I mentioned on Twitter that I really need to list some items on eBay. I have a pile of stuff I want to try to sell, and it’s taking up a lot of room in a closet.
Selling on eBay isn’t hard–you just take a decent photo or two, write a clear description, and post it!
So why is it so hard to get motivated to sell something? I need to stop being so lazy and just do it.
A few of my Twitter friends ‘tweeted’ that they too wanted to sell items on eBay–if only they could find the time and motivation.
I’m writing this post to motivate myself to reach my goal of listing at least five items on eBay this month. Wanna join in?
If you’ve been thinking about listing an item for sale on craigslist or eBay, why not do it now? It’s just accumulating dust in your house, right? Time to get it to a good home and get some $$ in your pocket.
Feel free to share tips on how to be a great eBay seller, discuss what you’re selling, or *gasp* even include a link to your auction if you want. I don’t normally allow links like that, but I think I’ll give it a try just for this post if that means you’ll be extra motivated to sell something.
Here’s some tips for having a good auction:
How to sell (from eBay’s site)
Sell on eBay (from Wikihow)
13 steps to profitable auctions (from Get Rich Slowly)
How to sell on eBay (from Cribnotes)
I have to get in the mood since it is a lot of work!
Have you tried selling on Amazon? I recently sold a few things on there and it was so easy! You can’t do clothes but I sold a coffee maker and a book. I had NO upfront costs - I like that!
i’ve got a pile of stuff at home ready to be listed, i just didn’t want to do it before we left town since the auctions would’ve ended while we were away. as soon as i get back, though, i’ll be listing them :) probably have at least 10 items!
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If you have more things for sale, you will get a lot more views of your auctions. People will click on one thing they are interested in, then look through what else you have available too in case there is something similar. The more people that see your auction, the better chance you have of selling your stuff for the price you want.
So don’t just post one auction a week! As long as these aren’t identical items, put everything up at the same time!
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While I love eBay, selling on it can be so unpredictable. Recently I made an auction for my old second generation iPod that no longer worked or held a charge…and it was bought by someone for $50! But I just put a pair of brand new size 6 Old Navy shorts I bought but realized didn’t fit after taking the tags off, and an entire beginner’s knitting kit that was barely used, and nobody wanted either (I started both at $1.99). I also put up a Brita filter that you attach to your sink — it didn’t fit on my sink and I forgot to return it. Was hoping it would go for at least $8 but someone got it for $1.99. Arghhh! If you set your bottom price too high, nobody will buy it, but if you set it too low, sometimes someone gets it for a steal. And sometimes it’s a perfectly good item that nobody wants! It can be frustrating.
I did Ebay when my little guy was a baby…but I am now hooked onto Craigslist. I love to clean out the house and make a little cash in the process…that’s enough motivation for me!!
Good Luck!!
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I’ve never posted anything on EBay, but do I love to cruise around the tea cups and pitchers. I don’t know why, not like I ever use either one, but I just love to look at them.
I sell on eBay for a living (I have a store). I have to confess that I, too, have a bunch of miscellaneous stuff that needs to be listed. It’s harder when it’s unique items vs stock.
Oy!
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I always put my items on craigslist, yahoo groups first for about a week, if they sell I dont have to pay fees or ship. If they dont sell them I put them on ebay, once you get a auction page set up the rest is very easy will only take 10 sec not counting taking the pictures.
Good Luck and get selling
I post it cheap…After all I just want it gone and to a good home. And the new stuff I have on ther eI got for a steal. But the best thing I ever did was add a link on my blog since I sell alot of items my readers are interested in…Such as maternity clothes and baby items. I get a ton of referrals to my items. After reading some other comments though, I think I am going to try the Craigslist thing first…No fees sounds awesome!!! Then if it doesn’t go it will go to ebay. Thanks for the tip Sonia!
Something I just tried, was this site called: http://www.auctiva.com/
It provides a lot of services to make listing easier & it’s free.
As I said earlier … I just signed up tonight, so I can’t vouch for it 100%.
But the thing that inspired me, was being able to schedule your auctions for free.
Whereas Ebay itself charges a fee for that!
Anyhoo … I must have been channeling your post, because I was feeling the same way.
Too much stuff laying around … time to take action!
(I’m listing my items tomorrow @ http://www.iowahippiechick.com)
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I’m in. I have a box of things to list on eBay and some other things in my head that I know I should list. I’m not sure that they’ll all sell, but it’s still something that I need to do.
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I really need to get my items listed. Why am I procrastinating? Because I don’t know the difference between e-bay, craigs list and the myraid of other selling resources available.
I just don’t feel motivated to add another project to my plate.
My plate is so full this month:(
I guess that you could say that I am willing but not able yet. I have alot of extra space in my home so I will stock up this motnh and probably tackle this project next month. I would love to hear more about your experience Kaci.
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@ Hadias: With eBay, you have listing fees but you might also have a larger viewing audience. You’ll have to ship the item to them, though some times large items can be transported in-town.
With craigslist, you’ll list the item in your city and if someone wants to buy it from you, you’ll have to meet them face to face to make the transaction. No fees, but there is that added hassle. I’m probably going to list a TV set on craigslist, since it would be too hard to ship from eBay.
OMG, I know! It’s so hard to get motivated. I think for me it’s because I have to take pictures and upload them and write down all the measurements. Not really such a hassle but it needs to be done.
I have a slew of things I’ve been meaning to list. Maybe I’ll jump on board with you and get it done this weekend :)
I’ve always been a bit afraid to list things on Craigslist… how do you know if they’re legit? The thought of meeting up with someone is a bit terrifying to me, but maybe that’s also because I am in NYC and one Craigslist ad routinely can result in a hundred responses.
[...] Posted on August 22, 2008 by Karen Inspired by Kacie at Sense to Save who is selling her clutter on eBay and Heather at Freebies 4 Mom who challenged us on Monday to minimize our magazines, I have big [...]