Info. Needed
Summary: stsch-574 is seeking advice on how to fairly split profits with someone who would handle selling their items, primarily new-old-stock hardware, on platforms like eBay. Various participants shared insights on the challenges of shipping, taxes, and logistics, with some suggesting a 50/50 split after expenses. Others recommended selling locally or using consignment sellers due to the complexities involved. stsch-574 mentioned they have limited time to sell, as they are semi-retired and frequently travel, hence seeking a reliable partner for the sales effort.
Reaching out in hopes an answer good be found to what would be a fair and equitable split if someone would do selling for me? Don't want to short change nor do want to do the sam eto myself.
stsch-574
OP2 weeks agoSo many peolpe have been very kind to offer up much needed advice and their experince. It seems that maybe one the toughest aspects of selling could be like so many other occupations: It's the customers who can often be kinda challenging in the many aspects of selling.
The following is kind the gist of a ad put on Facebook and pretty much only garnered the many comments seen here on eBay. And chiefly would be the proper split, nevertheless here it is for whatever it's worth:
" Seeking a qualified individual, perhaps retired or semi-retired, to get involved with a part-time business of selling on eBay. No this is not a scam at all, but a serious effort for someone who’ll partner with me; I have the product but have no time for the ’selling’ end, that’s where you come in.
The products I have are mostly of new old stock of building hardware often consisting of cabinet handles, pulls, drawer guides to lots of higher-end door butts; again, most of this is primarily new old stock. A large amount of fasteners including boxes of brass and ferrous screws. Also plenty of new but never used plumbing and electrical period hardware. Skills required are that often needed customer service of promptly answering queries from possible customers.
You will ideally have some experience in one of the following: some type of eBay selling background, some type of hardware background, some modicum of enthusiasm and gong-ho selling attitude, and above all being able to show trustworthiness. These qualifications are not wholly mandatory, simply a jumping off point of what’s needed."
I realize many people would word this differently, probably based upon their experience, and maybe that's just what I look for is better wording.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!!
ryry-jj
·2 weeks agoMy question...you know what you have, you have it in your possessions, why not sell it yourself?
stsch-574
OP2 weeks agoA fair question. I'm semi retired and have a nearly a full time furniture making occupation, secondly I travel frequently, and lastly this could be an endeavor that'll last a couple years depending on how many items someone wants to list but with around 1500# of mostly cabinet and door hardware, and mainly new old stock, it could get kinda involved.
Thanks!!
ryry-jj
·2 weeks agoList all your items for one big lot, local pick up only...or maybe 2 or three lots...all hinges, all door knobs,....
If it doesn't sell, donate and take the tax deduction. What you just told me was your time is far more valuable elsewhere then selling these items...so take a shot with the lots, and if they don't sell get rid of them and go about your day
dhbookds
·2 weeks agoThere may be consignment sellers out there.....would place ads locally to try to locate....since the shipping cost to one would probably be a killer. They would set their terms, not you.
Frankly, I'd try to sell locally....in a large lot........the paperwork alone to sell on consignment would deter me, but consignment people probably have that down pat. As a suggestion, you might contacting the local storage unit places and ask if they know anyone that might be interested in buying a lot of the hardware. They sell their abandoned stuff in addition to having tenants that may be resellers.
kibble-net
·2 weeks agoIt's not just how much you're going to pay the seller - there are other important details as well.
For instance, how will you handle returns? Item Not Received cases? etc....
steve_stuff
·3 weeks agoAn amount that you both agree upon.
As to taxes, the seller sends you the same IRS form as the consignment shop does. You pay on your amount, they pay on theirs.
hartungcards
·3 weeks agoYou get 25%, the person doing all the work gets 75%
kibble-net
·2 weeks agoDepends what you are selling. If it's postcards? Yes, taking 75% commission seems fine. Laptop computers? That might be too greedy. Personally I only take a 30 percent cut, but every seller needs to do the math to figure out how much is enough to make their time worth it.
monroe67
·3 weeks ago · EditedBare minimum split: 50/50%.
As the previous responders have all stated, there are many more aspects to selling for somebody else or, as your post states, having somebody else sell for you.
Here's my experience:
I'm a member of a nationwide crafting organization which occasionally gets donations of unused products and projects left behind when someone passes away. I volunteered many years ago to (try to) sell those items on eBay. That means I keep the items in my home (or the storage locker that I eventually closed because it was very expensive). I take the photos. I create the listings. I pack the sold items, and I take them to the post office.
When I started selling these things, I donated the full sale proceeds back to the chapter's treasury. After a while, some other members decided it would be fair for me to keep some of the proceeds.
So now, we do a split of 70% to the chapter and 30% for me. (I think we now have this written into our bylaws!)
The amount of time it takes for some of these things to sell has not been an issue.
Nor has the question of income tax. Believe me, neither I nor the organization are getting rich off these sales. If any income tax becomes due as a result of my sales, I'd simply pay it myself. It would not be very much money. I might not even tell anybody in the club that my income tax was increased as a result of selling things that the chapter received for free.
albertabrightalberta
·3 weeks ago@stsch-574
Another thing to consider: Some items might take years to sell. Are you willing to wait years to get money?
redmodelt
·3 weeks agoAdding to what has been said already, without knowing your location would be very hard to recommend someone, even if that was something we would do. Your location shows located in the USA. Many would not want to have their names connected with suggesting someone when things went wrong.
stsch-574
OP2 weeks agoThank you much for your reply. One point I did not mention is their a need for specific knowledge in the genre of merch. being sold? Mine is predominately cabinet and door hardware, pretty much all new stock dating from the 40s' onward.
Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated, I'm located in Central Oregon.
Thanks again!!
albertabrightalberta
·3 weeks agoHaving done it twice for friends, I can honestly say this isn't a task I'd take on ever again.
But if you are fortunate enough to find someone willing to take this on, expect to pay all their fees, potential IRS income taxes (for which they will be liable) and (at least) 50/50 split AFTER those deductions.
Personally, if I had stuff I wanted to get rid of, I'd do one of the following:
Take it to a consignment store and let them do ALL the work
Donate it
Sell it myself
Give it (free of charge) to someone who's willing to take it and sell it. And I wouldn't expect anything in return.
What you are suggesting isn't as easy as you want to believe.
powell-collectibles
·3 weeks ago · EditedI don’t get it – how would you take out income tax before the split.? Those that sell for others pay money to the original owner and consider that cost of acquisition just as they would if they bought the inventory from a wholesaler or found it at a yard sale, etc. If I sell something for someone and clear $100 and I give them 80 of it then my profit is $20. I don’t do my taxes as if profit is $100, pay the govt $35, then pay for the inventory.
powell-collectibles
·3 weeks agoYou can find some consignment sellers on these boards – but there aren’t many of them. They might have some good ideas. It should be dependent on what you’re selling. Something relatively easy to sell and ship and list should have a lower percentage for the actual seller than something that requires a huge number of photographs and careful packing and a low profit level per item.
inhawaii
·3 weeks agoVery hard to do.
It's hard enough for one person to make money selling on ebay let alone two.
Who stores the merchandise?
Does your helper just do the listings?
Would you be using your own account or your helper's account?
Who pays the taxes on the earnings?
Will the person listing have physical access to the merchandise?
It's hard to list. photo and sell something if you don't physically have it in your possesion.
What about returns?
stsch-574
OP3 weeks agoHi and thank you for your reply, and thanks to others who were kind enough to respond. If I may indulge you with a few questions that might go a long ways helping me kinda decide what to do.
Your comment 'hard enough for one person"... does not sound enlightening as I was hoping this venture would turn out; both parties would be somewhat happy to make a few bucks.
It strikes me there's a certain camaraderie and respect between eBay sellers. I have also come to realize how important the coveted standing a seller can receive; I can't imagine that's just handed out but 'earned'?
I posted a Facebook ad of sorts earlier this week seeking someone but the responses I received were pretty much like the ones here, and if I could finagle 50% I should be quite happy as 40% on my end would seem to make more sense to these folks?
In that ad I did touch upon pretty much all of the issues you listed and more.
I was seeking that someone who would be in complete possession of all product and determine pricing as well; cannot micro manage from a distance.
My product primarily consists of cabinet hardware and door hardware, all being new-old-stock, that makes up about 90%, total weight of all filled totes is no less than 1500#. So a fair amount that could keep being sold for quite a while I would think?
Thanks again!!
kensgiftshop
·3 weeks agoWith taxes and shipping changes, it'll probably be hard to find someone that will sell your items.
Why not sell yourself?