New Seller : Question about stock/custom orders

[rustedmetalgardenart]

Hi Everyone.

I am new to Ebay, and in the process of setting up a store with a few listings. I have a few questions:

1. My business produces custom made roofing products from ColorBond steel sheets. Whilst I typically always have the raw material in stock, the actually product intended to be sold is never made until an order is raised. I'm unsure how I cater tfor this in the 'Quantity' field - strictly speaking I have a zero quanity until one is order and made in about 5 days. Can anyone offer any advice?

2. Selling Limits : I understand that as a new Ebay Seller, I have a limit of 10 items per month. Is that correct? What are the requirments for having selling limits increased? Is there a handy guide that explains that?

Thanks,

N

[lyndal1838]

As a new seller you have a restriction on the number of items you can list (sorry, I don't know what the actual number is) and a restriction on the dollar value you can sell.

The way you are speaking I get the impression the dollar value may be your problem.

I would suggest you do not open a store while you are on new seller restrictions.

You get up to 40 free listings a month.

It is generally considered that a store is only viable when you have 100+ listings and a good sell through rate.

You need to have a certain number (25?) of successful sales before ebay will increase your limits....it is not instant and not automatic....you will have to ask for the increases.

Good luck!

[kopenhagen5]

Restriction is usually 10 items and under $2,500.

[rustedmetalgardenart]

Thanks for the prompt reply. 

I actually will only have a handful of products/listings (at least at the start), but there are variations in colour which I hope to cater for in the colour variation option in the selling template I am building.

Hopefully somone can answer the stock item for me soon.

Thanks,

N

[davewil1964]

There will also be a 21 day hold on any payments until you establish a track record.

This does not excuse you from posting, as waiting for the hold to be lifted will almost certainly impact on your late postage defect rate and your feedback.

There are several IDs (but 1 person) who claim this is not true, but many others who will agree with eBay's POV, so I certainly wouldn't put it to the test.

[kopenhagen5]

If you have 1 listing with 10 variations that counts as 10 items.

There is no advantage to opening a store until you have a good selling rate, even then you need to do the numbers as it may pay to remain with the basic account.

I assume you are referring to - made to order items.

This is a tricky area as many have tried before and not much you can do if a buyer renegs on a deal.

There is also the possibility of a buyer opening a case for INAD, you pay for the return and buyer gets the refund including shipping.

You would need to have payment up front before manufacture and hope all goes well explaining that sending of the items is not until 5-7 days after sale date.

[rustedmetalgardenart]

Thanks for the replies everyone - it has been helpful.

I will only list 10 variations then, and will have to cop the 21 day hold until the selling track record is established. Is there a useful guide on this?

Thanks,

N

[imastawka]

Ebay policy on new sellers and holding payments -

https://www.ebay.com.au/help/selling/getting-paid/getting-paid-items-youve-sold/pending-payments?id=...

[*tippy*toes*]

If you have any other accounts with feedback, you can link them together, which will increase your listing limit. Regarding the limit, it's not 10 per month, it's 10 overall. If you start with 10 this month, then sell 1, you still can't list any more until next month. Next month you can only list 1 new one. 

Some people have found it helpful to RING eBay and ask about getting a limit increase. I have seen 0 feedback sellers with a store and over 100 items listed. I still would agree with others about not opening a store yet, but it wouldn't hurt to give eBay a call and see what they say. Better still, use the call me back option.

The only other suggestions I'd have at this stage is, if you are going to be using this account as your selling account, change the name to something that reflects your product. Example, jonnos-roofing (you can't use capitals or spaces).

If the items are made to order, then I would have a longer handling time, e.g 10 days. That allows for construction and then sending out. Ignore eBay's suggestion of a 1 day handling. You want the buyers to see a longer ETA. If you have 10 days, and you are able to send out in 5, then often the item will arrive before the first estimated date. That makes happy buyers!

Last suggestion is, visit the sellers forum. You'll find a wealth of information and lots of very experienced sellers who are always willing to help new sellers. 

[sacramentalstoles]

Hi,

my ebay items are all custom made on order too.

I originally had a store but closed it after I did the sums & found it was cheaper to close the store - even with the higher FVFs.

I've set my 'handling' time to 5 days - but that was mainly to compensate for Aus Post delivery delays.

I did have a sale earlier this year where the buyer didn't contact me for 5 days with the personalisation details required.
Item was paid by Paypal at the time of sale.
I was concerned with receiving a 'defect' for late shipping so I rang ebay. I was told as the buyer hadn't responded & they could see that I'd contacted them through ebay - I wouldn't receive a late defect.