Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions

classicthrifter · Sep 14, 2014

PO Addresses! I had a buyer win a BIN sale tonight. I went to print the shipping label and get this nice message:

Invalid address. Click "Change" to revise it.

The address is formatted like such:

Person Name
Company Name <---- eBay wants me to change this line, it doesn't like something about it. (error: This address was not found in this city.)
APO, APO/FPO 09354 <--- eBay also wants me to change this line to something like APO, AE 09354
United States

The buyer's PayPal confirmed address looks similar to what is listed in eBay and it says he has a confirmed address.

I sent a message to the buyer to see what is up but I haven't heard back yet. Buyer has already paid via paypal and has a decent buying history with no negative feedback posted for others.

What is the best way to proceed with this one?

Thanks for any thoughts anyone might have!

Had a good weekend otherwise. Sales are slowly ticking up. I've stopped buying and started listing more.

Brianpore · Sep 14, 2014

classicthrifter said:
Quote: IMO (not that you asked for it) but this is bad business. I have had more people then I can count (about 2 times a month or so) start with a low offer say $40 on a $200 suit and after 2 or 3 offers or even messages after their offers run out we settle on a price that is fair. Just saying, you would be better off to just decline outright or to make an offer you are happy with. Example above if you want to net $150 for that $200 suit (usually knock off 25-30% as a baseline) and 1st offer of $40 I would counter at 170 then 160 then 150. If they never come back no bid deal but to send an offer back of $1 less it giving them the middle finger and maybe you can afford to blow off potential buyers but I know I can't.

classicthrifter · Sep 14, 2014

Brianpore said:
IMO (not that you asked for it) but this is bad business. I have had more people then I can count (about 2 times a month or so) start with a low offer say $40 on a $200 suit and after 2 or 3 offers or even messages after their offers run out we settle on a price that is fair. Just saying, you would be better off to just decline outright or to make an offer you are happy with. Example above if you want to net $150 for that $200 suit (usually knock off 25-30% as a baseline) and 1st offer of $40 I would counter at 170 then 160 then 150. If they never come back no bid deal but to send an offer back of $1 less it giving them the middle finger and maybe you can afford to blow off potential buyers but I know I can't.

Oh, that is good advice. Thanks. That makes good sense. I'm not in your ballpark yet. My average listing price for items is under $30. I'm also learning to price a little higher to account for the offers, I hadn't been doing that.

My Main Man · Sep 14, 2014

You guys ever have that moment where you get an auction set up and then realize that the picture where you were trying to show the pocket has turned into a demonic sweater whale beast screaming from the pits of hell?

I did.

Snoogz · Sep 14, 2014

lol I can see it...scary

Melbush · Sep 15, 2014

Do you think that selling a couple of t-shirts at a 0.99 dollar starting price would help me atract more traffic to my ither items? Is this an effective technique?

In general, is it better to list items with BIN prices or list them for auction, sstarting at the lowest acceptable price ?

Shoeluv · Sep 15, 2014

Melbush said:
Do you think that selling a couple of t-shirts at a 0.99 dollar starting price would help me atract more traffic to my ither items? Is this an effective technique?

In general, is it better to list items with BIN prices or list them for auction, sstarting at the lowest acceptable price ?

I wouldn't think T-Shirts would help, because the person buying T-Shirts is probably not looking for that perfect 1K Kiton suit. What I have noticed people do is start auctions with the highly desired stuff which will bring in the right type of customers.

hbkshin · Sep 15, 2014

If you want to sell something at a .99 starting price, make it an extremely searched for item. People are always prowling for Hermes ties, for example. Great way to get a ton of attention to your store.

Melbush · Sep 15, 2014

I get it, but what if the auction ends at a really low price? Do you put a reserve price to protect yourself ?
I don't haver a store, just like 20 items.

Shoeluv · Sep 15, 2014

Melbush said:
I get it, but what if the auction ends at a really low price? Do you put a reserve price to protect yourself ?
I don't haver a store, just like 20 items.

Reserves and starting prices are what you have to protect your self and make sure you at least get your minimum. On the other hand, I refuse to bid on any item with a reserve because I would prefer you just start the auction at the minimum you will take so I don't waste my time on something outside of my range. Again, most of the people who can afford to put stuff on have quite a few followers and can be sure of getting at least a decent price. Then again even Spoo has unsold stuff every once in a while as does any major seller.. But if you put like a Hermes tie for .99 I guarantee it will get at least 1 bid

Koala-T · Sep 15, 2014

Melbush said:
I get it, but what if the auction ends at a really low price? Do you put a reserve price to protect yourself ?
I don't haver a store, just like 20 items.

Reserve prices suck in my opinion. A starting price of $.99 and a reserve price of $20 is like lying to my face (at least that's what it feels like). The bottom line is that if you want those views, it's going to cost you money. Be willing to lose something on cheaper items. I'm assuming you are getting your Hermes ties where the rest of us are, meaning they aren't costing you any more than $5 or $6 a piece.

Tweets · Sep 15, 2014

Economic Lesson

Backstory: I bought 2 pairs of shoes off Ebay last week for $40 each, buyer had $25 opening bid, $40 BIN, buyer gave me free shipping after I asked for them to combine (was supposed to be $27.40). I listed them this weekend for $129 each...I get this string of messages today

"Would you accept a lower offer if I buy both pairs"

"Sure"

"How about $120.00 total with free shipping"

"Sorry, best I can do is $200 total and you pay shipping"

"Did you procure off Ebay last week?"

"Yep"

"Haha! So you're the one who boughtitnow when I pit my opening bid in. Can we make a better deal than your first one then? Thank you"

"Nope, need to put food on my table, sorry we couldn't work out a deal"

So, 2 lessons...they were obviously worth $40 to this fellow, so why didn't he just pay the BIN? Lesson 2: What I paid has nothing to do with what they are worth.

Brianpore · Sep 15, 2014

Tweets said:
Economic Lesson

Backstory: I bought 2 pairs of shoes off Ebay last week for $40 each, buyer had $25 opening bid, $40 BIN, buyer gave me free shipping after I asked for them to combine (was supposed to be $27.40). I listed them this weekend for $129 each...I get this string of messages today

"Would you accept a lower offer if I buy both pairs"

"Sure"

"How about $120.00 total with free shipping"

"Sorry, best I can do is $200 total and you pay shipping"

"Did you procure off Ebay last week?"

"Yep"

"Haha! So you're the one who boughtitnow when I pit my opening bid in. Can we make a better deal than your first one then? Thank you"

"Nope, need to put food on my table, sorry we couldn't work out a deal"

So, 2 lessons...they were obviously worth $40 to this fellow, so why didn't he just pay the BIN? Lesson 2: What I paid has nothing to do with what they are worth.

Lesson 3: It never hurts to ask for a better deal, worst you can say is no.

Tweets · Sep 15, 2014

Brianpore said:
Lesson 3: It never hurts to ask for a better deal, worst you can say is no.

I totally agree, I make people offers all the time but I swear some of these people have no idea that I have to pay EBAY 13%, pay taxes, etc etc etc.

Snoogz · Sep 15, 2014

Flip Brag - In case their were any doubts, its tweed season for some

Buying and Selling on eBay: Tips, Tricks, Problems & Questions

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