Off Topic... How Do You Sell On E-bay?

[TeamRush]

I'm looking to sell some stuff on E-Bay...

Never done it before, bought, but never sold.

Any tips?

[LEVE]

I've only done it once, at work. Essentially you have to have an account and upload a description and pic and contact information. IIRC, Ebay guides you thrugh the process It's not hard at all. If I could figure it out, you could.

The Video Professor has been offering a Free "Learn to Sell on Ebay" DVD/CD. Free is good...

[TeamRush]

Thanks LEVE.
I'm going to sell some Jeep parts, and I've got a surplus of Bullion, coils and silver bars.
Might as well sell while the market is up!

Local gold/silver buyers want to pay you below spot (bullion) prices around here, and they are going for well above spot prices on E-bay, so that is the place to sell.

As for the Jeep parts, posting them for sale on the forums doesn't do any good, no one looks there!
I'll let some one pay premium price for the parts simply because they don't want to take the time to sort through the 'Classifieds' on the forums.

[OIIIIIIIO]

I've had good luck parting out Jeepsters on ebay...mostly the little "trinket" type stuff...but have been able to make $1-2K on each of the 4 I've parted out...

I haven't had as much luck selling left over parts from my CJ build though...

I never used a reserve...usually priced stuff pretty low and most of the jeepster stuff went well above what I started at...but then again...I didn't "lose" a ton if I started it at 0.99 and only got 1 bid vs starting 9.99 and only got 1 bid...

I did start most stuff at 9.99...but paid attention to where the fee breaks where in the starting price for some of the "big buck" items...something like it costs 30 cents if you start it at 0.99-9.99, then 40 cents if you start it from 10-24.99, then 80 cents at 25-49.99...those numbers and breaks aren't quite right but maybe gives you an idea...

I usually used a set shipping fee to the lower 48...I guestimated the weight and box size and used a generic zip code in California to calculate approximate postage...some times I "lost" money on shipping...but more often than not it was pretty close or I "made" money on shipping...UPS tended to be the cheapest for the stuff I was shipping...but since the USPS came out with flat fee boxes sometimes I found that was the way to go...I printed off UPS labels at home and dropped them off at at either work or the Ace hardware which has daily UPS pickup

Whenever there was a problem...I just said...I'll give you back all your money...auction cost and shipping...keep the part I don't want to pay for shipping back...lost my tail a couple times on that but it helped keep my "perfect" ebay rating which I think is important...

It's expensive...but give a wide audience...

I also used paypal for payment...was easy...but also expensive...

[GoldToyBox]

I don't disaggree with anything previously posted but you might want look at Craigs list first ....... before going to E-Bay.

Oh yea, "Pay Pal" has been renamed to "Pay Steal" by some sellers.

[writeforus]

If you are in major metro area that has it, consider moving your larger, heavier pieces via Craig's List. You'll get less money for them because you obviously have a smaller audience and you are likely selling items that are very niche, but less hassle in the shipping, and you often have it out the door more immed than with eBay. It costs nothing to try it there first.

If you don't have Craig's List in your area, ebay is great.

Shipping int'l probably won't be as common with Jeep parts, but don't be afraid to do it. ONE THING - ONLY SELL INT'L VIA PAY PAL, and ONLY TO A PAY PAL CONFIRMED ADDRESS. The scammers will ask and when you answer this, they go away. The confirmed address is the key. Legit buyers won't have a problem with it.

I don't think eBay is all that expensive - it's only a small % commission. Much cheaper in the long run than waiting for buyers that don't pay or getting forged money orders or cashier's check (they can be forged, just like a personal check). Payment is immed, you get the part out the door and get on with your life.

Advice - Be really clear in your description and take pix of any damage or wear. Pay the extra cents and post as many photos as that takes. Better to be honest so the buyer knows exactly what to expect. eBay buyers can be real whiners, even though they get a helluva deal and KNOW they are buying a used item. Better to err on the safe side, and you will rarely have an issue.

You'll have the new project paid for in no time - or at the very least, more space in the garage!

[ultimateoffroad]

Before you sell on ebay try craigslist or Ultimate Offroad Auctions

You can sell on either for free. You will get a lot of scammers off craigslist though.

[Caver Dave]

Originally Posted by ultimateoffroad

You will get a lot of scammers off craigslist though.

Ditto! Nothing but a bunch of crackheads wanting you to cut the price by 98% (give it away), *you* to deliver (12 states away), hold it for 6 months (until they're outta prison?), or take a 3rd party out-of-state welfare check!

Not to mention your inbox immediately filling with a long list of other scams...

Spend the <5% (fleabay & paypal charges)... you'll still be money ahead in the long run!