Selling on ebay - who does it for a bit of extra cash?
15 September 2010, 07:28 PM
#1
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Selling on ebay - who does it for a bit of extra cash?
I've been thinking of selling a particular product on ebay. I've got the retailer price list for the products and they sell for £3-£4 per item more on ebay than the retail price. I have a small advantage in that I don't have to pay for post and packing.
My question is really to do with competition. These days pretty much everything has been thought of and there is at least one established seller already on ebay. Now I'm not expecting a closed market but I'm just wondering how those that are new to a particular niche market survive - obvious things aside like deliver on time and good descriptions etc.
I'm not expecting a fortune just looking for something that will make me a little money to fund (of all things) my model railway.
My question is really to do with competition. These days pretty much everything has been thought of and there is at least one established seller already on ebay. Now I'm not expecting a closed market but I'm just wondering how those that are new to a particular niche market survive - obvious things aside like deliver on time and good descriptions etc.
I'm not expecting a fortune just looking for something that will make me a little money to fund (of all things) my model railway.
15 September 2010, 07:39 PM
#3
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Good point - using an online calculator, it soon seems to soak up any potential profits. 
Might have a look at prices for one of those off the shelf webshops.
Might have a look at prices for one of those off the shelf webshops.
15 September 2010, 07:43 PM
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Don't understand your post. Can't you buy at a trade price? What sector is this? Why don't you have to pay for post/packing or are you slipping into your employer's mailbag?
Taxman will love your post!
dl
Taxman will love your post!
dl
15 September 2010, 07:46 PM
#6
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It's too expensive to be making any worthwhile profit.
I have had some right cheeky people buy things lately and it's really put me off.
Someone had the ***** to ask for some money back because I charged 25p more than they paid on the postage! Another moaned because a top wasn't a nice colour. It's the same colour as the picture FFS!
I have had some right cheeky people buy things lately and it's really put me off.
Someone had the ***** to ask for some money back because I charged 25p more than they paid on the postage! Another moaned because a top wasn't a nice colour. It's the same colour as the picture FFS!
15 September 2010, 07:46 PM
#7
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It's too expensive to be making any worthwhile profit.
I have had some right cheeky people buy things lately and it's really put me off.
Someone had the ***** to ask for some money back because I charged 25p more than they paid on the postage! Another moaned because a top wasn't a nice colour. It's the same colour as the picture FFS!
I have had some right cheeky people buy things lately and it's really put me off.
Someone had the ***** to ask for some money back because I charged 25p more than they paid on the postage! Another moaned because a top wasn't a nice colour. It's the same colour as the picture FFS!
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16 September 2010, 10:15 AM
#8
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Yeah thanks Columbo but the purchases will be from an existing business account so not easily hidden. Thinking about it last night I'd rather do it properly.
Which is why I'm wondering whether an online shop would be better than using ebay. Or use ebay first with the plan to move to an online shop. Had a look online and there are already 6 semi-dedicated shops that I could find, all pretty well established looking.
but the purchases will be from an existing business account so not easily hidden. Thinking about it last night I'd rather do it properly. Which is why I'm wondering whether an online shop would be better than using ebay. Or use ebay first with the plan to move to an online shop. Had a look online and there are already 6 semi-dedicated shops that I could find, all pretty well established looking.
Last edited by EddScott; 16 September 2010 at 10:17 AM.
16 September 2010, 11:31 AM
#9
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It's too expensive to be making any worthwhile profit.
I have had some right cheeky people buy things lately and it's really put me off.
Someone had the ***** to ask for some money back because I charged 25p more than they paid on the postage! Another moaned because a top wasn't a nice colour. It's the same colour as the picture FFS!
I have had some right cheeky people buy things lately and it's really put me off.
Someone had the ***** to ask for some money back because I charged 25p more than they paid on the postage! Another moaned because a top wasn't a nice colour. It's the same colour as the picture FFS!
I'm sure that amounted upto more than 25p
16 September 2010, 12:20 PM
#10
Too many idiots on ebay these days unfortunately, and it will only take a couple of them to file through paypal to eat up your profit margins.
Although some sellers ca be idiots too .The last time I used ebay I won a game for a decent price but the seller decided he did not want to sell it at that price so told me it the game had been damaged. I said okay then just send me the copy that you have relisted
Although some sellers ca be idiots too .The last time I used ebay I won a game for a decent price but the seller decided he did not want to sell it at that price so told me it the game had been damaged. I said okay then just send me the copy that you have relisted
16 September 2010, 12:45 PM
#11
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The response was along the lines of, well.... Everyone else has charged pretty much what it cost them to post.
They had a feedback of 7. Mine is 438.
16 September 2010, 12:47 PM
#12
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Yeah thanks Columbo but the purchases will be from an existing business account so not easily hidden. Thinking about it last night I'd rather do it properly.
Which is why I'm wondering whether an online shop would be better than using ebay. Or use ebay first with the plan to move to an online shop. Had a look online and there are already 6 semi-dedicated shops that I could find, all pretty well established looking.
but the purchases will be from an existing business account so not easily hidden. Thinking about it last night I'd rather do it properly. Which is why I'm wondering whether an online shop would be better than using ebay. Or use ebay first with the plan to move to an online shop. Had a look online and there are already 6 semi-dedicated shops that I could find, all pretty well established looking.
16 September 2010, 01:17 PM
#14
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Hadn't thought of that and wasn't really aware there was a reasonable alternative. Even after ebay fees I can make a profit on each item and can be as competitive as others on there. I fancied the webshop approach so if that was going to work I'd need something to raise myself above (or at least keep in sight of) the competition.
I just fancy doing something different.
16 September 2010, 02:17 PM
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We sell on eBay as part of our business and to be perfectly honest it's going to be very hard to make money unless you are already established, many people sell items on ebay below the cost of what it costs to buy them wholesale or even if you imported a container load.
The main problem you will find is most customers are either idiots or scammers, we have many systems in place to deal with both and it took a long time to sort it all out!
The main problem you will find is most customers are either idiots or scammers, we have many systems in place to deal with both and it took a long time to sort it all out!
16 September 2010, 02:25 PM
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I have sold an awful lot on ebay, before all the shoite rules came in I sold dodgy gambling tips, nowadays I sell DVD' s and anything that is cheap for P&P.
As long as you don't see it as a business go for it. Some DVD's I sell go for just £1.99. Add in ebay fees, paypal fees, packing fees and postage stamps plus the time it took you to photograph the item, upload it and list it and the end result is crap.
But I tend to do it in bulk, deep breath, take the pics, upload them and spend an evening on the laptop with tv in the background.
After a few weeks the reward does come in and it's worth it it IMO.
If it's too "tricky" to sell I charity it, otherwise it goes on ebay. It's a hobby. My paypal account is my rainy day account, most in it was over £4,000, currently ~ £200. And yes, the odd buyer is a complete pain in the ar$e but that's just a general percentage, if you worked in Burtons you'd get the same % of *******.
As long as you don't see it as a business go for it. Some DVD's I sell go for just £1.99. Add in ebay fees, paypal fees, packing fees and postage stamps plus the time it took you to photograph the item, upload it and list it and the end result is crap.
But I tend to do it in bulk, deep breath, take the pics, upload them and spend an evening on the laptop with tv in the background.
After a few weeks the reward does come in and it's worth it it IMO.
If it's too "tricky" to sell I charity it, otherwise it goes on ebay. It's a hobby. My paypal account is my rainy day account, most in it was over £4,000, currently ~ £200. And yes, the odd buyer is a complete pain in the ar$e but that's just a general percentage, if you worked in Burtons you'd get the same % of *******.
16 September 2010, 02:44 PM
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gheybay is far too dear now. 10% final value fee. cost for listing, paypal fees as well just eats into the already small anounts you are naking on an item.
16 September 2010, 03:10 PM
#18
Selling on ebay can be very profitable depending on how you set your business up. I had a ebay shop selling designer clothes & all my stock was sourced from italy as prices here where too much. I found that the turbo lister was very beneficial & also offering my items worldwide. I was easily making just under £1000 a week profit after fee's & taxes etc. If i had time i would love to start again but unfortunately i cant as i have a full time job in the field i wanted.
However i personally think if you have the right item pointed at the right people you can easily make good money. My mate & me started together he specializes in selling non designer clothes with low profit margin on each item but towards the end of the month he makes a killing by selling in huge quantities. So it all depends on how you work it out to be honest.
However i personally think if you have the right item pointed at the right people you can easily make good money. My mate & me started together he specializes in selling non designer clothes with low profit margin on each item but towards the end of the month he makes a killing by selling in huge quantities. So it all depends on how you work it out to be honest.
16 September 2010, 03:33 PM
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We sell on eBay as part of our business and to be perfectly honest it's going to be very hard to make money unless you are already established, many people sell items on ebay below the cost of what it costs to buy them wholesale or even if you imported a container load.
The main problem you will find is most customers are either idiots or scammers, we have many systems in place to deal with both and it took a long time to sort it all out!
The main problem you will find is most customers are either idiots or scammers, we have many systems in place to deal with both and it took a long time to sort it all out!
16 September 2010, 03:54 PM
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it would take me all day to explain, trust me when you see items on ebay that makes you think "how can they sell it so cheap" its because they are losing money.
We sell products at a loss and we buy stock by the container load and we still get customers moaning about nothing!
We sell products at a loss and we buy stock by the container load and we still get customers moaning about nothing!
16 September 2010, 03:56 PM
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Selling on ebay can be very profitable depending on how you set your business up. I had a ebay shop selling designer clothes & all my stock was sourced from italy as prices here where too much. I found that the turbo lister was very beneficial & also offering my items worldwide. I was easily making just under £1000 a week profit after fee's & taxes etc. If i had time i would love to start again but unfortunately i cant as i have a full time job in the field i wanted.
However i personally think if you have the right item pointed at the right people you can easily make good money. My mate & me started together he specializes in selling non designer clothes with low profit margin on each item but towards the end of the month he makes a killing by selling in huge quantities. So it all depends on how you work it out to be honest.
However i personally think if you have the right item pointed at the right people you can easily make good money. My mate & me started together he specializes in selling non designer clothes with low profit margin on each item but towards the end of the month he makes a killing by selling in huge quantities. So it all depends on how you work it out to be honest.
16 September 2010, 03:59 PM
#22
I can understand that some customers are right tossers plus they have the advantage of leaving negative feedback whereas on the other hand the sellers cant. Then you get all the disputes etc which can turn into a headache. So no its not as peaceful as it seems!!
16 September 2010, 04:17 PM
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Turbo lister is the biggest pile of poo ever made, its a dinosaur that probably started out on a Amiga 500, if you were making £1000 a week after fees and tax why are you not paying someone £500 a week to run it for you
16 September 2010, 07:35 PM
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free easy no brainer money
16 September 2010, 07:46 PM
#28
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true-so you pay them £250 a week then , you then make £750 a week for doing zilch- and if they dont do it right you get rid of them and get someone who will do it right-simples
16 September 2010, 08:00 PM
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But surely if you're in need of funds then you are just throwing away £750 a week for doing nothing-in simple terms its £750 a week being given to you for doing nothing-but now you shut that business down you dont have that money-unless im missing something very simple here
I know if i could make £1000 a week selling on ebay, being able to decide what hours in day i worked, being able to work whilst sat in my boxers with endless cups of tea by my side versus having to go out and be a wage slave to someone else and being dictated to about my working life - i know which i would pick