Ebay Fees..... again.

[dmar836]

I have pretty much abandoned Ebay for selling. I do occasionally buy but selling fees have now matched those of many of the high-end auctions with absolutely none of the guarantees or support. I won't be the guy who still uses their "services" and complains about it. I just won't use them.
I recently saw on another hobby forum that a member itemized his selling fees for some vintage unbuilt flying model kits at 13.8 - 17.8%. Apparently Ebay has now been adding a new fee - a shipping charge regardless of how or if you ship.
Below is a link to some discussion about the fees. Some actually end up owing Ebay quite a percentage more than profited.

https://community.ebay.com/t5/Archive-P ... -p/8069391

Just an FYI

Dave

 

[a2jacketpatches]

I've been buying a lot on Ebay recently because it's easier to find just about anything and I like delivery to the front door. Just about everything is available there and the pricing is competitive. For instance, an EGR valve for my late Trooper was 52- to 80- as opposed to 150- from Autozone.

Selling collectibles and such isn't like it used to be, Ebay started out as a great world wide yard sale and then more and more business types started hopping on board. As far as that goes, I have to agree with this guy from your link -

"WHY DOES EVERYBODY KEEP COMPLAINING ABOUT EBAY AND PAYPAL FEES. TRY OPENING A STORE AND PAYING 2500.00 FOR THE CHEAPEST A MONTH RENT PLUS INSURANCE, AC/ HEATING, ALARMS

SECURITY, EMPLOYEES, ADVERTISING, LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS BUSINESS CREDIT CARD TERMINAL FEES, TAXES AND U WILL FINALLY

AGREE EBAY AMD PAYPAL ARE NOT THAT EXPENSIVE. REMEMBER EBAY MANAGES YOUR BUSINESS FOR FREE"

Selling an item here and there? Not worth the effort and fees, especially on low dollar items. Craigslist may be the alternative, I just sold an M3 knife there for a hundred bucks because Ebay would have only brought about 130- or so based on a completed listing search. And I always maintain that Ebay is good for advertisement and exposure. I use them for that constantly and arrange for sales outside of their view. All of my custom work is done this way. Also, an application called Ki-sales records personal emails etc. for easy reference to conduct private sales.

Bottom line? Just use em for what they're worth.

 

[foster]

I largely swore off eBay for sales around 5 years ago. At the time, the fees between eBay and Paypal were approaching 15% and too many of the shipments I was having to send to foreign countries which required much more time (and then I was often holding my breath in hopes it arrived safe and sound otherwise I would have to refund everything and wait on the USPS to reimburse me for the insured value).

It's just not worth it unless there is a high profit margin to offset the fees. I have better success at focused collector shows when I do decide to sell things. It takes as long to set up a table as it does to take dozens of photos and list numerous items.

But the sad reality is that most don't know how much they lose to eBay when they sell. I've offered sellers a certain amount for an item that did not sell, only to have them refuse and then they sell it for the same amount later (but then they pay the fees on the sale that way, and end up with less in their pocket at the end of the transaction).

I know it is a useful tool, and for some it makes sense to sell on eBay. I find that the time I save not bothering with eBay is worth the most to me.

 

[havocpaul]

Yes, it has been a sore point their fees that include shipping costs added to the selling price. However, although I know some dealers here in the UK have gone back to using specialist auction houses for high-end items they also say that the fees in such places has are and have always been just as costly as eBay once VAT is added and some charge up to 20% fees. Ebay reaches a much larger 'audience' too and of course as a buyer eBay doesn't charge you unlike auction houses. That doesn't make it right that they are seemingly trying to sneakily add costs wherever they can. It's a shame after all these years that no one with the finance and backing hasn't come along and burst eBay's monopoly and given them serious competition. I thought Branson would have had a go by now!

 

[ausreenactor]

When I bought the BR B-2 from the UK I had a request from the seller once I had left feedback to cancel the sale.
I had the item, had left feedback and agreeing got the vendor his fees back. Brilliance in my book. I had no joy on
my GW sale (not even offers around what the test samples are fetching nowadays); however, I would have used'
this method to get back 10% at least... Give it a go fellas!

Couchy

 

[a2jacketpatches]

When I bought the BR B-2 from the UK I had a request from the seller once I had left feedback to cancel the sale.
I had the item, had left feedback and agreeing got the vendor his fees back. Brilliance in my book. I had no joy on
my GW sale (not even offers around what the test samples are fetching nowadays); however, I would have used'
this method to get back 10% at least... Give it a go fellas!

Couchy

Only scary thing about that Couchy, know who you're asking. There's a lot of rats out there too that'll report you in a heartbeat for no good reason.