Selling on ebay for Commission Questions

**dolphin** · 06-18-2006, 01:35 AM

I sell things from my house on ebay. I also list and sell things for the food bank where I volunteer without taking a commission because I just want to help them out.

Now, some ladies and clients I met through the food bank have asked me to list some things for them for sale. One lady said she would give me 10% commission. Uhhhh, I don't think that is enough, do you?

Another lady has some paintings and antiques she wants me to sell. I will require that each item I am listing be in my house before I will list it and I was thinking of charging 15 to 20% commission. Is that a fair amount or is that too much to ask for?

We would have to discuss who pays and what happens if an item doesn't sell even after it has been relisted and of course I will only list their items at the lowest amount they would take for thier item so I wouldn't have to worry about them not getting what they expected.

Has anyone ever done this on commission and if so what was your experience and would you recommend it? Any advice on this would be so helpfull including how you set up your business to do this. Thanks. Carolyn

**SHOPGIRL** · 06-18-2006, 08:00 AM

I wouldn't list for someone for less than a 40% comission. It takes time, and people who don't list on ebay have no idea how much time it takes. Also, are they going to pay the fees even if the item doesn't sell. I'd set your own prices, then if people want to use your service, either they will or won't.

I've listed a few things for people before. What I did is ask them what they had to have out of the item, then, I just kept the extra amount.

I rarely do this for people because it's such a pain. Just make sure you charge enough to make it worthwhile for you.

**Blessed** · 06-23-2006, 02:26 PM

Wow Carolyn! I just popped in to ask this very question! I have people asking me to sell their stuff ALL THE TIME. My response is, "I'll think about it."

There's a lady over in Glenwood who does this. When I tried to call her to ask about it, her phone had been disconnected. Poor thing, I know she's been struggling. Maybe I'll stop in this afternoon.

Anyway, here's what I've come up with:

The client pays a non-refundable listing charge, prior to the listing being active, which includes 1 photo, gallery, listing designer and 1 relist within 90 days. The fees are my actual cost + $5:

Starting price $ 0.01 - $ 9.99 = $5.95
10.00 - 24.99 = 6.55
25.00 - 49.99 = 7.75
50.00 - 199.99 = 8.95

If the item sells the client's total charge will be a 25% commission or the listing charge, whichever is greater.

Thus, if the item sells for $9.99, I've been paid the $5.95 listing charge since 25% is only $2.50, they make $4.04. If the item sells for $24.99, I again have the listing charge of $6.55 since 25% is only $6.25, they make $18.44. If the item sells for $49.99 I get $12.50 and they get $37.49.

Sounds about right to me. Opinions? If I get a hold of the lady in Glenwood, I'll try to post what she is doing.

**Blessed** · 07-09-2006, 07:42 PM

Here's a list of places that consign to ebay and their fees:

http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/pages/consign

**AmyMCGS** · 07-09-2006, 07:54 PM

Just last week I saw an entire store devoted to this... their sign basically said that you bring in your stuff, and they take care of photographing it and listing it on eBay for you. I thought that was really an interesting business. DH said he's seen a few of those places. I don't know what their rates are, though.

I've listed things twice in the past for friends. They paid me up front for the listing fees. Both made reasonable offers as to how much (percentage) they'd pay me if the items sold, and they set their own lowest-acceptable prices... but neither one sold.

I think that the rate schedule that Blessed proposed above seems very reasonable.

**tervsforme** · 07-09-2006, 09:39 PM

I am starting to list items again and I am also listing items for my mom. Our deal is I get 50% of the selling price. That covers the fees for E-bay and Pay Pal. I also get the shipping amount, so if something sells for $10 plus $4 shipping I get $9 and she gets $5. I pay for the shipping and all fees out of my part, it just seems cleaner that way. She is giving me a little more because it is me, but I think that the places that sell stuff for you does it for at least 30% if not more. Give them a call and see what they say.

Happy E-Baying all!

**bridge** · 07-10-2006, 12:05 PM

Ebay actually has a system set-up to do this.

http://pages.ebay.com/tradingassista...assistant.html

**crdurham** · 07-10-2006, 06:20 PM

I have sold for people on ebay (actually have a side business doing this).. I charge a straight out 30% (35% clothes and accessories). I do not charge to list unless listing fees are above $5.00. I have always made money doing this. I charge $1.00 extra on my shipping costs and that money goes to me. I require that I have the item at my home and I have also made out a contract to sign.

I sold for awhile for this antique shop here in town (until it dawned on them they could do it themselves..lol). We both made good from their sales.

Good luck to you...