eBay

johnbo-54 · ‎06-05-2023

Hello,

It is harder and harder to sell small things, especially those that weight more than 3 oz, but less than a pound, like magazines and comics, because the shipping prices are so high that it make no sense a product is $2-3, shipping almost $6 and higher for the FIRST class mail. Remember that these prices are before you add packaging materials cost.

Shipstation has a USPS large envelope or flat service that allows to mail packages up to 13 oz from $1.50 to $3.50. The only problem is that this service does not populates tracking number, and tracking number that appears is not been supported by USPS for end users like us and buyers. Also it will affect my seller level, but I do not think it is easy to resolve

I am stuck with so much supply of magazines and comic books and I cannot move them, even I sell the with $0 revenue.

Any thoughts?

bill.purvis2012 · ‎06-05-2023

Yes, Ebay is not a good vehicle for these low-dollar items. You can list them in Lots. But, it may cost too much time and effort to sell individually.

coolections · ‎06-05-2023

@johnbo-54 wrote:
the shipping prices are so high that it make no sense a product is $2-3,

If it does not make sense then you probably should not do it. What you can do is combine as many items that are alike into LOTS and do it that way. Personally I would never sell anything less than $9.99 plus buyer pays shipping. Ebay already takes approximately 23% of your list price so anything less than $9.99 is just not worth it IMO.

wes-4507 · ‎06-05-2023

I don’t know how it ever made sense to sell something for $2 here, and it’s made even less sense since eBay started charging fees on shipping in 2011.

luckythewinner · ‎06-05-2023

@johnbo-54 wrote:
I am stuck with so much supply of magazines and comic books and I cannot move them, even I sell the with $0 revenue. Any thoughts?

My thoughts are that the fees and the cost of shipping a $2 item has made them unattractive to buyers for at least a decade.

When did you acquire this inventory of items that have been a poor fit for eBay for many years?

erikstuff · ‎06-05-2023

Hi,

I see you have 273 "Modern Drummer" magazines.

As someone has suggested, you might consider selling in lots.

I don't know the dimensions of the magazine, but I would sort them by year and try and bundle in 6-issue lots... if they can fit in a FLAT RATE Priority envelope. Those only cost $7.60. You can probably get a slab of cardboard in there too... if not, make it a 4-magazine set. Get rid of the back-boards as they only take up space in your envelope. I doubt anyone cares or expects them in a $3.50 magazine.

Your earlier ads have too much info. When I read a bit I assumed there was a good chance of water damage. If an issue is REALLY bad put it aside and do a cheap lot. Keep descriptions simple.

July 1991 - address label

Aug 1991 - Like new

Sep 1991 - Crease on back cover (see picture). etc.

Another suggestion. Do NOT mention "Handling Fee" in your ad. There is no reason for it and it just confuses things. My first thought was "What the heck is that doing in there?"

Anyway.. just suggestions. Take 'em or don't.

W.

chubbycatcollectibles · ‎06-05-2023

You can ship without tracking for very light items. Using a plain envelope and stamp. Or put incentives for a buyer to buy multiples and combine shipping. Hope i helped.😻