why is it so difficult for new sellers?

[chughsima]

i was just wondering if its only me or all first time sellers have/had problems. what happened to good old trust for humanity. ?. not everybody has been selling on EBAy from 1998...... i just started cause i need money to be honest but nearly all the people that offer me want me to ship the product first. is this the way it goes???. how many transcations/ref. u need to have to be able to convince thr buyer of ur credibility. i am having a real hard time. i do not hide anything from prospective buyers. i am willing to give my address/phone number . if they want to check.then why still people shy away from ifrst time sellers .i am feeling so depressed today. !!

 

[Kelemvor]

That's why you use paypal. THey pay you with paypal, you send the item. If something goes wrong, they complain to paypal and reverse the charges and such. NEVER send the item first beacuse there's no way you can get it back.

 

[sciencetoy]

Because a lot of new sellers are lousy, that's why.

Start out by selling really cheap stuff (books, old video games, whatever) and build your feedback before you try to sell anything over $10. A lot of people will take a chance on a $2.00 book.

Hang in there, it's worth it.

 

[badluck]

Think about it for a second.....Would you give away money to someone who has no credibility? If so, then you are going to lose money quickly. I think you need to be more realistic and realize that the internet is FULL of people who can't be trusted (note: the long troll list). People ask for references in many different situations whether you are buying or selling something or trying to find a job.

Build up your Heatware/Ebay refs, and then people will respect you. It's not hard to figure out.

 

[blackdogdeek]

Originally posted by: sciencetoy
Because a lot of new sellers are lousy, that's why.

Start out by selling really cheap stuff (books, old video games, whatever) and build your feedback before you try to sell anything over $10. A lot of people will take a chance on a $2.00 book.

Hang in there, it's worth it.

there's also a lot of trolls out there unfortunately

just remember that most people with lots of heat started out without it and had to ship/pay first too.

 

[jlee]

I had to ship first a few times when I was starting...I don't usually have to anymore, but I typically pay first anyways (paypal). If you're dealing with an experienced trader, expect to ship first -- that's how you build your reputation.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Also, the economy is soft & stock of retailer's goods are too large, great for Ferengi looking for a deal, not so great for folks looking to sell stuff...

 

[loup garou]

Why would you expect it to be any other way? Why would anyone hand over money to someone they never did business with, nor knew anyone who did business with them before receiving the product? Suck it up and play the newbie...it's just the way it goes.

 

[richardycc]

yeah I am selling a canon s230 for $280 shipped and a canon S45 for $380 that is practically brand new on here, no bite yet! I don't think my price is out of line, what gives?


rich

 

[QueHuong]

I just bought a somewhat expensive item ($45) and the seller was almost brand new. I offered to pay half, have him ship the item, then pay the other half upon receipt. Maybe you can do that?

Anyway, the seller offered to ship first and forget about the pay half thing.

 

[Conky]

Don't let anybody bully you into "shipping first". That is not how business is done.

When I've sold some stuff I've been amazed at the attitude of "ship first". Then they get upset when I sell it to a paying customer. Probably part of the reason I don't sell stuff online anymore.

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Don't let anybody bully you into "shipping first". That is not how business is done.

When I've sold some stuff I've been amazed at the attitude of "ship first". Then they get upset when I sell it to a paying customer. Probably part of the reason I don't sell stuff online anymore.

That *is* how trading is done. If you don't have references, and want to sell something to me, you ship first...unless I think I can trust you well enough. If you've ever been burned on a deal (doesn't sound like you have), you might understand.

Maybe part of the reason you don't sell online anymore is because you wouldn't ship first to anybody...so you didn't sell anything?

 

[yoda291]

Originally posted by: richardycc
yeah I am selling a canon s230 for $280 shipped and a canon S45 for $380 that is practically brand new on here, no bite yet! I don't think my price is out of line, what gives?


rich

I guess it's because I can walk into a best buy and grab a brand new a70 for about 20 bux more than the 230 b4 shipping and most people have no need for 4+ MP cameras. Perhaps you should try to "sell" the camera. Highlight the advantages of your cam over something similar...like size. But you have to keep in mind, the only people in the market for those elphs are the people who, for some reason, cannot go with a larger camera.

blame the a70.

 

[yoda291]

you could offer to pay for escrow services...now that I think of it.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Don't let anybody bully you into "shipping first". That is not how business is done.

When I've sold some stuff I've been amazed at the attitude of "ship first". Then they get upset when I sell it to a paying customer. Probably part of the reason I don't sell stuff online anymore.

That *is* how trading is done. If you don't have references, and want to sell something to me, you ship first...unless I think I can trust you well enough. If you've ever been burned on a deal (doesn't sound like you have), you might understand.

Maybe part of the reason you don't sell online anymore is because you wouldn't ship first to anybody...so you didn't sell anything?

Actually, I was burned by a guy with a high rating but those rating services don't mean much when they can petition to remove any and all negatives. My negative was removed. So saying you have 500+ positive whateverware.com ratings means nothing to me.

And I've sold several thousand dollars worth of equipment online so I know the ropes. I would never ask anybody to ship to me first and since I'm not Visa I'm not extending credit to anybody I don't know.

 

[chughsima]

just bought a somewhat expensive item ($45) and the seller was almost brand new. I offered to pay half, have him ship the item, then pay the other half upon receipt. Maybe you can do that?

. i would just like to do that . in fact this is how i completed my first ever trade online. i did it through ANANDTECH , and things went verysmoothly. the buyer paid half . i shipped the same day and upon receipt i was paid remainig half. now have a whooping one ref. in HEATWARE.COM......

 

[wyvrn]

I have been burned selling to traders with few or no references. I have also seen traders with 45 references go bad. But, I have never had a problem with a trader with 60+ references ever. So if they have less than that, I simply make them ship/pay first. If they don't like it, we don't do business. I refuse to be burned again and am not going to take a chance on the other person being honest. I just won't.

 

[Trevelyan]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool

Originally posted by: CadetLee

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Don't let anybody bully you into "shipping first". That is not how business is done.

When I've sold some stuff I've been amazed at the attitude of "ship first". Then they get upset when I sell it to a paying customer. Probably part of the reason I don't sell stuff online anymore.

That *is* how trading is done. If you don't have references, and want to sell something to me, you ship first...unless I think I can trust you well enough. If you've ever been burned on a deal (doesn't sound like you have), you might understand.

Maybe part of the reason you don't sell online anymore is because you wouldn't ship first to anybody...so you didn't sell anything?

Actually, I was burned by a guy with a high rating but those rating services don't mean much when they can petition to remove any and all negatives. My negative was removed. So saying you have 500+ positive whateverware.com ratings means nothing to me.

And I've sold several thousand dollars worth of equipment online so I know the ropes. I would never ask anybody to ship to me first and since I'm not Visa I'm not extending credit to anybody I don't know.

Sorry bud, but apparently you don't know the ropes very well. If a trader is new and is selling an item, then it is NOT advisable to send money to him before recieving goods.. that is THE SINGLE MOST COMMON WAY TO GET TROLLED.

Now, I agree that someone with a lot of references should never have to ship first, but on the other hand, if someone with no references wants to sell something to someone that is established, it is NOT out of the question to ship first.

And negative references are only removed if there is a good reason, and most people here trust Heat whole heartedly, so if your negative was removed, I'm sure it was for a good reason.

 

[rh71]

I guess I'm in the same boat, but as a buyer. I have no feedback because I hardly buy through there (they do rate you as a buyer, don't they?). I think I purchased 3 items since becoming a member in 1999... they must think I'm a total n00b. Would you ppl trust buyers with no feedback ?

 

[GermyBoy]

WTF is all of your problems? This is ebay. Nobody ships first. That's all there is to it.

You send the money, you get the item. Only go with people who will pay with paypal and you'll be fine.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: chughsima
i was just wondering if its only me or all first time sellers have/had problems. what happened to good old trust for humanity. ?. not everybody has been selling on EBAy from 1998...... i just started cause i need money to be honest but nearly all the people that offer me want me to ship the product first. is this the way it goes???. how many transcations/ref. u need to have to be able to convince thr buyer of ur credibility. i am having a real hard time. i do not hide anything from prospective buyers. i am willing to give my address/phone number . if they want to check.then why still people shy away from ifrst time sellers .i am feeling so depressed today. !!

If you're not out to scam people, then why not ship first to people with a lot of feedback? That way you get to build your own feedback as well. I know i for one won't pay or ship first unless the other person has at least a half dozen recent feedback.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Don't let anybody bully you into "shipping first". That is not how business is done.

When I've sold some stuff I've been amazed at the attitude of "ship first". Then they get upset when I sell it to a paying customer. Probably part of the reason I don't sell stuff online anymore.

Well then you're losing out on a big market.

 

[Angrymarshmello]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Don't let anybody bully you into "shipping first". That is not how business is done.

When I've sold some stuff I've been amazed at the attitude of "ship first". Then they get upset when I sell it to a paying customer. Probably part of the reason I don't sell stuff online anymore.

Well then you're losing out on a big market.

His nick suits him then

 

[Acanthus]

i ship 1st to ATers because im too lazy to keep heatware updated

Ebay sux tho, very hard to sell with a rating under 100.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
Don't let anybody bully you into "shipping first". That is not how business is done.

When I've sold some stuff I've been amazed at the attitude of "ship first". Then they get upset when I sell it to a paying customer. Probably part of the reason I don't sell stuff online anymore.

Reason why you're not selling online anymore is prolly because of your attitude.
Noone in their right mind, especially established traders would send any newb money or item first.