eBay Golden Rules

Kenai

Kenai

Kenai

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Joined
5 Apr 2009
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My dad has been pestering for a while because he wants an eBay account to sell things he has lying around but has no use for.

I abhor eBay, i've told him this and said I wish to have no part in it beyond helping him sign up (as he's not the most computer literate person) :p

I don't want to see him get ripped off though and was wondering if the fine inhabitants of GD had any 'Golden Rules' for selling which I can pass along to help him avoid getting stung by some chancer?
 
If you are selling, then payment on collection and collection only. This still opens you up to a massive market / radius of people. I sold our tent this weekend and the person is coming 120 miles to collect and pay for it. When I sold my guitars last year I had people come from 150 miles+ to collect.

Eliminates all of the paypal and postage agro.

When buying PayPal pretty much protects you against any issues especially if you use a credit card for your payments.

That is all.
 
Glaucus said:
Always use a fully insured traceable form of postage.
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I'd say that's good advice for anything worth more than £46. But under £46 is covered by Royal Mail standard insurance.

If the buyer tells you it hasn't arrived you wait 2 weeks and file a claim with Royal Mail.
 
It's fine I bought and sold 400 items and only ever had one minor issue, PayPal makes it safe as a buyer and all you have to be is honest as a seller.

Don't really see any alternative
 
stulid said:
Golden rule#1 - Dont use it.
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Well yes, that's what i've been telling him for several months but he is very insistent that he wants an account still so i've said ok, on the proviso it is understood that I in no way take any responsibility should something go awry and I have given him more than enough warning that I think it is far more hassle than it is worth these days.

Other points in the thread noted and appreciated, thanks guys.
 
Ignore the people saying don't use it. Just takes a bit of experience to get yourself some good feedback then it's easy going from then on.

I buy and sell loads of stuff on eBay and I've never had a problem with any transactions.
 
Tbh i only use Ebay as a buyer and ive had no problems using it that way...i have sold a few things on there and as usual theres always some sort of issue so i no longer sell anything on there.

Buying on Ebay...great
Selling on Ebay....oh hell no.
 
Spawn said:
Tbh i only use Ebay as a buyer and ive had no problems using it that way...i have sold a few things on there and as usual theres always some sort of issue so i no longer sell anything on there.

Buying on Ebay...great
Selling on Ebay....oh hell no.
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Trouble is, he has no intention of buying anything, just selling :p
 
Has he tried the like of gumtree ? The main problem he's going or have is his 0% feedback which will put many many people off bidding meaning he gets less than he could off. Could always sell the cheapest things first though

Always use recorded post and package things well . I'd recommend bulk buying some bubble wrap and tape etc from eBay itself . Cheap and will add a little bit of respectable looking feedback
 
The only thing I dislike about eBay is the fees when selling items, had no problems otherwise (yet). But there isn't really anywhere else is there like it?
Certain things I can sell on here, some things even after fees I can get more on eBay for (like my iPad)

I always make sure to use recorded delivery or tracked - very useful!
 
Should probably point out my dad started off like this selling stuff out his garage/loft and now has bought and sold over 600 items . He's only ever had a couple of issues but I suppose he's dealing with the sort of stuff that doesn't have idiots buying them like laptops/phones do . Never sell those on there
 
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Kenai said:
Trouble is, he has no intention of buying anything, just selling :p
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He will need to buy something for a bit of feedback to get kick started.

Sure eBay is a blackhole for some things but I've been there since 2003 as an avid buyer/seller. Yes right now its not as good as it has been but along as you are a 'smart' user you can avoid some pitfalls.

Of course, as a seller, proportionately based on how much you're selling you are guaranteed to run into a scammer somewhere down the line. Or maybe not even a scammer, but just someone who is out to be a spotted-dick and run rings around you.

There is a very good community section on ebay where there is plenty of advice to be had about how to sell safe. Contrary to a lot of opinion Paypal provide lots of protection and despite being doorknobs some of the time, most of the time they pull through.

I think certain problems often come with certain markets, so what he can expect to encounter depends on what he is selling. Scammers/ripoffs usually target electronics (ie. iPods etc) because its the easiest. Selling clothes et al is much safer as a random example.
 
I've always found eBay fine tbh. If you follow their rules and use some of your own common sense then it's perfectly safe as a seller. Some people have a problem with the last bit, but they are also the most vocal when it goes **** up

I don't think I've ever lost out on any sale
 
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