Since I have a side business on Ebay, and have been dealing on there for years.....if anyone has any questions about buying or selling...feel free to ask me...I will try to answer them the best that I can! :)

I've always been curious ...

What do you do when you buy something off ebay, you send them the money, but they don't send you the item?

From your experience, the people who usually have 95-100% ratings from buyers/sellers, are the ones who are rated at 95% any much worse than someone who has like a 80% rating? So, far I've been very lucky with most I've dealt with. But, no matter what their rating, I'm ALWAYS wary of who I'm dealing with. I just bought a guitar for my boyfriend on there- my profile is under missscarlet21 :0)

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[quote author=wһіѕ

From your experience, the people who usually have 95-100% ratings from buyers/sellers, are the ones who are rated at 95% any much worse than someone who has like a 80% rating? So, far I've been very lucky with most I've dealt with. But, no matter what their rating, I'm ALWAYS wary of who I'm dealing with. I just bought a guitar for my boyfriend on there- my profile is under missscarlet21 :0)



I usually have a rule of thumb to where I will only bid on someone's items if they have very close to 100% positive feedback.  I mean, I understand that there are times when someone might give someone unnecessary negative feedback, causing them not to have perfect feedback, however, IMO, I tend to stay away from people who have less than like 90-93% positive feedback.

I usually have a rule of thumb to where I will only bid on someone's items if they have very close to 100% positive feedback.  I mean, I understand that there are times when someone might give someone unnecessary negative feedback, causing them not to have perfect feedback, however, IMO, I tend to stay away from people who have less than like 90-93% positive feedback.


I agree. I don't think I've done business with someone lower than like 98%. Plus, one time I looked through a ton of comments and feedback to see how fair/unfair certain comments are. You gotta shop around!

What kind of stuff do you sell? Also, I am curious about how much you make from it but I know that is kind of personal question-if you can give me a general answer, that would be great.



Cat

What kind of stuff do you sell? Also, I am curious about how much you make from it but I know that is kind of personal question-if you can give me a general answer, that would be great.



Cat



hey Cat!

I mainly sell vintage/retro items that I happen to find on my many searches at thrift stores/yard sales/antique shops...etc....however, I do sell other things too.  I have a small side business in which I sell items for people (I pay for all of the Ebay/Paypal fees, etc), and then we split the profit.  I have sold name brand clothing and shoes, accessories, antiques, car parts, music, toys, books.....you name it, I have probably sold it.

You can make some decent money selling items, but it is a lot of tedious work.  It takes a great deal of time, taking pictures of the items, taking complete measurements/details, writing a detailed description and managing the auction....but it can be well worth it....if you have the right items.  There have been times where I have picked up a vintage shirt, or toy or something for a few dollars at a thrift store...and then can turn around and sell it for a LOT more than I paid into it.  For instance...I found a big plastic bag of unopened packages of scratch and sniff stickers from the 80's...they were in mint condition...never opened or scratched)....I picked up this bag of maybe 10-15 packs of them for only $1.99....and in return....I didn't sell any packages of them for under $15.00 EACH.....so, you see, I made a great profit.  If you do some research and see what is selling, and then you find those types of items....you can make some decent money....but it has to be a consistant thing.  I know there are people who buy items in large bulk (and that's great if you have the kind of money to put into that).....and then they split it up and sell each item individually. I was selling for this guy once who used to do this...he would go to these closeout kinds of stores (Gabriel Brothers), and buy tons of stuff (name brand clothing, shoes, jewelry, trinkets, etc)....for a bulk/closeout price....and then he would give me items to sell.....some of them sold really well.

My advice...find something that you know alot about and do some research as to see if it sells well, and then try a few auctions and see how it goes.  It's really exciting to watch and see just how much people are willing to pay for some people's "junk". ;)

:O Wow that's a lot of typing!

I'm not sure if this is accurate, but I think I've heard of auctions where you're bidding even when you don't know exactly when you're getting. For example, it might say you get x amount of CDs for a really cheap price, but it doesn't tell you which ones you're getting.

1) Am I imagining this, or is this an actual type of auction that's not rare?
2) If it is real, what are your thoughts on it? Is it worth buying stuff like that?

I'm not sure if this is accurate, but I think I've heard of auctions where you're bidding even when you don't know exactly when you're getting. For example, it might say you get x amount of CDs for a really cheap price, but it doesn't tell you which ones you're getting.

1) Am I imagining this, or is this an actual type of auction that's not rare?
2) If it is real, what are your thoughts on it? Is it worth buying stuff like that?


I've seen auctions where you bid on a Mystery Box/Bag.

What does the name Ebay mean!?

I'm not sure if this is accurate, but I think I've heard of auctions where you're bidding even when you don't know exactly when you're getting. For example, it might say you get x amount of CDs for a really cheap price, but it doesn't tell you which ones you're getting.

1) Am I imagining this, or is this an actual type of auction that's not rare?
2) If it is real, what are your thoughts on it? Is it worth buying stuff like that?



Like Lorac said, there are a lot of mystery auctions. If you go to e-bay and do a search for mystery, you will come up with a bunch of stuff. I must admit that I do bid on those-in terms of coin lots. I know I am bidding on coins but what type of coins, dates, or what condition, etc. I won't know until I get them. I look for the ones that are "unsearched". Yes, they can be fun but also a bit frustraiting. I have had several which were very disappointing but others I have found "treasures". So, I take a gamble. My theory is, if I were to buy these "treasures", I would be paying a lot of $$$$ for some of them-and I hope that with these lots, that one or two will be in there. Sometimes one or two coins are worth what I paid for the entire lot.


Cat

What is the difference to having an e-bay store or just listing what you are offering? Are there any adventages to having a store?





Cat

What is the difference to having an e-bay store or just listing what you are offering? Are there any adventages to having a store?





Cat




Yes...when you have an Ebay store....you can list items for a much cheaper price and they can stay up for like 45 days....you can have a HUGE inventory in an Ebay store.  I think it's like $15 a month to have a store...here is a link for you to check out....it explains all of the details of it..

http://pages.ebay.com/storefronts/openbenefits.html

I've seen many books on setting up an ebay business, do you suggest any references?

I've seen many books on setting up an ebay business, do you suggest any references?




I have actually read and referenced a book called, "Starting an Ebay Business...for Dummies" (part of those "for dummies" series).  From what I can remember, it seemed pretty thorough and to the point.

I recently received an e-mail from ebay telling me that my account was suspended due to unpaid sellers fees. So I went and paid the fees. In the help section it says that it takes 10-14 days to process it, so does that mean they will unsuspend my account when they receive payment? They haven't done so yet, and I'm emailed them about it. Ah, well, guess I'll just have to wait and find out.

I recently received an e-mail from ebay telling me that my account was suspended due to unpaid sellers fees. So I went and paid the fees. In the help section it says that it takes 10-14 days to process it, so does that mean they will unsuspend my account when they receive payment? They haven't done so yet, and I'm emailed them about it. Ah, well, guess I'll just have to wait and find out.



Let me ask you....was your account actually suspended...or were you just going by the email that was sent to you stating this?  Did you click a link in the email to go to Ebay and pay it?  You have to be very careful...there are a LOT of spam emails out there that pretend to be from Ebay or Paypal and in reality they are not.  They appear to look like they are from Ebay, and they include a link within the email, wanting you to click on it and take you to a page that actually looks like Ebay..but it is not.  I will advise you to NEVER click on those links within the emails....but instead, just go to www.Ebay.com and then sign into your account....if there is truly a problem, you will be able to see it via signing into the REAL ebay page and accessing your account.  I have never heard of it taking that long to process...usually when you pay your seller's fees, you can automatically start selling again. Did you pay them via Paypal, or did you mail the payment in? If you mailed it in, it may take a bit longer, but if you paid automatically with Paypal, it shouldn't take so long. Let me know.

Let me ask you....was your account actually suspended...or were you just going by the email that was sent to you stating this?  Did you click a link in the email to go to Ebay and pay it?  You have to be very careful...there are a LOT of spam emails out there that pretend to be from Ebay or Paypal and in reality they are not.  They appear to look like they are from Ebay, and they include a link within the email, wanting you to click on it and take you to a page that actually looks like Ebay..but it is not.  I will advise you to NEVER click on those links within the emails....but instead, just go to www.Ebay.com and then sign into your account....if there is truly a problem, you will be able to see it via signing into the REAL ebay page and accessing your account.  I have never heard of it taking that long to process...usually when you pay your seller's fees, you can automatically start selling again. Did you pay them via Paypal, or did you mail the payment in? If you mailed it in, it may take a bit longer, but if you paid automatically with Paypal, it shouldn't take so long. Let me know.


Oh cripes...I clicked on the link, which linked me to what looked like the official ebay website...well it was the official ebay website, because it was www.ebay.com.au, hope I didn't do anything rash. No, actually come to think I may have just typed it in my browser. But I went to the help bit and it said something like 10-12 days, which I too thought was a bit long. Btw, I payed by debit direct from my savings account. Hope everything'll clear up...

I recently received an e-mail from ebay telling me that my account was suspended due to unpaid sellers fees. So I went and paid the fees. In the help section it says that it takes 10-14 days to process it, so does that mean they will unsuspend my account when they receive payment? They haven't done so yet, and I'm emailed them about it. Ah, well, guess I'll just have to wait and find out.
I get ones like that all the time and they are all spam. If you hover your mouse over the link it usually shows it is an address nothing to do with Ebay.You should forward anything like that to 'spoof@ebay' and they will tell you if it is genuine or not.

Oh cripes...I clicked on the link, which linked me to what looked like the official ebay website...well it was the official ebay website, because it was www.ebay.com.au, hope I didn't do anything rash. No, actually come to think I may have just typed it in my browser. But I went to the help bit and it said something like 10-12 days, which I too thought was a bit long. Btw, I payed by debit direct from my savings account. Hope everything'll clear up...




please read the following guidelines concerning spoof emails...


http://pages.ebay.com/help/confidence/isgw-account-theft-spoof.html

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I'm gonna have a try at this eBay Selling business. Have masses of stuff to put on there and have just printed off the sellers tutorial thing which details ad. costs etc etc. Let's see how it goes

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I'm gonna have a try at this eBay Selling business. Have masses of stuff to put on there and have just printed off the sellers tutorial thing which details ad. costs etc etc. Let's see how it goes



hey Jules...good luck with all of that. If you have any questions or need advice...please just ask! :)

hey Jules...good luck with all of that. If you have any questions or need advice...please just ask! :)


Thanks very much Erin, I'm just about to start digging out my stuff and take the photos etc  will get them processed today at the 1 hr service at the local supermarket as it's cheapest for developing there, then will upload them with the descriptions this pm. 

Thanks very much Erin, I'm just about to start digging out my stuff and take the photos etc  will get them processed today at the 1 hr service at the local supermarket as it's cheapest for developing there, then will upload them with the descriptions this pm. 
If you are planning to sell often you should really get a digital camera. It's so much easier, cheaper and if the picture's crap you can see straight away and take another.I'm selling shedloads at the moment due to the impending house move.......................

If you are planning to sell often you should really get a digital camera. It's so much easier, cheaper and if the picture's crap you can see straight away and take another.I'm selling shedloads at the moment due to the impending house move.......................




Yes, Gis is right...it makes the listing process so much easier. Good luck on your auctions, Gis! ;)

If you are planning to sell often you should really get a digital camera. It's so much easier, cheaper and if the picture's crap you can see straight away and take another.I'm selling shedloads at the moment due to the impending house move.......................


Yeah I'm using Chris's one but just wish there was a quicker way to get the snaps online than scanning hard copies after they get developed. I suppose there is a quicker way if you have the right equipment.

Anyways..I now have to train myself to stop checking every 10 minutes to see how many people have viewed my stuff.  ;D :-[ ;D
Only have 9 items for sale and 5 are being 'watched' but no bids as yet  :D :D

Yeah I'm using Chris's one but just wish there was a quicker way to get the snaps online than scanning hard copies after they get developed. I suppose there is a quicker way if you have the right equipment.

Anyways..I now have to train myself to stop checking every 10 minutes to see how many people have viewed my stuff.  ;D :-[ ;D
Only have 9 items for sale and 5 are being 'watched' but no bids as yet  :D :D
Is it a digital camera ? It should have a cable with it that you plug into the computer and also a disk which gives you the photo editing package you need or you can find one of those to download.

Don't even try !!! It is impossible not to keep going on and checking your items, just incase you have a bid........... I'm always completely gutted when I have people watching something and noone bids. I also can't resist looking at what the person who has bid on my item has been buying lately.

The weirdest by far was this girl bid on a PG Tips beanie monkey I was selling. I had a wee look at her feedback and to see what else she had been buying abd she had bought nearly 50 identical PG Tips monkeys !?! By the time she had won mine and the auction was over she had bought 75 of these monkeys. I almost emailed her to ask 'In god's name WHY' I imagined her filling her house with shelves and shelves of identical monkeys like a little beanie army................ 

Yes, Gis is right...it makes the listing process so much easier. Good luck on your auctions, Gis! ;)
Thanks Erin, to be honest at the moment I'm just pleased if a thing sells as it's one less thing to pack !

I have a question for you actually. As you use Ebay as a business, how often do you relist items if they don't sell ? I never know whether you should keep on relisting until they go or do it 2 or 3 times and then pass them on to a charity/thrift shop or something.Do you drop your price too?

Thanks Erin, to be honest at the moment I'm just pleased if a thing sells as it's one less thing to pack !

I have a question for you actually. As you use Ebay as a business, how often do you relist items if they don't sell ? I never know whether you should keep on relisting until they go or do it 2 or 3 times and then pass them on to a charity/thrift shop or something.Do you drop your price too?




I usually relist them no more than 3 times.  If it doesn't sell by then...I just donate them back to thrift stores (since most of the items that I obtain are originally from thrift stores anyway).  Yes...by the third time, I usually drop the starting price a bit, however, most of my items start out very low to begin with (that attracts more potential buyers).

And...as Jules was saying....it is like an addiction to keep going back to see how many people are watching/bidding on items...I will sit there sometimes and keep refreshing the page (especially closer to the auction's end). LOLOL!! :D

Do they still supermarket shopping trollies on offer?

I usually relist them no more than 3 times.  If it doesn't sell by then...I just donate them back to thrift stores (since most of the items that I obtain are originally from thrift stores anyway).  Yes...by the third time, I usually drop the starting price a bit, however, most of my items start out very low to begin with (that attracts more potential buyers).

And...as Jules was saying....it is like an addiction to keep going back to see how many people are watching/bidding on items...I will sit there sometimes and keep refreshing the page (especially closer to the auction's end). LOLOL!! :D


That relisting tip is a good one to know as I was wondering about that just incase no one buys my stuff, there are lots of views but no bids yet..BAH   :D  
Oddly enough a Californian buyer asked me a question about some plimsols I'm selling,  I thought the ads only went Europewide so was very pleased that the UK site can be viewed in the US too.
Have found a USB lead too to download my pics..thankfully.

That relisting tip is a good one to know as I was wondering about that just incase no one buys my stuff, there are lots of views but no bids yet..BAH   :D  
Oddly enough a Californian buyer asked me a question about some plimsols I'm selling,  I thought the ads only went Europewide so was very pleased that the UK site can be viewed in the US too.
Have found a USB lead too to download my pics..thankfully.



yes, you can set it up so that people from all over the world can view and bid on your items.

That relisting tip is a good one to know as I was wondering about that just incase no one buys my stuff, there are lots of views but no bids yet..BAH  :D 
Oddly enough a Californian buyer asked me a question about some plimsols I'm selling,  I thought the ads only went Europewide so was very pleased that the UK site can be viewed in the US too.
Have found a USB lead too to download my pics..thankfully.
It's where you fill out postage when you are listing an item. It gives you the option of ticking boxes for all the countries you will post to.I always tick the boxes for worldwide and seem to sell most of my stuff internationally. Obviously you have to work out the different postage as it costs more.
I have found from experience do explain very clearly that international postage is more and international buyers should contact you for a quote. Also In big capitals 'PAYPAL ONLY FROM INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS' It costs you