e-bay

[hippyhoppy]

Just discovered an attic full of stuff that is too good to chuck/too stingy to give away.. so wondered how tricky is it to set up and e-bay sellers account (only ever bought stuff) and how do I factor in postage costs...? Bloody minefield!! (slash Christmas present field!!)

[wiltsman]

Have a look at this:

http://pages.ebay.co....ell/basics/start.html

[Booldawg]

I've just set one up recently HH (I'm a slow starter) Takes a bit of getting used to but the main thing is to decide how you want to sell. This is either an auction or a 'sell it now' with a fixed price.

I'd factor in p&p and give an inclusive price. LOL I've not sold anything yet but have flogged a few bits using my wifes account.

[Bluestone]

Easy to set up/get started. Go to the top of "my Ebay" and hit the "sell" tab. It's pretty straight forward from there.
With regards to postage, it's a bit of a guessing game, although you could get a scales and weigh everything properly and then work out the postage.
Bear in mind Paypal fees. If you can, try and get the buyer to collect and pay cash on collection. You'll still have to pay Ebay fees, but won't have to give Paypal their cut. It's worth doing. One mans trash is another man's treasure - or something like that! :-)

[grasscarp]

It is easy to sell on ebay. Just click on Sell and it leads you through the options. Select category. Title. Photo - the photo is what sells it so you need a digital camera and upload your photo (in some categories all photos are free and others only one is free). Describe it. Decide on 3,5,7 or 10 day auction. Good to end on a weekend. Weigh it. Look on Royal Mail website for the cost of postage allowing for packaging. Put in the cost (I usually go for 2nd class post option). Add how long it will take you to post options start at 1 day. Then upload and enjoy watching the watchers and the bidders. It is fun most of the time. You get the odd difficult buyer but the good eggs outweigh these ones. Give it a go.

[Canary42]

IMO the biggest drag is wrapping and despatching - the rest is easy.

[hippyhoppy]

Aww thanks for the answers.. stumbled across an attic in the garage.. Who Knew!! so will sell all the VHS (Probz not!!), and lame jigsaws (again.. proz not!) but maybe a few quid in the Chirstmas fund will get me a creme de menthe.. ;-)

[Bluestone]

Canary - Absolutely! Such a drag.

[grasscarp]

You are right canary. I once spent about an hour trying to parcel up a wallace and gromit kitchen item. It was very heath robinson affair. Then I opened up my boot and found the perfectly shaped cardboard box. Ripped apart the amateur version and packaged it neatly! Quite challenging sometimes.

[Bluestone]

Hippyhoppy, seel EVERYTHING... VHS included :-)

Someone will want them, even if you don't.

Good luck!

[mazie]

It really is easy. You should do it

[hippyhoppy]

Based on the post office second class mail sheet I've printed off £2.20 is the cheapest parcel size cost.. is it common to pay more for postage than for the actual contents...?

[grasscarp]

It can happen. If you buy something for 99p more than likely the postage will be more.

[MASS1961]

If the buyer knows what the p&p costs will be, they either agree and bid, or not.

Remember there are listing fees and a final value costs as well, normally 10% I think. Try to look out for free listing weekends to save you money.