Ebay Help

[SkandaL]

Well basically I want to start using Ebay. Can anyone please tell me how it is, if its good and if there is anything wrong with it. Also how do I go along buying and selling. I already saw the tutorials but I need first hand experience people to tell me how it is. Thanks in advance.

[Big Red 11]

Well it's pretty straightforward and simple...nothing really wrong with it. Start off by buying a few things that you might buy in a store anyway in order get some positive feedback. Then start selling. It'll most likely be slow because you're a new user, but once you get some positive feedback from buyers, people will be more inclined to buy from you. It's a pretty good system overall, just make sure you use PayPal.

[Cylon]

I really like Ebay, especially for buying things that you can't find in any stores.

I would recommend setting up a PAYPAL account. All you need to do is visit PAYPAL's website and create an account using an e-mail address (it would be helpful if you use the same e-mail address as you did to set up your Ebay account. This will come in handy later on when Ebay periodically e-mails coupons for free shipping and what not, and having the same e-mail address for both accounts is a requirement to use them).

Setting up a PAYPAL account requires either a debit or credit card. Contrary to what the site says, you do not have to VERIFY your debit card with a bank account number in order to start using it. The only thing that verifying does is increase your spending limit using PAYPAL. Without the bank account verification, your spending limit is a ridiculous $3,000 or something around there (more than enough for me).

The next thing you want to be sure of regarding your PAYPAL account is your shipping address. Many people on listings say that they will only ship to PAYPAL verified address only. All you need to do is enter your shipping address while logged into you PAYPAL account and you're all set.

Aside from that, you're ready to go. Like Red mentioned, it would be a good idea to buy a few things if you plan on using the account mainly for selling items. I know I try to avoid buying from new users since their reputation is not properly established.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

EDIT: I also forgot to mention how the bidding works.

Let's say an item starts at $10. What you need to do in placing your bid is tell the system what is the max amount you would like to spend on the item (excluding shipping costs). So if you put in $20, the listing will show that there is 1 bid on the item @ $10. Now your bid will automatically outbid another user if they place a bid lower than $20. For example, you have you bid placed at $20, and another person bids 415. The system will automatically "trump" their bid with yours since you are prepared to pay $20. You wil lstill be the highest bidder, only the bid will increase to $15.50.

So in essence, the system automatically bids up to your maximum amount. It is only when the bid exceed $20 do you have to place a new bid.

I don't do a lot of selling, but I know the basics of it. Be warned though: it does cost you money to set up your listing (for example, for each picture you add it costs money), and Ebay takes a percentage of the final price for themselves (and you get the rest).

[BoyEngland]

eBay is only really profitable if you use it regularly as both a buyer and seller.

When you really start to get going, you can use a 'drop shipper' which means you are basically selling items on behalf of another company, and you get a lot of the money from the sale.

To buy or sell, there is a button at the top of the page to get going. Then, it just a step-by-step process to getting your gear on the site. Buying is even easier, just click "bid" (I think) on an item, and then you enter the maximum price you are willing to pay. Then, it automatically outbids the current person by a small amount until it reaches your set price and then it will not go any higher.

Just make sure the person seems trustworthy, although it's hard. I went on a sold a game on there in April with a brand new account. Luckily a person trusted me enough to buy my game. You have to build up your "rep" by being a good eBayer as they call 'em.

eBay is only as good as the people who buy/sell. eBay does take a cut of your money for selling an item, but list your items when there is a special offer on and that can save you some. Special offers are usually something like a free list picture, fixed price listings, etc.

[intellect +4]

Can you explain your reason and wanting to use eBay? As a buyer or seller? What are you trying to buy or what are you trying to sell?

I used eBay for awhile now but haven't been active recently. I used to be a pretty big seller when I was in college (I still put it in my resume and get asked about it during interviews all the time) but then I got a real job. Its a good way to make money if 1) you have a good source to get cheap stuff 2) you are disciplined. A lot of people underestimate the time and effort and discipline that goes into keeping up a eBay store.

As a buyer, its a good place to go to buy anything rare, out of stock in stores, or just unusual. For example finding a game that hasn't been in production like oh... i dont know... the original Final Fantasy VII on PSone.

Theres nothing really wrong with eBay as a casual user, if anything its pretty much the ONLY place to go for online auctions. You guys gave a lot of good replies.

[SkandaL]

To answer intellect, I just want to use ebay as a casual buyer and casual seller.

For example one day I just want to sell some shoes I got for free or something and get some money out of it. And buying as well. Maybe if i have good experience with it and find a place where i can get things for cheap i would really like to start selling hardcore. But for now just casually.


Thanks Boy, Cylon, Intellect and Red for the replies. It definitely helped.

[BoyEngland]

Just noticed in my other post, I addressed it as "PayPal" rather than eBay. I was writing the post to describe eBay, not PayPal.

If you are just going on there, like you say, as a casual seller then you should see some profit. Don't expect to be making huge profits, but you will probably find it works for you.

Side topic: eBay was fined 30mGBP this week for letting their members sell fake items and stuff like that. This may pertain to you (Skandal) for example if those shoes you are selling are fakes (not saying they are) and you tell the buyer they are real, you are braking the eBay rules and can have your account banned if you get found out.

[SkandaL]

LOL, the shoes were an example. That rule is very good though I believe. No one should be ripped off like that.