Your eBay SELLING experience...
- Thread starter Against_All_Odds
- Start date
D
David Earle
OK here's a clue....Don't bother with t-shirts! Too much competition, unless you want to make 20p a sale. I've dipped my toe in a few times.
The best stuff to sell in my experience is rare or hard to find musical equipment. I used to sell effects pedals and guitar amplifiers back in the day when eBay actually had buyers on there.
The best stuff to sell in my experience is rare or hard to find musical equipment. I used to sell effects pedals and guitar amplifiers back in the day when eBay actually had buyers on there.
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I can answer than. If you're seeing if it's feasible, start with the sell price, minus any postage, take 15% off that number (paypal and ebay fees), if you turn a profit, it might be feasible.
Unless you have a small monopoly on a product, you're gonna need 100's of products to make the earnings look attractive.
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- Original Poster
- #11
Thank you all for your response -
PartyCupsUK - I was looking at sourcing and selling products, but also selling other peoples for a 35% fee (that includes paypal and ebay). Just need a good product to sell - mobile accessories seem attractive to me - I know this is very popular so Im holding back on them...!
SILVESTON - I dont suppose you would like to share the details of what your client sells? (you dont get if you dont ask!)
coxdabd - very sound advice - I have already made changes to my settings - I have already had one similar experience! Thankyou!
As always - any more advice or info gratefully received!!!!
PartyCupsUK - I was looking at sourcing and selling products, but also selling other peoples for a 35% fee (that includes paypal and ebay). Just need a good product to sell - mobile accessories seem attractive to me - I know this is very popular so Im holding back on them...!
SILVESTON - I dont suppose you would like to share the details of what your client sells? (you dont get if you dont ask!)
coxdabd - very sound advice - I have already made changes to my settings - I have already had one similar experience! Thankyou!
As always - any more advice or info gratefully received!!!!
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As i said before nobody is going to come on here and just give you the knowledge of what sells incredibly well from there experience (or clients) of currently selling it on eBay.
If someone did i wouldn't believe them anyway.
If you're serious about making a go of selling on eBay then use hammertap or terapeak to research ebay and find products that you could sell on there that are currently selling well but don't have that many people selling it. You could then go and create a better or cooler version of that product with a manufacture in china and then blow your competition out the water (as long as they were weak in the firstplace).
Michael
EDIT: eBay is still the undisputed shopping portal in the UK so it has the most ready to buy users on it. If you have the right product at the right price that sets you apart from your competitors then you will make a killing on it.
If someone did i wouldn't believe them anyway.
If you're serious about making a go of selling on eBay then use hammertap or terapeak to research ebay and find products that you could sell on there that are currently selling well but don't have that many people selling it. You could then go and create a better or cooler version of that product with a manufacture in china and then blow your competition out the water (as long as they were weak in the firstplace).
Michael
EDIT: eBay is still the undisputed shopping portal in the UK so it has the most ready to buy users on it. If you have the right product at the right price that sets you apart from your competitors then you will make a killing on it.
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A
Allan123
Anything will sell on eBay for the right price. The problem is finding the products you can make a profit on.
There's a hell of alot of eBay bashers on this forum, but it is possible to make money, build a company and grow if your ride it out and are happy to move slowly at the beginning. Don't expect to start out tomorrow and be a Powerseller in 2 weeks time, it takes alot of patience to get moving on eBay.
There's a hell of alot of eBay bashers on this forum, but it is possible to make money, build a company and grow if your ride it out and are happy to move slowly at the beginning. Don't expect to start out tomorrow and be a Powerseller in 2 weeks time, it takes alot of patience to get moving on eBay.
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silvermusic
OP, as others have said, no one's going to give you a golden key to products and/or suppliers, if there is such a thing, do your own research.
As a startup you won't even get past the initial front door with many suppliers until you have a track record. There's no magic solution or easy money, if you're serious it's something you have to work at.
As a startup you won't even get past the initial front door with many suppliers until you have a track record. There's no magic solution or easy money, if you're serious it's something you have to work at.
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- Original Poster
- #15
Thank you all for the advice - I never expected a secret formula, but it is interesting the see everyone's different ebay opinions...
I am still researching what to sell, but from what I can see, there's one or two people out there making good money from selling very generic items..
I am currently testing a few items to see what reaction they get, hopefully this experience will allow me to focus on a specific product area..time will tell
...but should anyone find a golden key....
Thank you all!
I am still researching what to sell, but from what I can see, there's one or two people out there making good money from selling very generic items..
I am currently testing a few items to see what reaction they get, hopefully this experience will allow me to focus on a specific product area..time will tell
...but should anyone find a golden key....
Thank you all!
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I have been selling on Ebay for about 7 years. I stick to one product (zippo lighters in my case) because the more you sell the more you learn. This is a niche market and over the years I have learned to know the likely sale value of a particular design of lighter before even selling it. This is a great advantage because you can search ebay for these gems and buy at a bargain price to resell - I have had occasions where I have purchased one lighter for £12.00 and sold for over £100.00 - this is common if you know what you are doing.
In my case I have sort of went off ebay the past year or so - the fees and the rules are getting ridiculous and ebay always seem to side with the buyer for some reason.
Good luck to you.
In my case I have sort of went off ebay the past year or so - the fees and the rules are getting ridiculous and ebay always seem to side with the buyer for some reason.
Good luck to you.
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- Original Poster
- #22
Thanks everyone - thats really useful feedback! And now I think I have found a little idea to start working on (no its not clothes or hippos
And who said people wouldn't be happy to share their success???
It's nice to find a forum where people support others!
First eBay...then the worldddddd!
(strokes cat on knee!)
And who said people wouldn't be happy to share their success???
It's nice to find a forum where people support others!
First eBay...then the worldddddd!
(strokes cat on knee!)
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M
MoonlightEnts
Tried too sell a Blackberry on there today and on both occasions they were fraudelent accounts requesting for the item too be sent too Nigeria!
Do they think im ffffin stoopid!
Quite disappointed with Ebay continually allowing these parasites to con innocent people!!!!
Do they think im ffffin stoopid!
Quite disappointed with Ebay continually allowing these parasites to con innocent people!!!!
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Allan123
Block buyers outside UK?
Block buyers with feedback less than 5?
Usually cuts out any messers.
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You try to sell and a competitor buys from you, negs you, smashes your stars and BAM, out of business you go (whilst still paying for the fees) complete waste of time.
I haven't been a business seller on ebay, but I have sold as a hobby when I needed things clearing. I used to visit their forums quite often and got a very good insight into how quickly and unfairly you can be destroyed on there
I haven't been a business seller on ebay, but I have sold as a hobby when I needed things clearing. I used to visit their forums quite often and got a very good insight into how quickly and unfairly you can be destroyed on there
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don't forget the classic ebay scams -
Get items for free -
If delivered to you by any method other than recorded then claim it wasn't received. If the seller puts up a fuss, make a claim with paypal, you will get your money back.
If you don't like the item (or just don't want it anymore) and the seller refuses to accept it back - break it. Tell paypal and get your money back (may have to send a faxed pic of the 'broken item')
or - the seller instructs you to send the item back for a refund - keep the item, fill a shoe box with stones and send back royal mail recorded. Seller signs for the box at the door. You'll get their signature then on the Royal Mail website, send the webpage to paypal as proof that you sent the item back and they'll give you your money back whilst you keep the item.
How on gods earth is that a fair trading arena? those are just some of the tricks used. You'd never get me trading on there.
Get items for free -
If delivered to you by any method other than recorded then claim it wasn't received. If the seller puts up a fuss, make a claim with paypal, you will get your money back.
If you don't like the item (or just don't want it anymore) and the seller refuses to accept it back - break it. Tell paypal and get your money back (may have to send a faxed pic of the 'broken item')
or - the seller instructs you to send the item back for a refund - keep the item, fill a shoe box with stones and send back royal mail recorded. Seller signs for the box at the door. You'll get their signature then on the Royal Mail website, send the webpage to paypal as proof that you sent the item back and they'll give you your money back whilst you keep the item.
How on gods earth is that a fair trading arena? those are just some of the tricks used. You'd never get me trading on there.
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R
Rhyl Lightworks
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In my opinion Ebay has past it's heyday for sellers and the ebay/paypal fees escalate more and more so there isn't the profit to be had now as say 5 years ago. It killed it totally for me when they took away the right for a seller to leave neutral or negative feedback for a buyer that either wouldn't pay promptly or at all.
In all honesty the buyers are mostly "something for nothing" types who think that offering £100 for a £600 item is going to be accepted - dream on. One tiny scratch you may not have mentioned in the description and the sky falls in.
I traded for over 8 years selling high value hi-fi components and never once had issues over couriers with losses or breakages. I sold a few items over the last year and all three were damaged in transit which got me a lot of hassle and negative feedback too for my pains
In all honesty the buyers are mostly "something for nothing" types who think that offering £100 for a £600 item is going to be accepted - dream on. One tiny scratch you may not have mentioned in the description and the sky falls in.
I traded for over 8 years selling high value hi-fi components and never once had issues over couriers with losses or breakages. I sold a few items over the last year and all three were damaged in transit which got me a lot of hassle and negative feedback too for my pains
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M
MH1
I would agree, awful search function, everything tipped towards the buyer too much and constant ebay meddling with their platform, always leaving their clients, the sellers at a disadvantage.
The important bit is the lack of control, it is ebays platform. I still use it but have reduced my spend on ebay and paypal fees by 80% in the last two years, I just take what sales come but put my efforts elsewhere to get better results.
Until more people do the same things will not change, ebay is no longer set up for small businesses, they want the larger stores, who get preferential rates and exposure.
As for the buyers on ebay, never have a problem elsewhere, ebay clients tend to be very picky with what they see as their power over sellers, I have lost count of the amount of threatening blackmails I have received over the years to try and get a discount after purchase, no-one has ever got any yet though.
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There will always be the 'odd' parcel that is lost in the RM system but I'd question how many ebay parcels are lost by RM and how many are actually just claimed as lost by the buyers whilst they sit with the parcel and their full refund.
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been trying to sell a blackberry and the amount of stress is just not worth it. the guy keeps complaing about "faults" which IMO are just outright lies. i offered item return for refund but hes cheap that hes not even happy with that!
i will prob end up losing the phone coz hes a tea-leafing bar stool and send me a box wiht a brick in it whilst he is refunded, and i get negative feedback.
i am never using ebay ever ever ever again. its just a pain in the ass.
the only times when it has worked out is when the buyer has come over and collected - inspect it your self, no blame 2 days later "oohhh.. theres a speck of dust in the box, how dare you..." and also can skip the middle (con)man tha is ebay and not pay fees if both parties are happy with it.
rant over.
i will prob end up losing the phone coz hes a tea-leafing bar stool and send me a box wiht a brick in it whilst he is refunded, and i get negative feedback.
i am never using ebay ever ever ever again. its just a pain in the ass.
the only times when it has worked out is when the buyer has come over and collected - inspect it your self, no blame 2 days later "oohhh.. theres a speck of dust in the box, how dare you..." and also can skip the middle (con)man tha is ebay and not pay fees if both parties are happy with it.
rant over.
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silvermusic
What a stupid rumour, which Christmas cracker did that gem come from
FWIW I had record months September and October this year, November slightly down on last year.
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