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Returns– My stores have always been set to No Returns. So I’ll let you know how it goes for me. I just hate dealing with returns, even if I get less sales and don’t get the Top rated discount.
I just don’t like the online shopping culture that ebay is promoting on their site– where people who don’t return are subsidizing those who get free returns. I don’t trust ebay’s judgement in choosing this direction. But if I don’t have problems with my stores, then I’ll keep selling on ebay. I usually sell very unique collectibles, so I don’t think the return policy matters that much to my buyers.
Auctions– Jay, please don’t make generalizations about “people who sell with auctions.” I sell postcards individually or in groups, depending on what is most logical. Just because I occasionally use auctions (maybe 10 percent of the time or less), doesn’t mean I don’t research and only sell in big lots. 🙂 I respect your dislike of auctions and like to hear people with different ideas.
Many/Most postcards are worth $1-2 or less. So you may not want to sell every one individually. Some postcards are worth $100 or more, obviously.
Total Items in Store: 365
Money Spent on New Inventory This Week: $42Regarding auctions–
I think auctions are great in rare cases when an item is extremely rare/ unique and collected.If an item is truly unique, then the collectors really know best about how high the price can go. I remember that the collectors have more knowledge than me, and I’m not going to be able to match their expertise. So on those truly rare items, I start the auction as high as I can imagine, and then see if the collectors think it is worth even more. Sometimes I am pleasantly surprised at how high things go.
Regarding telling people you are a reseller– You don’t have to tell them until you have bargained a price and paid. Then you can say, Oh, do you have any x, y or z that you haven’t put out? I really love x, y and z and I find x, y and z fascinating and research them and sell them. This starts a conversation. Then you can mention other things you look for in addition. Often they will have some x, y or z put away, and you ask if you can call them in a few weeks. Works great!
I believe you said you listed that annoying chalkware because you feel you must sell every last thing… and you don’t like to donate or throw away things you have bought for resale.
Do you worry that that you aren’t using your time efficiently when you list low-value, high-hassle items, even if you already own them as part of a box lot. That maybe you could make more profit if you spent that time listing higher-value items, and just donating the low-value stuff?
Sometime it might be interesting to hear you discuss:
1. What are your rules and guidelines for what you won’t buy?
2. What are the guidelines for deciding if an item isn’t worth listing, even if you already own it from a box lot.I guess this topic interests me because I have a lot of death piles! And there is only me to work on them. I have to be ruthless.
Talking to people to help them be more frugal is kind of like talking to people about what to eat to lose weight–sensitive subjects, and talking usually doesn’t do much good unless the person is motivated.
However, if the person is never educated about how to save money, or how to eat better, how can they improve?
Also, remember that most people are being bombarded by psychologically manipulative advertising and it is hard to fight against that.
You guys! That jacket was a message from the universe that you need to do auctions occasionally– only under the right circumstances. I think the right circumstances would be an item that is unique and you have nothing to compare with. ALWAYS start the auction high, as high as you would have set the Buy It Now price. Then you have lost nothing– no risk in comparison with BIN.
I would have done the same thing– said that it was a mistake and relisted as auction.
I did choose to eat a $500 mistake one time (had a $1000 email offer on an amber necklace that I had sold as BIN for $500.) I have chosen to eat other mistakes as well. But $1000 is a lot of money, and I see nothing unethical about what you did. Airlines don’t always honor their mistake airfares, by the way.
Yes, it is high feedback buyers who have been on ebay a long time that I see pulling these tricks, getting undeserved refunds.
Not all high feedback buyers, of course.Thanks for taking the time to make these, Steve. I really enjoy them.
The background stories for each item make it really interesting!Thanks for the video Steve, great price on the clock.
I’m curious about how you plan for sourcing in the winter, since I believe you live in a rural area, correct? Have you stockpiled lots of acorns to sell over the winter?
I live in a very large urban area, so I can pretty much source year round. Although 95% of the estate sales stop during the winter, there are enough, plus other sources.
I’d be curious to hear anyone’s winter sourcing strategy actually.
Ah, but is it painful to spend money on inventory, when you know it will make more money?
That is part of the fun for me– to spend without guilt for my ebay business. Of course I am very cheap when buying inventory, I don’t go crazy.I’ve made my share of mistakes, so I usually hold the item up to the picture on my computer screen to make sure I have the right thing.
I’m glad it worked out for you, Linda!This is my very first post, although I’ve been selling on ebay since 2000.
Good for you two for being brave enough to discuss politics briefly. It is very relevant and important to our businesses and lives. It is important to be able to politely share and discuss information and ideas, especially as the politics relate to our businesses.
I happen to agree with you regarding the uncertainty about the future. But I also LIKE to hear people’s ideas which are different from mine, as long as everyone can remain respectful.
Thanks for all your work running this site!
