topic Re: New to ebay in Selling

New to ebay

inspirationalessences1968 — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 20:22:20 GMT

I am new to ebay, I just don't know where to start, Do I get a store? How can I calculate postage? The free insertion fees if I have 16 products of the one product eg: 16 bags of items but they all have different meanings so they are different but the one product say as a eg: perfume, is that classed as 16 free insertion fees are taken or just 1? How can I calculate the insertion fees and paypal fees in to my product to make sure it's not out of my pocket?

How can I become a top seller do I need to sell lots of things and good feedback helps with this? Or do I have to pay a price to get a hit if people are searching for my products? Do I put in GST? I looked to see if I could do a course in ebay selling online, the only one I found is $4500 I can't pay that!!! Is there somewhere I can learn all of the stratigies needed to become a seller?

I have a ABN and really want to get it up and running but by golly it is mind boggling to find out all these things I would like to thank you for the any feedback up front.

Kind Regards

Re: New to ebay

springyzone — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 20:38:07 GMT

@inpirationalessences wrote:
Hi

I am new to ebay, I just don't know where to start, Do I get a store? How can I calculate postage? The free insertion fees if I have 16 products of the one product eg: 16 bags of items but they all have different meanings so they are different but the one product say as a eg: perfume, is that classed as 16 free insertion fees are taken or just 1? How can I calculate the insertion fees and paypal fees in to my product to make sure it's not out of my pocket?

How can I become a top seller do I need to sell lots of things and good feedback helps with this? Or do I have to pay a price to get a hit if people are searching for my products? Do I put in GST? I looked to see if I could do a course in ebay selling online, the only one I found is $4500 I can't pay that!!! Is there somewhere I can learn all of the stratigies needed to become a seller?

I have a ABN and really want to get it up and running but by golly it is mind boggling to find out all these things I would like to thank you for the any feedback up front.

Kind Regards

Why not start out by just selling a few things without a store? Get a feel for how it all works & how your items sell before you jump in & start paying fees to have a store.

You don't necessarily need a store in order to be a seller.

You can calculate postage if you use the Australia Post website, it will give you a guide. But be sure to factor in things such as wrapping costs-maybe paper, bubble wrap etc when you're selling an item.

You don't necessarily have to add that onto a separate postage price but at least it should be factored in whatever price you ask for your items.

Also have a good browse through the ebay information on listing fees so you know up front how much you'll be paying if you sell. You pay a commission on postage costs too & also on paypal, which is how most buyers will pay.

So.. no matter what ebay may advise, don't start your auctions at 99c or you'll be going backwards.

I don't know that you need to worry about a top seller rating just yet. Just try to concentrate on making a small start where you sell at a price where you'll make some profit, where you describe items accurately in your listings & where you post items quickly. That way you'll start to build up a good record as a reliable seller. Good luck.

Re: New to ebay

bluebudgies — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 22:56:30 GMT

You're wasting your money if you open a store just yet. All new sellers are restricted to only 10 items listed per month until you've proven yourself and got a bit of feedback. If you have one listing with 10 items available, that's your ten items. If three of them sell you can't list three more until the next month, but if they drop into unsold you can list three more (or relist them).

If your items sell and you start getting feedback they'll soon increase the amount you're allowed but you do have to be patient at the start.

If you click on the Policies link at the bottom of every page there's a link to an A-Z help guide on that page. Start looking through there so that you can ask specific questions rather than just asking general questions if you need help.

Re: New to ebay

phorum_junkie* — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 23:11:51 GMT

If you are having to ask these questions then you are not ready for opening a store or having a business account. Cut your teeth on selling a few things from around the house that you no longer need and will not cost anything if they don't sell. Before you start read all the ebay advice on selling and also look at the boards.

Do you have a dangerous goods license if you will be using Aus Post? If not then you cannot list perfume.

Unless you have another account you have not bought much, if that is the case then make a few more purchasesso so you have a good overview of what a good seller does and what to avoid.

It is extremely hard to make a living with ebay and you should not invest any money in stock before you see just how things go.

Use up to your 40 free listings on a non store account and only when you have built up a fair amount of seller feedback and you have a decent sell through rate should you think about a store.

The best teacher is ebay, only by using it will you learn properly. Baby steps is the way to go.

Re: New to ebay

clubesquire — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 01:01:30 GMT

Really good advice from everyone. And I hope this helps....

We're new too, or relatively new, but had done a lot more research than it appears you have before we started. That's not criticism, just an observation. We badly wanted a store, but after investigation and the wonderful advice from within these pages, we remained a basic seller. I promise it's the best, certainly until you get on your feet and know your way around a bit. You need to be selling MEGA before a store is worthwhile. Promise!

Someone only recently pointed me in the direction of the site map - bottom right hand corner. I dont know how to put a link in here, but someone else will. It's a rich source of info for you and if you get stuck, there's people in here who will help.

Good luck - be careful - eyes open. I wish you well.

Melina.

Re: New to ebay

daydreams_12 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 02:18:39 GMT

In addition to what the others have said Paypal will put a 21 day hold on your funds or until good feedback has been received for the item. That is to protect buyers from rogue sellers. Never a good idea to hold off posting item until you have the money in your hand. Definately try selling some things around the house first. There are more little hitches in selling than many newbie's realise.

Good luck with it all

Re: New to ebay

imastawka — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:02:17 GMT

Also a good idea to read up on ebay's policies.

https://pages.ebay.com.au/help/sell/sell-getstarted.html

And the A - Z index of ebay's help topics which is hidden in "Policies' at the bottom of every page.

https://pages.ebay.com.au/help/index/A.html

Re: New to ebay

jellybirddesigns — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:38:21 GMT

Most of us started out small time and learned how to do things in very small steps.

For many, it took months or maybe even years of constant selling and interactions with buyers to perfect what we do, and even then, there is always a buyer who surprises us!

I've been selling for 14 years and believe me, Ebay keeps moving the goal posts, makes changes to the site, our listings and templates and so on - if you sell here you'll need to learn to be quite savvy.

For now, don't even think about opening a store, your ABN (not until you sell over $75K annually), or investing in stock, or even worry about becoming a top seller. As others have suggested, sell a few things, pack them, get them to your buyers in a timely manner and build up your feedback and reputation. Give it 12 months and then re-evaluate your situation. It's not going to happen overnight.

Re: New to ebay

lyndal1838 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:39:55 GMT

I hope you did not get your ABN to be an ebay seller. It is not necessary and will give you a lot of unnecessary work.

Unless you are registered for the GST you cannot charge it or remit it to the ATO.....Please tell me you have not registered for GST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: New to ebay

lyndal1838 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:44:27 GMT

@cushioncovers wrote:

For now, don't even think about opening a store, your ABN (not until you sell over $75K annually), or investing in stock, or even worry about becoming a top seller. As others have suggested, sell a few things, pack them, get them to your buyers in a timely manner and build up your feedback and reputation. Give it 12 months and then re-evaluate your situation. It's not going to happen overnight.

Cushions an ABN is not dependent on the amount of turnover.....the $75000 annual turnover is for GST registration.

Re: New to ebay

jellybirddesigns — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 04:07:51 GMT

Thanks for the clarification Lyndal.

I blame a lack of caffeine for the mixup, lol.

Re: New to ebay

imastawka — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 05:31:07 GMT

And don't buy for your business on your selling account.

Open another account just for buying.

Otherwise buyers will see your sources and buy directly from them instead of you.

Re: New to ebay

k1ooo-slr-sales — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 06:41:58 GMT

@inpirationalessences wrote:
Hi

I am new to ebay, I just don't know where to start,

I'd start with changing my eBay ID from inpirationalessences to inspirationalessences, unless you made it deliberately mis-spelled for some reason.

Re: New to ebay

imastawka — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 06:53:43 GMT

Nice pick up Slr. Didn't even notice.

Re: New to ebay

*tippy*toes* — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 14:48:05 GMT

And as we so often see, the OP doesn't return to acknowledged anyone's answers. Only thing I'd add to the above is to not become a business seller. You lose too many perks.

Re: New to ebay

inspirationalessences1968 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:39:13 GMT

Hi Tippy toes just to clarify I did thankyou in the question, I would like to thank you for the any feedback up front.

I did this as I work fulltime and have a family of 5 that needs to be tended to. But thanks for the advise. Not sure ebay is where I want to be to sell my products. I will take on your advise about the business seller. I just thought that a commumity would be where I get help!!!!!

Re: New to ebay

inspirationalessences1968 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:42:04 GMT

Why thank you I did not realise my spelling mistake you are totally correct,I think getting up at 3 am in the morning to work on my business before work has not been to good for concerntration. I will fix that up. Thankyou

Re: New to ebay

inspirationalessences1968 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:43:06 GMT

Thank you will take on your advice

Re: New to ebay

inspirationalessences1968 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:45:18 GMT

I have watched lotsof youtube and read books on how to sell on ebay. My understanding is it is better to have a store. Totally incorrect from the sellers so I appreciate your feedback. Thankyou

Re: New to ebay

inspirationalessences1968 — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 18:49:03 GMT

HI Lyndal no I got a ABN to sell in different ways not just ebay, there is a lot of opportunity to build my business not just ebay, I was just wanting help from the community, so I thank you for your wonderful advice. I will continue to ask for advice as well as give advice in the future, the best thing as a human being can do is help someone else acheive a dream they have had for a long time.