Who sells on e-bay? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

iheartyorkies · 08-08-2005, 04:57 AM

I'm considering selling some handmade items on e-bay. I've been designing jewelry for about 3 years and would love for my obsession to earn me a little extra $$. I realize that I have to watch my costs very closely or I'll have too much invested to make any profit. I used to think it wasn't doable at all but have done research in the last few days and I may change my mind. I'm not trying to make any huge amounts, but, to be honest, I think I'm pretty good at it, lol! Anyone sell on e-bay or have an e-bay store? I'd love to hear the good, bad, and ugly stories.

red98vett · 08-08-2005, 05:20 AM

Cynthia - I would love to see some of your pieces - if you have the gift - I bet you'd do wonderful - I don't sell on Ebay - but want to say GOOD LUCK ! you could start off with a few select pieces and see how it goes ? I bet you sell...After all - you belong to the biggest yorkie site on the net - you have a GREAT customer base right here !

iheartyorkies · 08-08-2005, 01:36 PM

Thanks Villette! I am going to take some pix of some things I have available. I've been on the ebay Q&A pages for about 2 hours now reading and it's a wealth of info. But boy is my head spinning!

troubletb · 08-08-2005, 01:42 PM

I sell Lenox and clothes on ebay. Haven't done any selling since christmas. But it can be profitable, if you have what the people are looking for. Word to the wise.. When you post add some extra money into the shipping price so you can add tracking to your items.. I shipped two items out at different times and I was told the people never recieved them. They gave me negative feedback, which doesn't look good to the people your trying to sell to..
Good luck, oh and one more thing, people are ALWAYS looking for the bargain.

fasteddie · 08-08-2005, 01:56 PM

Just make a nice template for your goods and have clear, big pictures. People love pictures!

Also, if you don't have a Paypal account, you can create one so you can then accept money via credit cards. And shipping with delivery confirmation is a MUST (I think insurance is too, but that depends on the value of the item you are selling). Good luck on your venture!

chloeandj · 08-08-2005, 02:33 PM

Ha Ha! Shana (Shanatink) and I are always moaning to eachother about bad ebay customers. But the good ones far outway the bad. I have had an excellent experience. I started last october selling just two colors of my dog coats just as a little hobby to keep me busy. But gradually added many more items. It has turned into a very nice little business for me, that at times far exceeds the time I have in a day to make the items and keep up. I could never have imagined that I could do this, but thankfully ebay is so popular you have a wide variety of people seeing your items.

You will learn as you go along how you will like to sell things. I used to take any form of payments from ebayers, but have since started only taking paypal as it's easiest.

Feel free to ask me any questions

Shanatink · 08-08-2005, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iheartyorkies

I'm considering selling some handmade items on e-bay. I've been designing jewelry for about 3 years and would love for my obsession to earn me a little extra $$. I realize that I have to watch my costs very closely or I'll have too much invested to make any profit. I used to think it wasn't doable at all but have done research in the last few days and I may change my mind. I'm not trying to make any huge amounts, but, to be honest, I think I'm pretty good at it, lol! Anyone sell on e-bay or have an e-bay store? I'd love to hear the good, bad, and ugly stories.

I sell on ebay and the fees are rediciculous. So you want to have most of your items in your ebay store becasue they are much cheaper to list that way. Your best bet is to have several really good items up for auction to draw people into your ebay store. Competition on ebay also stinks for sellers. It can be really hard because ebay customers excpect low prices but yet sellers have to raise thier prices due to the amount of fees but cant raise them too much because of competitions so in the end you just end up losing out on profit. It was several months before I realized how much I was throwing away on ebay. I am personally backing off on ebay. I used to love it but not anymore. If you want to get serious about doign your jewelry business you should start a website. Good LUck, Hope it does well

.

Shanatink · 08-08-2005, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chloeandj

Ha Ha! Shana (Shanatink) and I are always moaning to eachother about bad ebay customers. But the good ones far outway the bad. I have had an excellent experience. I started last october selling just two colors of my dog coats just as a little hobby to keep me busy. But gradually added many more items. It has turned into a very nice little business for me, that at times far exceeds the time I have in a day to make the items and keep up. I could never have imagined that I could do this, but thankfully ebay is so popular you have a wide variety of people seeing your items.

You will learn as you go along how you will like to sell things. I used to take any form of payments from ebayers, but have since started only taking paypal as it's easiest.

Feel free to ask me any questions

She is right. As much as I want to complain about fees I do have some wonderful customers because of ebay. Ebay is also how I got started with my whole business so I ahve to give them some credit. The good thing about those HIGH fees that you have to pay is that ebay does ALOT of marketing with it on search engines and the web so they draw in a huge customer base. Ebay is great to get started with

. I just need some reminding when they take the fees out of my bank account

iheartyorkies · 08-09-2005, 01:42 AM

Wow, thanks so much for all the advice guys! Troubletb, thanks for the heads up! Great advice.

Dan, I was looking at some sort of template subscription service web site today. I know it would make my things look more desirable. And I had already decided to include tracking and insurance. I think that's an important safeguard too. Thanks for the input.

I know I am able to do creative things that people are impressed with, or else all my friends and family are lying dawgs, lol!! I've got quite a few beads that are calling out to be strung. My daughter has a fabulous jewelry wardrobe. I'm itching to start selling some things but I'm just scared I'm gonna get burned a lot. I've been reading lots of horror stories on the e-bay forums.

Jodi, my dream would be to make some money off my obsession, lol! You and Shana do so well! I've spoiled myself because I only like to work with natural stones and expensive beads and crystals. So the fear that paralyzes me is that I have priced myself out of the marketplace.

I have designed using Swarovski crystals, tourquoise, strawberry quartz, pearls and sterling silver among others. The small creme beads with polka dots in the pic below are dalmatian jasper. Very cool! And I love to do pendants with wire wrapping. I never use plastic unless they're seed beads or very very unusual. I don't know...maybe I'll go for it. I just have no confidence in myself!! Ugh! Anyway, what do you guys think of these? Gosh these pix are awful. Sorry!

iheartyorkies · 08-09-2005, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanatink

She is right. As much as I want to complain about fees I do have some wonderful customers because of ebay. Ebay is also how I got started with my whole business so I ahve to give them some credit. The good thing about those HIGH fees that you have to pay is that ebay does ALOT of marketing with it on search engines and the web so they draw in a huge customer base. Ebay is great to get started with

. I just need some reminding when they take the fees out of my bank account

Shana, you and Jodi are so my hero!! Thanks so much for the advice! It's great to know I have some wonderful YT friends who have experience on ebay.

chloeandj · 08-09-2005, 05:53 AM

WOW you have some very beautiful pieces there! Quality shows and you should have a lot of confidence in those!

List a few and see how it goes. When it comes to jewelry people enjoy quality, genuine stones and they like original designs! I love your style of jewelry too! People who wear nice jewelry know that it's not cheap either. And in my opinion there would be a market for it. As Shana said, a lot of ebayers are looking for cheap deals. But not all. Have you checked on ebay to see if there is anyone selling handmade necklaces using similar items? You can get an idea of what price things are going for and if they sell well.

What were you thinking pricewise for your items?

iheartyorkies · 08-09-2005, 06:13 AM

Hey Jodi, I just PMed you cause I wanted you to see my pix. I'm gonna take some more in a minute. I couldn't get the pix I wanted at 4 am...hmmm. Thanks for the compliments. That means a lot to me. I'd love to do one of a kind pieces. Prices?? I don't have the foggiest idea. I'm gonna get on ebay and do some more research.

chloeandj · 08-09-2005, 06:42 AM

I just looked at them again, I just wanted to say that I REALLY like your style and I'm very impressed. I can tell you put a lot of time and thought into these.

iheartyorkies · 08-09-2005, 06:44 AM

More pix: These are jade, carnelian, vintage german crystals, pearls, swarovski crystals, etc.

StewiesMom · 08-09-2005, 07:16 AM

Cynthia, you have beautiful things.

I didn't know that you have to pay to list items if you don't sell them. I think that's ridiculous. I listed a few things, didn't get any bidders and had to eat the fees

08-08-2005, 04:57 AM	#1
iheartyorkies Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,719	Who sells on e-bay? I'm considering selling some handmade items on e-bay. I've been designing jewelry for about 3 years and would love for my obsession to earn me a little extra $$. I realize that I have to watch my costs very closely or I'll have too much invested to make any profit. I used to think it wasn't doable at all but have done research in the last few days and I may change my mind. I'm not trying to make any huge amounts, but, to be honest, I think I'm pretty good at it, lol! Anyone sell on e-bay or have an e-bay store? I'd love to hear the good, bad, and ugly stories. __________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Cynthia Turbo and Suri!

08-08-2005, 05:20 AM	#2
red98vett Yorkie Kisses are the Best! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston TX Posts: 33,590 Blog Entries: 1	Cynthia - I would love to see some of your pieces - if you have the gift - I bet you'd do wonderful - I don't sell on Ebay - but want to say GOOD LUCK ! you could start off with a few select pieces and see how it goes ? I bet you sell...After all - you belong to the biggest yorkie site on the net - you have a GREAT customer base right here ! __________________ Villette, Chanel & Cheri www.DesignsByVillette.net Custom Address Labels and Note Cards using YOUR Photos! Just Click HERE!

08-08-2005, 01:36 PM	#3
iheartyorkies Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,719	Thanks Villette! I am going to take some pix of some things I have available. I've been on the ebay Q&A pages for about 2 hours now reading and it's a wealth of info. But boy is my head spinning! __________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Cynthia Turbo and Suri!

08-08-2005, 01:42 PM	#4
troubletb Love my Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Port Richey, Florida Posts: 2,339	I sell Lenox and clothes on ebay. Haven't done any selling since christmas. But it can be profitable, if you have what the people are looking for. Word to the wise.. When you post add some extra money into the shipping price so you can add tracking to your items.. I shipped two items out at different times and I was told the people never recieved them. They gave me negative feedback, which doesn't look good to the people your trying to sell to.. Good luck, oh and one more thing, people are ALWAYS looking for the bargain. __________________ Karen~ Bell, Lilly and Peter's Mom Rest in Peace <3

08-08-2005, 01:56 PM	#5
fasteddie *YT 6000 Club Member* Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 6,238	Just make a nice template for your goods and have clear, big pictures. People love pictures! Also, if you don't have a Paypal account, you can create one so you can then accept money via credit cards. And shipping with delivery confirmation is a MUST (I think insurance is too, but that depends on the value of the item you are selling). Good luck on your venture! __________________ YODA & WINKY R ::: RIP Winky ::: RIP Yoda!

08-08-2005, 02:33 PM	#6
chloeandj Tinkerbell, My Little Flutterpup Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful California! Posts: 6,112	Ha Ha! Shana (Shanatink) and I are always moaning to eachother about bad ebay customers. But the good ones far outway the bad. I have had an excellent experience. I started last october selling just two colors of my dog coats just as a little hobby to keep me busy. But gradually added many more items. It has turned into a very nice little business for me, that at times far exceeds the time I have in a day to make the items and keep up. I could never have imagined that I could do this, but thankfully ebay is so popular you have a wide variety of people seeing your items. You will learn as you go along how you will like to sell things. I used to take any form of payments from ebayers, but have since started only taking paypal as it's easiest. Feel free to ask me any questions

08-09-2005, 05:53 AM	#11
chloeandj Tinkerbell, My Little Flutterpup Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful California! Posts: 6,112	WOW you have some very beautiful pieces there! Quality shows and you should have a lot of confidence in those! List a few and see how it goes. When it comes to jewelry people enjoy quality, genuine stones and they like original designs! I love your style of jewelry too! People who wear nice jewelry know that it's not cheap either. And in my opinion there would be a market for it. As Shana said, a lot of ebayers are looking for cheap deals. But not all. Have you checked on ebay to see if there is anyone selling handmade necklaces using similar items? You can get an idea of what price things are going for and if they sell well. What were you thinking pricewise for your items? Last edited by chloeandj; 08-09-2005 at 05:56 AM.

08-09-2005, 06:13 AM	#12
iheartyorkies Boppin' Bo! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 2,719	Hey Jodi, I just PMed you cause I wanted you to see my pix. I'm gonna take some more in a minute. I couldn't get the pix I wanted at 4 am...hmmm. Thanks for the compliments. That means a lot to me. I'd love to do one of a kind pieces. Prices?? I don't have the foggiest idea. I'm gonna get on ebay and do some more research. __________________ ~~~ i yorkies ~~~ Cynthia Turbo and Suri!

08-09-2005, 06:42 AM	#13
chloeandj Tinkerbell, My Little Flutterpup Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Beautiful California! Posts: 6,112	I just looked at them again, I just wanted to say that I REALLY like your style and I'm very impressed. I can tell you put a lot of time and thought into these.

08-09-2005, 07:16 AM	#15
StewiesMom Stewie Rox the Sox Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 6,306	Cynthia, you have beautiful things. I didn't know that you have to pay to list items if you don't sell them. I think that's ridiculous. I listed a few things, didn't get any bidders and had to eat the fees __________________ Kristy & Stewie