As I private seller just flogging odds & sods, I mean.
A couple of weeks ago, I spent a whole evening posting up on eBay a load of unwanted stuff (none of it tat). I spent several hours writing descriptions, taking and uploading photos etc. etc.
Some of it (about half) sold, but by the time I'd finished, what with eBay's "posting" fees and "final value" fees I found out to my chagrin that I'd actually cleared a grand total of about GBP 25.
I'd been hoping to clear approaching something in the region of GBP 80, maybe a tad more (judging by what I'd seen similar stuff go for in the past) but it appears that Sod's Law kicked in, i.e. although I attracted quite a few "watchers" (up to 12) for some items, in the end no fucker bid - or else I got just one bidder.
So basically - not fucking worth the hassle involved, and I won't be going back to eBay any time soon (stick to car boot sales).
Seems to me that eBay isn't what it used to be - full now of commercial online stores, and private buyers wanting basically something for nothing and unwilling to bid more than piss-take amounts even for fairly decent gear (and yes - I started my auctions low).
Would be interested to hear other people's experiences of eBay selling - good or bad.
- Eric
Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
Yep, I find its a 'something for nothing' place. A bargain or a good deal is one thing, but people seem to want ridiculously low prices for everything. (Except stuff I want to by, which goes for ridiculously high prices!)
We have need of you again, great king.
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planeterotica
- Posts: 7093
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
I dont think a low starting price works anymore, start the auction at the lowest price you would be happy with that way if you only get 1 bid you havnt done to bad and if its priced sensible and someone wants it they will bid, also the postage cost these days where they charge by the size as well as weight has made ebay less attractive !sad!
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beutelwolf
- Posts: 1210
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
Flat_Eric wrote:
> Seems to me that eBay isn't what it used to be - full now of
> commercial online stores, and private buyers wanting basically
> something for nothing and unwilling to bid more than piss-take
> amounts even for fairly decent gear (and yes - I started my
> auctions low).
If you sell standard stuff on ebay you'll only get it shifted at bargain prices, because you would have to undercut established retailers by a considerable margin to lure buyers away from them - because buyers are taking a chance with buying on ebay.
It's different when you have some of those you-can-only-get-it-here goods on offer, stuff that's collectable.
> Seems to me that eBay isn't what it used to be - full now of
> commercial online stores, and private buyers wanting basically
> something for nothing and unwilling to bid more than piss-take
> amounts even for fairly decent gear (and yes - I started my
> auctions low).
If you sell standard stuff on ebay you'll only get it shifted at bargain prices, because you would have to undercut established retailers by a considerable margin to lure buyers away from them - because buyers are taking a chance with buying on ebay.
It's different when you have some of those you-can-only-get-it-here goods on offer, stuff that's collectable.
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
Yeah some crazy prices to be had on ebay that is for sure, you will never work out some of the prices so don't bother trying. I recently sold some 2nd hand pc memory on ebay and got a decent price for it, but unfortunately it didn't work by the time Royal Mail had finished with it - so I got a replacement sent out brand new unopened and resold it on ebay only to get half the price of the 2nd hand stuff!!
But as you say by the time that Ebay, Paypal and Royal Mail have got their share of the jackpot it does some times not seem worth the hassle. Yet you see some 2nd hand items going for far greater than you can buy them new (if the buyers actually looked about a wee bit).
But as you say by the time that Ebay, Paypal and Royal Mail have got their share of the jackpot it does some times not seem worth the hassle. Yet you see some 2nd hand items going for far greater than you can buy them new (if the buyers actually looked about a wee bit).
PEOPLE think Stephen Hawking is so clever, but when you ask him a question and he is typing in the answer on his little screen, how do we know he isn't just looking up the answer on the Internet?
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
Ive sold and bought on ebay its quite good some sellers make a bit on p/p charges though
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
crofter wrote:
. Yet you see some 2nd hand items going for far
> greater than you can buy them new (if the buyers actually
> looked about a wee bit).
Looking at a Sky HD box only yesterday, went for ?240 in the end. Sky will do you one for ?199 (although there is a ?60 instal fee, but thats worth it for the 'better' guarentee it brings)
. Yet you see some 2nd hand items going for far
> greater than you can buy them new (if the buyers actually
> looked about a wee bit).
Looking at a Sky HD box only yesterday, went for ?240 in the end. Sky will do you one for ?199 (although there is a ?60 instal fee, but thats worth it for the 'better' guarentee it brings)
We have need of you again, great king.
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
Been there as well these past few weeks Eric, after my fees etc, I made a few bob and found myself asking, 'was it worth it?'
You get cheeky cunts asking you to sell at a fraction of what you had it down for..........I had a guitar that started at ?175 or Buy Now at ?250 and trust me, its worth that, and yet some cunt offers me ?120....he had a brass neck, I'll say that. As for watchers, yes, really annoying.
I don't think ebay is what it used to be these days
You get cheeky cunts asking you to sell at a fraction of what you had it down for..........I had a guitar that started at ?175 or Buy Now at ?250 and trust me, its worth that, and yet some cunt offers me ?120....he had a brass neck, I'll say that. As for watchers, yes, really annoying.
I don't think ebay is what it used to be these days
The West London of my youth is now on dvd
I've met the man on the street............and he's a cunt
I've met the man on the street............and he's a cunt
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
Oh, and on that, I missed out on someone who supposedly sent me an item, which didn't materialise...........PayPal and Ebay were of no use whatsoever, especially as the seller ignored my emails, so I left him Negative Feedback........what did he do? Yep, you guessed it, left me negative for no other reason than I did it to him.
A cunts trick and no mistake!!!
A cunts trick and no mistake!!!
The West London of my youth is now on dvd
I've met the man on the street............and he's a cunt
I've met the man on the street............and he's a cunt
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mrmcfister
- Posts: 1672
- Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:40 am
Re: Selling on eBay - worth the hassle?
Ebay is great...I have bought and sold all over the world.If youve got anything half decent it'll sell for far more than car boots.People there want you to practically give it away and Asian women are the worst!If I want a quid for something they'll get a little food bag out with pennies in..count out about 40p and expect you to let em have it...twats!!