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Selling on EBay. What do I need to know? (Vanity)

Posted on 06/20/2004 1:01:39 PM PDT by LuLuLuLu

We've got some antique and other stuff that we don't use and don't want, so I've decided to sell it on ebay. I know I need to do some research to set reasonable reserves, but I'm wondering if there is anything else I need to know?

One thing that concerns me is the seller's rating. Years ago I bought things on ebay, and so if I long in with the same user name (assuming I can remember it), will it be detrimental that I have no feedback as a seller?

Another concern is the whole Paypal thing. I've read horror stories.

Help me out here, folks. I'd like to hear the good, the bad and especially the ugly of selling on ebay.

Many thanks in advance.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: ebay
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To: MizSterious

This used to be illegal on eBay.
It was a way for bidders to make more money without having to pay eBay's high value fees. Guess they lost that fight.
I only charge what it cost to ship, and if I overestimate, I send them left over cash with the item.


61 posted on 06/20/2004 2:42:40 PM PDT by mabelkitty
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To: abner
You wrote:

"I used to leave feedback right away. Sadly, no longer. The customer is less likely to solve a problem if you have already left feedback for what I think is a good transaction. Later, they can just neg. I would rather know that the customer is happy in the form of a positive than find out after the fact that I didn't have a chance to fix a problem when they leave a neg.

Does that make sense? Fortunately, I have no negs yet."

]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

Unfortunately, it absolutely makes some sense......Although the first time I encountered that from a seller...I was somewhat put off...Ha!!! Then I thought about it...and realized they were right. They had over 2000 feedbacks, and at the time I had less than 200...so I figured they had more experience than I....( G ).

I've enjoyed this thread, and I've enjoyed using eBay. For the most part...I've had very good transactions on eBay. I've only had to leave "Negative Feedback" a handful of times....and typically it was to newbies.

FRegards,

62 posted on 06/20/2004 2:43:36 PM PDT by Osage Orange (It's not Right versus Left.........It's Right versus Wrong..!!)
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To: BlackRazor
How many times have you had to leave negative feedback? I also have 100% positive, but really detest having to leave negative feedback for someone else. Because sooner or later I know I'm going to get a retaliatory negative.

I sell a lot on ebay. I leave negs for non-payment. It is simply 'did not pay' with the dates of reminder, NPB and FVFC. I've never gotten a return neg. Well... I just rec'd a neg back from someone who insisted he paid. When I contacted him, neither he nor I could see the payment. He paid, we sent, he's happy, and we both left pleasant follow up emails. I then initiated a 'mutual feedback withdrawal' on the transaction, and the neg will be removed as part of the percentage. I will then be back to 100%, but the comment remains. So, good 'replies' can be important.

Here's my feedback report: on ebay.

63 posted on 06/20/2004 2:43:38 PM PDT by technochick99
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To: SheLion

I had a guy leave me a neutral because I took too long to ship. Only thing he left out was that he paid with a check two weeks after the auction ended. I shipped when the check cleared 10 days later. If I would have left him a positive when I got his check(that was stated in my auction that I don't take) he would have negged me.


64 posted on 06/20/2004 2:45:35 PM PDT by abner (FREE THE MIRANDA MEMOS! http://www.intelmemo.com or http://www.wintersoldier.com)
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To: Polybius
Why does PayPal want bank account numbers from buyers when they already have a credit card number?

It's like a debit card, where they pull the money out of your checking account. Not charge it. That's how it works with me, anyway.

65 posted on 06/20/2004 2:45:56 PM PDT by SheLion (Please register to vote! We can't afford to remain silent!!)
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To: abner
I had a guy leave me a neutral because I took too long to ship. Only thing he left out was that he paid with a check two weeks after the auction ended. I shipped when the check cleared 10 days later. If I would have left him a positive when I got his check(that was stated in my auction that I don't take) he would have negged me.

It's awful! That's what I am talking about. You have to put a book review in your descriptions to cover all the bases with some of the jerks. I swear, I go through a period of selling to people who come out from under rocks!

Then, a good period comes along, and all the buyers are great!

66 posted on 06/20/2004 2:47:33 PM PDT by SheLion (Please register to vote! We can't afford to remain silent!!)
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To: LuLuLuLu
Lu, You could read 'seller's central' on the boards to get a feel for what to expect. I would say that nearly 95% on my auctions have gone without a bump. The other 5% can be anything from minor to major hassles.

Like others have said, build up your feedback first as a buyer. I leave feedback first about 90% of the time. So far, we've been fairly lucky. So many buyers don't leave feedback - I don't concern myself about that. We have started self-insuring since we make our our items. We pack well, and have replaced items as needed, but that is not common.

Download shippers assistant and use the online USPS postage and label service. Tracking numbers are a MUST!! They're free with priority, and only about .13 for first class or parcel post. In addition, they can send your buyer an automatic email upon shipment, which is one less thing for you to do.

We also ship internationally and that's not been a problem for us. If you have any further questions, please feel free to freepmail me.

67 posted on 06/20/2004 2:51:00 PM PDT by technochick99
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To: SheLion
You have to put a book review in your descriptions to cover all the bases with some of the jerks

LOL! Ain't that the truth!

I had one guy that whined and moaned about a product. I sent him his money back and because I had left no feedback yet, I didn't get a neg. Whew! He had left lots of negs to other sellers.

That said, I love selling on eBay. Most sellers are very kind. There is always that 1 percent in the bunch that make life miserable.

68 posted on 06/20/2004 2:51:09 PM PDT by abner (FREE THE MIRANDA MEMOS! http://www.intelmemo.com or http://www.wintersoldier.com)
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To: LuLuLuLu

By the time you photograph the item, describe it, list it, answer stupid question and buyer corespondence, pack and ship the thing, more correspondence, wait for the money, leave feedback and pay eBay...

Well, unless you're expecting to make a 150% profit and have enough left over to pay yourself for that time, you're better off just throwing the damned thing in the garbage.


69 posted on 06/20/2004 2:51:13 PM PDT by anonymous_user (Life is like a crap sandwich. The more bread you got, the less crap you gotta eat.)
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To: abner

I hate neutrals.


70 posted on 06/20/2004 2:52:29 PM PDT by technochick99
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To: sinkspur
"I buy EVERYTHING I need on ebay, but I won't buy from someone who doesn't use PayPal. Won't even bid. "

Same here. I take into concideration my time and effort to either buy a money order or wait until a personal check clears. Both are losers. PayPal only.

71 posted on 06/20/2004 2:53:37 PM PDT by realpatriot (This tagline intentionally left blank, so quit reading it)
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To: technochick99

I use Endicia. They give you free delivery confirmation instead of .13 each from the post office. It works well for us.

I will ship internationally but usually I don't like to.


72 posted on 06/20/2004 2:53:45 PM PDT by abner (FREE THE MIRANDA MEMOS! http://www.intelmemo.com or http://www.wintersoldier.com)
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To: realpatriot

I've had people send cash. The way I look at it, money is money :)


73 posted on 06/20/2004 2:54:26 PM PDT by technochick99
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To: technochick99
I hate neutrals.

Me too. I sulked for a week when I got one.

Heck, it still bugs me.

74 posted on 06/20/2004 2:55:13 PM PDT by abner (FREE THE MIRANDA MEMOS! http://www.intelmemo.com or http://www.wintersoldier.com)
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To: abner

I don't know your volume on paypal, but after a certain amount (over a couple of months), you can get a lower rate (2.2% instead of 2.9%). I was astounded to read it on the boards a few nights ago... Hello paypal - thanks for the notification. grr....


75 posted on 06/20/2004 2:55:57 PM PDT by technochick99
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To: realpatriot

I will try to buy on ebay before I have to go to a mall or somewhere else. I hate shopping.


76 posted on 06/20/2004 2:56:33 PM PDT by abner (FREE THE MIRANDA MEMOS! http://www.intelmemo.com or http://www.wintersoldier.com)
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To: technochick99

Thanks for the tip. I will check it out.


77 posted on 06/20/2004 2:57:26 PM PDT by abner (FREE THE MIRANDA MEMOS! http://www.intelmemo.com or http://www.wintersoldier.com)
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To: LuLuLuLu

My pet peeve is morons who don't crop or compress their photos. Nothing more annoying than a photo which is 95% some loser's cheap carpet and 5% the actual item for sale. Also invest in a decent digital camera if you don't already have one. It's amazing how many people try and sell items that are totally blurry or badly underexposed. That really irritates me. Another thing that pisses me off is slack-jaws who don't answer questions about the item. If they don't answer my questions I ain't buyin' their piece-of-crap item. Good communications is key.


78 posted on 06/20/2004 2:58:53 PM PDT by Godebert
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To: abner
"I used to leave feedback right away. Sadly, no longer. The customer is less likely to solve a problem if you have already left feedback for what I think is a good transaction. Later, they can just neg. I would rather know that the customer is happy in the form of a positive than find out after the fact that I didn't have a chance to fix a problem when they leave a neg. Does that make sense? Fortunately, I have no negs yet."

From a buyer's perspective that is silly. When you have the buyer's money, the buyer is at your mercy. When you have his money he fulfilled his obligation and should be rewarded accordingly. As a buyer, I won't leave feedback before the seller. I consider your (seller's) view to be frankly, quite inconciderate. Many sellers have had no feedback from me as a result. It's just a principle I stand by. I have plenty of feedback and can forgo more missed feedbacks than most sellers.

79 posted on 06/20/2004 3:00:48 PM PDT by realpatriot (This tagline intentionally left blank, so quit reading it)
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To: LuLuLuLu

Be sure to advise the buyer that if he doesn't insure, the shipment is at his risk. That takes care of the shysters who buy something, and receive it, then demand their money back saying they never received the item.

Also, be hard-nosed about feedback. Put in your ad that you will leave feedback upon receiving one from the buyer. That way you don't get suckered in to leaving a good one and then have the buyer, for whatever reason, leave you a negative.

If you do get a negative, make sure you reply otherwise others might think the complainer had a case.


80 posted on 06/20/2004 3:00:56 PM PDT by Oatka
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