To E-bay or not to E-bay ?
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To E-bay or not to E-bay ?
Been thinking of trying out the "E" garage sale but would like a cross section of experience first. What payment method works best ? Is packaging up and shipping out a hassle ?
Have heard that Paypal is not without it's faults and am seeking the experience of others before dipping the toes into the ether.
Thanks.
Have heard that Paypal is not without it's faults and am seeking the experience of others before dipping the toes into the ether.
Thanks.
I don't want to be the best pilot in the world - Just the oldest
Join Date: Jun 2001
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G'day SeldomFixit,
I've done a bit of buying and selling on EBAY and have been pleased with the results.
WRT your question about Paypal, another method that works well particularly if selling within Australia is good old bank transfer. If both you and the purchaser have access to internet banking then it is p1ss easy. When the auction is over and the buyer contacts you. All you need to give him is a BSB and acct no and it's done. You can then check your account and send the item when you have received the payment. Some people might have different ideas about the relative security of giving out this info but from my experience so far, it has worked well.
Packing up and shipping shouldn't be too much of a hassle. For smaller items you can figure it out on the Australia Post website. Any larger items requiring a shipping company can be priced by calling the company with the dimensions, weight and description. They will usually give you a price straight away over the phone. Under the Ebay rules you are entitled to add packing, shipping and handling costs.
It's all good fun really and for those who haven't had a look there yet, you'll be surprised at the stuff you can find.
I've done a bit of buying and selling on EBAY and have been pleased with the results.
WRT your question about Paypal, another method that works well particularly if selling within Australia is good old bank transfer. If both you and the purchaser have access to internet banking then it is p1ss easy. When the auction is over and the buyer contacts you. All you need to give him is a BSB and acct no and it's done. You can then check your account and send the item when you have received the payment. Some people might have different ideas about the relative security of giving out this info but from my experience so far, it has worked well.
Packing up and shipping shouldn't be too much of a hassle. For smaller items you can figure it out on the Australia Post website. Any larger items requiring a shipping company can be priced by calling the company with the dimensions, weight and description. They will usually give you a price straight away over the phone. Under the Ebay rules you are entitled to add packing, shipping and handling costs.
It's all good fun really and for those who haven't had a look there yet, you'll be surprised at the stuff you can find.
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EBAY
Have bought many items from around the world on EBAY - never any problem. Never had problem with PAYPAL either however most OZ purchases are by bank transfer.
Go for it.
Go for it.
Join Date: Oct 2001
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I've bought and sold a few things on ebay, and it never ceases to amaze me how people love to pay to much for things.
For example, I listed an old DVD that had a couple of scratches for auction. It cost me something like $17 new, and I nearly fell over when I found that it had been bid up to $20.... Then a couple of weeks later I saw the same DVD at Big W for $12... It seems that people love winning auctions and will get in a bidding frenzy to do so, paying no regard to the actual value of the item they're bidding on.
It pays to do some research.
If you are buying have a look around at the trading post etc and see what similar items are going for. Work out the maximum amount you are prepared to pay and stick to it - if you miss out there will be other auctions!
Also some sellers put a margin on their postage and packaging costs. It's worth checking the Aust Post website to determine the actual cost, and adjusting your maximum bid accordingly.
If you're selling, do a search for similar items. Have a look at the opening prices they are listed with, and list yours at a much lower price. This attracts bids which starts the frenzy, and the number of bids you get grows exponentially. The opening price is no reflection of what the highest bid will be.
There are actually people on ebay who sell this kind of advice!
Oh and read the rules and help sections before doing anything!
For example, I listed an old DVD that had a couple of scratches for auction. It cost me something like $17 new, and I nearly fell over when I found that it had been bid up to $20.... Then a couple of weeks later I saw the same DVD at Big W for $12... It seems that people love winning auctions and will get in a bidding frenzy to do so, paying no regard to the actual value of the item they're bidding on.
It pays to do some research.
If you are buying have a look around at the trading post etc and see what similar items are going for. Work out the maximum amount you are prepared to pay and stick to it - if you miss out there will be other auctions!
Also some sellers put a margin on their postage and packaging costs. It's worth checking the Aust Post website to determine the actual cost, and adjusting your maximum bid accordingly.
If you're selling, do a search for similar items. Have a look at the opening prices they are listed with, and list yours at a much lower price. This attracts bids which starts the frenzy, and the number of bids you get grows exponentially. The opening price is no reflection of what the highest bid will be.
There are actually people on ebay who sell this kind of advice!
Oh and read the rules and help sections before doing anything!
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Join Date: Dec 2001
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The rules and requirements for selling on Ebay are very different from walking into a shop and buying something or even from your local Saturday morning garage sale.
If the purchaser doesn't like the item for ANY reason, even if you have described it accurately and included a photo, he can demand his money back. This is more serious if you have accepted a credit card, assuming you have eftpos facilities. By contacting Visa for example and asking for his money back, Visa will deduct up to $2000 without even contacting you. You will only find out when you check your bank statement.
Visa, Amex, etc have advised me that up to 80% of overseas sales on Ebay with credit cards are by con men. It is therefore very important to use a safe system such as personal or bank cheques ( wait for clearance ), paypal, paymate, money order, direct debit if you have confidence in the purchaser and maybe a few other methods.
How do I know this? Since giving up full time flying, I now run a packaging and freight business and have numerous Ebay customers. Very few have problems selling or buying in Australia, it's the overseas deals you have to watch especially if credit cards are used. Unfortunately using credit cards is a wonderfully economic and easy system but only if the other person is not a crook. Remember anyone can give you someone else's card number over the phone or by fax or by email and your eftpos machine will accept it but it does not tell you whose card it is.
So be careful! If you're near the Gold Coast I can arrange your freight!!!
If the purchaser doesn't like the item for ANY reason, even if you have described it accurately and included a photo, he can demand his money back. This is more serious if you have accepted a credit card, assuming you have eftpos facilities. By contacting Visa for example and asking for his money back, Visa will deduct up to $2000 without even contacting you. You will only find out when you check your bank statement.
Visa, Amex, etc have advised me that up to 80% of overseas sales on Ebay with credit cards are by con men. It is therefore very important to use a safe system such as personal or bank cheques ( wait for clearance ), paypal, paymate, money order, direct debit if you have confidence in the purchaser and maybe a few other methods.
How do I know this? Since giving up full time flying, I now run a packaging and freight business and have numerous Ebay customers. Very few have problems selling or buying in Australia, it's the overseas deals you have to watch especially if credit cards are used. Unfortunately using credit cards is a wonderfully economic and easy system but only if the other person is not a crook. Remember anyone can give you someone else's card number over the phone or by fax or by email and your eftpos machine will accept it but it does not tell you whose card it is.
So be careful! If you're near the Gold Coast I can arrange your freight!!!
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I have been selling on EBAY for years and never had any trouble like that. 
Mind you I would not directly accept a credit card payment or a bank transfer.
Most of my customers are outside of Australia, except for Buster and a few others.
I only accept good old cash, or credit cards and debit cards via Paymate, never directly.
Mind you I would not directly accept a credit card payment or a bank transfer.
Most of my customers are outside of Australia, except for Buster and a few others.
I only accept good old cash, or credit cards and debit cards via Paymate, never directly.
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