I have several baits I'm trying to move out, but no pink flutters, sadly. There is a Peach Blossom flutter in my bait lot, though....*nudgewink* 

~Shaliken

Quote from: Shaliken on November 26, 2016, 04:51:17 PM

*furiously writing notes* Thank you! This helps a lot! For now I think I'll definitely limit myself to US only. At least until I get the hang of eBay. I've been selling a lot on Facebook, and that helps, but this is a whole different mess, lol. I'm definitely going to start small, and work my way up to bigger stuff. I was hoping to sell a tiny gold pendant thru eBay, but it seems like I should wait until I have good feedback and some more experience. So it looks like vintage toys and fantasy art ACEO cards it is! 

You're welcome!  Starting small and sticking to domestic shipments while you are getting the hang of eBay is a wise decision. If you are selling vintage toys, you might also consider etsy. I find it to be slower in terms of how quickly things sell but their fees are much lower (around 3.5% of the item price I think? Plus $0.20 for the listing which lasts 4 months) and they don't take a cut of your shipping like eBay does. Plus, I've never dealt with any of the ridiculous crazies on etsy that I have dealt with on eBay... (though I'm sure there are some out there too hehe)

I was considering an Esty store, but hadn't looked into it yet. I might just try that too...once I do some research, that is, lol. Thank you! *add that to the list* 

~Shaliken

Quote from: dragonfly on November 25, 2016, 07:05:04 AM

Research the price points your items are selling at and price accordingly. Ebay pushes sellers hard to offer free shipping but it's usually not going to be worth it to you as a seller. I offer different shipping methods and enter the cheapest option first because that's how it will show up in search if someone finds your item. Might as well offer a return policy because if a buyer opens a case eBay will usually require you to accept the return anyway. Familiarize yourself with their fee structure and work it into your price. I don't know the numbers off the top of my head but you'll get a listing fee, a percentage of the final sale price and the Paypal fee deducted. Also if selling at auction set the starting bid to the lowest price you'll accept (instead of at $1 or $0.99 as was recommended in the selling days of yore). Ebay also pushes you to accept best offers but be ready for a lot of lowball offers if you do this. When I have a best offer I set it to automatically accept and reject to a certain dollar limit usually around 20-25% of my asking price. That way I never get bothered with the people who offer $7.50 on an $80 item.

Good luck!

^I second everything dragonfly has written here. Especially familiarizing yourself with fees. To the best of my knowledge fees are as follows:
+eBay takes 10% of the final value of the item. Per eBay: "The total amount of the sale is the final price of the item, shipping charges, and any other amounts you may charge the buyer. Sales tax is not included."
+Paypal also takes 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.

It is also a good idea to double check your shipping options when you are working on a listing. Consider whether or not you want to offer international shipping, inputting accurate information into the shipping section to be sure that shipping is calculated properly, things like that. I have had eBay change these things around when I KNOW I put in the proper information so ALWAYS double check (because it can mean losing money on shipping!). Like dragonfly, I also tend to input the cheapest option first so that it doesn't put off potential buyers.

I would highly recommend a small postal scale and tape measure to keep at home if you have more than a handful of items to sell. It really makes things so much easier in my opinion and saves you from having to go to the PO for estimates/etc. For larger items, it is best (if possible) to find a proper box, supplies/padding and item and weigh it on your scale ahead of time so that you don't underestimate shipping costs. Shipping for larger packages going further from your home state will tend to balloon in price, especially when dimensions go over a certain threshold.

To cut down on the shipping costs, I save boxes and packing supplies from items I have purchased. My friends and family save boxes, bubble wrap, brown paper and air pockets for me too. You would be surprised how expensive shipping supplies are! This really helps the bottom line. I would suggest getting a nice big roll of bubblewrap if you think you need it because it is cheaper to get a big one than to get those little rolls from places like Target.

Always write detailed listings. This can save you a headache later on. I personally NEVER use words like "new/like new/great/mint" on eBay because people's opinions on condition are just SO subjective and there are a lot of picky eBayers as well as people who will look for any little excuse to get a discount or the item for free. Try to describe the item as objectively as possible and be honest with flaws. I have always been of the mind that I would rather my buyers be pleasantly surprised that items are better than expected condition than worse. Make note of whether or not the item is from a smoke and/or pet-free home as there are people with sensitivities to these things (nothing worse than opening up a package that reeks of smoke when it wasn't disclosed!!). Try to take lots of clear photos, preferably in natural light.

Chances are good that you will get annoying questions about your items, including questions about things that have already been listed in the description, requests for a lower price, etc... Always stay professional and answer politely. Set your policies ahead of time and list them clearly in your descriptions. How long do they have to pay (24 hours? 1 week?)? Will you offer combined shipping? Do you accept returns? Are you willing to negotiate on price? What is your shipping time frame? These are good things to think about and list at the bottom of your description so buyers know your policies. Try to answer buyer questions in a timely manner (within 24-48 hours).

ALWAYS ship with a tracking number (if possible).  I know sometimes this is not always possible for international packages (although they do have a customs number) but always get a tracking number for domestic packages. This is really one of the only safety nets left for sellers on eBay. Upload it to eBay for your buyer if you are not directly printing your labels from eBay (I personally print my labels from eBay at home because it saves me time). It saves questions when buyers can follow the tracking of their package on their own.

This is personal preference, but I also NEVER ship to an address requested by a buyer in a message after checkout that doesn't match what was entered when the item was purchased (sent it to my cousin's house at XXX as a gift; I'll be at my mom's for the holidays; and so on)... You lose all seller protection if you ship to an address different than the one the buyer used at checkout. Some people ask for legitimate reasons but it is also common scam. They will get a 100% refund at your expense and get to keep the item in the event that they open a case against you. When buyers request this I simply refund and request they check out again, putting in the correct information this time around.

Be aware that shipping from now through mid-January is slower than usual due to the high volume of packages that go through the postal service during the holiday season.

Phew! I think that's all for now... Hopefully you will find this information useful! If you have any questions I'm always happy to help Best of luck if you decide to venture into the world of eBay!!

*furiously writing notes* Thank you! This helps a lot! For now I think I'll definitely limit myself to US only. At least until I get the hang of eBay. I've been selling a lot on Facebook, and that helps, but this is a whole different mess, lol. I'm definitely going to start small, and work my way up to bigger stuff. I was hoping to sell a tiny gold pendant thru eBay, but it seems like I should wait until I have good feedback and some more experience. So it looks like vintage toys and fantasy art ACEO cards it is! 

Don't forget, they will put a hold on your monies as a new seller...  You have to enter the tracking number into Ebay's system and then it will release to you.

Oooh! I forgot about that! Thanks for the reminder! *adds to notes* 


~Shaliken

I'm seriously considering selling some non pony stuff on eBay, but I've never tried it before. I haven't even bought from eBay, yet. Please leave any tips, Do-this, or Don't-do-This, and anything else you think I should know. It looks like a hot mess, but I have stuff I need to move out in order to help pay some bills and get the last of my custom tools(Earth Pigments to be exact), and it looks like eBay is my best bet. 


Thanks in advance for any help! 

~Shaliken


[moving to TS ~Kiwi]

Augh! I still don't have funds....phooey, lol.

~Shaliken