We're opening up an e-bay store of sorts

@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
January 2, 2008 12:51pm CST
We finally have a plan to get a real extra income and should be up and running in just a few weeks. S/o has decided to go the route of e-bay selling and combine it with his cousin's plan to scrap cars for money. What we're going to do is take off all the good usable parts and sell them on e-bay and then scrap the rest. S/o knows a lot about what car parts sell for on there and with the vehicles we have to start with we should make a few thousand just on what we already have plus the money we get when we scrap them which will be several hundred more before we pay his cousin to haul them. Once we get ours sold off we're going to reinvest some of the money to buy junk cars off other people to do the same thing with. I'm pretty excited about this since it's finally a practical plan to get us the money we need to move and not be stressed about money anymore. I know it isn't exactly an e-bay store really but that's all I could think of to call it. S/o has come up with a lot of plans in the past but this one is actually one that he's good at and interests him. He's going to start stripping cars this weekend and then every weekend after that he'll also have free because his work schedule is changing. Does anyone have any advice about beginning to sell on e-bay? We know how it all works from the buyers end but I'm sure there is useful seller's advice out there...you know, the kind of things you wish you'd known before you got started.
5 people like this
7 responses
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
2 Jan 08
I;ll be interested in hearing the comments you get on this discussion. I have lots of my sons clothes which are still in good condition that i want to sell online or to someone so i hope you dont mind if i keep an eye on your discussion and get some tips for myself do you? :)
2 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Of course! That's what I always thought this site was for...for us all to share info with each other. By the way, what size clothes do you have?
3 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I need to dig the bag out from his closet. I'll do that first thing tommorrow since its after 9pm here and I'm about to hit the sack! I'll take some pics and send them to you if you like :)
2 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Ok thanks...I have 4 boys so I'm always looking for things for them.
1 person likes this
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
2 Jan 08
I sell TONS of stuff on ebay-- everything from computer parts, to games, to baby stuff-- you name it, I've sold it. Anyway, I would recommend NOT upgrading your account to an 'ebay store' because it costs a pretty steep monthly fee. I would just sell thru a regular ebay account where there is no fees. That's what I do. Totally up to you though, but it will save you some money. Maybe after you are bringing in alot of income, then you could. Also, use the flat rate boxes. They are pretty big and you can put ANY weight in the box as long as it fits in the box. It's so much easier to calcuate shipping that way, and its all priority mail. Good luck to you!
2 people like this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
2 Jan 08
Yeah, that's why I said it wasn't really an e-bay "store". It's going to be just his regular account but we'll have a constant stream of parts for sale so people eventually will know to check with us no matter what part they're looking for. I guess the best way to but it is that we are treating it as a serious business. I'll tell him about the flat rate boxes....well lol actually I'll just remember that for myself since I'll probably be in charge of that part of it!
2 people like this
@guss2000 (2232)
• United States
7 Jan 08
Those flat rate boxes are AWESOME! They have 2 sizes availabe and both cost 8.95 to ship. It's so simple to charge for postage with them. Also, you can order them direction from the post office website and they are free. Or you can pick some up there for free also. I try to ship all of my stuff in them because I can estimate the posting costs without losing money doing so.
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Good luck on your venture! I have been selling on ebay for three years, and it is a lot of fun. My advice to you is to be as accurate as possible in your descriptions. Describe any damage or defects of the item (since you are selling used parts) and take photos of the damaged area to put in your listing, along with the other photos. You may find (as I have) that some people don't bother to read listings carefully! But if they complain that the item is not what they thought, you can refer them back to the description and photo. Always treat your customers honestly and fairly, just as you would want to be treated, and you will do well.
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
3 Jan 08
I have another thought: Before you list an item, check the active listings to see if others like it are for sale. With used parts, though, that's probably not likely. But if they are, then you will have competition for bids. You might want to wait until the other listings close before offering your item.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
3 Jan 08
He was looking at things like that last night for the car he's starting with. Most of them were from the same seller and had ridiculously high starting bids and no one was bidding. He was thinking he could easily start his at half what the other guy was asking and still make out well if that was all he got for them, but even half seemed a bit high. I'll probably be the one writing up the desciptions and stuff so I appreciate the advice about that. I know we've bought some things that turned out not to be what we were expecting and the seller was like well I never said....so I know how people can be sneaky. We want to be fair and honest because we know how it feels to be treated badly.
• United States
3 Jan 08
Do you already have an ebay account? If not, you need to try to build freedback before selling. Especially selling items that should go for high prices. People are strange about the feedback thing. I know that lots of people look at the number and percentage. Some won't buy if you number or percentage isn't high enough. Also, ecrater is free if you would like to try them also.
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Oh yeah, he's been using e-bay for years so he has a decent feedback score. He always pays on time and gives positive feedback to his sellers so I think we'll be fine there.
• United States
3 Jan 08
Sorry, foxyfire. I can not offer any advice here because I have never sold anything on ebay. I wish you good luck and success with your new venture though.
1 person likes this
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Thanks so much!
• United States
3 Jan 08
I would like to wish you good luck with this and I hope it all works out well for you.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
3 Jan 08
Thanks for the well wishes!
@elemental69 (1561)
• Ireland
7 Jan 08
It sounds like you have a great idea, and I truely hope that you do well :-). But please keep in min that there are ebay fees and final value fees, so whatever you start your prices at please, please make sure that your expenses are covered too. :-)