Ebay question

[BosnMate]

I haven't sold on ebay for years. I used to post a minimum bid, I forget what they called it, but if the item didn't sell, I was charged a fee on what I kind of remember as the reserve price, so if it was a big ticket item that didn't sell it could, and did, get spendy. I have a couple of items that I'd like to post now, one is a small 14 K gold masonic emblem, so my question is, if you were selling something you don't want to be ripped off, do you list a minimum or reserve? I tried a small amount of sterling jewelry (melt was around $8 or $9 when I listed) without a reserve, and although I got them for nothing, the people that bought it got a really good buy on melt value. I'm not a big time seller, and even back then the fees added up and I didn't seem to do all that well. I'm not interested in being a big time ebay seller, I just don't like the feeling of being ripped off. I know that masonic tie tac has more than melt value to the right person, and I'd rather give it away to a mason as be ripped off on fees and value on ebay. How do you sellers list your items?

 

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[GibH]

I usually list with a minimum bid of what the bottom price I will accept. I like to use buy it now for electronics because the fees are lower. I think most people get 50 free listings now and you only pay a final fee if the item sells.

 

[cyberdan]

from one swabby to another what Gibh said is true.
* 50 free lisitngs a month
* fees only if you sell (lots of them)
* set a minimum opening bid of what you want + the 3 fees (closing - shipping - paypal)
* free buy-it-now option (usually add 50% to 75% of opening bid)

cyberdan
USS Camden AOE2

 

[creeper71]

from one swabby to another what Gibh said is true.
* 50 free lisitngs a month
* fees only if you sell (lots of them)
* set a minimum opening bid of what you want + the 3 fees (closing - shipping - paypal)
* free buy-it-now option (usually add 50% to 75% of opening bid)

cyberdan
USS Camden AOE2

What cyber said but I just wanted to add that Ebay usually takes 12-15% from final cost for all fees including paypal fees...

 

[BosnMate]

Thanks folks. I'll have to see what I can do, but first I got to figure out what my pass word was. I remember that when I signed up I had a terrible tooth ache, and I used the name "Ol Griz" because I was crankier than an old bear. Pass word could be a problem though. I've purchased a few things, so I must have that information written down someplace, but I haven't sold anything for a long time. Cyberdan, hey shipmate, USS Merrick, AKA 97. The gator navy. I was an LCM coxswain. By Viet Nam the Navy had removed all the guns and re-designated the ship a LKA 97. It's now razor blades.

 

[cyberdan]

It's now razor blades.

I know the feeling, getting old. I was about a year shy of bring a plank owner. Now it is razor blades too. Camden was a supply ship too, big as a carrier.

 

[huricanesrul]

not as big as a carrier.......but a good looking ship !!

 

[huricanesrul]

now thats an image ! ! !

 

[cyberdan]

not as big as a carrier.......but a good looking ship !!

I know, but who is going to quibble over 200+ feet?
When the Kitty Hawk or Constellation pulled up alongside us for fuel and bombs we didn't feel tiny at all. I remember when a little destroyer came along side and got sucked up into our hull. That made us feel big. Got some good pics of that, I was the ships photographer.

 

[huricanesrul]

1995-2000 AVIATION ELECTRONICS USS KENNEDY / USS ENTERPRISE

 

[Minrelica]

Never list anything with a reserve because it will hurt your auction. Reserves are like telling someone how much they should spend which is why a lot of live auction houses don't use them either.

If you are worried about the final sale price then list the item at a starting bid of what you absolutely have to get out of it to be happy with the sale. That can sometimes hinder your sales though even if it's a fair price. Remember, people like to compete for things. When I worked for SAKS I used to sell "throw away" wooden hangers from OXXFORD suits @ 6 for $60 BIN but people would always bid [which takes away the BIN option] then they would end up winning the auction for $150-$175 and these were doctors, lawyers etc. They wanted to "win" the item and not just buy it. What I'm getting at is, if your item is worth anything, don't worry about getting what it's worth. You can list a Porsche for .01 with no worries because people will fight for it. People love to bid often and low starting prices let them compete with others. Let them have their fun too.

 

[Keppy]

Never list anything with a reserve because it will hurt your auction. Reserves are like telling someone how much they should spend which is why a lot of live auction houses don't use them either.

If you are worried about the final sale price then list the item at a starting bid of what you absolutely have to get out of it to be happy with the sale. That can sometimes hinder your sales though even if it's a fair price. Remember, people like to compete for things. When I worked for SAKS I used to sell "throw People love to bid often and low starting prices let them compete with others. Let them have their fun too.

WIT.... Is right......... I never put a reserve price on my listings.... And i always start with a lower price than i want and always get more than i wanted............. In the last 2 year's i have sold about 90% of things i have listed on Ebay... But before that i was lucky if i sold 20% of what i put up and was putting out more money to ebay than i was taking in........... But not now i spend a lot of time finding out will really sell and what will not......... A lot of research and it has paid off.............