Ebay selling question

[Ko.Fe.]

I have a separate bank account set up for ebay transactions only.
Doesn't cost anything to do this. Once I'm satisfied a buyer won't ask for a return or a refund, I move the money into a checking account.
My only gripe about the new ebay system is I'm being billed separately for shipping costs rather than it being factored into my net.
Ebay takes their cut off the top now and several days before they send my money. Paypal was always next day service.

You must have very tolerant spouse. By the moment mine will realize I have separate bank account...

 

[Ko.Fe.]

The way it has worked for the few things I have sold recently is; After the sale, eBay pays me minus the selling fee. However, I buy the shipping through eBay since it is much cheaper. The eBay payout includes the amount for shipping. I then get debited for shipping costs. Or in one instance, I totally miscalculated shipping and got back charged a couple dollars. Freaked me out because I had no idea what the charge was for. Took me a bit to figure it out. Ultimately, it seems you are paying less in total fees this way. Though I have no way to verify.

eBay shipping is so scrutinized. They are dumbing the parcel to so many unnecessary locations and increasing delivery time. And on top of it they are scamming with "customs collection" if it is shipped internationally.
I avoid eBay shipping listings every time it is possible.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

eBay shipping is so scrutinized. They are dumbing the parcel to so many unnecessary locations and increasing delivery time. And on top of it they are scamming with "customs collection" if it is shipped internationally.
I avoid eBay shipping listings every time it is possible.

+1 to that. Probably you could check amount of post and feedback by seller on forum for protection?

 

[removed account4]

I haven't sold on eBay in years, but I buy there often.
sounds like things have been streamlined in eBay's favor..
lots of scammers out there, and I am sure ebay was scammed often...
20% is still cheaper than a consignment store/junque shop, and the reach is much
better than putting a "yard sale" sign up on local telephone poles...

I was just there this morning looking to be cheered up, so I
searched for photo paper for sale. you know I was looking for one of those
sellers that opened the box and spread the all the paper out to show it was in there ..
sadly I have had to find a good laugh someplace else ..

 

[Bazza D]

eBay shipping is so scrutinized. They are dumbing the parcel to so many unnecessary locations and increasing delivery time. And on top of it they are scamming with "customs collection" if it is shipped internationally.
I avoid eBay shipping listings every time it is possible.

eBay just brokers the shipping, the actual shipping companies are the problem. Mostly shipping is returning to normal. Over the Holidays, FedEx refused to deliver to my address. So shipping in general has been disastrous. In regards to the customs collections, it is more that governments have targeted all online selling and international shipping as lost revenue. In addition to just customs, in the US they are trying to make the online platforms report sales for each seller so they can collect income taxes on sales. And once one country does it the rest will follow. I wish I could avoid eBay but for somethings the large audience makes it a decent place to sell.

 

[BobD]

I see the OP is in Southern California.
We do have 2-3 camera shows pre-month here though they are presently shut down for covid.
I have heard they will start up again soon. At the shows you rent a table and charge whatever you like for your stuff. You can charge less and still make more than on eBay because there are no fees except the table rental.

The shows are very popular, especially in the Fall.

Link is:
https://www.bargaincamerashows.com/

Warning: When a "new guy" arrives to sell at one of these shows, before the doors open the other dealers will descend on his table like a school of hungry sharks.

 

[Arthurwg]

What are the other fees, not previously mentioned?[/QUOTE

I recently had. a sale that didn't go through. Buyer got a refund. That cost me something, not sure how much at this point. But $20.00 was deducted from my bank account today.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

I see the OP is in Southern California.
We do have 2-3 camera shows pre-month here though they are presently shut down for covid.
I have heard they will start up again soon. At the shows you rent a table and charge whatever you like for your stuff. You can charge less and still make more than on eBay because there are no fees except the table rental.

The shows are very popular, especially in the Fall.

Link is:
https://www.bargaincamerashows.com/

Warning: When a "new guy" arrives to sell at one of these shows, before the doors open the other dealers will descend on his table like a school of hungry sharks.

Whoa that bring back memories. Used to go to those shows a long time ago with my late father, mostly as buyer but also as walking trader (that is, no table). My dad would ofter bring some of his stuff to trade or sometimes sell.

If OP can attend those, thats a pretty neat place to sell stuff.
Totally vouch for this option.

Marcelo

 

[Arthurwg]

I note also that these fees, costs and deductions are difficult to ascertain. We really should get a printed record. Note also that there are several class-action lawsuits underway against Ebay at the moment.

 

[choiliefan]

I loved the camera shows when I lived in SoCal.
Especially the big one in Buena Park. The great thing is that many of the sellers were genuine camera enthusiasts who loved to talk, buy, trade and speculate. Bought, sold and traded many things there myself. I remember paying a guy who was cleaning out a lab $300 for a Zone VI 4X5 variable contrast enlarger head and then re-selling it a couple months later for $900. Talk about the good ol days...

 

[BrianShaw]

…

That sounds like an unfortunate situation. Sale completed (fees due) but post-sale problem that caused the deal to not complete. Was the shipping problem attributable to eBay negligence? This sounds like an extreme minority situation. Sorry about your financial loss. Been in similar situation too but with private sale here rather than on eBay.

I totally agree with you that the accounting should be transparent and understandable.

 

[BrianShaw]

I see the OP is in Southern California.

Back in the day… the Pasadena shows. What a bunch of hucksters. I was happy to start buying on eBay!

 

[choiliefan]

I wonder how much stolen gear wound up at the Pasadena show?

 

[BobD]

Back in the day… the Pasadena shows. What a bunch of hucksters. I was happy to start buying on eBay!

Yeah, right. There are no hucksters on eBay.

 

[binglebugbob]

Speaking of camera shows, The Puget Sound Camera Collectors annual show & swap is scheduled for October 2 at Kent Commons in Kent WA. Last year's was canceled because of Covid 19. It's a fun show.
Details: http://www.pspcs.org/our-annual-show

 

[MattKing]

That show is really neat. I was there three years ago (I think)
Besides the usual tables of vendors, the Puget Sound Photographic Collectors Society also display some really interesting collectible cameras. It is the only time I've seen an original Kodak Ektar on display.

 

[BobD]

I wonder how much stolen gear wound up at the Pasadena show?

I bought and sold at the Pasadena (and other California) shows for many years and I think I know the venue and the participants as well as anyone.

In all those years I have never heard of an instance of anyone ever being caught selling stolen gear at any of the California shows. The only thefts I was aware of were done by crooks who came to the shows to steal from the dealers there.

 

[Huss]

I see the OP is in Southern California.
We do have 2-3 camera shows pre-month here though they are presently shut down for covid.
I have heard they will start up again soon. At the shows you rent a table and charge whatever you like for your stuff. You can charge less and still make more than on eBay because there are no fees except the table rental.

The shows are very popular, especially in the Fall.

Link is:
https://www.bargaincamerashows.com/

Warning: When a "new guy" arrives to sell at one of these shows, before the doors open the other dealers will descend on his table like a school of hungry sharks.

That could be fun!

 

[Huss]

Local sales in person. Sales via forums like this one. eBay gives more exposure for listings, but you are getting hosed by eBay for it after sale.

Hosed? Just sold a Minolta AFC for $150, after ebay's cut, I got $130.87.
I offered it here for sale at $110, with no takers.

Just sold my Leica AF-C1 for $260. After ebay's cut, I got $224.
You think anyone on this site would pay $224 for what is basically the Minolta Freedom Tele that you can buy for $20?

 

[Dismayed]

Hosed? Just sold a Minolta AFC for $150, after ebay's cut, I got $130.87.
I offered it here for sale at $110, with no takers.

Just sold my Leica AF-C1 for $260. After ebay's cut, I got $224.
You think anyone on this site would pay $224 for what is basically the Minolta Freedom Tele that you can buy for $20?

First, thanks for offering your gear here first. And I'm glad that your sales on eBay went well. Yes, there is a cost, but you gain broad exposure.

 

[sfphoto]

Exactly.

I'm just leery for the moment when they get hacked, and then my checking account info is out there..
Then again, paypal also has my checking acct info..
.

It is well known that fleaBay is easier to hack than Paypal.
This year so far we have seen 3 sales cancelled by fleaBay due to hacked accounts.

 

[sfphoto]

I much prefer to sell here and on other sites, but things have slowed down a bit in interest.

Limited audience here I fear. Lots of long time members and once they have seen your posts - new members might be far and few.

 

[sfphoto]

More on Same:

eBay has basically nurtured the buyer into believing they can do no wrong!

'Managed Payments' terms state that signing up allows eBay unlimited access to your bank account (so yes a dedicated account is needed). Someone suggested to sign up for the Paypal personal card and you get a routing and bank account number for Paypal then you can use that on eBay.

The transaction fee is NOT refunded if a sale is cancelled even at the buyers request or if eBay cancels due to a 'compromised account', only the Final Value Fee is voided.

FleaBay now requires that monies will be on hold for possibly 10 days (i.e. Apple Pay) and that sellers will be holding shipments until payments are released. (I would personally advise buyers of such potential delay).

Also consider the implications [for buyers and sellers] of a seller not getting paid directly by the buyer via PayPal, rather getting paid by eBay = buyer pays eBay's AGENT who then pays seller. Meaning the seller is getting paid by a third party.

 

[perkeleellinen]

I've now had two positive experiences with the new system. Like many here I was initially dead against the change and decided by ebay days were over. I waited until the very last day to finally set up by bank details after thinking it through for weeks. I read all the for and against comments I could and still wasn't sure, in the end I just took the risk and went for it (I just want to add, isn't this just like many people's vaccine stories?).

I sold a camera on Sunday, the buyer paid the same day. Ebay instructed me to post out and I did that Monday. On Wednesday I had an email from ebay telling me the funds had been released into my account and I should expect them between 0-4 days. The funds were there the same day. Fairly happy with it all. I do now send everything with insurance and signature to protect myself.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

It was a long time ago when I setup my eBay account, but IIRC the reason they want a bank account number from you is for collecting seller fees from you. I setup a separate account at my bank that was used only for eBay transactions. Never had any issues. Btw, the costs of selling through eBay are quite steep nowadays, IMO.

the cost is high; especilly when you opt for an automatic reposting if it doesn't sell right away.