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j_co_12
Posts: 41
Joined: Feb 2018
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Monday, June 11, 2018 8:08 PM | |
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
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C2Cigars
Posts: 11,455
Joined: Oct 2014
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Monday, June 11, 2018 9:29 PM | |
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.
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Someday my cards may double in value and then be worth half of what I paid for them.
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Mike DiFiore
Posts: 9
Joined: Nov 2017
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 2:31 AM | |
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 .
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NJDevils
Posts: 6,343
Joined: Sep 2010
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 7:31 AM | |
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.
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BSwagger
Posts: 1,567
Joined: Jul 2017
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 9:38 AM | |
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.
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vrooomed
Posts: 14,936
Joined: Dec 2012
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 9:58 AM | |
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).
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-- Dan -- Note: Please see my profile for more info regarding trading (section updated 3/4/2024). I have added a large portion of my inventory to the site, and currently have trading turned on (details are in my profile).
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NJDevils
Posts: 6,343
Joined: Sep 2010
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 10:10 AM | |
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.
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Vvvergeer
Posts: 2,058
Joined: Jan 2014
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 12:12 PM | |
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
Edited on: Jun 12, 2018 - 6:38PM
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Lerxst2112
Posts: 154
Joined: Sep 2014
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 3:56 PM | |
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
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My Autograph Collection Website Emphasis is on the 1969 Cubs. This is still a work in progress as is my collection here at TCDB. Value what you collect, don't collect for value.
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j_co_12
Posts: 41
Joined: Feb 2018
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Tuesday, June 12, 2018 9:09 PM | |
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!
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