How do you list your item up for sale trade

[Gee]

Okay, I just have to ask. I've been wrestling with this for a while and was wondering what way do you list your items that you don't need anymore? I usually put my stuff on ebay but the fees and crap there suck so I started listed some stuff on forums. I don't put a lot of the stuff I am letting go here at RCM for a few reasons. One don't want to hurt Mike, two it's not a good deal for my RCM brothers. So as far as the other forums go where you list prices. I was hoping for opions or thoughts on listing items. Some of you've been doing it for a long time now. Any tips? Like for example:

Do you list your item for the price you want and don't budge?

Do you indicate OBO?

Do you expect offers to be made so you add so much to what your lowerst price would be?

etc.

Shipping: Do you think it work best to list the price with the shipping cost included (added) or let the buyer indicate which shipping he wants to pay for.


Okay how about buying.
How many of you guys out looking for something actually make offers on items or do you just pay the asking price. If you make an offer do you subtract a percentage.

I've had some of the ebayers say when they see a BIN or Best Offer they take the amount and subtract 30% and make an offer with that. If that's the case you should take your price and add 30 percent but then you would scare some people away with those prices. ?.?.?


If you have a method that works for but prefere to keep it yourself that okay but you can remain a-non-a-miss. Just indicate that in your reply. The rest of us will disregard who you really are. Right guys?

[rawfuls]

It depends I guess.

I'll list things as PM Only (mostly even on other forums too) or offers.
Since I don't really use it anymore, and don't need it, I don't really see how much they go for in the forums (Though I checked eBay's completed listings...)

And I'll go off of that, say if two people PM me, one offers $40, other offers $50, I'll try and ask first person to do $45.

I guess it depends on eBay as well.
I usually base my things $5 or so less (or more respectively to the item) on eBay completed listings.

In other words, try eBay prices.

[simplechamp]

My experience is that no matter if you put "firm" or "OBO" people will send you offers, many of them lowball. At least on RC Tech were I list my stuff.

I usually price a bit high expecting people to offer less.

I usually include shipping in the price of the item (to US only) since I can estimate pretty well by now how much shipping will cost. You do have to be careful doing that though, because you can burn yourself. The other day i sold a pair of buggy tires for $20 shipped, and shipping was way more than I thought, almost $10. My own fault, should have known it would be higher.

[JThiessen]

I hate dickering - so I list at what I want for it, and that includes shipping. If they want upgraded shipping features, then they pay full cost of that. I'll usually let things go if the offer is within 10-20 percent of my asking price (its all arbitrary anyway, right?). I ALWAYS put a line or two in about "no, I dont want your painball guns and old ps2 games....".

[Gee]

I think I put way to much time into it. I research the ebay completed lists. Search the forums for items sold similar, etc. Make my list of prices to start with add the lowerst I will go on the spreadsheet then work out some deals for take it all kind of stuff. Then I take way to much time typing the listing and crap. Addiing links and pictures trying to make it easy for the buyer to compare or check out the item. You guys now how short my post are. lol

Shipping always been a pet peeve that I get screwed on when selling. Decided I am not going to put shipped anymore. I think the buyer doesn't take that into consideration all the time. When you list something shipped they think you are getting the full 20 for the item instead of only putting 10 in your pocket. That is one benfit ebay has is the shipping feature and you can actually add a couple bucks. I normally don't and just charge actual shipping. Well the last time I listed a bunch of cheap stuff. I got nothing for my time boxing all the crap up for a 1.99 auction. Next time I am adding a couple $ to the shipping and handling. Won't make me smile while I am boxing stuff up but it might pay the gas to get to the post office.

I am going to make a couple of thread of crap for sale and try it two differnt ways. One inflated expecting counter offers and one lowest I would go and see what come out of it.

Thanks for sharing you guys. Your inputs helped.

[RCShocker]

You are correct on the ebay fee's and cost to list these days. I do not sell on ebay unless I absolutely have to.

I usually put the "shipped" price I want on the item I have for sale. I have a pretty good idea what shipping cost so that how I list my price's. I sometimes will list w/ "Best Reasonable Offer". But I guess that gives someone the idea that I'd take lower. Or at best, keep lowballers at bay.

As far as being firm on price, I let the buyer know I am flexible and easy to deal with. Whether buying or selling I try not to lose too much sleep over $5 or $10. Ya know, 20 to 40 quarters isnt gonna break the bank. Thats usually on items over $50 though.

Sometimes if I want a quick sell I'll list a juicier price.

I also note that I generally prefer to ship USPS Priority w/ Delivery Confirmation. Ive really tried to get away from shipping to Canada or overseas. I have before, but the time it takes for the person to get their stuff most times makes me worry about get negative feedback somewhere down the line.

[Gee]

Yeah the shipping internationally is tough. I feel for the fellow across the pond and usually tell them I will (hoping they don't win) just cuz not many will ship items to them. Then again if it isn't a big $ item I have to tell them not on this item.

[simplechamp]

One thing I would never do (not at all saying this is the case for you Gee) is imply in the listing that you are really hard up for money. I often see ads saying "My car broke down, need cash now!" or "Just had major surgery, need money for bills" and wonder what the seller is thinking. You might as well put "I am desperate for money, please lowball me because I'll probably take it" (sadly enough I've seen ads saying that almost verbatim).

We all might have to sell things from time to time to take care of other obligations, but you never let potential buyers know that. If you need things to move fast list them at a slightly lower price and they will move.

[JERRY2KONE]

I agree with that one. BE HONEST. no matter what others want to do. Don't compromise your own integrity Guy. Just look at your item and make a decision on what you are willing to accept for the lowest final price, and then figure out what the norm is, and set your price accordingly. You have the right to ask whatever you wish for your items, but the bottom line is how badly do you want to sell, and what is the demand for your particular gear.

Garage sale pricing is usually 10% of the retail price. Resale value on most products can be anywhere from 10% to 90% of retail value depending on condition, and the need to sell the item. Life is too short to spend alot of time worrying about how much you can get for used items that you no longer want or need. Clear your plate and your concience and move on feeling good about yoruself.

List your for sale items as honestly as you can without killing your chances of getting a fair price. Make sure you give as much info as possible to keep from leaving any holes for people to use against you. Sell the items for fair $$$ value and state that all sales are final. Shipping expenses are negotiable, but for the most part the simple sale includes basic shipping, but not overseas deals. I hope my 2 cents helps Guy.

[rawfuls]

Yep..
+1.

I also never put "shipped"...

Even though I pretty much only ship with USPS's Priority Flat Rate boxes (Actually, really cheap if you have a fairly small item, it goes 4.75 for smallest, 10.20, then 10.70?) I haven't had the need to ship anything bigger than their biggest box, and then again I just don't have the time to drive to the PO and box the item up in a custom box..

I fondly remember when I was giving stuff away, clearing my drawers out, I listed $5 shipped for some heli canopies that were worth $20 but just wouldn't sell.. Well, shipping was $7. I ended up eating money because I just didn't want to ask for more. Plus, what's done was what was done.

Good luck!