Request Tips for First Time Seller

[dresoccer4]

hello all! i had another thread going asking about some sketchy messages i received after I posted my first item for auction (a gaming laptop) and got 1 bid. I was basically told I would definitely get scammed, so I cancelled the auction, luckily with no penalty. 

I still want to sell this thing, but want to be very careful how I set it up, as to gurantee not to get scammed. My question to the community is, how can I, as a first time seller, set up my listing for a fairly high-priced item, that avoids getting shafted. 

i read that doing a buy it now option is safer than auction, yeah? what other reccomendations do y'all have? thanks for any and all help!

[mikeystoyz · Accepted solution]

It is pretty easy, 1 - List only for sale in the US.  2 - Accept PayPal, ship only to the address that PayPal requests and get an Adult signature.  3 - Insure for the full amount.  4 - Do not ship until you see the money sitting in your Paypal account.  If the money is being held by PayPal that is ok, you might get whacked with the 21-day hold.  Do not ship until you see PayPal holding your money.  Set your shipping for 3 to 5 days.  That should shake out the scammers.  If possible also do local pickup - cash only.  I do not fully understand taking paypal for local pickup because of the lack of tracking.  Though taking a picture of their license with them holding the laptop might do it.  Other then that good luck.  Oh, the higher the feedback the buyer the better.  You can set your settings to avoid some buyers but not them all.  

[sam9876]

There is about a 95% chance that you will be ripped off.

[dresoccer4]

thanks for the tips!
for "insure for the full amount" - is that through eBay or PayPal or something else?

[dresoccer4]

well thats what you're supposed to be here for, to give sage advice 🙂

[sam9876]

There is no amount of insurance that will protect you.

[dresoccer4]

ok negative nancy

[reallynicestamps]

In addition to postal insurance there are third party insurers who will cover one-off transactions.

I use Hugh Wood Insurance which is a specialist company dealing with collectors and dealers, but they require annual contracts so they are not appropriate for you.

One company I have heard good things about is shipinsurance.com. Someone who has dealt with them may be able to tell you more.

The 21 day Hold on your customer's payment is only mandatory for non-US sellers like me. If you are shipping from the USA, you will see your money sooner, but again, I am not sure of those details.

[dresoccer4]

thanks for the helpful tips!

[myboardid]

Frankly, there is nothing that will protect you if a scammer gets to your item.  A scammer wikk make a "Not As Described" claim, and return something other than what you sold to them.  ebay will still make you refund their money. 

[bubbleman2010]

High kiddie demand item high fraud item no feedback seller the scammers will beat you like a red headed stepchild and in the end you'll hate this place as much as the 1000s before you already do...

[dresoccer4]

not very helpful but i lol'd. i hate those red headed step children.

[bubbleman2010]

I could walk you through the entire process,but there is nothing on earth if someone decides they want your item for free you'd be able to stop them just the nature of the beast when you're wanting to dance with the devil....

[dresoccer4]

where would you recommend i sell it then?

[bubbleman2010]

My buddy dumb lucked into a $500.00 item for $25.00 I offered him $250.00 cash,but nopers his GF had a ebay account and they could hit the big one.... It sold for $600.00 they shipped it out money was held in paypal and they never got a sniff of the cash dispute was opened and closed in buyers favor,so item is gone he has no money and paid a $110.00 to ship his item to the scammer....