ebay

That's because you're just starting out, George. Once your get a reputation and some feedback you'll be able to list more. Best of luck to ya!

Originally Posted by Bear

It's all changed a lot since I was heavy into it, i was a power seller for several years, when they used that title. Funny thing though, when they first told me I had qualified for that classification, I really didn't want it, kinda figured it would associate me with the big ripoffs it was well known for during that era. Even funnier, Ebay itself turned out to be the biggest ripoff of them all, why I finally stopped the first time, but not before some guy doing a local pickup on a heavy UPS had stated, "wow man, you're a power seller!" and I'm like "yeah, Whoopie!, haha!".

Starting up has changed too, I started a new one a few years ago, but closed it soon after, due to a lot of that. Not sure if I'll ever even go in that direction again.

It was fun though, back in the day. My first sale was a tiny old wooden drawer from an old pedal type sewing machine. I'd bought it at a yard sale for a dollar, not for the drawer, it was full of old cabinet hardware, door pulls and such, the drawer was just what they'd used to put them in. I realized early on that a decent photo was a key component, and was trying to find a cheap digital camera to use for this purpose. The first two I purchased didn't even come close to capturing a clear photo, they only had a digital zoom. I tried everything I could find trying to get a decent picture, but the only one I came up with was the wood grain on front of that drawer, so I listed it (empty of the hardware) and it sold for $15. I'm like "wow!" I finally had to take both the digital zoom only ones back, and the third one I tried ( a $99 Fuji with 3x Optical zoom hit the nail) and I started listing the hardware from the drawer, selling it all over the world, I was hooked! If I remember anywhere near correctly I think I made about $45 off of that $1 drawer of cabinet pulls.

Anyway, the one thing to know is this, sellers pay the bills on Ebay, and any time they want more money, they come after you. They know they have the traffic, so you are not really very important there, when you leave, three more will take your place. If their stock dividends aren't what they'd hoped they'd be, you'll need deeper pockets because you'll be the one they come after for more money. BUT!... they are the only place with the volume of traffic that makes it pay off, and they darn well know it. You'll get screwed everytime you turn around, but you'll either have to learn to like it, or go home

As a 10 year eBay seller, it's nice to see other sellers (former and current) realize how one-sided eBay is. They crap on sellers (who pull big numbers) wayyy too much. The "changes" each season are just another level deeper into your pockets, as a seller, though they spin the hell out of it to make it look like they're doing you a favor, lol.

You're totally right. I was in a position a few years ago where we were moving nearly 100 orders per day, pulling in huge numbers, and we still didn't even really matter to them. They crapped on us pretty hard and even paying $6,000 in final value fees per month, we were treated about the same as someone who sold the odds and ends laying around in their basement.

Still, you just can't beat the traffic, and you can move product pretty quickly and easily (especially tech-related). Still worth it for me.

Originally Posted by GeorgeB

Thanks everyone for the comments. I fully realize how ebay is, and trust me, if I had an option, I most likely would never use them.

Bidding Extreme LLC

Ebay as a whole forget there business run off of sellers. They treat sellers not so fair (that's my nice way of saying it).

My next statement isn't being said because I don't think you know what your doing... but if you want me to look at your listings I'd be glad to. I've been threw the ruff with everything possible on ebay, I have employees that list for my company and there's lots of things that I can help you with from making sure your covered if someone files a case like, weight of motherboards wasn't 65 lbs. It was 20 lbs, when you know what you sent was 65. To items was damaged and they weren't. If ya want another set of eyes let me know... Jim

George, I don't mind eBay as much as the buyers. Helpful hint you may know already? Document the serial and or ISM #s on cell phones, hard drive and etc. People will buy a working item say it doesn't work and send you another like item back. Like my recent cell phone for $3, I test the charge, battery life and function 3 individual times to deside how I list. Worked fine for me, so I wait 10 days for payment and now 15 days later(nearly a month)...they say phone doesn't turn on? So, when you state "send it back if the numbers match I will refund your payment" If they are legit they continue to communicate.

Your feedback score is important to getting higher return so some idiot can easily make you lose more than the cost of the item.

yeah you can't beat the traffic that ebay pulls, but they do make it hard for sellers, squeezing as much as they can get.
ebay is a good way to direct people to your own website though, so if your selling pc boards and parts then the people who buy can
then buy direct from your website, you just need to maintain some kind of contact data, next time you have a box of ram to sell,
you just email the person that bought and tell them to check 'em out on your site, lots of ways to go about it, ebay gives you the initial contacts, use them to your advantage.

I'm just a seasonal seller on ebay, during the winter time, like now, it's our football season and I sell football cards.
but it's coming to an end and i'm done, a good thing too as next month ebay aust' are upping store fees from $24.95 to $49.95
it all adds up and with all payments now paypal, a $1 sale ends up about 60c in pocket.

I don't like the power seller thing either, you used to be able to turn it off but you can't anymore.
it does give a false impression that your a business and buyers treat you differently.
some people don't like to buy from power sellers either.
so even though I was just a collector selling spares to buy more cards, because of the higher volume they put the logo up
and buyers then treat me like i'm all official or something, I have to message them to say, mate, i'm just a bum like you, piss off.

always a good fresh horror story on this website concerning paypal tactics and your money

PayPal Complaints, PayPal Customer Service & eBay Suspension Complaints

Doesn't Ebay now hit you on the shipping charges as well? They get % of what you charge for handling and shipping? They get you coming and going.

GeorgeB
Go register your website on all search engines here
Free Web Submission: Free Search Engine Submission and Site Promotion
You need some good advertising like on radio stations, mail flyers, free gift giveaway will attract alot of people. If you fail, redesign your website. Make auction site broken up in locations like craigslist.

Good Luck
Copycat