First time seller of high end collectibes

[susufabulous]

I've used eBay for almost 20 years -- but always as a buyer and not a seller.  I'm now getting ready to sell some very high-end collectibles, and I'm looking for advice, including on fees, shipping methods, seller protection and/other protection plans.  I'm grateful for any sage words and advice!  Thank you in advance!  

[chrysylys]

With no FB as a seller, you probably don't want to list anything aver about $50 for a while.  Maybe a few months.  Get your feet wet on lesser value items before moving up.

[siayan]

Selling is a learned experience, test the waters for while. I am sure you have some low priced items to start out with. Like some say, don't sell anything over your selling feedback score, maybe starting at $25.00 items.

You will gain the information as you go and you can ask the simple questions here rather then getting into the "I just was scammed for big bucks, what do I do" questions.

[zzydny]

If you've been using eBay for a long time, then you know a good bit about where you are and how it works.  Still, my suggestion is to begin with baby steps. 

• Read absolutely everything you can on the New Seller help pages because being a seller is very different and there is much to be aware of.  Be aware that experience as a buyer does not prepare you.
• Do NOT begin selling with a high end high price item.  Your first ten or twenty items should be items that you can make mistakes with because, no matter how well you expect things to go, you will make mistakes.  We all have.  I certainly have.  But you have some control over how painful (and expensive) those mistakes might be if you start in the slow lane so that you learn to drive before going at race car speed.
• Ask lots of questions here on the boards.  Experienced sellers have seen it all and they can foresee trouble before you might even realize its coming your way so they will be glad to assist.
• And, finally, don't get intimidated.  Never give up.  You can do this.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, if you havent seen this, it may be of interest to you, re: new seller of high-end items.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Selling/Selling-Fine-Jewelry-Over-One-Thousand-Dollars/m-p/27633534#M1...

[luckythewinner]

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@susufabulous wrote:

I've used eBay for almost 20 years -- but always as a buyer and not a seller.  I'm now getting ready to sell some very high-end collectibles, and I'm looking for advice, including on fees, shipping methods, seller protection and/other protection plans.  I'm grateful for any sage words and advice!  Thank you in advance!  

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There are four types of fees: 

Insertion fees (these are added to your monthly eBay bill at the time you list)

- Generally 30 cents. 

Final value fees on the item (added to your eBay bill at the time of the sale)

- Generally 10% of the item price

Final value fees on the shipping (added to your eBay bill at the time the buyer pays)

- Generally 10% of the shipping cost

PayPal Fees (deducted from the PayPal payment when it is received)

- Generally 30 cents plus 2.9% of the total payment

This is the seller protection you get: 

1) You are protected from a "Item Not Received" dispute as long as you delivery confirmation that is acceptable to ebay, and you provide it to them in the proper way at the proper time. 

2) You are proptected from having to refund the buyer twice, as long as the first refund is handled correctly. 

That is ALL YOU GET. 

If the buyer claims the item is "not as described", you will be forced to take a return and refund the buyer when his delivery confirmation says his return was delivered - even if that return is a box full of dirty socks instead of the iPhone you sent. 

And don't forget - you will have to refund the shipping cost he paid, and you will have to pay for the return shipping. 

It is an unfortunate reality of eBay that any buyer can steal any item from any seller at any time, as long as the buyer does not make a mistake while stealing from you. 

That being said .... 

Many sellers have a constant issue with fraud. Others have no issue whatsoever. Your mileage will vary.  But a good rule of thumb is to never list anything you cannot afford to lose, and I would suggest selling several small items so you learn the ropes before listing anything of value. 

[bubbleman2010]

Advice would depend on what type of high end collectibles you are planning on selling. There just isn't a one size fits all for selling on ebay....

[retrose1]

OP, Always remember that if you ever had a dispute as a buyer that went your way, evverything you got the seller lost something for that to happen.

Once you are a seller, that will happen to you.  There is very little seller protection.

[susufabulous]

Thank you so much, chrysylys, for taking the time to reply and for the advice! Best wishes!

[susufabulous]

Thank you, Siayan, for wise words and advice!

[susufabulous]

Dear zzydny, Thank you for your time, advice and support! I appreciate all of it!

[susufabulous]

Dear fashunu4eeuh: Thank you so much for that link, and for taking the time to reply. What an eye-opener!

[phcd1]

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@susufabulous wrote:

I've used eBay for almost 20 years -- but always as a buyer and not a seller.  I'm now getting ready to sell some very high-end collectibles, and I'm looking for advice, including on fees, shipping methods, seller protection and/other protection plans.  I'm grateful for any sage words and advice!  Thank you in advance!  

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There is no seller protection, Don't sell anything you can't afford to lose. With that being said, I will say that the category you're selling in is NOT a high scam category. List at what you want for a price, always use tracking and have a no returns policy to avoid SNAD claims. This is especially true in collectibles.

[susufabulous]

Thank you so much, phcd1 for your advice, and for taking the time to reply!

[susufabulous]

Dear Lucky: Than you so much for all of the good advice, and a run-through of the fees. I really appreciate your taking the time to reply~