Do people really make money selling on ebay? (credit card, transaction, organization)

[coosjoaquin]

Well seeing as how a guy went from paperclip to house just by trading, id say there is some serious potential to make money on ebay

one red paperclip
BBC NEWS | Technology | Man turns paper clip into house

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by sweetana3

Ebay is a business. You have to have a product to sell, know your postal system, know your fees and be a good honest business person.

My husband and I have a few niche markets and we have a specialty following of customers. We do it just part time and only when we have the time. Fees are approx. 25% of selling price which compares favorably with auction houses but you have world wide exposure. We sell all over the world and have had no issues (exception is Canada which has a lousy postal system).

However, you have to be a professional and know what you are doing. Start simple and small to work out the kinks.

I had no idea the fee was so high.

I already have a high rating because I have been buying on Ebay for years. I had thought that it would be a good way to pump my rating up for a time when I would sell but that percentage is pretty high. I will have to rethink given that information.

At the moment I have a couple things I can put on Craigslist, things I wouldn't be able to ship.

[mimimomx3]

I sold all my maternity clothes on ebay and did very well. To sell on ebay as a business, I think you have to have good sources for your supply and know your product very well.

[twiggy]

Thanks everyone, off to try it then.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by mimimomx3

I sold all my maternity clothes on ebay and did very well. To sell on ebay as a business, I think you have to have good sources for your supply and know your product very well.

I could go for awhile just selling what is in my house that I don't want.

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by twiggy

I need a side job, and I have been thinking about selling on ebay. I buy from ebay all the time. I have looked into it a bit but can not get a piece of sound advise from google. lol Anyone sell more than their old stuff on there? Making any money? Thanks

I've been selling online for 4 years full time. I stay away from ebay though because of their fees. When you sell 7+ figures a year, their fees really, really add up.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by pghquest

I've been selling online for 4 years full time. I stay away from ebay though because of their fees. When you sell 7+ figures a year, their fees really, really add up.

What other sites do you sell on and what kind of things generally do you find sell well?

[pghquest]

Originally Posted by Lindsey_Mcfarren

What other sites do you sell on and what kind of things generally do you find sell well?

Well I am primarily involved in books, dvds, music etc, but I will sell anything I get a good deal on. I concentrate my items on websites that do not charge listing fees, and only take a % of the sales.

I stopped using ebay when I got a $25,000 bill one month for listings.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by pghquest

Well I am primarily involved in books, dvds, music etc, but I will sell anything I get a good deal on. I concentrate my items on websites that do not charge listing fees, and only take a % of the sales.

I stopped using ebay when I got a $25,000 bill one month for listings.

WOW, I have alot of books I would like to sell as well. You must do a really good business.

SO are you going to tell us what sites you use?

[sweetana3]

My 25% was based on an average over a seller with 3000+ feedback and 100% positive. We only accept paypal and their fees are included. Ebay costs with no paypal would be a little less.

Most do not track the actual cost of selling (do not run as a business) and this is a big mistake. We know what we have to buy for to sell at a big enough multiple to achieve a worthwhile profit. You also need to know when a market is saturated and when to move to something else. It is a real skill.