I'm thinking about selling, what are the most important tips you can give.

[spiritdreams-4]

I use to sell on Ebay years ago and stopped because of the not so friendly policies toward sellers. I’ve been thinking about selling again. I thought I would test the waters by starting out with some not so expensive stuff and would like as much advice and tips from skilled sellers and even new sellers. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

[steelernation2007]

Don't do auctions, period. You will end up almost giving items away because of only one or two bids. List buy it now at a fair price with free shipping. It might take longer to move but at least you will make more profit. Stay patient and don't expect quick sales the first day.

[closeoutdealsusa]

I use to sell on Ebay years ago and stopped because of the not so friendly policies toward sellers. I’ve been thinking about selling again.

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So you think they have friendly policies now? Welcome.

[abfabvintage]

@lauralemur

Hi, when it comes to Refunding buyers, PP policy as quoted to me: if you have say 20.00 in PP, but need 22.00 to refund a buyer, PP will NOT use any of what you have in PP account. They take the full 22.00 from your back up (in my case my bank account).

PP rep said when it comes to refunds, the full refund amount has to be in your PP account, otherwise they automatically take it out of your bank. I had this happen few months ago. I did the refund, it was confirmed as going through. Yet only way I noticed what they did was that my PP balance still showed 20.00, yet my bank statement showed an eCheck for 22.00. I got crazy with PP cause what they did could have caused my bank to charge me an overdraft fee.  

I had assumed, like when I use my PP for ME to purchase something and my PP balance isn't enough, the charge still goes through cause they take the PP balance and remainder from my back up to do the Purchase payment. PP said Refund policy is different.

[classic_camaros]

ask yourself, SELF what the hell are you thinking to start with. ebay used to be awesome. a few years ago they made a rule that only buyers can leave negative feedback and as you can imagine that was almost the best thing that could have happened for deadbeat buyers. and it was but now they have topped that by a new policy which is, if a buyer asks for a return or a refund THEY AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE IT! dont get confused by anything like facts. THEY DONT MATTER! certainly dont think checking the box marked "RETURNS NOT ACCEPTED" means anything because it dont. words in your listing such as untested, final sale or no warranty mean absolutely nothing. even if they are all in the same listing with the box stating no returns is checked off. they will apologize to you on the phone and tell you some **bleep** that sounds like the teacher talking on charlie brown the 5 time she repeats how sorry ebay is that thats just how it is. RUN FORREST RUN!

[lovefindingtreasures2]

Only if it is less than 3 years old. Over 3 and it's gone, I know, I came back and found my accounts were gone. Had to start all over again. With zero feedback. Fun.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@magsmg101 wrote:

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@uncseniorsportsfan wrote:

Those who are simply downsizing or selling used items sitting around the house don't have to worry about accounting and the tax man.  Many small sellers on ebay are not businesses. 

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Correct me if I am wrong, but I belive ebay considers all sellers as businesses. and should abide by "industry Standard practices"????

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With all due respect, Ebay expects professional conduct and service from all sellers, but recognizes the fact that not all sellers are here to make a profit~so in that sense, they are not a business; some are casual, cleaning out the closet or the house occasional sellers.

[duggmills]

Don't start listings at $0.99 because when that's all you get and then have to pack the thing and take it to the Post Office you'l understand why I say this.

Take the time to provide "Good & Plenty" pictures. Emphasis defects, don't hide them.

Become a New York Times best seller with your product description and describe your shipping method and cost - not that annoying standard or economy shipping  poo.

If you're concerned with saving something a few pennies on listings cost, your off on the wrong road to start.

[rixstuff]

Im not a business but every year I take the 1099 from Paypal to my tax lady and she determines whether or not taxes are owed by putting into her H&R Block software.  One year yes, every other year no (maybe didnt make enough?)

[uncseniorsportsfan]

Why in the world would ebay consider all sellers are businesses when they try to attract sellers cleaning out their attic or garage??  Even paypal allows you to have a personal or business account. 

[inhawaii]

Buy low. Sell high. 

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[magsmg101]

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@castlemagicmemories wrote:

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@magsmg101 wrote:

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@uncseniorsportsfan wrote:

Those who are simply downsizing or selling used items sitting around the house don't have to worry about accounting and the tax man.  Many small sellers on ebay are not businesses. 

---

Correct me if I am wrong, but I belive ebay considers all sellers as businesses. and should abide by "industry Standard practices"????

---

With all due respect, Ebay expects professional conduct and service from all sellers, but recognizes the fact that not all sellers are here to make a profit~so in that sense, they are not a business; some are casual, cleaning out the closet or the house occasional sellers.

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@castlemagicmemories

Castle,
Also, with all due respect…

The OP is contemplating selling “clutter from her shed” and “don‘t remember what I paid” (see post #10)

All I am suggesting is that she keep track of her $0.00 cost sales.
With any luck with the advice from other posters she will make some sort of profit.

BUT sales from her shed with any profit, or not, should be accounted for, if for no other reason than being able to identify profit/loss for longer periods than ebay 90day life span.

[magsmg101]

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@uncseniorsportsfan wrote:

Why in the world would ebay consider all sellers are businesses when they try to attract sellers cleaning out their attic or garage??  Even paypal allows you to have a personal or business account. 

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@uncseniorsportsfan

That is a really GOOD question!

Why does ebay attract sellers cleaning out their attic, garage or shed?

Hmmmmmmmmmmm? $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ !!!!

Sell your tech stuff ?
Garage gold?
List, ship, get paid?

If things go pear shaped during a transaction, you will be considered a business and have to follow “best practices”

[castlemagicmemories]

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@magsmg101 wrote:

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@castlemagicmemories wrote:

---

@magsmg101 wrote:

---

@uncseniorsportsfan wrote:

Those who are simply downsizing or selling used items sitting around the house don't have to worry about accounting and the tax man.  Many small sellers on ebay are not businesses. 

---

Correct me if I am wrong, but I belive ebay considers all sellers as businesses. and should abide by "industry Standard practices"????

---

With all due respect, Ebay expects professional conduct and service from all sellers, but recognizes the fact that not all sellers are here to make a profit~so in that sense, they are not a business; some are casual, cleaning out the closet or the house occasional sellers.

---

@castlemagicmemories

Castle,
Also, with all due respect…

The OP is contemplating selling “clutter from her shed” and “don‘t remember what I paid” (see post #10)

All I am suggesting is that she keep track of her $0.00 cost sales.
With any luck with the advice from other posters she will make some sort of profit.

BUT sales from her shed with any profit, or not, should be accounted for, if for no other reason than being able to identify profit/loss for longer periods than ebay 90day life span.

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@magsmg101

To clarify, I was simply addressing your question, doesn't Ebay consider all sellers as businesses~to reiterate, Ebay expects professional behavior as befits a business, but recognizes that not all sellers are businesses, as evidenced by those who just sell at a loss to clear out closets or homes, as I said earlier.

Hence the emails and ads asking users to sell their old phones, clean out closets, sell unwanted gifts, etc.  Those show that Ebay is aware that not only business sellers sell here, and that Ebay encourages anyone to sell here, even casually.

[castlemagicmemories]

Have patience and a sense of humor.

Know that not every buyer is a scammer.

Check your listings and pictures and create a highly attractive and accurate listing, with measurements, correct condition, and all the info a buyer needs to make an informed buying decision.

[lauralemur]

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@abfabvintage wrote:

@lauralemur

Hi, when it comes to Refunding buyers, PP policy as quoted to me: if you have say 20.00 in PP, but need 22.00 to refund a buyer, PP will NOT use any of what you have in PP account. They take the full 22.00 from your back up (in my case my bank account).

PP rep said when it comes to refunds, the full refund amount has to be in your PP account, otherwise they automatically take it out of your bank. I had this happen few months ago. I did the refund, it was confirmed as going through. Yet only way I noticed what they did was that my PP balance still showed 20.00, yet my bank statement showed an eCheck for 22.00. I got crazy with PP cause what they did could have caused my bank to charge me an overdraft fee.  

I had assumed, like when I use my PP for ME to purchase something and my PP balance isn't enough, the charge still goes through cause they take the PP balance and remainder from my back up to do the Purchase payment. PP said Refund policy is different.

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Interesting - it seems like they dont apply their policy consistently - in my case they used what remained in my Paypal account first (which was fine) and then charged my bank account the remainder of the balance (which was significant enough to mess up my personal banking for the week).