Selling on Ebay?

Jennifer in Macomb hit it right on the head (I think i bought something on ebay from her once, too!). If your kids' clothes and toys are name brand and in good condition (no stains, tears, heavy wear), you can sell them individually on ebay. If they are not name brand, but still cute, sell them in lots and you should have success. As she mentioned, though, it is IMPERATIVE that you do your ebay research first, though! Do an "advanced search" on ebay and check "completed listings only" to get a feel for what has sold recently and what it has sold for. Demand on ebay changes dramatically from month to month, so you really need to think about what you're selling and WHEN you are selling it. For example, I listed a pair of ladies' pink dress pants, and they would NOT sell in the fall, but when I listed them the following spring, they had 12 bidders! Take good photos, and remember to disclose as much about the item as possible-- if there is a small spot on the back of the leg of the pants but it's not that big of a deal, mention it and mention that it's not that big of a deal. Setting up a PayPal account will be helpful, too, if you do not already have one. NEVER EVER EVER ship anything without getting payment first and making sure it clears (this seems obvious, I know, but I have known experienced sellers who have actually made this mistake once). ALso, if you don't want to go to the post office to ship everyday (I don't get my stuff picked up because my mail doesn't come until late in the afternoon), list all your items on the same day and mention in your listing that you only go to the post office on certain days.
Good luck and have fun!

we have found selling on Craigs list is just as easy and without fees

Hi Lisa,

I've sold on both eBay and Craigslist and the only difference I've found is that you make far more selling on eBay. The people that have contacted me for items listed on Craigslist have really low-balled on what they have offered and, even if I had a set asking price, have tried to get me to come down considerably, like offering me less than half what I asked! So, with that said, if you have items that are in okay condition, but not great, sell those on Craigslist. The better items, spend the money and put them on eBay - you'll get more for them in the long run. Oh, and I totally agree with setting up lots because people just love getting more for their money! Best of luck to you!!!

L.

Hi Lisa,

I sell on eBay and so does a very good neighbor of mine. I sell everything on eBay as long as I think it will make some money. If not, I put it on Craigslist where there are no fees.
First off, do an eBay search of whatever it is your going to sell and see if there are others like it out there and what they are going for, what the person started the price out as, that sort of thing.
In regards to clothes. If they are not name brand, designer, like Gymboree, Gap, Tommy, put those clothes in "lots" of 4 to 6 outfits, they usually sell pretty well. If they are name brand, those normally sell really well. The lower the starting price the less the listing fee is. I only ship to the US. If you decide to ship to Canada, you have to go to the post office and fill out custom forms and I find that to be a pain. I usually ship USPS Priority mail, because then I can go to their web-site and order boxes and envelopes for FREE and they deliver them right to my door. Plus they pick up your packages for free, so no trip to the post office which is GREAT! Plus if you have at least ONE over-night, express or Priority Mail item being shipped from your house, you can also request a carrier pick-up for parcel post (which is a lot cheaper). If you need any other help, please just e-mail me privatley. My dinning room (or what should be) is set up for eBay selling, and I love doing it!
Good Luck!
J. in Macomb, MI

Lisa

I have sold many many things on ebay and once you pay for paypal and ebay costs, you dont make very much, i was barely making anything on them, I did a mom 2 mom sale this spring and it was fabulous, I got rid of 75% of all my baby toys and clothes and made $150!! I am deffinatley doing it again it takes one day out of your life and no shipping!!

I havent' personally done ebay...but craiglist is free, and i have been having pretty good luck with selling my stuff on there! Hope that helps.