Author Topic: Anyone sell on E-bay? (Read 1152 times)

muckmaw · « **on:** May 30, 2003, 01:16:22 PM »

Just curious. I've been doing it for 2 years to add a little income, and have a few laughs. I grab 90% of my stuff at garage sales, and the rest out of peoples trash, and crank it into cash.

Anyone have any tips on how to list better, faster?

Also, good places to get stuff to sell?

I'd also love to hear any weird success/failure stories on this fun little game called E-bay.

mosgood · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2003, 01:26:09 PM »

I sold a few things on ebay.

If you open a paypal account it makes it easier. That way you don't need to wait for a check.

what do you wanna know?

Nifty · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2003, 01:26:56 PM »

http://www.audiogon.com/ is supposedly good if you're selling audio equipment.

muckmaw · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2003, 01:41:23 PM »

I've run about 2000 auctions over the past 3 years, and I've got everything set up. I take paypal, and ship UPS from my office. THe process is really streamlined.

I've just set a goal of earning $15,000 by october, so I've cranked up the auctions from 20 live at any day to 50, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for listing faster...better, making more money..etc.

Percentage-wise, my biggest hit was a month ago. I bought a set of Salt and Pepper shakers for $3.00 at a yard sale. Turns out, they were quite collectible, as they resembled a cupie doll...*shrugs*

They sold for $400.00.

People collect the weirdest toejam.

gofaster · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2003, 02:08:17 PM »

I've never sold on ebay, only bought, and I've only bought books, scale models, and golf equipment so my advice is extremely focused on those things.

For scale models, shrinkwrapped boxes are nice because it implies that the kit is in its own little time capsule from the factory, but I prefer boxes that have been opened so that the photo can show what comes in the box, with a nice photo of the decals (the first part of a kit to go bad), and whether anything is broken, painted, or missing. If you buy a kit at a garage sale and intend to resell it, I suggest you take the time to (a) verify that all the parts are there and (b) put the pieces in a ziploc bag. Put the decals in a separate ziploc bag to keep the moisture off of them and to keep them from getting scratched.

I also prefer buying kits in groups: i.e. 2 kits up for auction together, or a kit with a book, or something along those lines, to get the feeling that I'm getting a little something extra for my shipping trouble. If you put stuff up for auction individually, offer to combine shipping.

For books, mention if the binding is tight, are there any color photos, worn edges on the cover, # pages, copyright date of the edition, stains or discoloring, and, believe it or not, whether it smells or not. Books from a smoking home can really stink up a small room.

For golf clubs, mention scratches on the head or shaft, wear on the grip, shaft flex, stickers/labels, grass stains, and such.

I'm willing to pay a bit more for the convenience of using PayPal than I am to cut a personal check or, even more of a hassle, a money order or cashier's check.

Saurdaukar · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2003, 02:09:55 PM »

I dont do much selling - but alot of buying. Mainly car parts - havent had a bad experience yet.

muckmaw · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2003, 02:12:35 PM »

Good Stuff, Gofaster.

I do some books from time to time, and never thought about the "smell" thing.

I never seem to find any models at garage sales.

funkedup · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2003, 02:13:00 PM »

I buy and sell about equally. I sell used and new computer stuff that I don't need, and I buy lots of little stuff like CDs and used games. Two things that eBay rules for:
1. Raiders tickets.
2. Vanishingly rare parts for old R/C cars.

LePaul · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2003, 03:53:31 PM »

I've done ebay (selling and buying) since 1998. Been a blast

Best things I've sold: I had bought NFR copies of Visual Basic for Windows Version 1.0 and never opened it. I was going to throw it away but thought I'd see what it would fetch...I expected $10 tops. Got $490!

I paid $19!

Eagler · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2003, 04:20:50 PM »

find a nitch

example:
guy sells old VW wiring schematics for $5 (he's copied from amnuals and printed copies for pennies)
when you need one, you'll pay the $5 in a hurry

Animal · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2003, 04:38:38 PM »

I have never sold anything there, but I buy all the time.
Yesterday I bought a 15GB iPod because there is no way to make any company ship that outside the continental US.

funkedup · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2003, 04:41:11 PM »

iPod's r ghey

Animal · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2003, 04:43:28 PM »

Apple products make you an intellectual

funkedup · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2003, 04:46:49 PM »

Yeah and they make you crave dick too.

Animal · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2003, 04:48:43 PM »

Then you must be the proud owner of a Mac G4 with 21" Apple Cinema Display, 30Gb iPod, 17" Powerbook, and the gayest apple product of all: The Apple Cube.