posted on March 5, 2002 04:34:37 AM new
Personally, I would never allow anyone control over packing an item I sold on eBay. The majority of my feedback includes comments on our quality packing. Out of over 2000 transactions, I've had no broken items or insurance claims. It only takes one bad packing/shipping transaction to rack up problems or a negative.
I've sold for brick and mortar dealers with no problems (my terms), but don't think 10% is worth nearly the time and money its taken for me to acquire a digital camera, a computer, a quality printer, ability to use all the software packages to run these pieces of hardware, ability to use all the software to list and track auctions, etc.
I have ALOT of time into my training. Where were they 5 years ago when eBay was AuctionWeb or alot of the selling was taking place on the AOL antique boards. When you do the math, how much would it cost him to get to your level to sell?
I also wonder how much postal increases are going to effect what will be "quality, big ticket items".
"He would receive all payments"--again no control if a buyer claims payment was sent but your partner disputes that. At what point do you receive your 10% share?
Under the terms you have listed, I would not be listing under those terms.
not toybuyer on eBay
[ edited by toybuyer on Mar 5, 2002 04:38 AM ]
posted on March 5, 2002 04:47:03 AM new
We do sell for a couple of friends now & then, the only major problem is when you place the auction and don't have the merchandise, it is hard to answer all the questions ! And you run into problems with late payments, returns. You need to go over these things with the other party. We don't mind doing this but we have the merchandise and have the final say since it is in our name the ad is placed. We charge 15%, raised from 10%, but we do the whole transaction.
posted on March 5, 2002 06:47:02 AM new
Lot of the depends on the specifics. 10% of a $5,000 sale is pretty good. 10% of a $25 sale isn't worth the time. What is your definition of "big ticket"?
Also, I've seen many people post about how they don't want to do consignments where they won't have control of the shipping. I'd be thrilled to have someone offering to do the shipping for me. It's got to be the least favorite part of the whole operation, IMHO. If this is going to be a long-term arrangement, I'd just use a secondary ID for the work.
posted on March 5, 2002 11:35:02 AM new
Sounds good, if:
1. You make enough compared to the time you put in.
2. You live in the same area so you can take the pictures and use HIS computer for Ebay work.
3. The seller's account on Ebay is HIS account with HIS credit card.
This way, you would be like an auctioneer hired to auction off items at a store.
(Example: Fred hires auctioneer Joe to auction a closeout sale at his store. Everyone knows that Fred is responsible for everything, while Joe gets a fee and/or percentage.)
posted on March 5, 2002 11:50:52 AM new
My daughter sells for others on eBay and here is the advice I have heard her give.
No less than 15% on items over $100.00 and 25% on anything under.No items under $25.00 . Must be consigners eBay account and credit card.
If she packages and makes up descriptions the price goes up 10% . Also she has a $10.00 charge for any item that does not meet reserve.
One of the things she has found is problems with making up descriptions. You really have to know about everything to do good descriptions or spend a lot of time looking things up.
posted on March 5, 2002 12:07:35 PM new
I agree, I would have problems not shipping the material unless the ebay account was his, and you just used it to write up descriptions and took pictures. Also depends on what is high value, I would say $100 or over is starting to get into the area of this being worth it, not really worth it if the items sell for less than $100, because everything is NOT going to sell, and you will receive nothing for that even though you do the work.
I think the most important thing is that it has to be their ebay ID, credit card, etc. because if there is a shipping problem, you don't want to be liable for high value items, especially if the shipper is careless in packaging, does not take enough insurance, etc. Too much out of your control!
posted on March 5, 2002 01:11:32 PM new
all of the input so far is very interesting and most shadows my own fears.
I have sold for others on ebay and always charge 25% and keep control of merchandise and payment until transaction is complete.
with this person, who I do not know personally, I do not want to risk my feedback by allowing him to keep control of the merchandise. he does not have an ebay account so we would be starting fresh with no feedback.
I am not sure it is worth my time at 10%, even for higher end items. I would be writing the description, taking the pictures, everything but packaging and taking care of payment.
posted on March 5, 2002 01:26:35 PM new
I started a business about three years ago selling on eBay for antique dealers (and myself). I still sell for others, but have found that I make very little money doing it (even on so-called big ticket items). I do EVERYTHING -- take the pictures, write the descriptions, handle all the e-mail inquiries, pack, ship and deal with deadbeats.I would strongly advise against listing an item on eBay that you do not have in your possession for the duration of the auction. Antique dealers are wonderful people, but by and large are a bit "flaky". I have had more than one dealer call me during an auction and say, "I need that item back, I have a buyer in the shop." Sorry -- it's mine until the auction's over. A 10% commission is not enough money. Remember, the eBay fees come out of your account, that's a chunk out of your percentage. If the buyer pays via credit card, that's another 3% loss. I charge 15% plus a $4.00 listing fee, plus all of the eBay fees, and I still don't make enough money on commission sales to cover my time and effort. I'd steer clear of this "deal", especially if you don't know the guy.
posted on March 5, 2002 02:24:29 PM new
Hello rarriffle, I consign items to sell on eBay and had an antiques dealer as a client for a while. The arrangements were different and I got %25% He chose the merchandise and set the prices. I now believe he added my cut to his pricing. I had veto power of course, because I was selling with my name and reputation on the line and working on speculation, in other words my income was dependent on successful auctions. I had to pay fees win or lose. I was gambling and I lost money with him. Not so with my private clients, where I have more control.
If I were you I would ask the dealer to set up his own eBay account and ID and let him pay all the expenses, especially if he is collecting the money. That way, he's accountable for accuracy, pricing, fees, shipping problems, etc. For compensation I would work on an hourly arrangement to cover my time and labor plus a percentage of sales. People who don't know the online selling process have no idea how much is involved and how long it takes--this also applies to many people who do it.
Good luck. I'll be interested to hear what you finally decide to do.
Judith
