OK, I’m about to take the plunge and start attempting to separate people from their money on eBay. I’ve been pondering things, talking to experienced friends, and browsing ads at eBay. Now I’ve bought my inventory – $24 worth of men’s shirts at Goodwill (a trunkload.)
Any advice, useful experience, humorous anecdotes, etc.?
Here’s what I’m doing/thinking of so far:
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I only bought name-brand stuff in perfect condition. I’m shooting for “like new”. I’m not planning on mentioning I got the stuff at Goodwill, although of course I won’t claim it’s new.
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Got an iron, to get things in best possible condition before photographing with my …
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digital camera. I’m going to use the eBay package of 6 photographs per item; seems like a good deal. I’ll probably host my own images, since I have that capability.
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I’ve been told to use the “Gallery”, which puts a thumbnail picture up in the list when the user does a search. This is 25 cents per auction.
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I’m planning on shipping Priority Mail; seems to be common, fast and cheap. I’ll be charging a modest “handling” fee.
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I’ll use the “Buy It Now” option (5 cents a pop), and offer free shipping and handling for Buy It Now purchases. (Of course I’ll build the s/h into the Buy It Now price.)
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I plan to accept cashier’s checks, non-Western Union money orders (apparently W.U.'s are easy to forge, or something), PayPal, or personal checks. I will make it clear that the item doesn’t get shipped until I have the cash in hand – waiting for the checks to clear.
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I plan on stating a tightfisted return policy “at seller’s discretion”, only if I have misrepresented the item or its condition.
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I will take very clear photos including cuff and collar area, and I will not offer anything for sale that is damaged or stained in any way.
Should I charge a nice hefty s/h fee on everything, or should I offer a shipping calculator?
What about overseas?
What about taxes? I’ll keep good records; am I going to get creamed next year if I make any profit?
So…
Somebody hold my hand while I do this. I’m scared.
If you’re hosting your own images, you don’t need to pay for eBay’s image package - you realize that, right? The image package you pay for from eBay means they host them for you. I rarely do it that way, as I have my own webspace that allows remote linking and is free.
eBay also has a shipping calculator built in (which is optional, and free to use), where you specify how much of a handling fee you want to add. The amount of your handling fee is hidden from the customer - they just put their zip code in, and eBay spits up a figure that is the postal service’s estimate based on zip codes + your handling fee. That’s what i’ve been using ever since they introduced it.
I sell vintage housewares, not like-new clothing, so anything specific to that I can’t help you with. Sorry.
I’m really hoping that this is a big spoof on all of us. Person x wants to buy a friggin shirt and is of insufficient means to buy a new shirt at Wal-Mart, but can get online and bid to buy a used shirt from you on eBay, and will pay an appropriate amount of money such that (a) eBay gets paid, (b) you get paid, © the shipper gets paid, and can do so while realizing a savings over going to their local Goodwill store and just buying a shirt there!
Whatever you’re doing, I hope you have lots of it. :rolleyes:
scusi?
I agree it’s a bit ridiculous, buying cheap stuff on eBay you could get cheaper elsewhere. But people will do it; look around. Some people just love mail order, and online auctions. Even I myself have been known to buy a thing or two on eBay.
I at least save the buyer the trouble of going to Goodwill. It kind of smells and it’s full of screaming children; I have no ethical problem being reimbursed for my real-time shopping trip.
There’s no reason to get all offended, is there?
I sell stuff on E-Bay and so far, all you say is great.
The one thing I wouldn’t do is accept personal checks.
It’s way too much of a hassle. Even if you don’t ship until the check clears, if it bounces your bank will charge you (30 bucks? it varies). Good luck in collecting that money. If you decide to not take personal checks, be specific in mentioning that, i.e, NO PERSONAL CHECKS. I have found in the past that people think a cashier’s check = personal check.
Unless these shirts are really cool or have some retro appeal, you may find that it’s not worth it. In the past when I have sold a few retro outfits, I have found that clothing sales (as opposed to my other sales) are a HUGE P.I.T.A. My disclaimer, howver, is that I have sold women’s clothes. Men might not be so picky.
When I have placed a woman’s outfit for sale, I get a huge amount of e-mails. I often get questions that are clearly answered in the auction (such as bust size, is it authentic, etc).