Frustrated

Starting too sell on ebay... I have put it off for too long..(now I know why) What a pain.
Went to there forum to get more information. Drew you have us spoiled on here, nice lay out, easy to find information ect.   Ebay's forum stinks... *@$******!!!!!
Was trying to figure out the shipping. My end,
Do you box it up after pictures so you can use the calculate the shipping feature ?
Of course I could be over thinking this adding to the frustration...
I just don't want to get screwed on the shipping one item weighs 20lbs.
Any pointers would be greatly appreciated.

  Were You looking at the Fee Bay Guide ? or the Help Forum in the Members Helping Members section ?
   Very informative forum with helpful members
     http://forums.ebay.com/db1/forum/Packaging-Shipping/96
Ps
 Don't forget , the Final Value Fees , NOW include the COST to Ship Your Item

 Why We Refuse To use Fee-Bay and there partner in Crime No-Pay Pal

    http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum/Seller-Central/143
    http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum/Trust-Safety-Safe/107
Don't forget to check out the PP forum , as You will be forced to use PP and wait 21 days for Your money .
    http://forums.ebay.com/db2/forum/Paypal/97

Meh, I just use flate rate shipping whenever possible.  I do have a full time job plus this, so if I can do one thing to make my life easier, I will.

Flat rate is the way to go when you can.I don't go through ebay shipping.I fgure out ahead a time a price and let the post office figure it out.Good luck!

If I can't fit it in an envelope, I don't bother going through ebay. I took losses on my resale items due to shipping costs since I couldn't estimate properly. Anything going in a box is being sold at a flea market or through craigslist.

Thanks for the input now I don't feel so alone with the frustration. Think I will stick to the flat rate shipping,  but of course these items want fit in them. I have listed them on CL and other local free classifieds no hits. Thought of renting a shelf in antique shop to unload them. Don't think I would get the money at a flea market, could be wrong about that though.. Over $300 value. Guess I could try. be cheaper than Fee bay.
thanks again

I never  have understood the frustration with eBay.

I have been selling there for 8 years and yes some of the changes they have made are hard to understand or "take", but I still beleive you can't beat the exposure/customer base. Where else can you get millions of potential buyers.

Here's how I do it:

1) I only sell to the USA. I have friends who ship out of country, but I don't feel it's necessary.

2) Shipping:
          I weigh an item I'm selling. I measure it too. Then I add an inch or more on each dimension and a pound or
          two on weight. This accounts for packaging weight of boxes (internal/external and padding).

          When listing I use either UPS or USPS depending on item.  I build in a $3 packing handling charge and I make
          that a well-known fact both in my main description and in the "shipping area" description. The buyer is getting
          no surprises.

           As I use the CALCULATED approach the weight, size and zip code let the buyer know what he is paying for these
           services up front.

The $3 packing/handling charge helps to defray some of the expenses I incur from eBay. Yes, I know they now count the shipping as part of final value charge.

I don't know for sure why, but it looks like I am getting 50 free listings a month and my only listing charges come to 10 cents or so when I use a template to put a border around my listing. I like the way this shapes up my listing (at least on my screen).

I have over 850 feedback (and of course many don't provide feedback to me...and then I don't to them). I suggest always waiting for the buyer to give feedback first. You should have heard the uproar when eBay stopped allowing sellers to give negative feedback...still doesn't make sense.

I am a "top-rated" seller. This helps I think from a "reputation" standpoint in aquiring buyers. I don't accept returns; it might prevent some sales, but I won't deal with this aspect, and in 8 years I think I HAVE done two returns because of a description mistake I made.

I make a point of saying (especially on electronic items)..."Item is sold as-is, as-described, as-pictured. There is no opportunity for refund, return or replacement. Sale is final."  If they can't read and understand that, they have no business buying online.

I also place about 10 to 15 or so items a month and sometimes only 3 or so will sell, but sometimes 10 will sell.

I try to place items that are $25 or so for starting prices.....any less than that and the profit goes down when you consider your time taking pics, packing etc.

******

When I make a good buy (say $25 expense) on a specialty tool (from an unknowing flea or garage seller) and I can get $100 or more on eBay, it only makes sense to do that as the potential buyer pool is so much larger there than at a flea market; if I take a hit on fees a bit, it still is better than hauling it out to the flea.

*****

If you who are reading this are NEW to eBay, give it more of a chance or do some experimenting. Calculated shipping seems to guarantee you won't lose on that aspect.

money4nothing... I have also avoided Ebay for to long due to all I have read about the hassels, but like you this is something I can no longer put off. I have 3 totes full of brand new designer clothes and misc. items that are to valuable for yard sale and haven't sold on craiglist. You are not alone.

movieman... thanks for the breakdown

Movieman once again great advice and thank you..
    1) check
    2) check
I listed 3 items yesterday the third was easy being a similar item. I did put in a $3.00 handling fee on two of the items. I will do the one I have been putting off and add the inches and the weight.. This is the heavy one. So I should be OK. I agree the shoppers on ebay are a big plus for those things that you know the Flea or yard just want get out of it.
Think the 50 free listings is a promotion It just told me 100 free or up to $5000 dollars worth. And two of my items could post 10 (I only had 3) pictures for free. So really can't argue with that.

Millertime.... I feel ya ! don't try to do them all at once. Do 5 and see how it goes and as we get better can be more efficient... LOL

I just recently started selling on ebay and have had a mostly positive experience. Although I think I've been 'cheating' USPS. I usually set my shipping for $5, the small flat rate box, and have sent a WIDE variety of box sizes under that label with no issues so far. After reading moviemans post though, I think I will try the calculated shipping on a few of my listings.

A good point was made with the exposure that ebay has, and certain specialty items are great for ebay and maximizing the profits of a person who buys storage lockers.

Also keep in mind that when you get into the BIGGER packages you will be going to OVERSIZE and that can BITE in the freight area. Obiously you always want the buyer to absorb these prices, but they need warning.

I forget the exact girth forumla but you can find it somewhere. When it exceeds 84 inches (or maybe 108 or something) then it gets to be more expensive. Look for the way to measure....I think it's once around the long side then adding twice the other two dimensions...when that total number exceeds some measurement...that's when it gets expensive.

UPS uses something called DWT (dimensional weight) and that seems to figure on ALL shipments now...used to only be on bigger ones. A package can be LIGHT in weight, but if it is bulky it takes up useable space in the truck...DWT comes into play. On the other hand a small package might be HEAVY....dwt kicks in again.

****

A friend has used Greyhound....ship it to their nearest Greyhound depot and they (the buyer) go pick it up. I have not tried it and am leary of it...I like UPS.

Glad to pass on this info ! 

MM
  My understanding of Fee Bay lately , from  Friends and the Forums only , as We  refuse to sell there and lose our merchandise and cash , is that You Do have a 45 day return policy for any reason , per Fee Bay and there desire to have Buyers with nothing but a happy shopping experience .
Bandit

Bandit made me look

http://pages.ebay.com/help/policies/buyer-protection.html#conditions1

As a buyer, you can file a case under the eBay Buyer Protection Policy when all of the following are true:
      You are an eligible buyer (see Buyer eligibility).    *
      You completed a purchase of an eligible item on eBay and submitted a case within 45 days from the date of payment.
      You purchased the item on eBay by using the Pay Now option or an eBay invoice.
      You paid for the item in one lump payment. Transactions involving multiple payments, such as a deposit followed by a final payment, are not covered unless the non-lump sum payment was due to an eBay or PayPal system requirement or policy.
      The item is not excluded from the eBay Buyer Protection Policy (see Exclusions).
      There is a good faith dispute between you and the seller regarding the item. A good faith dispute can include cases such as:

            You did not receive the item in the estimated delivery time provided on the Order details page (or 7 days after payment, if no estimated time was specified). We may lengthen this period when necessary, for example based on the type of shipping provided or the buyer's location.

            You received an item that was different from the one described in the listing (for example, you purchased a book, but received a hat).

            You received an item that was not as described in the item description.

            A good faith dispute does not exist if you improperly claim that the seller has not fulfilled the transaction, if you claim you never received an item when in fact you did, if you refuse to accept shipment of the item (and eBay didn't end the listing), or if you claim the item was not as described but the seller can prove otherwise.

            Moreover, a good faith dispute does not include buyer's remorse (that is, the item delivered was as described in the item description, but you no longer want the item regardless of the reason). However, even in a case of buyer's remorse the buyer may open a case and eBay may refund the buyer and receive reimbursement from the seller if at any point after the sale is completed, the seller agrees in writing through eBay Messages to provide a refund upon receiving a return from the buyer. Once the buyer returns the item using appropriate tracking, the buyer may open a case and eBay may refund the buyer and seek reimbursement from the seller. However, if a buyer returns an item without agreement from the seller through eBay Messages, we will not cover the buyer's case for the return and will not hold the seller accountable (even if the seller’s original eBay listing stated a return policy).
   
      You have not initiated another form of resolution processing, including credit card chargebacks (if you paid by credit card) or PayPal Buyer Protection claims (if you paid by PayPal).

Update..  I have sold three things on ebay. Added a $3.00 handling fee to two of them. The buyer of these two items sent me a nice email about shipping and making sure to protect them. Heavy copper pans. ie don't use peanuts ect. has had things knocked out of round. So took some old cushions of a sofa cut them up and used the foam and batting to wrap them. with 2" of foam around them think they should be fine. On the postage side I think I will be all right with the charge. Now on the other small item did not charge the $3.00 thought I could get it in flat rate box after wrapping it up don't think it will fit. Did estimated shipping on it and I am out $3.00. Live and learn. Heading to the post office this morning. Think I am going to box up my items before I put them on ebay so I will have everything right. My "A Personality" showing LOL
And to anybody just starting to sell on ebay have your shipping cost in your pocket. They take it out of your account then give it to you in your paypal then you have to transfer... Hate when things mess with my accounts. I have a separate one for this not to mess with the household. Why I am going to the post office in person. On the small item sold for under $50.00 I got my funds immediately. The other is pending same buyer sold for over $100. I have no ratings as a seller.. So start small.
If you count in my time think I am still paying for my education. 
Cheaper than college HAHAHAHA

Money.....

When I have two or three items that sell for say $100 total and that amount finds its way into my PayPal account, I then do the shipping, the costs come out of my PayPal account and maybe the balance goes down to $80 or so.

I then transfer maybe $60 to my checking account and leave $20 in the PayPal. This gives me a little reserve if I want to buy a small item on eBay and money isn't going back and forth so much.

I recently found a $35 item on eBay I wanted and I just went ahead and bought it with PayPal. Since I only had $20 in the account they pulled the extra from my checking and it went through fine.

I've never really had a problem with eBay; they've never held my funds or anything like that. The only complaint I have ever had with eBay is when they took away the seller's ability to leave negative for a buyer (that happened a couple of years ago.)

Having that $3.00 handling charge built in has always helped one way or another with charges and if I've lost a sale because of it some other buyer has always come through.