Need tips on ebaying!

**MANDERS** · 01-30-2004, 11:42 AM

Ok Ebayers I need your help.We've decided to build a house and so to help with the down payment I'm going to start selling on ebay.I'll start with stuff we have in our yard sale boxes then go to yard sales to find items to sell.I have a bunch of questions so be prepared.

Q1-Do you accept checks?Is this safe or should I go with money orders and paypal?

Q2-Where do you get your mailing supplies?How much do these cost?

Q3-How do you figure out mailing costs?

Q4-How well do you do on ebay?

Tia

**MJsLady** · 01-30-2004, 11:57 AM

Welcome to the wonderful world of Ebay!

Q1-Do you accept checks?Is this safe or should I go with money orders and paypal? We take MO, Cashiers checks and Paypal. We have had a couple bidders pay by check, luckily they were good. I personally know folks who take checks with no reservation and do not hold them and have never had a problem. Just go with your own comfort zone.

Q2-Where do you get your mailing supplies?How much do these cost? Priority mail supplies are free. You can order them online at www.USPS.com. We shred paper for stuffing, buy some buble wrap and snatch up free papers for wrapping.

Q3-How do you figure out mailing costs? If you go through www.stamps.com they have a free 5 lb scale, the service costs $14.95 a month but if you use the delivery confirmation and sell 30 items a month it has paid for itself. I personally use dc on almost every shipment!
They also give you $20 in free postage for your first month.

Q4-How well do you do on ebay? We have been doing this for just over a month, about 6 weeks. At last count we had sold $450 or so worth of stuff. This was mostly stuff we had around that we wanted to declutter.
One of the tricks that my mentor keeps pushing is to make sure you use as much of the title space as possible, try to use general AND specific terms, so you catch both types of buyers!
He also says regardless of the fees, paypal makes for bigger and more sales. I have personally found this to be true.
A great place to go for learning tips and advice is WWW.AuctionEthics.com.
I personally know Scott, the guy that built the site and the folks there are really helpful. Some are a bit rough around the edges but they all have good hearts.
If i can help any more just pm or email!
Good luck! We are hoping I can keep up our success on ebay too!

**Dixie** · 01-30-2004, 01:20 PM

Melissa gave good advice. I just wanted to say good luck!

**voodidit** · 01-30-2004, 02:50 PM

Q1-Do you accept checks?Is this safe or should I go with money orders and paypal? I do accept checks from people I know, also through PayPal, they will send you an email telling you when the check has cleared. Also for a small fee, PayPal will let you take credit card payments. In my experience it is well worth the fee, because it is fast payment.

Q2-Where do you get your mailing supplies?How much do these cost? Shop around for these. Some of mine I get at Wal-Mart, I also reuse boxes I have on hand. I have some links somewhere for a very cheap supplier, I'll hunt it down. Also if people want priority shipping the PO will provide them for free. You can order them on-line and they will drop them off at your house.

Q3-How do you figure out mailing costs? I have set prices on some items others I take to the po and get the price. You can also buy a scale.

Q4-How well do you do on ebay? How well you depends a lot on what you sell. Kids clothes do well. Just rmember to put things in the orrect catagory, if you aren't sure where it should go, look up similar items and see where they are.

**AmyMCGS** · 01-31-2004, 01:15 PM

The ladies have given you some great advice~ good luck!

I, too, use the FREE shipping supplies that the USPS will deliver to your door (also free). I also wanted to mention that using detailed descriptions and clear photos is a major selling point, plus then you don't have to answer ten emails about a color or size.

**mustang80** · 01-31-2004, 03:03 PM

I got a 5 lb scale at BJ's for $30.00. It has more than paid for itself, and whenever there is a postal hike, you go to the website and print a new price sheet for inside the scale. This paid for itself many times over.

Checks: Yes, but I hold the item 10 days to make sure the check has cleared. I got burned before by someone with 100 feedback.

Shipping supplies-free from the post office, as stated above. I buy my bubble envelopes from ebay at a fraction of the cost of retail. I buy them in lots of 100. Ends up being about .35 apiece for a 9-12 envie. I ship lots of books media mail this way.

Shipping costs: Print out a zone chart from the USPS, that way you won't short yourself on postage. Find out the zip code, and plot which zone it falls into. Ask the PO for a shipping price chart. It includes prices for priority mail, media mail, parcel post, etc. Just weigh the item, check the zip and zone, and wella! You have your price!
Also: You can print delivery confirmation labels on USPS, saving the .40 cost at the PO. If you print it yourself, the del. conf. is free.

How well do we do: It helps pay the bills, nothing exciting, but a few hundred a month on average. Sometimes more depending on the items I have.

**Mom23boys** · 01-31-2004, 06:07 PM

Everyone has given you great advice.

Good luck Amanda!!

Thanks for the heads up Danielle.

Also: You can print delivery confirmation labels on USPS, saving the .40 cost at the PO. If you print it yourself, the del. conf. is free.

I did not know that! I always end up paying for it at the PO. I have learned something knew today and it will save me money!!

**crdurham** · 02-06-2004, 07:34 PM

I agree, great advice and thanks for the del con. tip!! here's my answers:

Q1-Do you accept checks?Is this safe or should I go with money orders and paypal? yes, but I do hold the item until clears

Q2-Where do you get your mailing supplies?How much do these cost? at the post office for free for priorty mail. I also buy padded envies and bubble wrap at the Dollar Tree. The have envies three to a pack and a pretty good size of pre cut wrap for $1. Also Walgreens puts the padded envie on sale for 3/$1 quite often. I also ask family to save mailing boxes for me.

Q3-How do you figure out mailing costs? I also bought a 5 pound scale at Office Depot for $20. It was totally worth the money if you are going to sell alot. I also post a pre-determined shipping fee....I weigh my item in the box, go to the usps website, and enter the weight and my zip (i'm on the west coast) and a zip on the east coast and do an average cost...i have never had anyone complain about shipping...it usually comes out just a few cents off and I use the extra for supplies.

Q4-How well do you do on ebay? I have done pretty good, having sold most of the items that I have listed. I only do it for extra cash and spending money so as long as I make a bit more than i spend and get rid of some stuff, I'm happy...lol...

good luck to you and give us a link when you get started!!

**baronmom** · 02-06-2004, 07:56 PM

ebay has an option that will calculate the shipping from your address to theirs. I used it when I sold my son's paintball gun. that way they know exactly what the shipping is. I added an extra $2 for materials that I would have to buy to ship it. If I don't have to buy materials, then I might throw in insurance for it. I have a paypal account, and that is how this person bought the item. I would only accept a check if it had cleared the bank before I sent the item. I do not want to get burned. Good luck. The ebay bug has bitten me, and now I am starting to try and think of other things to list.