New to ebay

[inspirationalessences1968]

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

[inspirationalessences1968]

Thank you so much already brought my products, but will only work putting on a few at ebay and use my other avenues to sell. Ebay seem to want to take a lot of profit from the seller who does all the hard work. Its just overwhelming the amount of work that goes into all of ythe sellers for a minimal profit.

[inspirationalessences1968]

Thank you will do the research with these links have had a quick look before I placed my question. I just have limited time at the moment, but hopefully will get more time in the future thanks so much for your advice

[inspirationalessences1968]

Hi no I am not ready to open a store thats why I asked for people's advice. The perfume was a example I don't sell perfume. I could not rely on ebay for my income it is just to get started in my business and work at it over the coming years. I have a lot to learn, I agree the best teacher is ebay itself by learning I know I will make mistakes, I see mistakes as a good thing in someways as I won't do it again. Baby steps it is thankyou

[inspirationalessences1968]

Why thank you for your well wishes your seem to be a genuine  in your response, I have found some of the replies actually more in the lines of critisism. But guess that is the way somepeople are, sad to say. Thanks for your reply

[inspirationalessences1968]

Why thank you blue budgies, excellent to know that, I am just going to bite the bullet and do as you said as it is trial and error for me till I get a good reputation. Kind Regards

[inspirationalessences1968]

Hi springyzone, thanks for your advice start small certainly, I have calculated all my packaging into each item, postage is hard, I think I will not have free postage and add postage as a extra. I will take all of your advice on board, Thankyou so much for your wonderful advice, you are obviously a genuine person to help. I hope you are doing  well in your business and in the future. Kind Regards

[janeababe]

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@inpirationalessences wrote:

Why thank you for your well wishes your seem to be a genuine  in your response, I have found some of the replies actually more in the lines of critisism. But guess that is the way somepeople are, sad to say. Thanks for your reply

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Constructive critism..... is essential for progress!

You asked, you got it.... direct and clear! 

Did you want it all sugar coated for you.... I'm sorry, but if you cant handle the responses from the folks here, how the hell will you cope with a nasty buyer?  And trust me, when you've been reading these boards as long as us oldies here, then you will soon realise, that there are a LOT of nasty buyers out there ready to scam you out of your money!  AND WIN!!!  AND KEEP THE ITEM YOU SOLD THEM!!!

Would you like my advise????
....its free...... 
..... Don't use eBay to sell!  It's a dying platform, and it's flooded with Chinese sellers who are successfully ruining the experience for everyone and eBay DGAF!

EBay's fees are bleeding outrageous ...... not to mention the continuing rising costs of Australia Post!

Welcome to eBay.... 

.... from all of us at the community

[inspirationalessences1968]

All I asked for was a little bit of advice, not to be critisised and if you had read my post I was thanking everyone for there advice. I agree contructive critism is certainly to be utilised in a way to help. But by golly I did not expect your input to be so angry, I understand things are hard, I was just asking general advice. Why look at the one sentence I wrote that there seem to be critism in regards to my post and not the whole conversations of thank you and the compliments to the other sellers for all there wonderful input. Wow OMG!!!!! its not my fault ebay is going hay wire China is taking over and Australia Post is increasing it's prices. It was general comment and enquiry. I have never had a buisness before and had no idea that it was so nasty meaning the buyers trying to rip you off or the horrible feedback on ebay itself. I thank you very much and never meant to offend you in anyway but I think that was your intention of your post back to me. God bless you janbabe by the way if this is your response and your a nurse glad I don't work along side you in my workplace let alone be your patient.

[springyzone]

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@inpirationalessences wrote:

Hi springyzone, thanks for your advice start small certainly, I have calculated all my packaging into each item, postage is hard, I think I will not have free postage and add postage as a extra. I will take all of your advice on board, Thankyou so much for your wonderful advice, you are obviously a genuine person to help. I hope you are doing  well in your business and in the future. Kind Regards

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Thanks

But my main selling days were over a decade ago & like you, I came onto this board a few years back to pick up some tips as a lot had changed.

Ebay is still a reasonable selling venue, your items get better exposure here than on many other sites but there are hazards the other sites don't have, for sure.

My advice would be (after you've read through the ebay terms/conditions) to stick around the boards & read other threads when you can as you'll pick up a lot on the way.

Anything you see ebay advising you to do-ask yourself why. What's in it for them, what's in it for you. Never forget they are a business and they wish to make a profit. That's their number 1 goal.

So if they advise you to start an auction at 99c or lower your price, they'll suggest you may be more likely to sell. They get their commission- but you might end up with a loss.

Same with a store. Unless you have some experience & a lot of products & a lot of time to spend monitoring your items, then who is going to profit most from you paying store fees?

Some things we picked up about selling & mistakes we made, just to help you out:

1. Always, always, always list any faults or problems with an item plus try to take a close up photo. If you try to hide or ignore, you'll have customers madder than a swarm of bees descending on you & you will get stung as they will demand a return & refund at your expense. (This is me with buyer's hat on as I know how misleading listings make me feel.)

2. Calculate postage costs carefully & double check. We made some mistakes in this area & it cost us the main chunk of profit a couple of times as we had to cover it. You can't go asking customers for more after they have bought, it's not on.

3. Don't set the selling price too low, even if you are making a small profit. Looking back, I think this was a huge mistake we made as we often sold things (usually second hand things) very cheaply and a couple of times had people surprised by the quality when they received them. If you ask too low a price, people will most likely think it isn't as good quality as something a few dollars dearer. If it's a quality item or they perceive it that way, they'll pay a few dollars more.

4. A bit of detail in your listings. Maybe measurements, quantity etc if necessary. You'd be surprised how many ads I have looked at this week where some items of children's clothing & furniture don't include size. Customers will pass over those ads and onto another.

5. Consider sending items with tracking. If you don't, you have no proof they were even sent and customers could claim not to receive them. Ebay will refund them every cent.

6. Definitely start small, it takes longer than you realise & once you have some things listed, you're going to have to pop into ebay every day in case anyone asks a question. Ebay suggests you have 48 hours but I'd suggest most customers expect a reply within 24 hours. Maybe not possible on weekends, but try. 

[clubesquire]

Such a bad start for you and I'm so sad about that. I wish I was in a better position to help, but even after three months, I'm still struggling with a lot of it. eBay can be good, I'm sure, but you really do need to know the lay of the land. If you look at our listings I'm sure you'll see that we're still all over the place trying to strike that happy medium. Please don't make any rash decisions. Lots of sellers have made it very successful for themselves.

In defence of the content here. Yes, some contributors can be very direct, but I promise, there is no malice. They do tell it exactly as it is. Most haven't got the time for PC niceties, for like you they have busy families too and if you have a look, some are big, busy sellers, but they take the time to come here and share their knowledge which has been invaluable for us. It's probably the most severe critique that gets you to take notice, quickly, thereby saving yourself some trauma.

I have no right to speak on behalf of everyone else here. I can but only let you know of my experience. Some pills are bitter, sure,  but if it helps in the long term it's a taste you'll be thankful for. Please don't judge too harshly. Stay here and take advantage of the wealth of knowledge within these pages. There'll be no hard feelings. Ask and you'll get help, critique too, but I see that as a good thing.

Yes, I am genuine and do wish you well. Take a breath and then work through what everyone has had to say. Some you'll take on board, some you won't. That is the nature of things, but there is value for you in all of it - one way or another. I promise.

Kindest,

Melina.