Is anyone actually making a decent profit on here?

[bkhammobooks]

The last month that I actually made some good money was in July or August. Since then, I might sell two or maybe three items a week, on a good week. And the good weeks are sometimes far in-between. I've tried listing things various different ways, lowering the prices, and all that. Still, items just sit there. Is anyone else having trouble just making a decent profit?

[this*old*attic]

We understand, but it makes your listings look pretty poor. This deflates sales on some level right there.

Can you prop the items against a blank wall or clean sheet, etc., and step out of the picture?

[escuintla]

Jesus my friend!

You are really broke! Aren't you? 

[kyal]

Short answer? Yes.

But I never did this to make living; just supplement my (now fixed) income. I've still been able to buy low enough at local auctions to make it well worthwhile.

[turquoisetulips]

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@bkhammobooks wrote:

The last month that I actually made some good money was in July or August. Since then, I might sell two or maybe three items a week, on a good week. And the good weeks are sometimes far in-between. I've tried listing things various different ways, lowering the prices, and all that. Still, items just sit there. Is anyone else having trouble just making a decent profit?

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A little profit I suppose . Sometimes my sales get us through the last few days before payday . The money trickles in  with each sale  so it's not like getting a big fat paycheck all at once   but it does help.  The trouble is I like what I do  so I'm never overly concerned  with making a huge profit  but at the same time  I could never  afford to do it for free . I guess you could say  I'm still  standing   in the dark  but at least I might  have  one  toe in the black. Shrug .. Tulips 

[ekmadonna]

I don't know why your getting offended my friend. You have a listing for a BRAND NEW Herb Alpert album that CLEARLY is not new. I can see scuff marks on the record, and the cover is in bad shape. I told you this and your reply is "If You Count The Cover" Yes my friend the COVER counts as being part of the whole package. I can Guarantee you one of 3 things is going to happen with that record if you do not list it properly as USED and describe to a tee all the defects with photos. 1) You will never sell it, 2) You will sell it and give it away for free when the buyer opens up a SNAD against you for listing it as NEW and you have to REFUND his/her money and let them keep it. or 3) you will sell it and the customer will open up a SNAD and you will REFUND the buyer and he/she will send it back and YOU WILL BE PAYING for the return shipping killing any profit you might have made or losing more money you could be saving for that much needed phone to take pictures with instead of your lap top. Think about this logically.

[cream_couture]

The things that do sell I make a decent profit on. Back in August 2018, I started selling on other platforms to add additional sales because I saw a billboard around the corner from me for another platform I had never heard of.  I added a new platform a month until October 2018. In that short time I have dramatically increased my income and profits. I sell more (dollar wise) on those platforms. It is extra work selling on 4 platforms, but I won't stop because it had such a dramatic increase in my sales. I now know what item to list on what platform because I see the trends of what sells and where.

[castlemagicmemories]

Tax refunds may start trickling and you might see your sales pick up as a result.

Money for your phone fund.

[castlemagicmemories]

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@ekmadonna wrote:

I don't know why your getting offended my friend. You have a listing for a BRAND NEW Herb Alpert album that CLEARLY is not new. I can see scuff marks on the record, and the cover is in bad shape. I told you this and your reply is "If You Count The Cover" Yes my friend the COVER counts as being part of the whole package. I can Guarantee you one of 3 things is going to happen with that record if you do not list it properly as USED and describe to a tee all the defects with photos. 1) You will never sell it, 2) You will sell it and give it away for free when the buyer opens up a SNAD against you for listing it as NEW and you have to REFUND his/her money and let them keep it. or 3) you will sell it and the customer will open up a SNAD and you will REFUND the buyer and he/she will send it back and YOU WILL BE PAYING for the return shipping killing any profit you might have made or losing more money you could be saving for that much needed phone to take pictures with instead of your lap top. Think about this logically.

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That could very well happen.  Not a good idea to describe an item better than it is, that can come back on you and be costly to boot.  Some may do this, thinking to secure a sale, then are surprised when the buyer opens the SNAD.

Best to accurately describe, or even downplay the condition, so the buyer is pleased when they received the item, or even thinks it is better than expected.

[lin-582861]

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@bkhammobooks wrote:

If I could afford any smart phone, then I would buy it. That would require me to make a profit first of all...

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you can get a cheap smart phone for less that 50$...

[cs497kcpope]

One can only hope! 🙂

[castlemagicmemories]

Yes!  And hope springs eternal, you know!

[monster-deals]

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@bkhammobooks wrote:

If I could afford any smart phone, then I would buy it. That would require me to make a profit first of all...

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You can get one for under $20 with shipping that does everything you need.

[southern*sweet*tea]

I sell books, booklets and pamphlets on this and two other accounts. I sell in a narrow niche and don't expect to sell a lot of stuff because I'm in such a narrow niche. I make a decent profit on every item I sell because my buyers pay the expenses.  I don't make a lot of money, and it's slow money, but it's safe money.

That said, I also buy a lot of books and booklets. The main thing with books and paper items is condition, and if you can't see what's being sold, there's no way to judge condition.  You need photos of the book only - no stuff in the background. Lay the book flat and get close-up shots of the front and back covers, title page and some shots of the inside. You don't need a fancy camera. I use a ten year old Kodak Easyshare for books and my scanner for pamphlets and other small paper.

I can't see what you're selling, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. If you want to sell, you're going to have to spend money for a camera so you can take better pictures.  Sometimes you have to spend money to make money.