Ebay sellers Question??

[mom363546]

I know many of you are avid Ebayers. Do you feel your sales drop off in the summer months? And if so when do feel they start to pick back up? :confused:

[mom2fussbudgets]

I'm a long-time eBayer (since '99), but I'm not what you'd call avid. I mainly sell items my family no longer wants/needs. I've never noticed a drop in sales during the summer. Maybe it's the items you are selling? It's sometimes hard to know what will and won't sell on eBay. I always do some research before listing an item to make sure it's something that's going to sell.

eBay can be dangerous (it's easy to spend money there), so I only browse when I'm in the market for something. You can get some great deals! I recently bought my daughter an $800 Yamaha flute for $200!

What do you sell? Do you have a business? If so, then your experience is entirely different from mine!

[Cpogie]

I too am a long time Ebayer since 1999, I sold way back then and a few times after that, but I was a seller on Yahoo! for along time, until it got out of hand, no help from them at all, no support,bought many things on Ebay, especially my Estee Lauder Youth Dew which sells for 28.00 last time I checked, however I got them on Ebay for less than 10.00 a bottle and they are brand new. I love to search for the ones where people do not explain the item well or have no knowledge of what they are selling, I have found some great items, such as my husband's down vest, brand new, less than 10.00 and it is a good one to boot! He loves it. I got him a coleman heater that is no longer on the market for less than 10.00 also, and they go for 50 or more in Ebay, it was listed wrong so I got a nice steal, can you tell I love that place???

[mom363546]

yes I love that place to. I actually use to be under a different name and and got out of it for a few years due to working a 7 day aweek job. When I tried to get my name back it kept saying my credit cards were already on file which they were under my hubbys name.I had almost 400 feedback I finally just gave up and started over under his name. My favorites items to buy are avon,marykay & girls clothes.

Back then I sold a ton of homemade chocolate chip cookies from sept thru march plus anything else I could get my hand on.

I have a motto at our house "don't sit still to long I'll take a picture of you and sell you on Ebay" LOL!

I agree about the good deals.Sometimes it amazes me I put something on brand new and can't sell it but find something that I think is junk and i get shocked at the final selling price! LOL!

[heart13]

Hello! I would love to get involved in the whole Ebay auction scene (selling that is, buying is No problem!:D ). However, I find myself very intimidated by the threat of receiving bad feedback over a misunderstanding, not covering myself in all areas when listing and thinking that the auction market is oversaturated in general. I know the opportunity isn't quite what it used to be - buyers are more saavy, items more readily found, etc. - how do you stay competitive? I'm not looking for any trade secrets :p , I would just like some feedback in general...thanks!

[mom363546]

I have had very few problems with buyers that complete the transaction. Every now and again I get one that there emails seem like they could get touchy.I wait and let them leave feedback first if they don't then I don't.

I do my best to check over each item I sell even new items they do have flaws! I give people a 7 day return chance on new items only all others are as is.

I find I have more of a problem with non paying bidders.I have set my ads to block certain bidders which has really helped.I do have less sales but I get paid and they get there product.everyones happy.

Don't be afraid to sell just describe the item as it is.I use Auctiva which helps save money on pictures. Also after the sale is complete be sure to ship promptly that says a lot about what kind of seller you are and reflects in your feedback!

[Cpogie]

Ok here are a few tips that I always used in the past.

Take clear pictures
Make sure your heading describes your item well, no need to put L@@K on the heading.
Describe your item in detail, and that means any flaws in it, the size (height + width + depth) Color, how old it is, etc.
Join Pay Pal asap! this is critical for selling, atleast for me it was, I joined Pay Pal when it was new and they paid you $5.00 to join, it is still free to join but they do not pay you anymore to join.
Get a chart of shipping prices, books and tapes ship media mail so it is cheaper to send, offer Priority Mail or Parcel Post, or first class, but this you will learn if you check the USPS web site, get a postal scale!! (*this is a must) weight the item and also when it is packaged as this adds weight, and if you want Priority boxes and tape and stickers they are totally free all different sizes too, and they come delivered to your house! I always used Priority Mail when I sold, also offer insurance, which they pay for on top of shipping. List the cost of shipping and handling, Gee there is alot to know, but you can do it, millions do everyday, if you have any ?? just ask ok.

[mom363546]

I'm a long-time eBayer (since '99), but I'm not what you'd call avid. I mainly sell items my family no longer wants/needs. I've never noticed a drop in sales during the summer. Maybe it's the items you are selling? It's sometimes hard to know what will and won't sell on eBay. I always do some research before listing an item to make sure it's something that's going to sell.

eBay can be dangerous (it's easy to spend money there), so I only browse when I'm in the market for something. You can get some great deals! I recently bought my daughter an $800 Yamaha flute for $200!

What do you sell? Do you have a business? If so, then your experience is entirely different from mine!

I do have a store and I did expect a decline in my sales because I started stocking with the clearance winter items. So when the season for fall & winter shopping kicks in I will have a good start. Now I am buying the spring closeouts figuring once I aquire all season I should see a more steady income.

I will sell anything I can get my hands on but mostly stick with kids clothes and shoes.Choc chip cookies will go back on the market for the fall season I did great with those and also quick breads regular and sugar free those make great christmas gifts.

[mom363546]

Ok here are a few tips that I always used in the past.

Take clear pictures
Make sure your heading describes your item well, no need to put L@@K on the heading.
Describe your item in detail, and that means any flaws in it, the size (height + width + depth) Color, how old it is, etc.
Join Pay Pal asap! this is critical for selling, atleast for me it was, I joined Pay Pal when it was new and they paid you $5.00 to join, it is still free to join but they do not pay you anymore to join.
Get a chart of shipping prices, books and tapes ship media mail so it is cheaper to send, offer Priority Mail or Parcel Post, or first class, but this you will learn if you check the USPS web site, get a postal scale!! (*this is a must) weight the item and also when it is packaged as this adds weight, and if you want Priority boxes and tape and stickers they are totally free all different sizes too, and they come delivered to your house! I always used Priority Mail when I sold, also offer insurance, which they pay for on top of shipping. List the cost of shipping and handling, Gee there is alot to know, but you can do it, millions do everyday, if you have any ?? just ask ok.


Yes carol you are absolutely correct. here are two web site that were given to me at my post office and really help with the new rates.

www.usps.com/ratecase

www.usps.com/prices

The new shipping is a little costlier than before!

[mom2fussbudgets]

Hello! I would love to get involved in the whole Ebay auction scene (selling that is, buying is No problem!:D ). However, I find myself very intimidated by the threat of receiving bad feedback over a misunderstanding, not covering myself in all areas when listing and thinking that the auction market is oversaturated in general. I know the opportunity isn't quite what it used to be - buyers are more saavy, items more readily found, etc. - how do you stay competitive? I'm not looking for any trade secrets :p , I would just like some feedback in general...thanks!

Everyone has given you good advice! The important thing is to remember to describe your item exactly--flaws and all! Also, don't overcharge people for shipping (Carol is right, scales are a must). I've had many people tell me that they were willing to bid more on my auctions because I don't overcharge for shipping.

I have had a few problems with people over the years, but nothing too major. If you know you are right--stand your ground! I've stood my ground before knowing I may get a negative feedback, but guess what? I never have! I have 100% positive feedback (692 total). There have been times when I've made mistakes, or I didn't notice a flaw in an item until after it had sold. But, when that happens, I am simply honest with the buyer and ask them what they want to do. So far, everyone has been very understanding when something like this has happened.

Selling on eBay is ridiculously easy! Go for it, and good luck!

[mom2fussbudgets]

Sometimes it amazes me I put something on brand new and can't sell it but find something that I think is junk and i get shocked at the final selling price! LOL!

I hear ya! My biggest shock was the time I sold my son's ratty old beat up Veggie Tales Larry Mobile and got more than $50 for it! I only paid $19.95 for it new!

I am intrigued to hear that you sell home-baked goods on eBay! I would be afraid to buy something like that from a stranger--no offense! I may have to start doing that! Has anyone ever complained about anything going stale? How do you wrap your items? And, most importantly, how much do you charge? I hope you don't mind all of the questions!

[mom363546]

My feedback was great and I had many repeat customers several even dealt privately. Then I stopped do to work and that was a mistake I had sent cookies all over the U.S., Iraq and had many buyers from other countries buy and ship to people in the U.S.

I sold 3 doz each weigh 1.5 oz they are baked and frozen right after baking then wrapped back to back with saran wrap. I place them in 3 gallon size ziplock bags and return to the freezer.

I never ship after Wednesday. If you purchase on wed. they will not be shipped until mon. morning. They ship priority mail wed ship will arrive on fri or sat. nothing sits in a post office over he weekend with this method. Unless I'm sending to our soldiers.They still love them!

My recipe is for a soft chewy cookie that never gets hard. During the time i stopped selling them on Ebay I operated an ice cream shop. I made them there stuffed them with icecream and sold them like crazy.Thats when we decided they are best served out of the fridge thats were we keep ours.Many events like the fair,rodeo,customer apprediation days etc.. businesses would order them.

Now I've taken back my recipe (I did create it) and will be selling them again online.

Price then was 15.99 plus $7.50 this will go up this fall due to ebay fees and shipping prices.

Sorry for the book!!


Another thing I listed in my ad is bid with confidence I do hold a serve safe managers certificate and have years of traing in proper food handling and all aspect of sanitation.

[mom2fussbudgets]

Thanks so much for all of your advice! And, congrats on finding the perfect cookie recipe. It's something I've been searching for for a long time! I have considered selling baked goods or candy, it's just something I have yet to do. I may bake some cookies and send them to my sister in VA to see if they get through the mail okay.

Thanks again!

[mom363546]

make sure when you pack them to ship use a large priority box I can get you the dimensions if you need.Pack the bottom with your packing peanuts or shredded paper then place your 3 ziplock bags (if you send that many) in the center fill remaining box and around all side untill shipment does not shake.I close the lid a give it a little rattle to see if I need to pack it tighter.Believe me when I say I have learned from expirence luckily all the of buyers who ended up with a box of crushed cookies left positive feedback and said they still ate them just in pieces.I have learned over the years. This method will make it to Iraq each cookie in one piece!

[mom2fussbudgets]

I used to send cookies to my husband when he was in Iraq. I also sent cookies to my brother and brother-in-law when they were in the Marine Corps. The way I'd send them is I'd wrap them individually in aluminum foil, then I'd pack them in a coffee can. No complaints, but I'm not sure if they were just being polite.

When you say you wrap them back to back in Saran wrap, what do you mean exactly? Do you mean two cookies placed back to back, then wrapped in Saran wrap?

[mom363546]

yes two cookies placed back to back then i saran wrap them together. I often include a note telling them they are freezer ready so pop them back in the freezer and thaw as needed or eat them right out of the freezer thats how they are best.My hubby usually tears the wrap as I wrap and yes I wear gloves because they are baked ready to eat foods.

[Cpogie]

make sure when you pack them to ship use a large priority box I can get you the dimensions if you need.Pack the bottom with your packing peanuts or shredded paper then place your 3 ziplock bags (if you send that many) in the center fill remaining box and around all side untill shipment does not shake.I close the lid a give it a little rattle to see if I need to pack it tighter.Believe me when I say I have learned from expirence luckily all the of buyers who ended up with a box of crushed cookies left positive feedback and said they still ate them just in pieces.I have learned over the years. This method will make it to Iraq each cookie in one piece!


I use to save (and also have friends save) the plastic grocery bags, they make good packing material, and they are lightweight too, so keep that in mind. Newspaper was my last resort cause it is heavy (depending on what you packing, and then I would take the sheets of paper and make balls out of them for more cushioning.

[mom2fussbudgets]

I use to save (and also have friends save) the plastic grocery bags, they make good packing material, and they are lightweight too, so keep that in mind. Newspaper was my last resort cause it is heavy (depending on what you packing, and then I would take the sheets of paper and make balls out of them for more cushioning.


I use those bags too! And here I thought I was the only one. :) They are a wonderful, free resource. Plus, we are recycling! And you are right, they are lightweight, which is a huge bonus. I've been using them for awhile, and no complaints from buyers!

Debbie, thanks again! Since you are careful enough to use gloves, I guess this means you don't sneak bites of the cookie dough. :D