Selling tips?

[85Caprice4d 10+ year member]

I have been on this forum for a few months now getting a feel for the ways people go about their transactions. I have bought a few things from ebay, and purchased a cell phone from one of the members on the site here.

Now I want to sell some car audio gear I have laying around - but I don't really know where to start. I have held back from posting any for sale threads because I want to make sure I know everything to expect and take all the necessary steps.

I have google'd for tips - but the only thing I found was ebay super seller stuff which was very vague. I have read on these forums, the tips for proper packing and threads like this, but I was just wondering if anyone knew of links or anything for first time sellers?

Like I said I am a complete newb to selling online. And a newb to shipping out in general. I need to know basics. Shipping expectations, fees to be aware of, tracking numbers, insurance...etc. etc.

I suppose on this forum I may be flamed for this.

But I'm Just making sure I don't do something wrong and screw up my first ever seller feedback, and also I don't want to screw over the buyer or myself.

Click to read more...

 

[Andrew12 10+ year member]

Just do what you say you're going to do and sell what you say you're selling.

 

[85Caprice4d 10+ year member]

yes. duh.

i should have been more clear.

so if I say Im going to ship - can I just go to the local post office? or what determines ups fedex etc. should i use their website?

I have only shipped one thing in my life, and it wasnt a 200+ dollar piece of audio equiptment that i'd rather ship in one piece.

How do I get tracking number to give to buyer...im serious i need BASICS haha

even a link to how to do certain things idk - if i just go to the post office i know they will tell me and help me, but i just want to make sure i understand every aspect of it possible so i save money and so i dont do unneccesary things.

 

[hoss 5,000+ posts]

shipping is at your discretion, packaging and method of delivery is your decision (unless ugreed upon a specific carrier in the transaction). be careful with packaging though, since obviously you are going to be held liable for the condition that the item arrives in...

just go to a UPS store or something and have them walk you through the steps, they wont bite //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

also be prepared for EVERYONE on this website to lowball you... people on here are cheap as hell, and no matter how firm you say you are, the poor people will want you to cut your price in half. it happens every time, so be prepared for it. maybe inflate your asking price a bit ahead of time, and go ahead and figure out your bottom line deal so you dont take too little for what you are selling.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

Like hoss said, just be sure to package your stuff well...pack it how you would like it packed if someone were sending it to you.

If you go to ups, they'll give you a tracking number for every shipment you make...not so sure about usps or fedex, since I rarely use either.

 

[JLJunkieMX107 10+ year member]

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254812

 

[darkhunter139 10+ year member]

You probably should set up a paypal account as well if you have not already done that

 

[CrispedUp 10+ year member]

If you will be shipping some light stuff, I would use USPS First Class Mail. Its cheap and fast (depending on the destination). And when you ship with USPS, they always ask if you want to purchase delivery confirmation and insurance. Last time I was at the post office I shipped about 4 things, and all of them had delivery confirmation, and it cost about $10 for all.

 

[bumpin buick 5,000+ posts]

find someone like me (a local), and sell it if you want to avoid shipping issues

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

shipping is at your discretion, packaging and method of delivery is your decision (unless ugreed upon a specific carrier in the transaction). be careful with packaging though, since obviously you are going to be held liable for the condition that the item arrives in...
just go to a UPS store or something and have them walk you through the steps, they wont bite //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

also be prepared for EVERYONE on this website to lowball you... people on here are cheap as hell, and no matter how firm you say you are, the poor people will want you to cut your price in half. it happens every time, so be prepared for it. maybe inflate your asking price a bit ahead of time, and go ahead and figure out your bottom line deal so you dont take too little for what you are selling.

Or could it be that owners of car audio equipment are rather proud of their stuff? I've bought a lot of speakers and race car stuff and the norm is 50cents on the dollar. On here it seems that 90+cents on the dollar is the norm.

Sorry for the threadjack. Take clear pics of merchandise for sale, include screen name/date, be prepared to PM your phone number, and ship asap as that seems to be the biggest issue on here lately.

 

[LBC99 10+ year member]

Look into using USPS Priority Mail flat rate boxes. Its like $9 to ship one of those, regardless of the weight or destination in the US. The boxes aren't that big, so not everything you're going to sell will fit in them. But those can be a lot cheaper and faster (2-3 day shipping) than using UPS or FedEx ground.

And people will lowball like someone said earlier. I know I can buy good stuff for cheap here and I know if I sell here, it will go for less than if I put it on ebay. But you also have to remember about all the fees on ebay, so you almost end up getting the same.

 

[2002XLT 5,000+ posts]

what are you trying to sell?

I always look at ebay prices and cut the price by 5-10 bucks depending on if its a high dollar item or not. Just because i dont like dealing with ebay.

PP needs to be set up.

Be completely honest with interested parties.

Pack the shit out of stuff. I have done a lot of transactions and never purchase insurance because i pack my stuff so well that i know as long as they dont lose the item im good. I also use Fedex all the time now because i have found them to be about 5 bucks a package cheaper then UPS and DHL just lost my 65lb sub box.

Also i usually try and have a shipped price instead of a price + shipping. Just makes it easier. So i will usually look at ebay for average shipping prices and then just tack it on.

 

[RAM_Designs 5,000+ posts]

I've bought a lot of speakers and race car stuff and the norm is 50cents on the dollar. On here it seems that 90+cents on the dollar is the norm.

If it's new, then yes...used equipment goes for 50-75% of original cost, depending on the desirability/condition of the item...maybe even lower depending on condition.

 

[85Caprice4d 10+ year member]

Reply to guy asking what I'm selling;

jl 10w0 and an older Memphis pr. I don't know weight off of the top of my head, and the only shipping place I know around here is a post office...I would have to do a bit of a drive to get out to a ups or fed ex store, and even at that i would have to find where they are.

If I was planning on telling nothing but the honest truth, why would i post a 'give me tips' thread on the forum i will most likely be selling most on? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/tongue.gif.6130eb82179565f6db8d26d6001dcd24.gif just trying to make sure everything goes smoothly - and as far as packing- i have a few Styrofoam sheets and some pool noodles - as well as bubble wrap and such - i just need a descent sized box.