newbie questions for selling in the classifieds. advice/tips needed please

[Rangeman133]

Hello,

I tend to avoid sites like eBay for buying/selling. I mainly stick with popular second hand retail stores, for both buying and selling. However, I would like to give the classifieds a go, as it would get me more money than selling to the store, and also cost less for the buyer. Essentially, cutting the middle man out.

But it's my first time selling online. I would appreciate any tips/advice you may have for selling...especially in terms of how the transaction should happen. I assume I get paid first, and then I mail off the equipment? Do I wait for the payment to clear first? Or does the payment only clear upon buyer receiving the gear?

If there is anything else you could advise me on as a seller, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: (or is there a link to an FAQ for selling? if there is, i couldn't find it anywhere)

 

[SolaresLarrave]

If you have experience buying and selling on eBay, it can be just about the same. The major difference is that in eBay any Tom, Dick and Harry can come and purchase from you, whereas here it's only members. You can check on their status, whether their names or avatars seem familiar to you, their level of activity and even their joining order number (if you hover your cursor over their name you'll see it in the information window on the bottom of your cursor. For instance, you're member 39501. I'm number 12!).

I'll tell you what I do. Others probably follow the same general protocols. When someone shows interest in something I'm selling and another member contacts me inquiring about the same item, I give preference to the one contacting me first. Here if you want something you have to move quick. Nobody that I know will ask you to "reserve" an item for them (unless it's like they're at work and have no chance to send you an internet payment.. but you can always decide).

Once you'e received the payment, you can have it transferred to your account immediately and then proceed to ship. Why? Because more often than not, the buyer wants to get their items as quick as possible (and so would you, right?). It is entirely your choice to use any of the services Paypal (for instance) offers, like printing shipping labels and what not. I skip that and go directly to the sealing of the box and run to the post office after receiving payment and requesting it be transferred to my bank.

You need to clarify the following: where you're shipping to (continental USA, North America, the world), and the shipping cost. You can incorporate or absorb the shipping as well. Finally, you need to specify whether the price includes the Paypal fee. Last, if you decide to take returns or not. It may not be a bad idea, but then, make it clear than buyer's remorse is not a good reason to return an item. Something that works is declaring that returns are the responsibility of the seller. Also, if you go down this route, be reasonable and think about the terms you'd like to have when you make a purchase. Like... you can accept returns within 7 or 10 days of purchase. That's kind of standard.

About shipping, this is really important: pad your packages well to prevent damage, always ship insured, never forget to put your return address. If the item is particularly expensive, ship with signature required.

Then... learn to be VERY patient. Some items move remarkably fast (at times, the ones you least expect). Others aren't. Just hang in there and be good at replying to e-mails. If you feel that you may need to lower the price a bit to make your items more palatable, that's fine. It's your prerogative, actually.

Best of luck!!

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Before I forget, photos of your items are a must! If you're selling camera bodies, for instance, photograph the top, the bottom, both sides, close-ups of the mount, curtains and even blemishes. You don't want an angry buyer shooting you e-mails saying that the camera had dings that didn't appear in the photos. When it comes to lenses... same story. Just be careful photographing serial numbers. They could be used against you by unscrupulous folks. Provide good information about the item: does it work, are there issues, was it repaired, did you use it yourself? There's no need to explain why you're selling it, you want others to feel like they should buy it.

Use eBay as a measure of the market if you're not sure how much to ask for your gear. I do that, but I underprice my stuff for two reasons: I don't want to make money off of my RFF fellow members, and I want a quick sale that still respects the market price of the item I'm selling. In short, I'm offering a great deal. And I tell you because I'll be posting some stuff for sale here some time soon.

Again, take care and good luck!

 

[Rangeman133]

Thank you so much, it is much appreciated...I will be on the lookout for your items too!

All the best, and thanks again! I'm feeling much more confident now

 

[Rangeman133]

Oops! i've just placed and paid for my ad, but forgot to add the photos which i took this morning! Once the ad gets displayed, can i upload the photos? or does it have to be redone. my mistake!

EDIT: nvm, i've figured it out. i can go back and edit the ad 🙂