedback - contant worry), over zelous competition and possible account suspensions make it extremely difficult.

 

[catchtheniche]

I think a valid warning was raised. The internet is awash with people with similar stories. Those new to Ebay need know the dangers. The rules frequently change leading to people innocently disobeying rules. Worst yet, many claim their accounts have been suspended with no apparant reason and zero communication or feedback from Ebay.

Personally I'd avoid selling on Ebay, the fees, postage cost, postage problems, overly critical cosumers (feedback - contant worry), over zelous competition and possible account suspensions make it extremely difficult.

I suggest you to ask people in jail 99% of them also tell that did nothing wrong and it is accident.

 

[antlisting]

not bad sell on ebay

 

[Tiger Commerce - Celia]

You can have an eCommerce shop that also has eBay integration. this way you will only have to put in your product details once and then everytime you'd like them to go onto eBay you can just push them up to be on eBay.

All orders will then be managed through the site.

If you have any questions please give me a shout.

Thanks,
Celia

 

[247clean]

Had nothng but problems with ebay some time ago. Registered as a Business seller and things started going really well. All positive feedback, things selling well, everyone was happy with the items they received and the delivery times. Thought..great. Then out of the blue had a message from paypal saying they were going to start witholding money for up to 21 days. Called them but got nowhere..their response was that its ebay policy, and something about being a high risk. Argued that how was I a high risk when had 100% positive feedback, excellent DSRs and everyone was happy. Like I said got nowhere.
Now call me stupid if you like but normally if you buy something online or in a shop you have to pay for it first, the person or shop gets their money and you take the goods. With ebay & paypal it turned the other way. The buyer gets the goods, paypal keep the money and release it only if the buyer bothers to give positive feedback. (Not all buyers bother with feedback). You are encouraged to remind the buyer to leave positive feedback. This shouldnt be necessary !
I know quite a few other people this has happened to and all of them stopped selling on eaby.
Luckily this wasnt my only business, but I feel for those who use this as their main business, as it can cause them cashflow problems.

 

[kate k]

If you're looking to create an e-commerce shop you also need to look at shipping costs. BusinessCrayon have a special on collect+, who already deal with a lot of online businesses. The pricing currently starts at 5x2kg packages for £9 or 5x10kg packages for £14.