eBay

qualitycustomercare · ‎12-20-2021

Someone selling antiques wants to hire me just to list the items. They will send me photos, all I have to do is research the item and create a listing. He's asking for my rate. I'm thinking 30% but I really have no idea.

luckythewinner · ‎12-20-2021

@qualitycustomercare wrote:
Someone selling antiques wants to hire me just to list the items. They will send me photos, all I have to do is research the item and create a listing. He's asking for my rate. I'm thinking 30% but I really have no idea.

First off, what good is a percentage if nothing sells? I would ask for $30 an hour plus 10% of the selling price.

Be sure to spell out the agreement about who pay for shipping, refunds, INRs, SNADs, returns, fraud, damaged items and chargebacks.

You should also spell out what percentage of the sales you will hold back as a reserve for chargebacks, which can happen six months later.

Lastly, I would make sure that you have a separate bank account in HIS name and SSN so that you do not have to deal with his income on your tax return.

dq3141 · ‎12-20-2021

Run away.

ittybitnot · ‎12-20-2021

They will send me photos, all I have to do is research the item and create a listing.

@qualitycustomercare

Though it has been a long time since it was reported here, this is NOT likely a good plan. This is especially true if the "owner" of the products expects you to list on an account associated with you, collect the money for them, and forward the funds on after the fact.

In the past, unsuspecting sellers found themselves in deep trouble doing this. The product "owner" would ship the first few things, then quit shipping, leaving the "seller" with the claims and refunds to pay and law enforcement paying more than just a visit.

Not to say that is what the intention is here, but something to consider. You have been given some very good advice here so far. Consider it all. It is ill advised to be selling something you do not have in hand.

The best bet would be to source/purchase the products yourself. A dealer in antiques should not need a person to do "research", they would already know.

How did this person find you? Do you know this person?

albertabrightalberta · ‎12-20-2021

If the person is someone you know, offer to teach them "how to ebay."

"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime."

albertabrightalberta
Volunteer Community Mentor

nobody*s_perfect · ‎12-20-2021

@qualitycustomercare

As you can see, there are a lot of strong opinions here.

There are a couple of key pieces of information that were missing from your original question which would help to guide your advisors here:

1. Would you be creating listings on their account, or on an account that is in your name? Your original post said, "hire me just to list their items," which I took to mean you'd be listing on their account, but other replies seem to assume otherwise.

2. Is the owner of these items knowledgeable about them, or an individual who might over- or underestimate their value? As others have noted, it's nearly impossible to do adequate research based on just photos rather than having the items in hand.

If you don't have the items in hand, then clearly the current owner will be doing the shipping. In that case, you absolutely should not take any financial responsibility for the listings such as putting them on an account that is in your name -- you could get stuck with chargebacks or even various types of fraud.

krazzykats · ‎12-20-2021

Ultimately, do the items really exist? Many years ago there was a scam. People answered an advertisement (usually off craigslist, work-at-home ads, etc..), and were provided a file of photos with products to sell on eBay.

They were to be paid a percentage to list these items on their eBay accounts once the item was sold. They collected the money, kept a percentage, then forwarded the balance to the "seller" who was then responsible for shipping the item out.

Of course, there was no item, to begin with, and you can now figure out the rest. The eBay account holder was held financially responsible for the full refund to the buyer.

KrazzyKats • Volunteer Community Member • Buyer/Seller since 1998

ittybitnot · ‎12-20-2021

Ultimately, do the items really exist? Many years ago there was a scam. People answered an advertisement (usually off craigslist, work-at-home ads, etc..), and were provided a file of photos with products to sell on eBay.

@krazzykats @qualitycustomercare

Exactly. Some of these sellers who answered the ads and went into 'business' were actually arrested as being part of the scam. Stay at home moms and the like. It was a sad tale of events. Actually, after my post I was going to ask the OP if he/she had even seen this inventory in person.

On the other hand, I used to sell items on consignment for others. I had two customers. One was an estate jeweler, the other a physician who collected items for years with the idea of opening an antique business upon retirement. Two months in the brick and mortar business and the doctor was "done". Consigned the items to me. I had them in my possession. These were products that sold from $200 to $10,000 each.

It was a long time ago, and there is no way I would do it again. Not on eBay.

femmefan1946 · ‎12-20-2021

all I have to do is research the item and create a listing.

Well, the minimum wage here in BC is 25c a minute.

I'd set a timer for the next batch of items you are listing for yourself, and see how long it takes you.

Remember that your product is very likely what you already know about.

Someone else's stock will need more research.

They will send me photos,

So you won't see the actual product, just a picture or two?

You won't be able to describe the nicks and chips that you can't see.

Will this be on his own account? He will be doing the shipping and the money management? That's a little safer for you.

But I'd go for a straight hourly wage myself.

1grandmashope_1 · ‎12-20-2021

@qualitycustomercare

Pick any of the previously mentioned reasons that this may not be a good idea at any percentage and run with them.

It just opens the door to so very many problems. If you can/want to buy the items from them at a cost you could make a possible profit then that would be a possible solution for you both.

I don't know if you were planning on listing it via your account, if so, your taxes must be taken into consideration, as well.

Just don't, please. Save yourself from so many problems down the line, not to mention the possibility of losing a friend/acquaintance. Money should never be the determining factor when a friendship is at stake.

Merry Christmas,

Grandma

skatefool · ‎12-20-2021

I've done it only for close family, with the understanding that I had complete control of the pricing. The only input from them was on whether an item was to be sold or kept.

I would never. ever do it for anyone outside immediate family. Your seller wants you to do all the research legwork and probably take the financial loss when something goes awry.

soh.maryl · ‎12-20-2021

When you did it for close family, did you use your own account?

If so, did you consider the income tax implications?

7606dennis · ‎12-20-2021

Are they offering you a job doing the listing on their account or are they want you to list for them under your account as an agent for them. I would charge by the hour for the former and probably pass on the latter.

If, however, you choose to accept the latter type arrangement, be sure to check the laws of your state governing such arrangements, including the auction laws if you intend to list using the auction format. I would also recommend getting everything in writing to avoid any possible misunderstandings later on. You might want to pay your own attorney to draw up the contract. It would be money well spent, in my opinion.

"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."