Selling before item recieved

[wolverine_customs]

I'm new to selling, so excuse me, but I was wondering if I buy something, and have a purchase confirmation, if there's any rule against listing it on eBay without the product in my possesion. If there isn't anything against it, do I have to modify something in the shipping, so that eBay doesn't see it as if i'm not shipping something after it's sold?

[soh.maryl]

Not the brightest idea you've ever had.  What would be your plan if you don't receive it or if it does arrive, but is not as described? Why would you want to take that risk?

[victorjunkman55]

What happens if you list it, get bids, and the Item arrives damage or broken? You're playing with fire. Good Luck to you.

[emerald1830]

You can list it...AFTER you have it securely in your hands..just make sure you use your own working, pics, etc.

Don't forget you have fees to Ebay and Paypal to pay afterwards..take that cost into consideration..

[partial*eclipse]

The only rule against it would be common sense: The item might get damaged in shipping  or might never arrive, or arrive late.  

How are you going to get images of it (surely you weren't going to just use the original seller's images)? Are you sure you now how much to charge for shipping (e.g., package weight and dimensions)?  I don't quite understand your final question.

[nowthatsjustducky]

It is best to wait until you have the item in hand.  That way, you can take your own pictures instead of unlawfully reusing your seller's pics (unless they used authorized stock photos).  Plus, you have no way of knowing whether or not the item is going to be as described, which could be a problem if you happen to get a buyer on it before you can inspect the goods.  And having the item in hand makes it easier for you to write up your own description instead of plagiarizing your seller's listing.

[thenobletuckylife]

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@wolverine_customs wrote:

I'm new to selling, so excuse me, but I was wondering if I buy something, and have a purchase confirmation, if there's any rule against listing it on eBay without the product in my possesion. If there isn't anything against it, do I have to modify something in the shipping, so that eBay doesn't see it as if i'm not shipping something after it's sold?

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Evening Walked,

I would never advise this even for myself after having sold thousands and thousands of items here.

The parameters for selling here are very strict now and even though it would appear that it is encouraged you have so little control over the sale if you do not have the item in hand.

I strongly suggest all new sellers to only sell what they have in hand say between $20 and $30 for several months until the get the hang of how it works.

Mr C

[wolverine_customs]

Yeah, it sounds stupid to me, too. I just got some clothing off of GolfWang today, and was already seeing people listing it for sale on eBay.

[mistwomandancing]

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@wolverine_customs wrote:

I'm new to selling, so excuse me, but I was wondering if I buy something, and have a purchase confirmation, if there's any rule against listing it on eBay without the product in my possesion. If there isn't anything against it, do I have to modify something in the shipping, so that eBay doesn't see it as if i'm not shipping something after it's sold?

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There is absolutely no rule against reselling on eBay, something you've just purchased from another eBay seller.  In fact, many eBay sellers get much of their inventory in just that manner.  Find a bargain and flip it.  Buy a big lot, part it out, and sell pieces individually, etc.

BUT, it's a little dangerous to start running your listing for this item before you even receive the item.  What if your listing draws a buyer promptly, they buy & pay, and YOU don't receive the item in a timely manner, or it arrives broken, or it is in really pretty bad condition when you open the package, or.. it doesn't ever actually show up.  Now YOU will be a seller in trouble with a DEFECT on your account.

Here's a good way to go about it.  Get your listing all prepared.  When the item arrives, inspect it and take photos of it from all angles and add the pics to your listing, set your final asking price depending on how the item looks once it's in your hands, and send your listing for it live.  And good luck.

[wolverine_customs]

Everyone calm down. I bought from a retailer. I'm not reselling something I bought off of eBay. So I wouldn't expect it to come damaged or arrive late or anything.

[partial*eclipse]

I don't think anybody is excited becuase they think you bought it through eBay.  Your  retailer  source is undoubtedly using one of the same carriers that ebay sellers use -- USPS, UPS, or FedEx.  Delays and accidents during transport can happen regardless of the sender.

[mistwomandancing · Accepted solution]

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walkedyke_0 wrote:

Everyone calm down. I bought from a retailer. I'm not reselling something I bought off of eBay. So I wouldn't expect it to come damaged or arrive late or anything.

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lol  I don't think offering sound advice is anything that causes folks here to get very excited... not this early in the post... not before we can get worked up into some good arguments amongst ourselves! 

So what it amounts to is, you get to do whatever you want to do.  You asked.  Folks answered.  Your business.  Your account.  And any who are doing exactly this, as questioned, the answers are the same.  Their businesses and their accounts.  Whatever.

[stoneledge]

Go for it

[campesinoplastic2014]

It would be contrary to common sense.

It's hard enough with the variables you CAN control.

Playing genie with the variables you cannot control is a time bomb and you are merely waiting for your luck to go sour. It will happen sooner or later, and probably sooner.

[nowthatsjustducky]

There is still the issue of needing to use your own pictures.  That right there should be enough to answer wait.