Ebay Account Advice?

[pseudocat]

I've realized I have too much stuff. Way too much. Some of it is just junk, and needs to go to charity (someone will use it), but some of it I need to sell.

I'd like to start selling some stuff on Ebay, but I have zero feedback. It seems the best way to get feedback is to buy stuff, but 1) that defeats the purpose of cleaning out, and 2) it begs the question: does buyer feedback mean anything at all when you're a seller?

So, is it better for me to just start selling, and hope people don't care about the feedback? or should I do something else?

Opinions?

[Sollophonic]

I started by buying a few things, to get a bit of feedback, but to be honest, we all start with zero feedback. I have bought stuff of people with way less than 100% anyway, with no problems. Id rather suss someone out by the type of feedback they get, often you find that some people have got bad feedback over a trivial matter.
If you sell using Pay Pal only, once they have paid the money is yours and secure.
Ironically the one eBay deal I did that caused me hassle was with someone with 100% feedback.

[mikespe]

Just start selling. First, look at other people's auctions to get an idea of all the information you should (and shouldn't) include in your auction. Try to look at auctions of similar items. Next, be prompt in returning answers to questions asked and answer thoroughly. Then when the item sells, ship it out ASAP and then inform the buyer that it was shipped, how it was shipped and if there are tracking numbers.

Lastly, don't be discouraged if it don't sell the first time out. Just keep at it. Also, I know many here prefer Craig's List so look into that as well. I prefer eBay myself but still think Craig's List is a good option for some.

[Lobstapickin]

Originally Posted by Sollophonic

If you sell using Pay Pal only, once they have paid the money is yours and secure.

Unless a fraud is committed or they use a stolen credit card through paypal. I believe they can take the money back from you, even if you already removed it from the account.

[pseudocat]

Originally Posted by mikespe

Just start selling. First, look at other people's auctions to get an idea of all the information you should (and shouldn't) include in your auction. Try to look at auctions of similar items. Next, be prompt in returning answers to questions asked and answer thoroughly. Then when the item sells, ship it out ASAP and then inform the buyer that it was shipped, how it was shipped and if there are tracking numbers.

Definitely. Service, service, service.

Originally Posted by mikespe

Also, I know many here prefer Craig's List so look into that as well. I prefer eBay myself but still think Craig's List is a good option for some.

Craig's List in my market area is really, really bad. I marvel all the time at people selling Squiers that are worth maybe $50, but they call them "Fenders" and list them for $400. I've noticed that ancillary items (pickups, etc.) get listed over and over again, with no buyers.

Though, I suppose I could advertise on CL anywhere, and just agree to ship.

[mikespe]

Originally Posted by Lobstapickin

Unless a fraud is committed or they use a stolen credit card through paypal. I believe they can take the money back from you, even if you already removed it from the account.

What you can (and should do) is have a separate bank account associated with your Paypal account. Only put money in there that is needed. It is then up to your bank to decide who should should pay back the money. Credit cards and bank's usually protect you if your card is stolen and used.

[Joe-Bob]

The best eBay strategy is to not use Ebay or their illegal bank, PayPal.

[T-bone Tone]

Originally Posted by Joe-Bob

The best eBay strategy is to not use Ebay or their illegal bank, PayPal.

Absolutely. I was an ebay seller for, oooh, about five years, I guess. I had some bizarre feedback rating of 99.8%.......because I wasn't selling enough stuff regularly.

The fact every single one of my feedbacks was positive, to say the least, meant nothing, and in the last couple of weeks I have been told a) I must use PayPal.....and b) wait 21 days for payment.....because I have not sold 20 items in the last 12 months! My integrity means nothing whatsoever, though.

Now, bearing in mind I am looking to sell some pretty valuable guitars, they expect me to wait 21 days while the buyer gets my guitar in a couple of days? No. I don't think so.

They are no longer interested in the small seller. The new rules are now geared for ebay shops and power sellers.....and buyers. I sent them 5 emails. Not one of them was read correctly, and I just got a load of corporate B.S. that had nothing to do with my queries/complaints.

I have one guitar up, here, at TDPRI classifieds and am looking at other options. I am sure I do not need to spell out my opinion of ebay in colourful anglo saxon.

[studio1087]

Just start selling.

Take tasteful photos, crop them before you post them, make it look nice.

Write some nice descriptions. I like to use bullet points.

I have bought things from people with no feedback. If the ad is well written and the pictures look good I really don't worry.

The worst thing on ebay is an ad with a badly lit guitar laying on a bed next to a pile of nasty cloths and a description that reads....i'm sellin my rawking axe cuz i don't play it.....great guitar mann.....rock on.

I've had two bad experiences with buyers not paying (but if they don't pay, I don't ship.....I simply had to relist). I've never had a bad experience buying other than getting a really beat up pedal. My wife has bought horse riding equipment that didn't fit our kids and she just resold it with a better description. No big worries.

Go to the post office and get a bunch of the flat rate Priority Mail boxes. They have a good sized box that is $8.95 for anything that fits the box. When you make a sale; ship the next day. It's easy with those boxes. You'll have a bunch of feedback in no time.

One man's trash is another man's treasure. I love the fact that anyone can clean out a few closets and make $300 off stuff that they don't use.

It's great fun. Just do it.

John

[mikespe]

Originally Posted by T-bone Tone

The fact every single one of my feedbacks was positive, to say the least, meant nothing, and in the last couple of weeks I have been told a) I must use PayPal.....and b) wait 21 days for payment.....because I have not sold 20 items in the last 12 months! My integrity means nothing whatsoever, though.

You are NOT required to ship the item until you receive payment. I am not sure where you read that the buyer gets the item before paying for it?

[T-bone Tone]

Originally Posted by mikespe

You are NOT required to ship the item until you receive payment. I am not sure where you read that the buyer gets the item before paying for it?

All ebay informed me via a message was what I have posted, here. Frankly, I couldn't care less. Their policies change like the seasons. Just take a look at the recent posts about ebay, my friend. The fact remains a simple transaction is now possibly gonna take up to 21 days, and I must pay extra money via PayPal on top of my insertion fees. For guitars costing a min of $4000 that's a hefty wad to our greedy ebay chums. You may be happy with that, and their ever changing policies. I'm not.

[mikespe]

Originally Posted by T-bone Tone

All ebay informed me via a message was what I have posted, here. Frankly, I couldn't care less. Their policies change like the seasons. Just take a look at the recent posts about ebay, my friend. The fact remains a simple transaction is now possibly gonna take up to 21 days, and I must pay extra money via PayPal on top of my insertion fees. For guitars costing a min of $4000 that's a hefty wad to our greedy ebay chums. You may be happy with that, and their ever changing policies. I'm not.

Well, I for one will continue to use eBay for both buying and selling. However, I don't sell items that cost $4000 so it's small change for me. But the few bad experiences I had, Paypal ruled in my favor every time so for me the system works. As long as you keep all documentation & correspondence you should be covered. To me Craig's List is a BIGGER risk than eBay and I won't even go there. I am perfectly content being in the minority on this issue.