Advice for actually making money on eBay?

[antarit]

I guess this is a bit of a rant & I realize I set myself up for failure. 

hoping more level headed people can give insight. 

I get old computers & parts. Like a wireless mouse I just sold on eBay for $8. I’ll look on sold items for eBay. See if they sell & for how much

I’ll test it to make sure it works, clean it up from several years of users grime / sweat. 

take pics, list it,etc.  for this mouse, I set the price at 12? Inc shipping - similar to some that have sold recently.  Things not selling over a few weeks,  I’m lowering the prices $1 each week or so

It sold!  At $8. 

I happen to actually notice I’m getting $6.57 after fees (didn’t know about the 30c / transaction fee - I thought it was just 13% on total inc tax & shipping even if shipping is listed separate).  It’s 13.25 now? 

shipping using pirateship will be 5.07  for ground advantage (buyer & me are on East coast. Usually someone in Calif buys these flat rate shipping things ; )

then find a box from my collection from things I’ve received, padding, trip to post office.   

for $1.50.   Again, if they are on west coast, shipping is more / I might lose money. 

I like knowing someone will use something that would otherwise get tossed.  I get 2% on credit card reward on postage purchase. 

but it’s really not worth my time. 

Other than just set a rule -  if total price is under $x, just not worth selling little things like this?  

do you have a rule like that?

Are there cheaper services than pirateship for low volume (3 things a week)?

what flaws do you see in my process?

thanks in advance!!

[simba6]

Not everything sells for a lot.   You can sell the lower value items in lots.  You do have to be aware of the fees. On low priced sales they can really cost you.  For light and smaller packages the USPS is about the lowest cost. If you buy your label through eBay you do get a little discount.

Before listing, search eBay for the items you planning to sell and see what they are going for.

[kensgiftshop]

$1.50 isn't much, but better then the item setting in a box somewhere.

USPS is the cheapest for smaller items.

[dhbookds]

The only way to make money ANYWHERE is to figure the profits before you buy .......taking into consideration all your costs of selling.  The amount of "acceptable profit" is subjective.....what may be acceptable/desirable to you, may not be acceptable to me.....  Many believe listing items below $10-20 or higher is a waste of time........because the profits may not meet their "acceptable" criteria as a general rule. 

That kind of decision has to be made by the individual seller.......  and, of course, there will be exceptions.  If an item doesn't sell at the desirable price......many would drop the price/take a lower offer, etc.....  Others simply get rid of it......donation/dumpster, etc. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi @antarit 

“what flaws do you see in my process?”

In your pricing research, you’ve done some due diligence and considered  the historical sold prices you see in Completed listings, which is a plus. But then you are dropping your informed price to spur sales activity, but in doing so you may not be supporting your profit goals (or break-even point). 

I’d recommend waiting before dropping prices, (or not dropping) especially for items below $20.