Comments on: Ten Reasons I Did Not Bid On Your eBay Listing

By: ted

ted — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:30:50 +0000

Photos -always. More than one? Not @ .15 a pop for a low value item anyhow. I use free image hosting for large value items/lots and insert.

Title? Get the spelling right with basic info (complete with jetpack and machine gun accessories) then use the end for keyword grabbing like toy action figure doll -use what is given to you!!!!

Description – we differ on opinion. Again low value items aren’t worth the time unless your moving 1000 of them. But like 2 neat coasters you don’t want? Nah. 2 coasters X brand. No damage. X material. Type the dimensions or better yet use a ruler in the pic. —

If selling a lot list whats in the lot. Tell size and weight always -it helps.

Don’t go crazy on descript unless its a fine/high end item (Crystal this/ iphone that). I figure most people who type in something like paddles beanie baby know wtf it is. Just title -short simple terms – condition.

Besides on collectibles especially I mean how detailed do you need to be on a $30 hallmark ornament hmm? Anyone that reads the title and sees the pic knows hey thats the whatever my collection needs or ooh i like that one.

Get what it is right and the pic. No need to type the back of the box wasting your time trying to sell it when you got 80 more things to list at mid to bottom prices anyhow. No need to say handcrafted in memory of the great captain who in the year X did indeed slay a whale blah blahblah

As for shipping – offer it free always. Ebay taxes shipping money now (bastards) and most buyers are lazy and won’t do simple addition of 5.40 + item price.

As for starting bid. I disagree. With reserve fee costing so much and the free 50 listings best to set the start bid on items @ your lowest point + shipping since its “free”

Then put a free buy it now price at your fishing high point for folks who pay for then and there. No need to have an offer – truly interested folks always message you with things like how much for it now and would you lower the bin to $45 instead of 50 (if they have good feedback do so and get a sale)

Putting free shipping and a .99 start bid on an item few collectors are into like a stupid plate can end up with you selling that plate for a buck or so AND eating the shipping. START AT YOUR LOWEST!

If your selling a ps3 or popular dvd – sure .99 and the market will auto fix it for you. NOT SO on trinkets/clothes!

As for broken crap -one mans trash is another’s treasure. Just cause you aren’t into it doesnt mean the seller won’t get something out of it. Broke crap is bought CHEAP irl and rare parts for collectibles/machines is QUITE profitable. I actually do the best on my for parts/not working stuff. Lots of leg work finding it/big return if fixed -thats why it sells. Your just not into the culture of repair/reuse is all. No biggie I could give half a fks thought about a $500 handbag either.

By: dan

dan — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:21:14 +0000

I’ve been selling on ebay for ages and it always astounds me when people place a starting bid above 99 cents. It’s the game, the “chase” so to speak that gets the bidding activity. I’ve been able to sell razor phones for more then a smart phone costs because every thing I sell comes with a low starting bid and a good story. Without a story, it’s just a phone.

By: supahJ

supahJ — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:25:04 +0000

Here’s one pet peeve of mine that I see in your writing- and many others. The word “cannot” is a real word, and it is one word, not two. It is never written as “can not”. Can you take care of that in your future rants?

By: How about some good ebay tips. - Personal Finance Forums

How about some good ebay tips. - Personal Finance Forums — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:27:11 +0000

[...] is a somewhat helpful, somewhat tong in cheek list of ebay pointers..or don’ts anyway. article on PF advice __________________ "You didn’t take it, I gave it to you" -Matchstickmen DimeEd.com [...]

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:24:51 +0000

Yes. I like this list. I totally agree and can relate. I sell on ebay too. I always use these tips and it helps me greatly.

By: Wash my feet! Paint my chicken coop! | Prose Before Hos

Wash my feet! Paint my chicken coop! | Prose Before Hos — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:10:11 +0000

[...] “L@@K at me not bid on your auction” – and other things people hate that sellers do [...]

By: Louise

Louise — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 11:03:30 +0000

Great article, however the bit about
Australia got me thinking. I really want to get to the USA, so maybe if I sell a whole heap of things to Americans on ebay and charge $10 shipping each, I can
afford a ticket, and your items will be delivered in 2 days. Then I can do the same thing over there to get back!

By: wixx

wixx — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:22:57 +0000

mobius – Sounds like you do not like to buy items from the USA…which is exactly what I was saying…there are some locations where if a listing is from, the deal has to be realy sweet to bid on.

I bought an item from Australia, winning bid was $5.50 shipping charges were $30 and it took over 2 months to arrive. Sorry if that is ‘retarded at best’ but it is not like I was too impatient to wait 5 extra days.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 18:59:27 +0000

First off, great post! Second, Tim (#5) must be flying with the ducks because I see no use of WTF in the post at all; enlighten me if I missed it. Third, WTF is an acronym or initialism, not a mnemonic. A mnemonic is a phrase used to remember something (I before E, except after C).

By: nanamom

nanamom — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:20:07 +0000

I read through the list thinking, Have I ever done that? I am an ebay seller and I agree, those things are awful. I like your writing. Keep it up.