How is current eBay selling for my specific strategy used parts, sporting goods, tools, etc.)

[biederboat1]

So I've been selling off & on at eBay for about 20 years.  The first thing I sold was a marine compass to a guy in Maui when I was headed there on vacation and got to deliver it to him and see the boat he was fixing up, that was so fun!  Ok, I'm wondering how "good" it has been going, specifically for my type of selling, to see if I should start again.  I have over  1000 items that could earn me at least $50K but thankfully, I don't need to do it and only will if I get a recommendation that it should be going well.  If you look at what I have, it's the "crap" that's been listed for up to 2 years and I've mostly just let it sit there.  All the stuff that sold  over the last 2 years went pretty good.  The best was probably parts from our used dishwasher that went for over $1k total.  Lots of other things that went well.  Here's my usual strategy:

1.  I never do auctions (just "buy it now"), since many things I sell are best waited for when someone needs/wants them.

2.  I never do "offers" anymore since it just wastes my time telling low-ballers "no". 

3.  I focus mostly on things where the buyer ensures they are what he wants via the title and photos.  That way I don't have to put a lot of time into listing. 

4.  If it's a used item, I am clear on saying what's "bad" about it, both description and photos.  But I also say what's good about it, just don't want them getting something worse than I described.

5.  I generally offer free shipping and returns and just factor that into my overall earnings (don't get **bleep** off when someone returns something for a stupid reason).

6.  I only put feedback onto buyers that put feedback on my sale, which in theory is after they received it.  I am NEVER going to put feedback into a buyer before they receive something. 

7.  I do run a low-level store (think it's $4.95/mo?) so I can shut it down when on vacation.

8.  As in the title, I mostly sell used stuff for tools (including manufacturing tools, e.g. machining), fishing equipment, marine, bicycle, car parts, some house stuff, camping.

9.  Sometimes I take things "apart" and sell them as parts instead of the whole thing, that's been a very good strategy as I can make a lot more money and it's definitely a good strategy for eBay, selling outdated/obsolete/cheap parts.  There's been a lot of "complete" things I tried to sell for a fixed price, didn't sell, so I took a few things apart and made more money.  I tend to determine that up-front now so I don't waste so much time.

10.  Overall, my "hourly pay" is what's most important.  In the past, it's around $75-100/hr but it's mostly that good because I don't do a huge amount of things.  I tend to focus on things I'm "pretty sure" will make me some decent money, obviously a few things won't sell.  If I restart with new listings, I'll go over everything that's on there to see if it's worth modifying price/description or just donate/junk it.

So if I do start up again, I'll be able to sell much more than in the past (lots of stuff and semi-retired), even though it's things I already have.  Yes, I know about the 1099 issue, don't worry about that.   Partly considered just an "opportunity" to work part-time but want to know opinions of how it is on the eBay end and if there's any strategies I should maybe consider changing on my end.   If I do start new sales, I will likely focus on more expensive items (>$50) but, if it goes well, will add cheaper items.  

Just to be clear, DON'T try to analyze my sales based on what's left.  I know it's mostly stuff that is either priced too high, not a high demand or maybe needs better photos/descriptions.  In general, all of the listings that previously sold (mostly in 2020), did quite well.    What I'm hoping to hear on is, how will it go for my types of sales/strategy (against eBay conditions) and is there any strategy changes I should make (to better factor into current eBay conditions).

Thanks!

BB1

[stainlessenginecovers]

The only strategy will be for you to determine if you want to pay for 'sponsored' listings (promotions). That would depend on what you are listing (can just check to see how many 'others' are selling the same thing)

If you have 'used appliance parts', that could be tough as I don't know why anyone would want to replace a 'broken' parts with a 'possibly broken parts', but you'll find out if you continue down that route by how many returns for refund you have. 

[this*old*attic]

Not sure how that’s a question- you just gave a long list describing how well you do things (your feedback approach is seriously outdated).

I miss the fun early days, too, when sellers/buyers made pretty personal connections.

[soh.maryl]

You are, of course, free to handle feedback in any way you choose.

But, since buyers can only receive positive feedback, and we notice a lot of buyers who express unhappiness about not receiving it (even when they already have 1575 FB), why not just stroke the ego a little bit and leave a generic positive when you ship? 

[silverstatetreasureboxes]

@biederboat1 

You sound like a man with a plan, sounds like it's working for you. Obsolete parts such as underground sprinkler systems and plumbing are often sought after in my area. A local handyman here in town seen the need and opened a B&M shop that sells NOS for some of the older homes and does quite well.

     Good for you and sounds like you enjoy ebay which is the way it should be.

[biederboat1]

Well, as many people often do, you don't really "get it" because you didn't accurately read what I wrote  (I wasn't asking if that's okay, just saying that's one thing I do).  I made over $1,000 in less than 10 hours of disassembly, taking photos, listing parts, storing parts, pulling/shipping, dropping off at the post office that I drive by.  People buy used parts because they are much cheaper than new (or maybe not even available new) and they are sold with functional guarantee.  I never had a single return on all of that.  Consider that advice for a better selling strategy (parts are often better to sell than the "whole" thing).  I also sold a DeWalt Unisaw for well over $1000 (in parts) that I couldn't sell for $300 locally. 

Now, I only wrote this to ensure that you and other people know that this is a good strategy.

BB1

[biederboat1]

To be clear (as I'm pretty sure I mentioned), I wanted to mention my strategy so people can assess it against current eBay conditions, which I'm not really clear on since I haven't sold much in the last year (just leftover stuff that I should have, but didn't de-list, it's just sitting around waiting stuff).

BB1

[biederboat1]

In the past, I noticed "bad stuff" happened when I left feedback after a shipment (and before they left me feedback).  A lot of it was "hey, this is bad, give me a partial refund!).  My strategy on that is, "Sorry, just send it back and I'll give you a refund".  Not unexpectedly, I mostly don't hear anything back because they are trying to scam me.  That's 99% of why I don't leave feedback until I get good feedback from them.  I think only one time has anyone ever said "Hey I left you feedback, please leave me some" (they asked it nicely after I didn't see it).  I have very few repeat buyers, it's just not likely because I don't sell many related items.  Since I leave feedback to about 60% of buyers (after they leave feedback), I'd see a higher percentage of repeat buyers within that category if it were important.  I don't think there's any "forewarning" to a new buyer that I may not leave feedback of they buy from me.

BB1

[luckythewinner]

Overall, my "hourly pay" is what's most important. In the past, it's around $75-100/hr

That's what I charge to do a detailed business analysis for someone else 🙂

But seriously ..

All 10 of the bullet points you outlined are common sense, and are generally the standard operating procedure for most sensible sellers (aside from your unnecessarily rigid position on essentially meaningless feedback).

Asa for your "hourly wage" - that just comes down to whether buyers want your stuff or not.

[biederboat1]

Thanks, I am, it is and I hope it will be in the future (good and enjoying it)!

BB1

[momdadsstash]

2020 versus now.

 "Auto-accept and auto-refunds - "Beginning September 14, 2020, eBay will automate the returns and refunds processes for active managed payments sellers to align the seller experience across the eBay platform. Automation of returns and refunds saves sellers time, and enables them to process returns faster."

You just might notice a difference in buyer satisfaction, complaints

and returns (that you'll pay for) regardless of how careful you describe your "old" 

parts and pieces.

You notice that announcement doesn't mention saving sellers money