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Archive through April 04, 2006

The TVClubHouse: General Discussion ARCHIVES: 2006 Mar. ~ 2006 May: EBay advice: Archive through April 04, 2006 users admin

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Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 8:38 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Graceunderfyre a private message Print Post    
I accept paypal but that's because I started selling on eBay as a business - I don't think it's worthwhile for an occassional seller to accept credit card payments through paypal - and if you are not going to accept credit card payments through paypal - you need to make a BIG deal of it in the description because the automatic picture that comes up for paypal auctions says they'll take credit cards.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 8:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
We don't sell a whole lot, but we do paypal anyways. Just seems easier all the way around for us.

Coco
Member

07-13-2000

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 9:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Coco a private message Print Post    
I've finally bit the bullet and made a bid or six on eBay and finally won something! As a newbie buyer, what I've come to find is that if I really want the item, then I must put the maximum bid I'm willing to pay.

I really learned some new stuff by reading all your posts here. I'd really like to sell some personal stuff on eBay but I'll need to educate myself on being a seller first. Maybe I'll try being a seller over the summer when I have some down time.


Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 9:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Coco, you can try an item or two before summer. It doesn't take a whole lot of time. Take a picture, write a description, follow the ebay "trail" and voila. Especially if you are just starting, just tell them no paypal, only checks or money orders. (But even setting up paypal is easy...)

Konamouse
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 9:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Konamouse a private message Print Post    
If you really want an item, you have to watch it and put in your bid at the very last second (to avoid overpaying). There are actually websites that can do that automatically for you as well.

konashark is an advid ebay buyer. he researches a lot about the stuff he wants to buy. often has 10 or so items on his "watch" list (even if he is not actively bidding). he usually finds the same item from more than one seller, looks to see what else the seller has (and of course, the feedback), and (knock wood) in more than 5 years has not gotten any bad deals. Paypal has really changed the business. i got into gathering some star trek stuff a few years ago (and a few dolphin figurines). all of my purchases were done by check at the time. now i would not want to send strangers a check - i'd be worried about identity theft.

'squeek'

Regee
Member

10-09-2005

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 2:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Regee a private message Print Post    
I also use beside's like I said before to check feedback so you can see the neut. &neg's only which is; toolhaus.org, CANT live with out that site.

But then I also use; auctionstealer.com which I LOVE as then I can snipe at the last second.

Haven't told any one about that site, but then again its the best one I have ever found!

You can register free and get 3 free snipes per week, or you can join and pay a fee for 1 month, 3 months 6 months or a year.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 2:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Teach, she waited till she got my check in the mail (I did pay!). But rather than waiting the standard 10 days for the check to clear, she sent the item out right away. So I was an idiot for bidding on something without reading all the fine print, but she was a great seller, recognizing that I wanted the ornies to put on my tree THIS year (well, er, last year, 2005), and worked with me.

As far as your buyers, that was a bit unethical. Yeah, OK, so it was my fault that I didn't read the fine print. But it's the seller's right to choose a payment option (buyer beware, yes? not everyone accepts PayPal, dang it!). The fact that the buy "harangued" you is just wrong! They placed a binding bid.

Coco, if you take checks or money orders only, be sure to mention that you'll hold the item till the check clears. This way, the buyer won't be bugging you about shipment when you are waiting to be sure the money actually exists. (And yes, there are unethical peeps out there, so you do wanna wait!)

PayPal is now an almost universal method of payment accepted by not just eBay sellers. Many smaller business (click 'n ship, not brick 'n mortar) stores end up with PayPal at the end of their checkout process. Believe me, it's worth it to set up an account.

When Ginger here lost most of her possessions in an apartment fire a few years ago, I helped her set up a PayPal account. We took up a donation, and with a PayPal account people could pay her directly (those who couldn't/wouldn't sent me a check and I deposited it into my account, paid her, and sent them notice that a PayPal payment was made to her in their amount). With PayPal, Ginger was able to get some money right away, so she could buy essentials like toothpaste and soap and stuff! (Well, actually, I think it was more like the stuff necessary to set up temporary living in an apt. but you get the idea.)

Brenda1966
Member

07-03-2002

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 3:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Brenda1966 a private message Print Post    
I guess I don't understand why someone wouldn't take paypal. I have paypal and it is free. But I'm not set up for credit cards. Does that mean people can't pay me with a credit card? It's been so long since I sold anything, but when I buy I always pay with paypal. It's just hooked to my bank account and they pull the money out. I guess that freaks some people out, but I've never had a problem.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 4:19 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Thanks for the explanation, Costa. :-)

Brenda -- we don't take paypal because #1) we don't take CCs since we only sell occasionally, and #2) when people pay w/paypal it's not like it shows up in your checking account, even when that's the account the paypal is connected to. Since we hardly ever use paypal to PAY for anything, the "money" there isn't nearly as useful as a certified check I can put in my checking account! :-) There are some other (more complicated) reasons as well -- but that's the easiest one to explain. :-)

If I was a "big" seller and buyer, I'd probably set up a separate checking account which could be used w/Paypal. Since it's just the occasional "closet cleanout" that I sell, it's not worth the hassle.

Brenda1966
Member

07-03-2002

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 4:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Brenda1966 a private message Print Post    
OH, so you can't make a transfer of funds from paypal back into checking? Maybe that's not free? Hmmm... I guess I just find enough use for paypal that I never had a balance in there that sat for very long.

Still wondering if anyone has used one of those outlets that sells your stuff. I keep meaning to contact one but am thinking they'll say they don't want my small ticket stuff. For me it's not so much about making a bunch of money. Some items are collectible in nature and I want them in the hands of another collector, not at the goodwill or the trash.

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 4:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landi a private message Print Post    
i have a pay pal debit card. it's just another bank.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 6:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
You can transfer funds from PayPal into your bank account. And you can set it up so you accept payments via direct bank transfer, rather than credit cards. Or both.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 8:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Just check for fees from bank for direct bank transfers.

Bandit
Member

07-29-2001

Friday, March 31, 2006 - 11:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Bandit a private message Print Post    
I sometimes leave money in the Paypal account, instead of withdrawing it. Then, the next time I buy something on Ebay, it's there.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Friday, March 31, 2006 - 3:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
Brenda, I am looking into those sellers as well. I have a bunch of stuff my Mom collected and don't have the time to sell it myself. There is a store here called I-soldit.com that does ebay sales. I think I may just take a few things in and see how it goes, then take all the other stuff. I know that the ups stores will also sell stuff on ebay for you, but it has to be worth more than $75 for them to take it.

Brenda1966
Member

07-03-2002

Friday, March 31, 2006 - 3:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Brenda1966 a private message Print Post    
Let me know how it goes Dipo! Good luck!

Graceunderfyre
Member

01-21-2004

Sunday, April 02, 2006 - 9:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Graceunderfyre a private message Print Post    
ok so I bought a bunch of little stuff for my cell phone at the end of last week (new charger, case, wireless headset) and I LOVE that www.toolhaus.org website! It was awesome and I felt like it really helped me make an informed decision - I'd totally reccommend that site to anyone and everyone!

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Monday, April 03, 2006 - 11:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
Cool Grace! Congrats on your "buys."

I've also been wanting to get into selling and I've been hesitant to start for a few reasons and I'm sure I can't think of ALL of them right now. It's late!! One thing I noticed is that people sometimes mention things are "over-sized" packages for either UPS or USPS and there is an extra fee. I found that 70lbs is the max on the USPS site but I don't know about the box dimensions. Also, lately I haven't been able to find the "Priority Mailing TAPE" that used to be on the site. I only find the stickers, which my DS ordered a ton of but they're not so great for taping!

Does anyone have a particular place they buy their tape, packing supplies that's a decent rate? I really only have experience at sending a few packages prior to sending a bunch to APOs for overseas the last couple of years and with those, I taped liked a mad woman since I didn't know how rough they'd be handled on cargo planes, etc. I had to mail a couple of ebay sales for my brother while he was on vacation last mo. This one woman probably thought I was nuts (or he was.. lol) since I wrapped it liked crazy to make it really really secure.

It does take quite a bit of time and care. Most companies do charge shipping and handling. I'd have to say I wouldn't mind someone adding $1-2 onto shipping for their time and supplies, but I won't buy anything that has excessive shipping either. Although my one exception was for a scale to weigh packages where the shipping was way more than what I paid, but I paid so little. The bad thing about that is, if you're not happy, even if someone will take something back, you've lost your shipping. And yes, this was my ONE item I've purchased that I had some problems with, but I expected it after reading the feedback. Some people were thrilled and others, not so much. Because of the price, I gave the seller the benefit of the doubt. I didn't get exactly what I should have, but it was something I could live with and while the seller has said he'd make it right when he could, I'm not counting on it. The only reason I'm not really ticked off is because I knew going in, it still works for me and I didn't pay too much.

What I've started to do when bidding is look at the shipping and then add on what I'm willing to pay TOTAL to base my bids. If it goes over that amount, I don't bid or stop bidding. I learned the hard way after getting so determined to win my first couple of items, I paid more than I should since I forgot to think about the shipping. :-)

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 12:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    


Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 12:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
So I checked out I-soldit.com store this past weekend. They take a commission based on your sales, for things up to $100 it is 40% down to 25% for higher priced items. One thing that is annoying is they only want items that will sell for $30 or higher. I have a bunch of small items that should sell for a high amount as a whole, but individually some may go for $10 and some for $100.

It is such a pain in the butt to get rid of all my Mom's collectables. She has a bunch of Franklin Mint stuff that she spent a fortune on!! Anyway, they said maybe I should bring in a list and they will figure out what they could sell for me. Oh and they will do the research and photos/pricing for you. I did do some research and found out one of the plates I have is already listed on Ebay for $100. So, I may be able to get rid of some stuff easily, then just have to figure out what to do with all the little stuff.

Tabbyking
Member

03-11-2002

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 1:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tabbyking a private message Print Post    
even if someone doesn't use paypal when they buy from me, i have NEVER held a personal check and i have never had a payment problem, except for one gal who took 3 weeks to pay. i have everything ready to go out and the second i deposit the money, i mail the stuff out. no one has stopped a check or had insufficient funds. if they have all good feedback and at least 5 or 6 transactions as either buyer or seller, no reason to hold up the item while a check clears.

wow, isoldit takes a lot of commission! not for me, sounds like :-)

oh, one idiot guy from canada was a real lulu. i checked out priority vs.slow boat to china for him. slow boat route was 'within 30 days'. there was a nickel difference in shipping costs and he wanted the 'slow boat' route to save that 5 cents. i covered the nickel for him and sent it out priority. what a goofball! i'll bet he has the first nickel he ever earned LOL

Tabbyking
Member

03-11-2002

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 1:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Tabbyking a private message Print Post    
with paypal, it's not like YOU take credit cards. the people are paying into your account with credit cards.
when i am the buyer, i have both a credit card and one of my bank accounts behind my paypal account. they go to the bank account first and then use my credit card if there isn't enough money in the account.
the payment has always showed up in my checking account instantly when someone pays me, so not sure why teachmichigan's doesn't.

Yellek
Member

08-22-2001

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 1:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Yellek a private message Print Post    
I also have paypal, and when someone pays me it shows up immediately in paypal, but I have to manually transfer to the bank account. So there's a day or two delay before it's in my account. Unless I use my paypal debit card, then I can use it immediately.

Ginger1218
Member

08-31-2001

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 1:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ginger1218 a private message Print Post    
You know, I have ordered twice from e-bay, and I did not know there is a whole culture thing, with feedback, even for the buyer. I am amazed. Here I thought you just bought something and that was it, imagine my surprise. LOL

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 5:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Watching, I usually go in to Staples or Office Depot or whomever is running a special. You can shop online at both of those places, and many others.

When you buy tape, be sure to buy at least the medium grade. The cheap tape sometimes doesn't make it all the way across the USA!

You can buy shipping boxes, tape, peanuts, and bubble wrap in smaller quantities at the office supply stores. For larger quantities, you may want to google wholesale shipping supplies.