wow this all seems like way to much work, I hate trying to sell stuff. I either let my boyfriend post it up for sale at work, sold a bike that way, or just drop off the stuff at goodwill, or post it on Freecycle and let someone come pick it up.
To eBay or not to eBay - what do I do with the stuff meanwhile is the question?
(140 posts) (24 voices)
Overall Rating: 3 votes
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Posted 1 month ago #
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Hi, I'm an ebay seller and now I'm creating my own website. I should have focused on what I already have but instead I started to buy stuff to sell. Let's just say my garage is full of merchandise and boxes for sending.
I belong to stamps.com which is thru United Postal Service. Through them I got a scale, stamps to print on and more. There is a service fee per month but between the saving of printing (my price is lower than USPS) and not having to go to the post ofice all the time, its' worth it.
If you have a priority shipment and/or international shipping you can order a pick up. I have a great mail person that will pick up as long as I have the flag up on my mail box. Otherwise order it online. If an item is less than 13 oz you can drop it off in the front lobby of the post office.
For large items I recommend using Craigslist.com. Then you can find local sellers. I haven't used them yet, but it's free and a great resource.
My ebay store is: http://stores.ebay.com/Kats-Purrfect-Boutique?_rdc=1
Posted 1 month ago # -
Cool ebay store, katmeowrine! Thanks for the heads up on stamps.com.
Posted 1 month ago # -
Hi everyone! Sorry for the radio silence - digging out of "Snowmageddon" here in the mid-Atlantic!
@katmeowrine, is there an advantage to having a store versus just listing items to sell? And, when you buy stuff - do you look for discounts / sales on items you know you can sell at full price? Or tag / garage sales? Not necc going to pursue it, but I've always been curious?
@all, feeling pretty great b/c I finally managed to list something - and I have a bidder! I was nervous b/c the item is old and there is a newer style of the boots (that are honestly better) but I priced accordingly and someone bid right away. To all the eBayers, do you think I need to contact the bidder (towards the end) to be SURE they know that it's the older style of boots? I thought I was really clear and upfront about the style number and the slight rubs in the boots. And, it says no returns? I'm just not sure of seller etiquette (though no one has ever contacted me about an item). Listing is here:
http://bit.ly/aQEeJWMight use snow day to list some more!
Posted 1 month ago # -
That's great that you have a bidder, Alexa! Maybe it is a good idea to post info like that in the description. However, sometimes people bid on something that is an older style, because they had some like it and really liked them.
I finally posted my first item last night!
Posted 1 month ago # -
I checked your listing again. You had the numbers and everything and good photos. Your bidder probably doesn't need anymore info. The listing looks good!
Posted 1 month ago # -
@Claycat - that's great! Got a listing?
I'm glad you think it's clear and pictures are good - Thanks! The format is from this iSale software that I have. Do all the eBayers out there think it makes a difference? Can't tell if it's worth using?
Still perplexed on books.
OH, one thing to share! I invested in something that I think will make eBay listing a whole lot easier. I take A LOT of digital photos of my family but struggle with getting the photos off quickly, SO I had looked into an Eye-Fi SD card - that's the SC card that actually sends the pictures wirelessly to your computer via the Internet. Website is http://www.eye.fi/ - you can learn more or buy there but they are also sold on Amazon and other electronic websites (probably eBay too). I invested in one of the higher models b/c I also do video and wanted more options, but the lower level start at a very reasonable price.
Anyway, the KEY is that when I take a picture on my dig camera, it sends it to the computer. Great for kids but ALSO fabulous for eBay! It's why I finally got those boots up there. There's no hassle of taking pictures for eBay! I took out the boots - shot them. Walked back to my computer and they were already there. Dropped in template and posted. I think now I could line up all the items and take pics so they are all on hand as I sit down to put up listings.
For those of you who are eBay gurus and/or have stores, it might be really useful!
Posted 1 month ago # -
I got my first bid! YAY! I'm so excited!
Here's the listing.
Alexa, I was checking out iSale. It is almost $40. I was sad, because turbo lister is free to PC users on ebay, but there is nothing for Mac users. I guess I will just list each one myself. I guess I would buy iSale if I decided to do this on an ongoing basis. Who knows? That could happen! Though, I think I will be so happy everything is gone, I may not want to continue. I guess I will have to wait and see how I feel about it.
Posted 1 month ago # -
That's terrific. Umm... even though I am *supposed* to be cleaning out clutter, I could really use that for a small watering pitcher for plants. Can it be used or is it just decorative?
iSale is terrific - I got it from a MacHeist bundle sale (about 8 softwares for $25) but I'll check and see if there are any coupons out there. If you do keep going, I would recommend it. It will do the search for you (both eBay and Google) and then create an auction for you in one click, plus let you pull pictures from anywhere right into a drag and drop template. Also keeps your information in a template for shipping, return and payment policy, etc. Even timing of auctions if you want.
Since it's supposed to snow another 10 - 20 inches here in the mid-Atlantic, I'm going to try to line up some items to eBay! I checked all my books and some of the more common (no real value on these book sites), I decided I'm just going to donate to the library. It's not worth the clutter. Will try to sell the more valuable and texts from my Master's program. I bought most all of my books on Half.com so I know academics buy there. I had over 100 books (more like 150 to 200) for each specialty - and I had four!
Posted 1 month ago # -
LOL! Alexa! It is serving ware. It can be used. I don't know how the spout would be for watering plants. :)
I guess I will have to get busy and put a bunch of things on eBay.
Posted 1 month ago # -
Whoa! Someone else bid it up to $10! I wasn't expecting that! :)
Posted 1 month ago # -
I'm so glad I found this thread! Like others, I have trouble with the decluttering AND removal of decluttered stuff!) I've had four shopping bags of books sitting in front of the bookshelves they were removed from for a week now. Donate? Give away? Freecycle? Craigslist? Agony of indecision! After reading this posting I remembered Powell's (powells.com). It's a huge bookstore in Portland, OR that buys books online. You enter the ISBN's and the site tells you if it will buy your books, and for how much. You get a choice of credit (always more $) or a paypal payment. You can even print a FREE shipping label.
The books do have to be in good condition. I've never sold textbooks, so I don't know what the prices are for those. I just got an offer of $12 for 6 paperbacks. More than the used bookstore would offer me, and I get it as soon as they receive the books. Thanks to you all for motivating me to DO it. Now, to find a box...:)
(P.S. I don't get any compensation from Powell's, I just love their service. And I can't wait to actually visit their store someday!)Posted 1 month ago # -
$12 for 6 paperbacks is good! They pay far less than that at Half-Price Books in Austin.
I have a lot of art books, auction catalogs, yearbooks, cookbooks, etc. to sell. I think most of them will do well on eBay.
Posted 1 month ago # -
I've been following this string, and I'm going to try Ebay. I have few items, took pictures, no I just need to post the ad. I have one question tho. I'm in Canada, so I can choose between posting in CAD or USD. It say I will likely get more bids if I post in USD. So is there a disadvantage to posting in USD? Do I need a USD bank account?
Posted 1 month ago # -
Hi all -
Good news! During the storm I *did* sell a book on half.com! $6.00 too - for a paperback that is going for $10.17 brand new from Amazon. Hooray! So, for media mail, I just put in anything and can I mark media mail and do I have to take to post office? Thanks for the help!
Now, I hoped to post more stuff on eBay during the snowstorm(s) but never got to it. Bummer b/c I think a lot of folks were shopping while shut in. Anyway, 10 Watchers on the boots I did post, so that's good! Hopefully, they'll pop in there at the end and bit it up a little more.
@okagirl, thanks for the tip on powells. Between that and abebooks (thanks, @claycat), I feel like I can get a barometer on whether it's worth my time to try to sell them. And, I've decided if not worth anything (or selling for super cheap with lots of copies available), I'm going to donate to the library.
@claycat, your item is very nice - I'm not surprised it's getting bids - I'm betting you'll get more b/c they always come in right at the end.
Alexa
Posted 1 month ago # -
OK, all - Now I feel like a total loser - I just sold the book and printed the label via Paypal. What comes up but two links for ordering FREE SUPPLIES for USPS from both eBay and the post office. Duh - well that takes care of that problem!!!
Here they are:
Free eBay / USPS co-branded:
http://ebaysupplies.usps.com/Free USPS supplies:
https://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=10052&catalogId=10001Huh. Well, THAT makes it easier!
Question for you eBayers - if I just get the priority mail stickers and then print a priority mail label, can I send any box or package? just trying to deal with the whole "Get it Fast" option. thx!
Posted 1 month ago # -
akcorcoran....You can use any box for priority mail and put the priority mail stickers on all sides. I find it easiest to order flat fee boxes from the post office (free), fit my item to a box before I list it on ebay and charge accordingly. For small items the fee is $4.35 so I charge $6.00. I try to make a little on postage to cover my ebay and paypal fees.
Posted 1 month ago # -
Thanks, @Sky - I ordered the boxes and will do that. Ordered the labels just in case something comes in a box and I just want to use that. Thanks for the tip!
Posted 1 month ago # -
Wow! Someone just did Buy It Now on my listing for $50 purchase! YES! This is sort of exhilarating - now I know why y'all do it! :-)
Posted 1 month ago # -
Congrats, Alexa!
Posted 1 month ago #
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