I want to start selling on eBay

[N1c0_ds]

So I finally went to the post office and traded my first games. Once the trades are completed, I want to sell what's left on eBay.

I bought a few games on eBay before but never sold anything. I read all the stuff you have to read, the fees and all but I still don't have the advices from the regulars.

I still have a few questions:

1. I want to sell at a normal price, do I start at 0.99$ in auction or do I make a Buy it Now auction?

2. What kind of refund should I offer, I wanna sell DS games and they all work perfectly.

3. How should I specify I only want to get paid with Paypal?

4. Is there important things to know about pictures?

5. Any other tips?


Thanks a lot in advance for the help!

[pimpinc333]

So I finally went to the post office and traded my first games. Once the trades are completed, I want to sell what's left on eBay.

I bought a few games on eBay before but never sold anything. I read all the stuff you have to read, the fees and all but I still don't have the advices from the regulars.

I still have a few questions:

1. I want to sell at a normal price, do I start at 0.99$ in auction or do I make a Buy it Now auction?

2. What kind of refund should I offer, I wanna sell DS games and they all work perfectly.

3. How should I specify I only want to get paid with Paypal?

4. Is there important things to know about pictures?

5. Any other tips?


Thanks a lot in advance for the help!


1.) You can start the price at anything you want. Most people start at .99 because it is the cheapest. You can also put a Buy it Now price of any amount you want but there is a fee to use BIN.

2.) I don't offer refunds. If they work perfectly why would you allow refunds?

3.) Put in your description that you only accept paypal and when you are listing you item you can choose which payments you accept.

4.) For pictures I always show everything that you get in the auction. I never deceive people with phony or false pics. I always also have a piece of paper that has my ebay seller name on it so the people know this is my picture and they are getting whats in my picture.

5.) Good Luck :D

[chakan]

Boy you picked a bad time to start.

Good luck.

[N1c0_ds]

Boy you picked a bad time to start.

Good luck.

Proceed to explain please...

[pimpinc333]

Proceed to explain please...

I believe he means the controversy on ebay about ebay raising the hell out of fee's again and the new upcoming stupid feature that Sellers can no longer leave negative feedback for buyers anymore.

[N1c0_ds]

I believe he means the controversy on ebay about ebay raising the hell out of fee's again and the new upcoming stupid feature that Sellers can no longer leave negative feedback for buyers anymore.

Oh yeah, heard about the sellers thing. Why not put a "report retaliatory feedback" button instead?

[pimpinc333]

Oh yeah, heard about the sellers thing. Why not put a "report retaliatory feedback" button instead?


Anytime someone would get a negative that button would probably get pressed. ;)

[N1c0_ds]

Anytime someone would get a negative that button would probably get pressed. ;)

Unless it could be proved wrong, but I guess you're right. It would take a lot of manpower to verify every claim.:roll:

[thelonepig]

When I started ebay, you were required to have at least 10 feedback before you could list a BIN auction. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but it's definitely something to look in to.

I think the biggest thing that you can do for yourself is to thoroughly describe the item you are auctioning. Don't shortchange words. Just be completely honest and you should be set.

[N1c0_ds]

When I started ebay, you were required to have at least 10 feedback before you could list a BIN auction. I'm not sure if that's still the case, but it's definitely something to look in to.

I think the biggest thing that you can do for yourself is to thoroughly describe the item you are auctioning. Don't shortchange words. Just be completely honest and you should be set.

Of course I will! It's in perfect condition so I don't see why I'd need to lie about it. :D

Another question for you guys: What happens if no one buys my item?

EDIT: waitwaitwaitwait.... YOU started EEBEY?

[BlackDogJake]

One thing that has kept me out of the ebay selling market is the whole fact that you can't specify getting paid via Paypal with existing funds or bank transfered funds only (meaning that you won't accept credit card payments via Paypal). If your buyer uses a credit or debit card to pay for the auction, in order to get your money you must upgrade to either a Business or Premium account. It is against Ebay policy to specify that you won't accept credit (or debit) card payments to the Paypal account. To me, that is a crock of crap.

[BlackDogJake]

Another question for you guys: What happens if no one buys my item?

You still pay the listing fee, but don't have to pay the final value fee.

[thelonepig]

EDIT: waitwaitwaitwait.... YOU started EEBEY?

Yeah, I could've phrased that better. :lol:

One thing that has kept me out of the ebay selling market is the whole fact that you can't specify getting paid via Paypal with existing funds or bank transfered funds only (meaning that you won't accept credit card payments via Paypal). If your buyer uses a credit or debit card to pay for the auction, in order to get your money you must upgrade to either a Business or Premium account. It is against Ebay policy to specify that you won't accept credit (or debit) card payments to the Paypal account. To me, that is a crock of crap.

My first ebay sale required that I change to a premier account to accept the payment. It was a Paypal-to-Paypal transfer. The way I understand this is that Paypal will require you to switch if you sell something on ebay and the buyer pays via Paypal.

[Vinny]

Sell now before the new feedback policy goes into effect in May.:)

[Chitown021]

I always put a note in my listing asking the buyer to contact me with any questions before bidding. If I do get questions I answer them as completely and quickly as possible.

Oh and be careful if you plan on shipping internationally. I screwed myself shipping a Wii from the states to Canada because I didn't know about customs taxes.

[N1c0_ds]

Yeah, I could've phrased that better. :lol:



My first ebay sale required that I change to a premier account to accept the payment. It was a Paypal-to-Paypal transfer. The way I understand this is that Paypal will require you to switch if you sell something on ebay and the buyer pays via Paypal.

Does it cost a lot to do so? I just want to sell my old stock!

[YoshiFan1]

Sell now before the new feedback policy goes into effect in May.:)

Agreed, I started going through my stuff and am getting rid of anything I don't want before that crazy policy is in place.

[thelonepig]

Does it cost a lot to do so? I just want to sell my old stock!

PayPal will pull 3% + $0.30 from each of your payments. On top of ebay's fees, it can be a deterrent.

[N1c0_ds]

PayPal will pull 3% + $0.30 from each of your payments. On top of ebay's fees, it can be a deterrent.

It's still way better than selling them to EB Games ;)

I just upgraded my account since it's necessary.

[wubb]

1. I love fixed price listings as a seller, but as mentioned I think you need to have a certain amount of feedbak before you can do them. If you are doing a straight auction you should just start them low $0.99 IMO. When I first started I listed a game or two with a min. bid around where most were ending at. If they had been fixed prices they most likely would have quickly sold, but as an auction they didn't get any bids. So the gist is don't make your min. bid close to where most of them end.

2. I offer refunds if the item is DOA/damaged/lost in the mail.

3. Just check the PayPal box under accepted payments. Nearly all buyers want to pay with PayPal so you are in good shape there.

4. Not really. Just take a non-blurry photo of your stuff and you are good.

5. I don't bother mentioning if the game is 'mint' or not. I find it doesn't affect the final bid much, as I guess most buyers don't really care as long as it's in decent shape and works. But if you do say it's mint and it turns out you didn't notice a fold in the manual or some light scratches on the disc (doesn't apply to DS games of course) then you might have a headache. If I'm asked I'll take a close look and generally describe it as worse than it really is to avoid bitching on the back end.

But do specifically mention anything that isn't in decent quality. e.g. "Missing manual" or "Writing on inside back cover of manual" etc.

Get delivery confirmation on anything you send out USPS.

Specify the specific shipping method (I suggest first class mail for DS games) rather than using 'Standard Shipping Service'. Also be sure to specify the shipping cost, but that should be a no duh.

PayPal will hold you responsible for packages damaged or lost by the USPS.

[Samus]

So I finally went to the post office and traded my first games. Once the trades are completed, I want to sell what's left on eBay.

I bought a few games on eBay before but never sold anything. I read all the stuff you have to read, the fees and all but I still don't have the advices from the regulars.

I still have a few questions:

1. I want to sell at a normal price, do I start at 0.99$ in auction or do I make a Buy it Now auction?

2. What kind of refund should I offer, I wanna sell DS games and they all work perfectly.

3. How should I specify I only want to get paid with Paypal?

4. Is there important things to know about pictures?

5. Any other tips?


Thanks a lot in advance for the help!

My own opinions:

1. Depends on the auction. If it's something like a Wii or something with high traffic, you can start at 1 cent and not have to worry. In fact it would be helpful. If it's something like a less searched vintage game, you should start it at something decent in my opinion. The last thing you need is a game to go undervalued because only a couple people cared enough to bid.

2. I generally take refunds on a case-by-case basis. I usually just don't say anything about refunds in the auction. If you say you always offer refunds you're more likely to attract scammers, but if you say you don't ever then you're more likely to scare away bidders.

3. Just say it in your auction and list it like that, as the other guy said.

4. YES! When uploading pictures, there is a "self hosting" button. Upload your pics to photobucket and you can use as many pictures as you need for free. Or just upload to photobucket and stick the HTML in the HTML part of the auction. When selling a game I always take a picture of the front, back, and then a combo shot of the disc, manual, and case. So many people don't take advantage of this. Also MAKE SURE your pictures look nice. If you say something is in great condition, but the picture doesn't look attractive, people are less inclined to bid. Take your shots in a nice clean, well lit area. Make it look like it's a fine product.

5. As a buyer, I personally almost never bid on items with a reserve. That may just be me, but you might want to take that into consideration.

[phear3d]

pimpinc and wubb covered pretty much everything.


5. Any other tips?

here are some of my tips:

- save yourself the headache by not even mentioning returns in the auction.

- also, you could try to create a separate account for selling (you should read all the past topics on this forum on why you should consider). if youre going to sell at a small scale, then i guess its not necessary.

- if you want a fast transaction, go with paypal. just state at the bottom of the page, in bold, BIG SIZE FONT, that you ONLY ACCEPT PAYPAL AND THERE SHOULD BE NO EXCEPTIONS. you should also state that you expectt the payment within a given time. 3 days is great (not 3 business days!!). 5 days is too long for me. it makes people think twice about what they bought specially if its expensive.

- if you sold an item for more than $150, and forgot to put a required insurance fee, then do yourself a favor and be safe by buying insurance anyways. if you're cheap, well, that can't be helped then :)

- last but not least, always send your packages with delivery confirmation. you never know what might happen. but at least you know when your package have left the post office and when it arrives.

[thelonepig]

- last but not least, always send your packages with delivery confirmation. you never know what might happen. but at least you know when your package have left the post office and when it arrives.

This has been a popular point in the thread. I'd like to add in that printing your shipping labels directly from PayPal will save you quite a bit on DC. It'll be free on priority mail and $0.18 on everything else. It is well worth the peace of mind.

[bigdaddybruce44]

1. I want to sell at a normal price, do I start at 0.99$ in auction or do I make a Buy it Now auction?As others have said, most people simply go with $.99 auctions, because if it is an item people want, they will bid it up.

2. What kind of refund should I offer, I wanna sell DS games and they all work perfectly.I give people three days to contact me with any issues, like if it is damaged or not working. I have yet to have anyone return anything to me. You can skip on the return policy, but it won't stop people from potentially returning stuff to you. If you won't accept a return, they can simply file a complaint for an item received not as described. The way I see if, by offering a return policy, you are saying, "I am confident this stuff is what I say it is and is in the condition I say it is in. End of story."

5. Any other tips?I agree with wubb on describing items. Try not to use too many subjective adjectives, especially when it comes to "mint" items. Your definition of these subjective condition adjectives could differ from others. Do your best to describe the item factually. If a disc has scratches, say so. If the instruction manual is ripped, say so. It might affect the way people bid, but that's a lot better than dealing with someone who is annoyed that the game they were shipped is in poor condition.

[h3llbring3r]

Don't offer refunds and here is why:
There are "shopgrifters" on eBay who will buy your working items and return their non-working ones to get a free replacement. This happens in games often. Unless it is a serial numbered item with a tamper tag it's not worth it.

Here is why it's gotta have a tamper tag:
People will take your working item, gut the working parts, and swap them with defective ones and return the item and say, "it's got the same serial number."

EBay has a lot of the "lowest common denominator," just assume everyone you deal with has the potential to rip you off. It's sad, but power-sellers and scam artist have ruined the community.

EBay is all fine and dandy until you get burned, I am on my 9th year and it gets a little worse every one, take any and all precautions. 90% of buyers are as honest as you are. It's that 10% that will make you hate the service. Every game I sell (even sealed ones) is "as is" for the aforementioned reasons, and mine always beat the average sale price for the item.

The guys are right about subjective adj. in your description. Adult owned is a better selling point these days than "mint."
Tip: take an angled disc surface photo to show any scratches, or lack-thereof. People care more about complete and/or working than mint. If done right eBay will get you significantly more cash for your used games than trading them in, but it's not effortless nor without risk.

Oh yeah, packaging: Don't F-around and halfway package stuff. Be sure and add 2 cardboard inserts to the front and back of all games, (yes even with a bubble mailer). I have received games with busted cases that were packaged 1/2 azzed, and now with single sided feedback you can damn sure bet that I (and others) will be much more likely to drop negative feedback on poorly packaged items. I never skimp on packaging but I don't spend sig. cash on it either- I save all my amazon boxes and bubble-packs for reuse.

[bigdaddybruce44]

There are "shopgrifters" on eBay who will buy your working items and return their non-working ones to get a free replacement. This happens in games often. Unless it is a serial numbered item with a tamper tag it's not worth it.While you're 100% right about people trying to pull fast ones, like this and other stuff, not offering returns cannot stop such people. They can simply can file a complaint and say the item did come as described.

[thelonepig]

While you're 100% right about people trying to pull fast ones, like this and other stuff, not offering returns cannot stop such people. They can simply file a complaint and say the item did not come as described.

Fixed.

Sadly, this is very true. With any transaction there is a possibility that you'll get the short end of the stick. The important thing is to not take it too seriously and to know when you've been beat. I would imagine the number of scammers on ebay is closer to 1% or less. You'll hear mostly about the negative experiences around here (or the folks that think they've beat the system like that DMC Anniversary/Collector's Set somebody payed over retail for earlier and posted on the forum).

Just play it smart and if you have questions that arise throw a thread up on the forum. There are some very, very good sellers on the forum that can help out with advice and solutions. I know I've been the recipient of their wisdom on multiple occasions.

Be sure to post your auctions (so long as they are game related) once you start putting them up!

It's still way better than selling them to EB Games ;)

I just upgraded my account since it's necessary.

Keep in mind as well that you are "downgrade" your account to basic once. If you know that you're just going to sell a few things and be done with it, don't forget to give PayPal a call and change back. The reason I say "downgrade" is because I find the basic account to be far superior for buying/selling not associated with ebay. There are advantages and disadvantages to both account types, so you'll want to consider that.

[bigdaddybruce44]

Fixed.

Whoops. Yeah.

I would imagine the number of scammers on ebay is closer to 1% or less.

I would agree with that. Most people simply want to buy something or sell something.

[N1c0_ds]

Whoops. Yeah.



I would agree with that. Most people simply want to buy something or sell something.
I'd say 3.47753 AAAAH SPIDER!!!

Sorry, there was a spider on my freakin' keyboard. Back to topic: I saw a ton of eBay scam topics but I'll have to live with it, as it yet has to happen with me. DAMN SPIDERS EVERYWHERE!!!

Keep the tips coming, you're doing a great job. This topic should be stickied.

[wubb]

Woops, forgot the most important (IMO) thing when selling a video game.

Explicitly state that your game is complete with cartridge, manual, and case.

When I'm buying something I usually look at the next couple dozen of that game to end and set up snipes. If I look at the description and it doesn't spell out that everything is included I assume it's cartridge/disc only and move on. Even in cases where it's a 100% FB seller that says something like "Pokemon Diamond in like new condition." Almost certainly that's going to be complete but I always assume it's cart only unless spelled out.

I could ask the seller a question of course but like I said I usually set up my snipes all at once and I don't want to fool with asking a question and then going back later based on the answer.

[vincewy]

If you consider selling on eBay I suggest you read this thread carefully and thoroughly

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121040

It's just one of many things that can go wrong on eBay and it'll get worse (if not much worse) with upcoming change in May, there's a thread in this section talking about the upcoming change which I also recommend you read.

IMO the only way to make good money selling online is either you can offer prices so low that no one else can beat, or you sell games/other stuff no one else has access to. I have a friend selling import games with sources mostly from Japan, he doesn't even need to touch eBay, all sales through his hobby site and referral, but this requires

1. Years of reputations as not only trustworthy, but knows what people want.
2. Can pick up stuff from Yahoo Japan whenever needed without the English bidding services that really eat your profit. (knowing somone plus an account he can bid anytime).
3. Can read/speak Japanese and source items outside Yahoo Japan.
4. Selling mostly to European gamers, major profit margins with current fiasco of US currency.
5. As mentioned earlier, ability to sell without relying on eBay, he started on eBay and other hobby sites but gradually moved away from it (eBay used rarely now just to source customers).

So it's apparant that not all of us have all 5 of the above, if you don't even have at least 3 of the 5 mentioned, I suggest you think twice about commiting time, effort, and money. You might be better off going to technical college and pursue a career (like 2 year degree) in demand.

[N1c0_ds]

If you consider selling on eBay I suggest you read this thread carefully and thoroughly

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=121040

It's just one of many things that can go wrong on eBay and it'll get worse (if not much worse) with upcoming change in May, there's a thread in this section talking about the upcoming change which I also recommend you read.

IMO the only way to make good money selling online is either you can offer prices so low that no one else can beat, or you sell games/other stuff no one else has access to. I have a friend selling import games with sources mostly from Japan, he doesn't even need to touch eBay, all sales through his hobby site and referral, but this requires

1. Years of reputations as not only trustworthy, but knows what people want.
2. Can pick up stuff from Yahoo Japan whenever needed without the English bidding services that really eat your profit. (knowing somone plus an account he can bid anytime).
3. Can read/speak Japanese and source items outside Yahoo Japan.
4. Selling mostly to European gamers, major profit margins with current fiasco of US currency.
5. As mentioned earlier, ability to sell without relying on eBay, he started on eBay and other hobby sites but gradually moved away from it (eBay used rarely now just to source customers).

So it's apparant that not all of us have all 5 of the above, if you don't even have at least 3 of the 5 mentioned, I suggest you think twice about commiting time, effort, and money. You might be better off going to technical college and pursue a career (like 2 year degree) in demand.

I'm approaching my last year of high school and will move to college in autumn 2009. I just want to learn how to sell to get rid of my extra crap. I won't earn my life selling on eBay ;)

[scudnmuff]

I always put a note in my listing asking the buyer to contact me with any questions before bidding. If I do get questions I answer them as completely and quickly as possible.

Oh and be careful if you plan on shipping internationally. I screwed myself shipping a Wii from the states to Canada because I didn't know about customs taxes.

Send it has a gift. they don't pay taxes and niether do you.

[Chitown021]

Send it has a gift. they don't pay taxes and niether do you.

We covered all that in my thread... Besides I think even if you do call it a gift you still have to declare the value and anything over a certain amount is taxable.

My main point was just to inform the OP to look into international shipping and know what you need to do rather than learning about it the hard way.

[scudnmuff]

We covered all that in my thread... Besides I think even if you do call it a gift you still have to declare the value and anything over a certain amount is taxable.

My main point was just to inform the OP to look into international shipping and know what you need to do rather than learning about it the hard way.

Could ou link your thread. I want to read it this is interesting. I have been helping my brother sell some video games for 2 years, and Have had no problems, besides a few unpaid buyers. He almost sold everything he is going to sell. I currently helped him get 100% perfect feedback., but I would still like to read some of this.

[Chitown021]

Could ou link your thread. I want to read it this is interesting. I have been helping my brother sell some video games for 2 years, and Have had no problems, besides a few unpaid buyers. He almost sold everything he is going to sell. I currently helped him get 100% perfect feedback., but I would still like to read some of this.


Sure: http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166748

[N1c0_ds]

I had a chat with the Post Office guy about this. I'll just declare my games as gifts, slip in a congratulations label and declare it as 15$

[Chitown021]

I had a chat with the Post Office guy about this. I'll just declare my games as gifts, slip in a congratulations label and declare it as 15$


For single games it's no big deal. It's when you get into larger ticket items like consoles that it can be a pain. In my case I was more pissed that UPS decided to charge $50 to cover a $20 tax.

[N1c0_ds]

For single games it's no big deal. It's when you get into larger ticket items like consoles that it can be a pain. In my case I was more pissed that UPS decided to charge $50 to cover a $20 tax.

I always hated them too.

[silent h3ro]

I always put a note in my listing asking the buyer to contact me with any questions before bidding. If I do get questions I answer them as completely and quickly as possible.

Oh and be careful if you plan on shipping internationally. I screwed myself shipping a Wii from the states to Canada because I didn't know about customs taxes.How do you know what to charge for shipping for Canadians? I have never sold to a Canadian buyer yet but I would like to know.

[thelonepig]

How do you know what to charge for shipping for Canadians? I have never sold to a Canadian buyer yet but I would like to know.

Go to USPS.com or UPS.com and use their shipping calculator.

[silent h3ro]

Go to USPS.com or UPS.com and use their shipping calculator.I already knew about that. The reason I ask is because the poster who I quoted said that there are customs taxes. I was unsure whether or not UPS and USPS factored in those taxes in the calculator.

[thelonepig]

I already knew about that. The reason I ask is because the poster who I quoted said that there are customs taxes. I was unsure whether or not UPS and USPS factored in those taxes in the calculator.

Oh, gotcha. You are actually after custom taxes as opposed to shipping cost then. Every country is a bit different and different items are taxed differently (i.e. books versus clothing). There can also be a number of fees that will stack from what I understand - the GST (Goods and Services Tax), customs broker fees, etc.

I'd check Google for more specific information, though I don't know how difficult it is to find a customs tax calculator online.

[Chitown021]

I already knew about that. The reason I ask is because the poster who I quoted said that there are customs taxes. I was unsure whether or not UPS and USPS factored in those taxes in the calculator.

The customs tax is the same no matter what method of shipping you use. When I spoke with the UPS rep after the fact (the buyer had contacted me about them holding the Wii until he paid $71) she told me there was no way for me to know about the tax prior to shipping. She also said the fee I paid UPS to ship the package covered shipping ONLY.

The websites for both USPS and UPS will only tell you the shipping costs.

EDIT: The one thing that is NOT the same is the fee each currier will charge you for paying the customs tax for you. UPS charged $51 "brokerage" fee to pay the $20 tax on the Wii. Others have since told me USPS would've only charged $8 on top of the $20 tax.