Ebay and Paypal users.....

Ebay has changed (for the worst, IMO) but I still sell there and make money.

Depending on your items it is one of the most cost effective ways to get your name out there.

I try to steer my customers to other venues and always offer to send a paypal invoice direct when I speak with them by phone.

I've had only a few very minor problems since I started back in 1998-9... probably much better over the years than a single day in a retail store return line. Customers have backed out of an auction but I've never been stiffed on payment.

I used to sell a bunch of used tools/equipment and it's not worth it now to list and sell an individual item for less than $50. (unless you have automated listing and are drop shipping chinese products maybe).

Haven't heard about the paypal thing, I have access to my money instantly so far and clear out my account regularly.

I know some people have trust issues/horror stories with paypal but only minor issues so far for me, all resolved.

-James

emodspitfire wrote: With "Craiglook" gone, is there any other easy and effective National Craigslist forum? Rog

Not gone. GOOGLE search. Click on first link.

M030 wrote: I've had a really bad experience with eBay and Paypal. I sold, on eBay, a really clean old Porsche 944. I sold it "true mileage unknown" because the odometer didn't work. Buyer paid, in full, with Paypal. I then sent him the title and the car got picked up. When the buyer received the car, he contacted me because he wanted me to sign a document stating the mileage shown was original. I referred him back to the eBay listing, where it was clearly stated that the car is sold "true mileage unknown". He persisted and eventually told me that if I did not sign the form, he would file a claim against me with Paypal. In his words, "then I'll have both the car and my money back." I contacted Paypal in an effort to prevent this, and Paypal was of no help at all. Simply useless. In the end, I did NOT sign the form he wanted, and he didn't get his money back. But I'm not telling how I pulled it off. : ) I am still pissed that I couldn't leave him negative feedback, though.

Another HUGE negative about Ebay is that they always favor the buyer. Here's a perfect example:

I sold an item to someone in New York. I live in Michigan. The item sold on Tuesday evening, I shipped it on Wednesday morning. Thursday morning the buyer filed a dispute with Ebay against me saying he had not received the item, the item is not as described and that the seller will not respond to his many attempts to resolve the issue. Huh? It just shipped and I always send the buyer tracking information and estimated delivery time which in this case was 4-7 days. Emailed him many times, no response. Of course Ebay in all of their infinite wisdom takes the money out of my account and holds it. It took me three weeks to get that numb nut to close the case against me and free up my money. Ebay is just a bunch of clowns anymore.

And like the previous poster stated you can't even leave negative feedback anymore but they can still leave it for you.

Folks,

Just added 4 "215 Buick V8" ads to CLAZ...

I will report back on progress in 6 weeks or so.

Thanks to all for the inputs.

Rog

Armitage wrote: My guess is they're doing that to combat the issue of sellers lowering the item price and jacking up the shipping prices in order to pay lower fees. Still don't agree with any of the policies ebay/paypal have implemented in the last half dozen years which is why I've completely stopped using them to sell items privately.

Yes that's exactly what it is. People listing a 99 cent item and charging $ 12.00 shipping to avoid the fees. As usual we all must suffer now.

We sell a few items on e-bay, and also have been notified of the 21 day hold. One thing that will slow down is the sellers that are drop shipping items. They have to pay before it ships, and then wait for the money. For us, it's an insult to have them hold our money. No more.

It's too bad there is no option as good as eBay for reaching so many people at once.

eBay is ripe for the picking if someone were to go into competition with them, go back to the way it used to be and stop allowing the full-time dealers selling cheap china crap.

Shawn

pete240z wrote: I just sold a set of Hella lights this summer and cut it close on the shipping fee's. I was within pennies of breaking even. After I got a commission taken against my shipping charges I made the decision to stop selling on ebay. I have a basement full of small Datsun 240Z parts, I have zero dollars in my Christmas fund this year and I am again thinking of making some money to help with the Christmas budget....

Have you tried selling on the datsun/240Z forums?

jamscal wrote: I used to sell a bunch of used tools/equipment and it's not worth it now to list and sell an individual item for less than $50. (unless you have automated listing and are drop shipping chinese products maybe).

Funny, I came to the exact same conclusion and the exact same dollar amount.

eBay is ripe for the picking if someone were to go into competition with them

Sounds like someone has a plan to get the big boys to buy them out of their competing business. Lots of people make money that way.