Anyone here consistently sell items on Ebay?

[Arkitech]

I'm thinking of going the Ebay route within the next week or two and I'm just curious about who else is earning an income from Ebay.

What do items do you sell?

Can you support yourself soley from what you earn on Ebay?

Do you pay for shipping?

How do you handle returns or unsatisfied customers?

Do you have repeat customers?

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm thinking of going the Ebay route within the next week or two and I'm just curious about who else is earning an income from Ebay.

What do items do you sell?

Can you support yourself soley from what you earn on Ebay?

Do you pay for shipping?

How do you handle returns or unsatisfied customers?

Do you have repeat customers?

I just made my first ebay listing a few minutes ago. Before I could do that I had to register as a seller. Of course, you pay shipping, but you specify how you will ship, how much it will cost the buyer. You have an option when you create the listing on returns, dissatisfied customers. I just left that blank (don't want to hassle it).

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

lol, so you know nothing of Ebay and want to make a living off it?

 

[dxkj]

Based on your lack of knowledge of the subject, I begin to question why you are considering making a living off of it. It sounds like you saw an add for "Make a living selling stuff on e-bay" but you didn't want to shell out the$20 so you are asking here instead?

 

[flexy]

Do you pay for shipping?

How do you handle returns or unsatisfied customers?

Do you have repeat customers?

stupid and "problem customers" are actually one main reason i hesitate to sell certain things on ebay..or in general for that matter.

Imagine selling people expensive PCs....and then be prepared these people DONT KNOW **** about anything and of course "blame" you for everything......every blue screen/ PC crash, spy-ware etc.......the sad thing is there are MANY of such people.

Last year i sold a pretty nice brand new digital cam , about $300, the lady didnt have ANY cly about settings etc. and alleged that "the camera was defective" because she couldnt read out the pictures on her mac.

Of course, it took me 10 seconds to see whats was going on. By email i explained her that there is a special setting on the camera, and she just had to set this in the options..and BINGO! magically the "defective" camera all of a sudden worked...

The irony is also she contacted customer service at Canon where (OF COURSE !) obviously the cream of dorks are employed and they told her ignorant BS like "cable is broken"...or other "advice"....

Ok..we had the issue resolved then once the lady contacted me...but as said this is something which really scared me off to sell more "complex" things on ebay...and FOR SURE not things like PCs or similiar....except if you're masochist

Etc..etc...

 

[imported_Tomato]

I had a friend in college who would buy used/floor model projectors from electronics stores and resell them on eBay. I think they retailed for $5-10k, he would make $1-6k per transaction. Paid his way through college with eBay...

 

[Garet Jax]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
I'm thinking of going the Ebay route within the next week or two and I'm just curious about who else is earning an income from Ebay.

What do items do you sell?

Can you support yourself soley from what you earn on Ebay?

Do you pay for shipping?

How do you handle returns or unsatisfied customers?

Do you have repeat customers?

1) Mostly computer stuff, but have sold clothes, books, etc....

2) No.

3) Most of the time, shipping is not included in the auction price. Howver, there have been a few items that I sold with shipping included to make it a little more attractive.

4) Money back - less shipping costs.

5) Yes. Sold two laptops to one person - one for each of his kids and a couple other examples.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

People were just talking about this on fatwallet in off topic. Some guy has a $900 bill for Ebay fees and some some other guys said how low that was. People definitly can and do support themselves off EBay.

 

[KarenMarie]

What do items do you sell?
Electronics, computer stuff, kitchen stuff... whatever.

Can you support yourself soley from what you earn on Ebay?
If I cleaned out my garage and puter closet, I would not have to work for about three months.

Do you pay for shipping?
I charge the proper postage amount. I ship priority, with delivery confirmation. Unless they want something different... then as long as they are paying, it is fine with me.

How do you handle returns or unsatisfied customers?
This has never happened to me, but if I was at fault, I woud give a full return, including shipping both ways. If it was buyers remorse, they can pound salt. I would allow them to use my pics and description if they wanna sell it by themselves.

Do you have repeat customers?
The stuff I have sold does not ask for repeat costumers, but I have had a few ask me if I had certain things and if I did, I dealt with them directly.

 

[Descartes]

My aunt does well over $25,000/mo and is one of the power sellers. She deals almost exclusively with antiques, and she started as casually as most others by selling a few things.

[edit]Forgot to add that she actually has a warehouse, employees, etc. to run all of her ebay transactions.[/edit]

 

[LordSnailz]

Originally posted by: Tomato
I had a friend in college who would buy used/floor model projectors from electronics stores and resell them on eBay. I think they retailed for $5-10k, he would make $1-6k per transaction. Paid his way through college with eBay...

It's hard for someone new to start with big ticket items ... I'm surpise he did so well.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: dxkj
Based on your lack of knowledge of the subject, I begin to question why you are considering making a living off of it. It sounds like you saw an add for "Make a living selling stuff on e-bay" but you didn't want to shell out the$20 so you are asking here instead?

True I'm not an ebay expert but I know where to find expensive items for dirt cheap, combine that with people's love of spending money online and I should have a recipe for making a few dollars. At least I hope so

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: Descartes
My aunt does well over $25,000/mo and is one of the power sellers. She deals almost exclusively with antiques, and she started as casually as most others by selling a few things.

[edit]Forgot to add that she actually has a warehouse, employees, etc. to run all of her ebay transactions.[/edit]

jeebus


your aunt rules

 

[Arkitech]

here's another stupid question

when registering as a seller with ebay did you provide all of your personal information? Home address, phone numbers, etc... I don't mind posting my phone number but I really don't like the idea of putting my home address out there.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
here's another stupid question

when registering as a seller with ebay did you provide all of your personal information? Home address, phone numbers, etc... I don't mind posting my phone number but I really don't like the idea of putting my home address out there.

Yes, you have to. If youre expecting people to send you money based on faith, you have to be comfortable with giving your address on faith.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: BD2003

Originally posted by: Arkitech
here's another stupid question

when registering as a seller with ebay did you provide all of your personal information? Home address, phone numbers, etc... I don't mind posting my phone number but I really don't like the idea of putting my home address out there.

Yes, you have to. If youre expecting people to send you money based on faith, you have to be comfortable with giving your address on faith.

valid point

 

[Squisher]

So Arkitech, what do you have access to that people would want to buy from you?

Unless you have the seed money to purchase large quantities of items at wholesale and your price is cheaper with shipping then what people can get locally.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: Squisher
So Arkitech, what do you have access to that people would want to buy from you?

Unless you have the seed money to purchase large quantities of items at wholesale and your price is cheaper with shipping then what people can get locally.

yep that pretty much describes my process, I'm buying huge quanities at discounts and then I plan on selling through ebay

 

[badmouse]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: dxkj
Based on your lack of knowledge of the subject, I begin to question why you are considering making a living off of it. It sounds like you saw an add for "Make a living selling stuff on e-bay" but you didn't want to shell out the$20 so you are asking here instead?

True I'm not an ebay expert but I know where to find expensive items for dirt cheap, combine that with people's love of spending money online and I should have a recipe for making a few dollars. At least I hope so

That's a good start. But you gotta figure out a good way to keep the overhead down: listing takes time, and there's packing, shipping, emailing everybody, keeping records, feedback, dealing with customer questions, and so on.

I make some money, it would be a living if I lived in a really cheap area.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: badmouse

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: dxkj
Based on your lack of knowledge of the subject, I begin to question why you are considering making a living off of it. It sounds like you saw an add for "Make a living selling stuff on e-bay" but you didn't want to shell out the$20 so you are asking here instead?

True I'm not an ebay expert but I know where to find expensive items for dirt cheap, combine that with people's love of spending money online and I should have a recipe for making a few dollars. At least I hope so

That's a good start. But you gotta figure out a good way to keep the overhead down: listing takes time, and there's packing, shipping, emailing everybody, keeping records, feedback, dealing with customer questions, and so on.

I make some money, it would be a living if I lived in a really cheap area.

Good point, thats something I'll definitely have to factor in (shipping costs and materials).

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
here's another stupid question

when registering as a seller with ebay did you provide all of your personal information? Home address, phone numbers, etc... I don't mind posting my phone number but I really don't like the idea of putting my home address out there.

Well, like I say, I just did this today. No address. I was already registered with ebay as a buyer, and have been for 3-4 years, I guess. I was also registered with Paypal, so I didn't have to hassle that either. What they wanted (although they might not be required) is a credit card number and checking account information, which I supplied. Paypal already had that stuff for me, but I just supplied it to ebay. I forget the reason they said they wanted it. It sounded a bit goofy, but I didn't hesitate to give them that. I guess I should have sniffed around a bit more to make sure I wasn't being phished, but since it was myself who initiated this at ebay, I wasn't suspicious.

Anyway, your home address won't be out there. If you have to negotiate with a customer, that customer can get your home address and possibly your phone number, however. I'm talking about an auction winner here.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
here's another stupid question

when registering as a seller with ebay did you provide all of your personal information? Home address, phone numbers, etc... I don't mind posting my phone number but I really don't like the idea of putting my home address out there.

No you just have to provide your credit card billing address (which can be a PO Box).

If you get into eBay selling I would recommend getting a physical address at your local MBE.

I have been successful in selling on eBay because of the level of service I offer, including extra perks like a toll free 888 number they can call me at. The toll free number from kall8.com costs me just $2 setup, $2/mo plus 6.9 cents per minute. The usual call is around 5-10 minutes but after they speak with me and I can answer all their questions, their chances of bidding increase 100x fold. The eBay profits pay for the physical address and toll free number with some $$$ left over for profit.

Digicams and MP3 players are hot sellers.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Arkitech
here's another stupid question

when registering as a seller with ebay did you provide all of your personal information? Home address, phone numbers, etc... I don't mind posting my phone number but I really don't like the idea of putting my home address out there.

No you just have to provide your credit card billing address (which can be a PO Box).

If you get into eBay selling I would recommend getting a physical address at your local MBE.

I have been successful in selling on eBay because of the level of service I offer, including extra perks like a toll free 888 number they can call me at. The toll free number from kall8.com costs me just $2 setup, $2/mo plus 6.9 cents per minute. The usual call is around 5-10 minutes but after they speak with me and I can answer all their questions, their chances of bidding increase 100x fold. The eBay profits pay for the physical address and toll free number with some $$$ left over for profit.

Digicams and MP3 players are hot sellers.

wow thats a pretty cool idea. I might look into setting up something similar, especially since I work for a phone company.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Sure, you can live off of eBay. If you had a ton of credit then you could easily make a large amount of money if you knew what to do and made the right choices.

Even if you don't have a good amount of initial money or credit, you can still make a decent amount of money just by doing hot deals.

Like Rossman suggests, get a box from Mail Boxes Etc. It's not a PO Box or anything so UPS and others can still ship there. I personally don't bother with any phone number - I don't want to talk to any eBay people. However, I have incredible feedback and that alone is usually enough for people to bid crazy amounts on my auctions.

One of the few things that I refuse to sell is stuff like motherboards, cpus. The people on eBay were so stupid when I used to sell those types of things. I may have received a couple of negatives from some moron messing up his CPU at one point.

If you're starting off then you need to build up your feedback. Either buy a bunch of really cheap items and/or sell a good number of cheap items in the very beginning.

Some people here seem to do rebate deals. They do the rebate for the items that they buy and then sell the items (without the UPC) on eBay.