[561design]

It's been about two years since I've used E-Bay to sell anything. The fees are nothing like I remember them. Apparently they've not only decided to charge you for listing fees. But then they charge you AGAIN once you've sold your item. I have to sell atleast 3 of my 14 items listed just to break EVEN. This is just outta hand. Actually now that I think about it. I may actually lose some money because I have to pay to ship out these items.

Fees so far $43.12
Items that have sold $50.51

Any of you guys have E-Bay alternatives to suggest? The only one I know know of is Craigslist.

[Kiemyster]

wow.... thats a bitch... ebay ftl

[WAYNEBO]

Craigslist, hands down. It has come along way since my old eBay clucking days. I just recently posted a dozen misc items on both CL and Recycler.com and I've got hits and/or sales (3 so far) on 10 of them, all from CL.

No fees, instant cash 'n carry because only local transactions. It is definately the way to go if you live in a large metropolitan area.

[iatacs19]

what are you selling?

the listing fee is usually not more than $3.50 for me, and I use galleries with a lot of super-sized pics and bold listings...

Are you starting your bid price too high? if so then just start it @ $0.99. Also, you can use the shipping calculator to let the buyer see how much it actually costs to ship your product and charge them for it.

ebay prices and fees have increased since 1998, but shouldn't be that drastic.

[ZJP]

Fuck ebay, I got debited $130 from my account in fees!

Craigslist half the time is a bunch of scammers but you might get lucky and get someone who is actually legit.

[richeerich03]

I had an ad for a jersey that I was selling, I didn't know that they charge everytime I made a mod to it.. Well I got a notice for $32 in fees.. Sucks cuz I didn't even sell the damn Jersey....

My brother works for ebay, and he was telling me that they make a killing off of fees.....

[Design1314]

Originally Posted by 561design

Fees so far $43.12
Items that have sold $50.51

How is that possible? did you had 1 winner that didnt pay and you relisted it?

[AndrewAZ]

Yea....... Ummm... You sure its not $4.50 in charges? The most with listing and fees that I pay on ebay for say $50 item is $5-6.


The key is to start your listing out at 99 cents so you pay a lower insertion fee. Then avoid the reserves or any of that other junk... On average I spend $1.50 in fees to build the auction pictures ect. If you need a lot of pictures link a flicker account or something.

[Hawkeye]

Ebay just lowered their sellers fees too. I use it for things I know will sell and that is about it.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by AndrewAZ

Yea....... Ummm... You sure its not $4.50 in charges? The most with listing and fees that I pay on ebay for say $50 item is $5-6.


The key is to start your listing out at 99 cents so you pay a lower insertion fee. Then avoid the reserves or any of that other junk... On average I spend $1.50 in fees to build the auction pictures ect. If you need a lot of pictures link a flicker account or something.

He said he has listed a lot that didn't sell as well as some that did. That is why it is so expensive for him.

[561design]

Originally Posted by Design1314

How is that possible? did you had 1 winner that didnt pay and you relisted it?

Like Hawkeye has suggested. I listed 14 items for about $2.50 listing each. Each item was anywhere from $5.00-$20.00 Starting bid. Some items had a few bids on them but basically I only sold 3 items at the time of the listing. A few more items have sold again today. So I'm at a total of 7 out of 14 items sold so far.

Right now, l owe $44 to E-bay and have about $90 in sales. That is a tremendous profit margin for E-Bay considering they are techinically only a listing service. I spoke to a few guys who sell often about this and they explain to me that they roll these new charges into the shipping. I may do this in the future to cover the ridiculous "Final Value Fee".

I don't like using Craigslist because it's significantly more work than it's worth. I would get alot of questions about my items but no actual buyers. Oh except for the occasionaly Nambian prince from Africa who's money is tied up in investments.

Andrew, thanks for the tip on the insertion fee. I'll do that next time.

[Design1314]

that sucks... For me, I only sell things that people wants and willing to pay extra $s for it.

[inandout]

Not only that, when you are paid through PayPal (ebay company) you are shafted again.

[shipill]

Fuck ebay . I hate this ridiculous company