I need guidance using ebay, etsy, etc

[Digit]

Due to some personal issues and the need to get my bills caught up, I would like to sell off some stuff. Trying to figure out all the ins and outs of ebay has been horribly confusing. I am not interested in turning this into a business.
I have given up on craigslist due to the scammers, plus I don't have a cell phone which makes CL more troublesome with the scammers.

If you have patience and you want to help a crazy old lady out, send me a PM.
PS Guidance and advice is all I need.

[northoftheborder]

1. I am also interested in experienced sellers' opinions, advice, for selling misc. items.

Just from incidental comments I've heard, EBay can be difficult to set up and expensive. A lot of things I have would fit into Etsy's categories; but I have no idea how rapidly things sell there. I love browsing there. Also, how difficult is it to put your photographs onto your listing? (either place).

[grasswire]

4. in answer to your questions....

I know that some people have trouble with eBay, but also there are millions of people selling there so it can't be impossible!!

Etsy -- not the place for quick turnaround unless your items are particularly tasty or hot. It is a lovely place, though. People are so friendly and gracious. But it is definitely more relaxed.

The mechanics of etsy are very simple, I think. Very user friendly.

Photos: I posted a bit of info above. If you have a digital camera and a memory card for it, photos are slam dunk. If you don't have a digital camera, a used one and memory card would be worth the modest investment. Also, here are other ways to put pictures up, but not as easy.

For flat things or paper items, a scanner is useful. But if you don't have much of that kind of stuff, don't bother.

And I'll ask you, also......what kind of items do you want to sell?

[northoftheborder]

9. Items I have to sell: many vintage clothes from the 50's, 60's, 70's. also tons of books.

I know Etsy has three categories they concentrate upon: vintage and antique items, hand made or crafted, and craft supplies. I had wondered how old something has to be to be considered "vintage". I've seen things on there 10-15 years old, which I wouldn't consider vintage yet. ?? Maybe I'm too old!!! I'm at least "vintage"!

[grasswire]

10. they say 20 years.

Seems an arbitrary point. I suppose to a twenty-year-old, the 1990s are vintage. Scary!

[northoftheborder]

2. I just noticed that the original post asked for private message;

Anyone responding can send a private message to me also, or just post under this thread. There may be others who can benefit from advice.

[grasswire]

3. I'm going to post general advice here.

Selling on eBay and etsy can be a godsend to someone who needs some extra money.

Brand new sellers could find many answers to eBay in the book "EBay for Dummies." I know the woman who wrote that book, and recommend it. You might be able to find a used copy.

E-bay is for everything. Etsy is more for certain kinds of things, such as vintage clothing, housewares, linens, decor, art, crafts, craft supplies, etc.

Many of our regulars in this forum have been sellers for years and years. I'm sure we can help you out.

I know that photos are a big hurdle for some new sellers. It has been simplified. If you have a digital camera and a memory card for it, the process is so simple. If you don't have a digital camera, there are still ways to make it work. A used digital camera would be worth buying, though. A memory card is inexpensive. It may plug right into your computer, depending on your computer. If not, a card reader cable is very cheap.

Do you have your eBay account set up yet?

Do you have a paypal account?

Have no fear, friend. We can make this work. And if you are willing to do this on the message board, other people can be helped, too.

By the way.......let me be the first to ask you what you have to sell?

[Digit]

6. I have a paypal and an ebay account

I have an older digital camera that allows me to upload photos so that should not be a problem. I have lots of knick knack type things such as a pair of McCoy matching retro ashtrays, Sascha Brastoff bowl, NES Advantage Controller, Retro Monkeypod dish, old kitchen gadgets, some toys from the 80's, and some vintage shoes and clothing. That list is not all inclusive but it gives a general idea of what I want to sell.

One of my fears is having an item that normally brings $50 only having a bid of $1...if that were the case, I would rather will it to my daughter. I guess that is where a reserve comes in, right?

Thank you for your help.

[grasswire]

7. I never use a reserve.

IMO, a reserve offends some buyers.

I set a price just a bit lower than what I think the item is worth, and then I trust the marketplace. If the item is good, bids will come in. If it's not, the item doesn't sell and you still own it. So if that item is worth $50, I might list it at $38 or $40.

Of course, if you see that many multiples of your item are up for sale and (by looking at completed transactions) see that many of them didn't sell, then it's probably not worth listing your item at all. Pass on to the next thing in the pile.

[wyldwolf]

5. Most anything with a barcode can be sold on Amazon

Especially books, DVDs, games, CDs, etc.

http://services.amazon.com/content/sell-on-amazon.htm/ref=footer_soa?ld=AZFSSOA

[grasswire]

8. two things to remember

1. Ebay now holds payments earned on eBay for up to 21 days for your first three months as a new seller. So it takes a while to access your earnings.

2. Ebay offers 50 free listings every month, and sometimes even more.

[Vinca]

11. I've been selling on ebay since the late 1990's off and on.

Recently, I decided I'd also sell on etsy so I set up an account and put something on. It was all very confusing and there was no way to tell if anyone had bothered to look at the item. It took a couple of days before the item would even appear in a search. I finally said to heck with it and decided to stick with ebay. I guess it's more of a pain to get established there now, but once you are it's pretty simple. If you don't want the hassle, there are people around who will sell things on ebay for you for a fee.