How Expensive Is eBay?.....WOW!

[Grumpy pants]

I've just been looking at my eBay invoice and I hadn't quite realised how expensive it is to sell this way.

I've always worked on a 15% loss of the sale price! but I'm not convinced I was allowing enough even at this level.

Inset fees, reserve fees, and then you pay commission to eBay on the postage you charge.

So if you offer postage at cost at say £12.00 you then pay eBay 10% commission on this as well...

And then to add Insulate to injury Paypal robs you of commission for the sale and then takes commission on the postage as well.

So it is double bubble every which way.

Any tips for for making selling more cost effective.

Gumtree just doesn't seem to generate decent enquiries when I've tried before.

[Celticbhoy1888]

I've been selling stuff on ebay for a few years now but just recently I've noticed how expensive it's become.

Only last week I sold items (not RC) totalling £600 including the postage. Total fees to ebay/PayPal was £100. That is an incredible amount of money to charge.

Also noticed the fees they take from the postage now. That is disgusting as far as I'm concerned. Especially when postage was charged at cost. So I end up taking a loss on postage.

Think my ebay selling days are over !

[tamiya monkey]

Your kinda stuck really, where would we be as collectors without it. I know what your saying, when its something inexpensive you hardly notice the fee's, but sell something of value and watch the cost add up.

[MadInventor]

I've just sold a few things on Ebay. In order to keep the fees down, I only list them on free listing weekends, and only give collection in person as an option for 'delivery'. This way people generally pay cash on collection so no paypal fees, no postage costs, and once it's sold a buyer can't complain that it's not as described / delivered/etc.

I know it limits your coverage in theory as only local people will bid, but I've just had one buyer complete a 400 mile round trip to pick up an item.

The stuff I've sold so far has cost a flat 10%.

The best way to sell RC stuff is to subscribe to TC.

You can put on as many ads as you like, no fees to pay on sales, and most buyers will pay via paypal gift.

[mongoose1983]

An economist will say that there is a market failure going on with eBay. I only sold once there. Not a nice experience. The world-wide online auction market is captured by eBay & Paypal and I don't see a way for it to be regulated because of its nature (as an international online market). If you are into selling, say, instruments, toys, or RC stuff I'd recommend you to use the specific online forums. Most of them have feedback markings and such, and you can still use Paypal. It's really the best way I know to keep things between buyer and seller. And while I still use eBay to buy stuff, I can say the online forums for me work better than good.

[ChrisRx718]

It's pretty absurd to be honest, I often wonder how the 'small businesses' which rely on eBay actually cope with these increased fees. I know you get different levels of 'seller' dependant on how many items you list, but it must be significantly different to turn a profit.

eBay greed, sadly. I can't imagine the costs could be justified when looking at the figures for the day-to-day staffing of eBay as a franchise. And of course paypal and eBay are one and the same, so why do you get charged paypal fees AFTER paying eBay fees when it's all going into the same place? A place which probably avoids paying any tax whatsoever, too.

Yet we are compelled to use it, because it's become such a convenience and is so accessible.

I've tried with varying degrees of success selling via TC, but it's very hit-and-miss. Your item needs to be either very good value for money or incredibly rare.

I often wonder if this community would thrive a lot more if the registration process was a lot more straightforward, or if you could register to TC as a buyer, but couldn't have a showroom or sales rights without paying the membership fee.

Sorry if that sounds like a bit of a moan, as I like this place. I just think it could very easily be a lot lot better.

[speedy_w_beans]

... If you are into selling, say, instruments, toys, or RC stuff I'd recommend you to use the specific online forums. ... I can say the online forums for me work better than good.

I agree. I've sold things on Tamiyaclub, a local racers' forum, and Craigslist. I looked into the eBay fees awhile ago and decided the costs weren't worth it. Local sales are the best; I meet nice people and we chat for awhile.

[matman]

Funny how , WE are not aloud to over charge or make a profit on postage . E-bay rules , But then they rob you blind doing so .

One rule for them & one for us , Just like the rest of the world & the goverment . This is why I don't sell on ebay or then again

i don't sell at all . I don't mind paying to put an ad in the paper ( like the old days ) . But not like ebay has got to . It should cost as

much as putting an ad in your local paper & that's it . More if you have a ebay shop etc . It's like most things , it gets way to big &

all they think of is profit . Come on , you can't make profit doubled every year , it has to level out at some point . This is how so

many company's go broke , in time .

[Tamiya1/10]

ebay, seller of online service, is in it to make money, and sellers of goods too are in it to make money so a balance has to be reached between sellers. when is out of balance / past the tipping point, it will no longefrwork, goods seller will look for other means and online seller will have to up the service or others would enter the market.

ebay sees 10% on your take is not unreasonable since you are getting world wide exposure and finanical service, which credit card company charges retailer for accepting visa, mastercard, AE... a percent on the amount including sales tax. that is why one sees a bit lower price for cash.

Each goods seller will have to decide if ebay, TC, Craigslist, print media...is best for their purpose. No free lunch..there is the all you can eat buffet for $12.99 or the $200.00 lunch plus 15% SC and you don't get a window table without thanking the matrie the old fashion way...a$20 or $50.00 handshake...unless you well known / famous, which these people don't usually have to pay.

[mongoose1983]

[...] ebay sees 10% on your take is not unreasonable since you are getting world wide exposure and finanical service [...]

Actually, it's been about a decade now since eBay doesn't charge 10% percent for each sale you make. Nowadays I believe they're knocking you down on 20%.

[Tamiya1/10]

Actually, it's been about a decade now since eBay doesn't charge 10% percent for each sale you make. Nowadays I believe they're knocking you down on 20%.

That just shows the last time i sold on Ebay:-D

in the end would one prefer selling it for $200 & get $50 taken off or sold it for $120 n get $5 taken off. i gurss is call share the wealth..your wealth:-|

[MadInventor]

I still think selling RC stuff on TC is the best way to go.

You just have to be realistic in how you price things, and be patient waiting for items to sell. I've sold around 10 models through TC for what I consider to be prices that are fair to the buyer and the seller, plus probably another 40 trades on spare parts or bits I've made myself.

If you look at what stuff sells for on ebay and remember that the seller is losing 20% to ebay and paypal, I'd rather price my items a bit lower knowing that Ebay isn't getting a penny, and the buyer is getting something a bit cheaper as well. You can't have it both ways. Either sell at a premium on ebay and suck up the fees, or sell at a lower price on the forum but get to keep the full value of the item you've sold. Can't expect to get a price on the forum for an item where you don't have the seller coverage of Ebay.

[ddaenen1]

Funny that you mention that as i rarely sell something on ebay but i did last month and i was also surprised when my ebay bill came in. All in all, i buy some bits on ebay, but selling i'd rather do locally or via the forums and after this bill, i don't think i will be putting up anything else.

[Grumpy pants]

So I've just worked out that a sale of my Hilux at £346 inc post and packing has cost me £47 just in fees.

So the net price after postage is £287.

That's astonishing that the selling fees are so enormous.

[JennyMo]

So I've just worked out that a sale of my Hilux at £346 inc post and packing has cost me £47 just in fees.

So the net price after postage is £287.

That's astonishing that the selling fees are so enormous.

I agree... of course Ebay used to be for private sellers clearing out stuff they didn't want (where I guess any money is better than nothing), but now the private sellers are hammered if you sell anything of any value...

Perhaps Ebay are trying to force private sellers into just selling rubbish for a few pennies again - as they would rather have the business sellers that have swamped ebay these days and have a different [pre-pay] fee structure - although I still don't know how the business sellers can be making any real profit though if they are selling at RRP, never mind at any significant discount?

It has basically become Amazon... with a few bits of secondhand junk to wade through in the searches!

Jx

[IBIFTKH]

Trouble is eBay don't really have any serious competition so, like any monopoly, they do as they please. Until there's a big global brand to challenge them their fees will only continue to increase.

[pizzachaude]

Haven't any of you guys noticed that there are much less used cars and parts listed? Sure you can get new parts from a whole bunch of sellers (eBay stores, merchants, etc), but the normal people selling off their used cars and parts are much lower than when I started getting back into RC, which was approx 5 years ago. Too bad....

[Grastens]

It has basically become Amazon... with a few bits of secondhand junk to wade through in the searches!

Jx

Sounds about right, actually. A lot of brand-new and current models have made their way to eBay stores with the odd used classic or project car showing in the listing.

Haven't any of you guys noticed that there are much less used cars and parts listed? Sure you can get new parts from a whole bunch of sellers (eBay stores, merchants, etc), but the normal people selling off their used cars and parts are much lower than when I started getting back into RC, which was approx 5 years ago. Too bad....

That part is interesting, because while true, a look at Audi Quattro and Opel Ascona parts seems to suggest otherwise. Those two models have had new tires and wheels pop up, as well as a used body for the Quattro. Recently, a few projects have also appeared, and left almost as quickly. I would love to hear news that one of them is being re-released, but I guess it is merely coincidence.

Although all things considered, the above was an observation and definitely not an indication of current trends.

[redzone]

Facebook rc groups seem to be the way to sell things these days, just means you have to sell your soul to another devil though lol

[EddScott]

I agree... of course Ebay used to be for private sellers clearing out stuff they didn't want (where I guess any money is better than nothing), but now the private sellers are hammered if you sell anything of any value...

Perhaps Ebay are trying to force private sellers into just selling rubbish for a few pennies again - as they would rather have the business sellers that have swamped ebay these days and have a different [pre-pay] fee structure - although I still don't know how the business sellers can be making any real profit though if they are selling at RRP, never mind at any significant discount?

It has basically become Amazon... with a few bits of secondhand junk to wade through in the searches!

Jx

Very much in agreement with this.

The Ebay advert in the UK made Ebay sound like an online department store. There was no mention of folk selling 2nd hand goods. I found it particularly misleading.

The other thing I have issue with is the "Basket" they've introduced. Again making out Ebay is an online store.

I'm quite sure they are trying to move into the online market space but still be the intermediary.

Would not surprise me if a few ex-Ebay employees build and market a "new" Ebay that goes back to its roots - it will all be a con of course.

[AndyjcClod]

I agree but it is as my partner said to me when I was moaning about ebay fees..

She said "where else can you advertise your item to so many people"

I couldn't argue with that!

I remember ebay when you couldn't even find anything radio controlled on it! I bet that shows my age a bit! With hindsite I sould have bought shares back then!! lol

[bromvw]

I agree... of course Ebay used to be for private sellers clearing out stuff they didn't want (where I guess any money is better than nothing), but now the private sellers are hammered if you sell anything of any value...

Perhaps Ebay are trying to force private sellers into just selling rubbish for a few pennies again - as they would rather have the business sellers that have swamped ebay these days and have a different [pre-pay] fee structure - although I still don't know how the business sellers can be making any real profit though if they are selling at RRP, never mind at any significant discount?

It has basically become Amazon... with a few bits of secondhand junk to wade through in the searches!

Jx

I agree with you 100% Jenny . Ebay is so dominated by 'Power Sellers' that the private individual seller is becoming rare and as a result of that the scammers are taking advantage by making you think your picking up good deal only to find its either a con or a rip off .

Large Business's can get away with selling on ebay at near or below high street retail prices for the simple reason that they don't have to pay the huge rents on retail premises or employ retail staff . All they need is cheap warehouse and some spotty youth on the minimum wage packing the orders . Send the order via a cheap courier and its job done .

[skip665]

Haven't any of you guys noticed that there are much less used cars and parts listed? Sure you can get new parts from a whole bunch of sellers (eBay stores, merchants, etc), but the normal people selling off their used cars and parts are much lower than when I started getting back into RC, which was approx 5 years ago. Too bad....

I agree with this - when I first got back into RC 7 years ago there was always a large selection of second hand RCs to wade through. I assume that most people have cleared out their lofts and the supply has dried up somewhat.

I too hate eBay fees - I almost decided recently to stop selling things altogether and just hoard instead I recently tried selling the two Modelzone bargains I have left over on Gumtree/Facebook/Forums but if they only net me say £40 and £60 via eBay for two NIB kits I might as well keep them and have the enjoyment of the build!

[MadInventor]

I too hate eBay fees - I almost decided recently to stop selling things altogether and just hoard instead I recently tried selling the two Modelzone bargains I have left over on Gumtree/Facebook/Forums but if they only net me say £40 and £60 via eBay for two NIB kits I might as well keep them and have the enjoyment of the build!

That's ok until the loft starts creaking when you walk across it

[rallymad1]

I completly agree with everything mentioned about eBay but my take on it is....pretty much everything I sell on there is stuff that I no longer have any use for so selling it for any amount is money in my pocket!

As far as selling RC products on there what I've being doing a lot recently is buying used standard kits and hopping them up and selling off any bits I've removed that are still functional so as to offset the cost of the new bits and anything I make back I'm happy with but I do agree their fees are getting a bit steep and it seems like they are trying to become another Amazon.