Fairly new seller just wondering how im doing..

[onlythebestsales1]

Hey everybody! First time on the forum. But anyways just wondering how im doing for a new seller. Have had my account since november of last year. All i have been doing is buying stuff at the thrift store then listing on ebay, i try to never buy something unless i can make atleast 20$ after all fees but i do sometimes buy lower paying items if im bored lol. I think im doing pretty good and i am having alot of fun doing it. Does anybody have any tips to take it to the next level? I would like to turn this into a full time job eventually. I look forward to being here on the forum and learning as much as possible. 

[prettywoman-2012]

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@onlythebestsales1 wrote:

Hey everybody! First time on the forum. But anyways just wondering how im doing for a new seller. Have had my account since november of last year. All i have been doing is buying stuff at the thrift store then listing on ebay, i try to never buy something unless i can make atleast 20$ after all fees but i do sometimes buy lower paying items if im bored lol. I think im doing pretty good and i am having alot of fun doing it. Does anybody have any tips to take it to the next level? I would like to turn this into a full time job eventually. I look forward to being here on the forum and learning as much as possible. 

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Judging by the numbers you have shared, you are doing VERY well, especially with that type of merchandise. Way to go! There are quite a few sellers who did not sell anything, per their posts here, in the entire month of February. Good luck

PW

[patd3283]

You are doing great.  Keep up the good work!

If I may add one suggest, please.  Get some core board at some place like Michael's and use it as the background for your pictures.  Sometimes it is hard to see what you have with the wood floor, wood door or Priority box background.

[mountainmommie]

I can't tell jack about how you're doing based on those numbers.

And calendars can't ship media.

[onlythebestsales1]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! My sales have been pretty steady since november when i started, somewhat slow but steady, i think ive had around 10 sells this month so far. Havent noticed a slow down yet.

[onlythebestsales1]

Thanks haha... I do realize my pics need some work and plan to step my pic game up here soon.

[onlythebestsales1]

Ooops ive done sent about 20 of them out as media mail lol

What numbers do you need? As far as investment probably around 2-300 so far.

[mountainmommie]

My point is nobody here can really tell you how you're ... doing. Are you talking profit? I need to see your books. Are you talking sell-thru rate? Are you talking your feedback response? Are you talking your joy and contentment of people you've met?

It's a subjective question unless you provide the facts and stats I need to compare your image to.

And it's not really lol when other sellers struggle because they don't abuse media mail. Plenty of businesses have items sitting unsold because they quote the correct shipping while you are shipping for 1 /2 the price. By those standards, yeah, you are smoking. Congratulations!

[onlythebestsales1]

Its lol because i thought it was media mail. The post office literally gave me a mailer and watched me put one in it. And i sent it media mail.  

Me sending something media mail should have no effect on anybody's business.

From the short amount of time that i have been here reading i have came to the conclusion that some sellers are definately having issues with their sales and it is making for some sour posts and sour replies.

I came here hoping for tips, encouragement and inspiration from other sellers and to help when and where i can. 

I dont need a complete breakdown of my sales but thanks though!

[onlythebestsales1]

This is a customer support ruling...

I will continue to send them media mail.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, i was looking at your listings and noticed you were sending a small electronic item by Parcel Select Ground rather than Priority. The cost is about the same and Priority has greater benefits. It is much quicker, and has built in insurance at no extra cost. Parcel Select Ground is generally for large, heavy packages or items that must be sent ground such as HazMat. Do any of your items require ground shipping?

When you decide to step it up to the next level, you might consider a 1 day handling time and a more buyer-friendly return service. Following eBay’s Best Practices can improve your listing placement in Search. Below are links to more info on this:

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/listings/listing-tips/optimising-listings-best-match?id=4166

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/listing-and-marketing/listing-best-practices.html

https://pages.ebay.com/sell/itemdescription/mobilefriendlyguidelines.html

You might also consider enrolling in PayPal’s micropayments program. It might be able to save you money on your PayPal fees. It is for sellers with items in the lower price points, like under $12. Link below to more info:

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/increase-profits-with-paypal-micropayments-1140571

You seem to be doing well here. Congrats, and please come to the forums anytime. There is always someone here to help.

[onlythebestsales1]

Hey! Nice to meet u. Thanks for the thought out reply i really do appreciate it. This all started with my wifes thrift store addiction, i figured i could use it to make some side $ and now im more addicted to thrifting than she is lol. So far what i have been doing is hitting up all the thrift stores on saturday and listing them the same day. Maybe 8 hours a week sourcing and listing and 1 hour a week dropping stuff off at post office. So not very much time invested at all right now, i can def see room for growth.

On the listing you are talking about with the weird shipping i dont know what happened on that one. But i do usually ship priority unless its a bigger item, if you want you can pm me if you can do that on here and i will let you in on how i ship bigger items for super cheap, nothing wrong or illegal just dont care for the haters on here to know. I have been thinking of just adding the price of shipping into the buy it now price, i think it would look a little more enticing to the buyer. But idk. I do have my own scales and printer setup i also need to start boxing and figuring exact shipping cost before i list, thats another thing i need to work on. I will check out all the links and stuff you posted in the a.m. the paypal micro thing looks interesting.

[luckythewinner]

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@onlythebestsales1 wrote:

This is a customer support ruling...

I will continue to send them media mail.

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The justification that you gave appears to be for "Bound Printed Matter" and not for "Media Mail". The two are not the same thing. They have different rules not just for content but also for who is eligible to use it and where it must be delivered for mailing. 

BPM is a commercial bulk rate that requires Form 8042 and that you pay for a USPS mailing permit. It is not accepted at retail post offices; it can only be deposited at Business Mail Entry units. 

[rschissler]

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@onlythebestsales1 wrote:

Me sending something media mail should have no effect on anybody's business.

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Really?  How about honest sellers that go by the book, and have to pay more to ship their calendars?

[turquoisetulips]

Are you sure you came to the forum to ask for  help ? Because  by those rates it doesn't look like you need any . I've made two whole sales on e bay  this month and I've been here since 1996 .  Tulips