Buy/Sell/Trade Forum

A bit of background - most of what I have to sell would be fair price in the $2 - $6 range.  Some singles, some team and player lots.  Nothing super exciting, just looking to make a little bit to replenish the shipping budget.  I'm also not interested in making this a full-time job; just want to list a few things here and there for fun.  I have listed a few things this past week, and here is what I think I now know:

*  Something needs to sell at $1.15 just to break even (given a $0.71 non machineable stamp for PWE economy shipping plus ebay/paypal fees).

*  Probably doesn't make sense to sell with a bubble mailer unless the sale is over $5.  Maybe even over $10.  Most free shipping on eBay seems OK with PWE, and I'm willing to risk giving someone a small refund if something gets damaged.

*  Starting with a penny auction is fun, but this is just asking to lose money (unless it's guaranteed to draw many bids)

*  Selling with a 30-day fixed price is less risky, but less likely to draw views

Just curious if anyone has any tips or lessons that they'd be willing to share.  Also curious if anyone is interested in this hard-to-find Topps Heritage card...  it might be yours for less than 40 cents!  (sorry, couldn't resist):  https://www.ebay.com/itm/2005-Topps-Heritage-Baseball-474-Mike-Cameron-SP-Short-Print-New-York-Mets/273258288628?hash=item3f9f7695f4:g:QCAAAOSwYeNbFJGe

I find the Final Fee Calculator very helpful in deciding my bottom price. I do fixed price with Best Offer and free shipping.  I've been amazed how many buyers pay full asking price and never make an offer.

Two big things, one end your items at a night on Friday thru Sunday if they are auctions. The other is make sure you have correct spelling and the most detailed description in the item title. Think about how people search and you’ll get more eyes on it. I’ve bought alot of cards that were not titled correctly or completely or ending at 5 am for less than they should have sold for . 

 I would stick with the 7 day auction.     I would avoid the penny auction, you have to at least break even.    I agree with your mailing strategy.    You can't use bubble mailers on a common card or you will not break even.  Yes use the bubble mailer for the more expensive items.     Personally, I like to end my auctions at night, day of the week doesn't matter to me.   Good luck.

I haven't done any but I have been thinking about starting. I buy a few things on ebay and one of my greatest frustrations is a $3.50 shipping fee in a $1 card. I think if I were to list an item in the value range you are talking I would start my price at what I was willing to take on a card with free shipping in a PWE and note that you can ship it in a bubble mailer for an additional fee. In my mind it's the only reasonable way for two parties to agree to a sale on a card worth under $5. Otherwise, I don't think you would ever sell anything.

If you offer shipping in a PWE, beware of a couple things - ebay holds the seller responsible for delivery. If the buyer claims it didn't get there, you're stuck. You have no proof of shipment, you have no proof of delivery. If you get unscrupulous buyers, you could wind up giving out many refunds. Additionally, these count against your seller record. Additionally, ebay tracks the amount of items shipped without tracking vs ones with tracking. This is calculated into your seller rating (if you care about such things).

About the PWEs.  Knock on wood,  I have sent many PWEs with great results and grea buyers.   No one has stiffed me.    I'm sure one day I will have the 1.89 or 1.99 I sold a card for but thus far, I have been lucky.  Again, who wants to pay $4.99 for a common or two or three.

The advice you've gotten so far is all good. And I could go on and on with my own thoughts, but, you know, I'm at work. But I will just put in a plea that, whatever you do, just be professional, classy, and ethical. Make sure your descriptions are accurate. Don't put "HOF" in the ad to draw customers for a Mario Mendoza card. Give proper feedback. Mail quickly. Let people know if there's a problem...or if there isn't. Use the 12 free pictures. Describe flaws that aren't in the pictures. Don't use phrases like "partial complete set." Make your pricing fair and accept it if some things sells for too little. Don't charge $5 to send two cards. Etc., etc. The people who do all of that are the ones I save in my eBay searches and look for more stuff to buy from.

To each his own, but I use my modest eBay sales to pay for more cards in my collection and actually to have a little fun. I'm not looking at it as a high profit business. But I try to act like a high profit business person. Sounds like you're on a similar track.

Good luck.

v3

Big ditto on every bit of advice V3 mentioned. That's exactly the way I always handled my auctions. Remember as a seller to treat the buyers the same way you expect other sellers to treat you when you are the buyer. It's a classic case of do unto others. And remember to have fun with it. If it's not fun, then don't bother.

Best of luck

Great stuff, thanks everyone!  Excellent advice all around.  It's funny - as I've searched a bit to see how other people list things, I've also seen some shady shenanigans.  "Partial complete set" is annoying, but "Non-auto" might be my new favorite.  Maybe I should start unloading my 91 Donruss cards as "Paul Assenmacher Non-Nolan Ryan Rookie Non-Auto Non SN 1/1 Non Vintage".

I agree that PWE shipping is a bit riskier than bubble mailers, but I've also never had a problem trading or buying with this method.  So I'm willling to roll the dice and trust that people have better things to do than cheat me out of $2.05.

By the way, my penny auction jumped from 30 cents to $4.88 in 24 hours, so I'm pretty excited to see that!