The first problem most beginning sellers have is over pricing stuff

[randyl62-56]

Don't treat EBAY like a get quick rich scheme . Don't be unrealistic with the prices you set on the items you sell. You might never get a sale or it will be limited to people with deep pockets buying your stuff. Think volume sales and you will sell more. Try to move as much product as possible by letting people feel like there getting a bargain.  Be the least expensive way for them to get the things your selling . Keep your shipping as low as possible . I offer a cheap shipping longer shipping time option as my main choice but give them a second option which costs more but gets it there faster

[kataggr-44]

It's not only new sellers...ebay was the place where working people could get a good deal.  I always thought it being a giant flea market was a badge of honor.

[fuzzface50]

it is nice to have a mixture of items. Stuff that sells fast at a low markup that you can get regularly keeps the lights on and the other minor bills paid but then you need the big profit slow moving  items that only a select few want will pay for your new toys(cars, atv's, etc) , vacation homes or whatever you are into when you are not working.

People don't realize how some things gone down in value and other things gone up. some items depreciate real fast . 

  I had a guy here that brought a tool for $300 and used it 1 time on a Government job. he wanted me to sell it  and thought he was going to recoup most of his money thinking he was going to get $200 or $250 for it because he used it once.   I showed him and they were selling here for $25-$35 each and almost all of them were used once for a job. he couldn't believe it. for that price he kept it. 

But then a different buddy got sick and closed his business down.   Sold his 4 year old bobcat for more money  then what he paid new for it. Guy made him an offer and he took it.  price of construction equipment is up.

So it really depends on what you sell but yes selling items you can get on a regular basis at a low profit margin can help as long as you have all your fees figured in.  That is the biggest mistake I see newbies make versus trying to sell to high, they sell to cheap and don't have all the fees figured in. 

[webwanna]

No harm, no foul if your item never sells. 

I think starting an auction at 0.99 with FREE Shipping is the bigger problem for beginning sellers. 

Then they have to cancel or skimp on shipping materials and choose cheaper shipping method, etc. -  ruins their performance metrics before they even get started.  

[scottish_kat]

It is! Or at least it should be. A giant flea market where you can actually find the obscure thing you are looking for.

I'm doing nothing here but trying to cut the cost of being pregnant twice (up and down through six sizes in five years) and having small children (grow like crazy). Turning over our family's wardrobe, basically. I've spent loads of time browsing around here... way too much.

Ebay is great for that really specific yet largely worthless thing you want (pair of jeans that fit you really well, weird prop you need for Halloween, shoes they no longer make).

A lot of time I'm shaking my head over what people think their stuff is worth. I'm not going to pay $25 for a second hand blouse from a mall store designer.

The other thing that drives me nuts is stains. See an item, reasonable price, all looking good... and the last picture is a stain. I mean, really. Spray some oxy on it and throw it in the laundry. If the stain doesn't come out, throw it in the garbage. Don't waste my time looking at your item just to find that it's unwearable. Who do they think is wandering around in stained clothing????

[gamersbaystore]

While I agree with much of what you stated, there's just no way to compete with the rampant rise of counterfeiters, that ebay openly promotes. They can sell the same movie or game for a small fraction of the price, running legitimate sellers into the ground. The RIAA too is getting fed up with all the counterfeit goods on ebay.

 As noted in this article from torrentfreak https://torrentfreak.com/riaa-ebay-and-amazon-sell-a-lot-of-copyright-infringing-music-190809/, the RIAA made test purchases of different media like music CD's, movies, etc, from ebay, many were counterfeit. In the case of the boxed sets, all were counterfeit.

The article also points out that the majority of counterfeiters are larger sellers. Look at the biggest media sellers on ebay, they're all selling bogus movies, games, etc. There's no way they can sell a blu-ray brand new for 1/10 the store price and be making a profit. I'm seeing blu-rays brand new for like $3.95 with free shipping, there's no way!

It really doesn't matter what you sell anymore, or for what price, the counterfeiters will always find a way to replicate the product and take all the business.

[kataggr-44]

Ebay would be a lot easier to navigate if we buyers did not have to scroll past over priced items or stained and broken ones not fit for purchase.

[melsieh67]

---

@kataggr-44 wrote:

Ebay would be a lot easier to navigate if we buyers did not have to scroll past over priced items or stained and broken ones not fit for purchase.

---

I actually don't mind this. I'm old school and I still love the "hunt for your treasure" aspect that eBay has been trying to phase out for the past few years (I think).

When I like something but it is (in my opinion) overpriced I Watch it...often it doesn't sell and the seller relists it for a lower price.

[ed8108]

---

@kataggr-44 wrote:

Ebay would be a lot easier to navigate if we buyers did not have to scroll past over priced items ......

---

 An item is only worth what a buyer will pay to own it.  

More than a few sellers will list some of their items & substantially overprice other sellers that offer buyers the same item for sale.

Effectively they are benefiting their ebay competition .

[18704d]

"You might never get a sale or it will be limited to people with deep pockets buying your stuff. Think volume sales and you will sell more. "

----------

I'd prefer to sell to people with deep pockets.

I'm not in a race to the bottom with my prices.

And I'd rather sell 1 item for $400.00 than 100 items at $4.00 each.

Thanks

Lynn

[kataggr-44]

I have a long watched list waiting for  sellers to reduce the price.  It seems many aren't budging lately...and others actually are increasing it only to decrease it back to where it was...hoping I won't notice???

[jocli76]

---

@randyl62-56 wrote:

Don't treat EBAY like a get quick rich scheme . Don't be unrealistic with the prices you set on the items you sell. You might never get a sale or it will be limited to people with deep pockets buying your stuff. Think volume sales and you will sell more. Try to move as much product as possible by letting people feel like there getting a bargain.  Be the least expensive way for them to get the things your selling . Keep your shipping as low as possible . I offer a cheap shipping longer shipping time option as my main choice but give them a second option which costs more but gets it there faster

---

The first problem most beginning sellers have is over pricing stuff

Or selling stuff for $1-$1.50

After selling fees, store fees, not much left for the time and expense involved.

But if you enjoy what you do and are frugal, a 50 cent to a dollar profit can add up. 

In case it's an oversight, some of your shipping statements are confusing.
Some listings show two options to pick,
Economy Shipping (USPS Media MailTM) and
Expedited Shipping (USPS Priority Mail®)
yet the description says; Shipped with USPS First Class Package.

Other listings show media mail as the only shipping option, yet the description says Shipped with USPS First Class Package.

[kataggr-44]

Do people with deep pockets actually shop here or are they at boutiques and antique stores where their money also gets them the personal touch and they can see, feel and hold the item?

[18704d]

"Do people with deep pockets actually shop here or are they at boutiques and antique stores where their money also gets them the personal touch and they can see, feel and hold the item?"

----------

They shop here too.

Especially from sellers who think they have to continually drop prices in order to make sales.

And they do get to personally touch, hold and inspect their eBay purchases, for 30 days minimum.

Lynn

[myjunqueyourtreasure]

If you do a search and change the results to highest to lowest you'll see some deep pocket sales