Be very careful... after you buy for awhile you may be tempted to sell a thing or two. That's the real addiction!!
I became a seller after being a casual buyer for about a year... just to declutter our basement and overfilled cabinets and closets. It was supposed to be just for a few dozen things I wanted to get rid of that I had picked up at yard sales or that my husband had brought back on one of his overseas tours (Army)
It turned in to a full time career within a month. That was almost two years ago but now I am only part time because of other responsibilities.
I have to confess though... watching those closing seconds was a big thrill!!
Seeing a pitcher I bought at a yard sale for .50 cents jump to over $138 in the last few seconds was a big seducer. Selling a set of china I bought for $23 at a swap meet sell for $338 was a real clincher. I even ended up dragging my friends into it as well. From the same yard sale one friend sold a $2 watercolor print for $175. She was hooked too after that!
Always ask questions before you bid. If the seller doesn't email you back within 24 hours or so then you can probably expect that sort of attention after the sale as well. If you don't need it right away it might still be ok.
As for the question about having to honor the auction if you win and then later find out the shipping is really high... yes you are obligated after you bid and win. Ask all questions about S&H, condition, etc before you bid. I always advise new eBayers to read the rules for buyers and sellers... every bit of it. If your not going to sell why read the seller's rules? So you know when a seller is doing something wrong.
In defense of some of the S&H concerns. If you get a lamp that weighs 50 pounds when it's boxed it's going to cost quite a bit to ship it. It doesn't matter if you win it for $2 or $200... The winning price doesn't change the weight of the box. A really good lamp made of brass, glass and/or crystal is going to weigh a lot more then one made of plastic that looks like brass. A very large lamp (even if it's plastic) is going to cost a lot more to ship then a small one.
I was once lucky enough to fill out my very hard to find china set for the totally crazy price of $29.99 for 20 pieces!!
Once I got the S&H quote from the seller I knew it was way too low since I ship a lot. I told them to pack it well no matter what it cost and I would gladly pay the overage. I made sure they knew I wanted it shipped safely and not cheaply. I did have to pay extra after it was all boxed up but the shipping label on the box proved the amount was correct. Not a piece was broken and I was happy.
On the flip side I was once charged $12.50 (not including the insurance) for shipping what I thought would be a computer program in the box with a manual. No problem... until it was delivered. It was just the CD in a bubble envelope. Shipping on the label was .83 cents!! It cost me $150 for the item but was only shipped insured for $50 even though I paid for $150 worth of insurance.
After threatening to take it to eBay he refunded the balance of both the shipping and insurance. But said he felt justified to charge what he called a "handling fee". Be aware that eBay does allow sellers to charge a "reasonable" handling fee. But there is not much to justify stuffing a CD into an envelope and slapping an address label on it. He would have lost and he knew it.
For the most part I have had very few problems and have made a lot of good friends. I even spent a week visiting one of my long time eBay buddies on a trip to Southern Calif. We hit it off great and spent the whole time researching her "treasures" and hitting the yard sales in the area. It was a blast!
The best part has been hearing that I was able to replace a treasured piece from a Grandmother's china set... or made a beloved daughter happy with the perfect gift for her birthday. I have even received pictures by email of my sold items displayed in the buyer’s home so I knew how happy they were.
Out of several hundred sells I have only had a couple of no payments... and out of hundreds of buys I have only had one seller stiff me and one who grossly misrepresented the item and wouldn't make good on it (she was my first and only negative feedback)
Read the descriptions, ask questions and be prepared to be disappointed somewhere along the line. Look at the seller's feedback rating but if you see 12 negatives... take the time to read them. I have sometimes seen negative feedback that was obviously left unfairly or came in all around the same time when the seller explained they were in hospital or some other problem. If a person has 1000 positives and twelve negatives that's actually a pretty good feedback profile.
Happy eBaying to all
A longtime eBay junkie, Winona
"Take care of the sense, and the sounds will take care of themselves"
Lewis Carroll
. I cant tell you what though, incase your bids higher haha!
Sugar Magnolia wishes everyone a Happy New Year!
My guy
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. Author Unknown
