Tips for a first-time seller?

LoneSage · Jan 3, 2007

I've pondered selling some games I never play, and while I've bought a bunch of stuff here I've never sold anything over the internet or sent packages.

Any tips and tricks?

Nothing's solid yet on me selling anything, but I'd really appreciate some solid advice on shipping packages and stuff. I guess if I was going to ship something, it'd be through the post office (I hear FedEx, UPS shipping prices are pretty bad).

zapatistab · Jan 4, 2007

LoneSage said:
I've pondered selling some games I never play, and while I've bought a bunch of stuff here I've never sold anything over the internet or sent packages.

Any tips and tricks?

Nothing's solid yet on me selling anything, but I'd really appreciate some solid advice on shipping packages and stuff. I guess if I was going to ship something, it'd be through the post office (I hear FedEx, UPS shipping prices are pretty bad).

If you use Paypal, don't ship anything immediatly unless the buyer has a confirmed Paypal address. Un-confirmed Paypal and e-checks, don't ship until the money clears. Keep the buyer posted as far as when you ship and how your gonna ship. Also make that clear in your selling thread. Money Orders are also safe for sellers, but some buyers don't like money orders, becasue it's easier for sellers to cash them and not send anything. Only accept USPS money orders.

Use USPS.com to calculate your packages. If you have alot of stuff to sell, invest in a small digital scale. (mine cost $20 shipped on Ebay)Usually first time sellers short change themselves when they ship. Don't allow yourself to lose too much money, because of shipping. Always package stuff with care, buyers will appreciate it. Angry buyers are a pain to deal with. Never use the word Mint unless it's sealed and brand new. Especially in these forums.

Anything shipped in the U.S 1lb or less will always cost $4.05 if you use Priority Mail. I have more, but need to go.

Steve · Jan 4, 2007

The post office has these decent-sized boxes that have a flat rate priority cost of just $8.10.... under the right circumstances it could be a God-send!
For example, I once shipped a bunch of mags in one box. The weight was like an insane 12 pounds! That would cost me a bunch otherwise, but the flat rate is always 8.10 regardless of whether it's 12 pounds or 2.

Another tip: ALWAYS ALWAYS get a Delivery Confirmation number, ESPECIALLY dealing with anyone who you don't consider a close internet buddy. By getting a DC number, you eliminate the possibility, or greatly reduce anyhow, of the buyer claiming it never came. If the DC number shows it has, you're not at fault. If you forget to get a DC number and they claim it never came, you have zero proof.

ALWAYS get a DC #

they're only 50 cents, and plus when you email the buyer the number, it puts everyone at ease.

Always ship items with bubble wrap, especially jewel cases. Don't use newspaper unless you got no other alternative (it's dirty). Newspaper is better than no protection though.

zapatistab · Jan 4, 2007

The benefits of having a digital scale allows you to use USPS.com to ship items from home. You can print labels at home, then pay at the post office. Or you can pay on your PC and just drop off packages at the post office. (Installing Click N Ship on you PC is the same as using USPS.com)

If you have problems with shipping stuff always keep buyers informed. Car breaks down, family emergency, etc...

If you sell to members without any feedback, use your terms and don't make an exception. Same with International buyers unless they are respected members.

Alot of this stuff is common sense, but as a seller I always forget the basic stuff.

Magnaflux · Jan 4, 2007

Here's my condensed list from having sold online for the past 5+ years

Take lots of pictures of the item, showing flaws etc in good light
Take a picture of item in the box, ready to be shipped (thanks to Merc/grizzly/whatever)
Take a picture or scan of the return receipt requested / delivery confirmation
Email / PM the person the moment you send their item. Include the time listed on your PO receipt. Keep the receipt until you get confirmation from the customer they've received their items.

Gameoz · Jan 4, 2007

LoneSage said:
I've pondered selling some games I never play, and while I've bought a bunch of stuff here I've never sold anything over the internet or sent packages.

Any tips and tricks?

Nothing's solid yet on me selling anything, but I'd really appreciate some solid advice on shipping packages and stuff. I guess if I was going to ship something, it'd be through the post office (I hear FedEx, UPS shipping prices are pretty bad).

Well, you have good feed back here, I didn't realize it was all from buying. Since you have purchased so many things, I would look back on what you liked/didn't like about how you received your items.

I always try to ship as fast as I can (usually within 24 hours) If you are not going to ship fast, it is important to communicate when you will be shipping the items.

I always ship via Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation. I then PM the DC # to the person.

I try to pack the items to prevent any damage during transit. I sell low dollar amount stuff though. So, depending on what you sell, you may need to look into insurance ect.

Good communication is really the key. Also, you have a high enough trader feedback rating that you will not have any problems selling things here.

Borman · Jan 5, 2007

My advice is say everything that could possibly be wrong with the item, as small as it is. Some people are really picky about the condition, so dont lie / forget to mention a little detail, as that may not be so little to some people.

jro · Jan 5, 2007

Offering a complimentary handjob with a purchase can really increase interest in whatever you're selling.

Especially if you're selling to roker and roker alone.

LoneSage · Jan 10, 2007

jro said:
Offering a complimentary handjob with a purchase can really increase interest in whatever you're selling.

Especially if you're selling to roker and roker alone.

anyways, thanks a whole ton guys, I'll keep all the advice in mind if I ever get around to selling anything.

Xian Xi · Jan 10, 2007

Steve said:
ALWAYS get a DC #

QFT. This should be rule #1.

DC costs about 50 cents but if you use Paypal shipping it is free with first class and priority.

Also let me clear some things up with paypal shipping as there is some misconception.

If you charge a person $10 for shipping, paypal shipping does NOT take the entire amount for shipping. You need to enter the weight of the package for it to calculate your postage just like at the post office. If it costs $9 to ship then that's what paypal shipping charges you. Print out your label and stick it on the package and then just drop it in the mail or drop it off at the PO.

LoneSage · Apr 8, 2007

Anybody know approximately how much it would cost to ship the following items:

Sega CD/American Saturn video games (the big crystal case ones)
CDs (like the regular PS1 game cases)
PS2/GC games
Nintendo DS games

Thanks..

Gameoz · Apr 8, 2007

LoneSage said:
Anybody know approximately how much it would cost to ship the following items:

Sega CD/American Saturn video games (the big crystal case ones)
CDs (like the regular PS1 game cases)
PS2/GC games
Nintendo DS games

Thanks..

It depends on how you are going to ship them. I sell tons of DS games but I always ship Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation. It runs me $4.05 for Priority Mail and then, .50 for DC. Weight is usually around 4.3 oz in case you want to ship by other means.

Weevus · Apr 8, 2007

LoneSage said:
Anybody know approximately how much it would cost to ship the following items:

Sega CD/American Saturn video games (the big crystal case ones)
CDs (like the regular PS1 game cases)
PS2/GC games
Nintendo DS games

Thanks..

You can probably do all those for under $5. If you ship the sega cd/saturn games it will run you maybe $6.

channelmaniac · Apr 9, 2007

http://postcalc.usps.gov

I use it a lot.

Don't forget that for $8.10 (plus Delivery Confirmation) you can ship all you can stuff into a flat-rate Priority Mail box. Those kick ass for heavy but small items.

I used one of those last week to ship 150 27C512-15 and 100 27C4001-15 EPROMs to a customer in Michigan. Saved him quite a bit of money on shipping.

RJ

Xian Xi · Apr 9, 2007

channelmaniac said:
http://postcalc.usps.gov

Don't forget that for $8.10 (plus Delivery Confirmation) you can ship all you can stuff into a flat-rate Priority Mail box. Those kick ass for heavy but small items.

Also dont forget that the flat rate is only useful if you ship something 2 lbs or more. Anything up to 1 lb and 15oz is only $6.05, when it hits 2 lbs it jumps to $9.00, but if you are using Paypal shipping or click n ship you can just put it as 1 lb 15oz since they dont check. Plus click n ship and paypal shipping you get free delivery confirmation.

xmods (jwm2) · Apr 9, 2007

Xian Xi said:
Also dont forget that the flat rate is only useful if you ship something 2 lbs or more. Anything up to 1 lb and 15oz is only $6.05, when it hits 2 lbs it jumps to $9.00, but if you are using Paypal shipping or click n ship you can just put it as 1 lb 15oz since they dont check. Plus click n ship and paypal shipping you get free delivery confirmation.

Actually, it doesnt matter what you put on the label. What matters is how it weighs at the post office when they set it on their scale. If its 2 lbs they will nail you and won't ship your package until you give them more postage. It will vary from post office to post office or if the guy measuring is paying attnetion or not, but they can and will nail you. Altho it just means a couple day delay in shipping your package but i just figured i'd let you know as we ship about 40-60 packages per day at my office.

DZ · Apr 9, 2007

If using Paypal try to ship using Paypal Ship. It will associate the item with the DC# it assigns it. If there is ever a problem, and the seller claims he didnt receive the item, Paypal will usually rule in your favor if you have a PP Ship tracking #. When in the same situation and using a USPS tracking #, they often will rule with the buyer. Just another way to protect yourself from the increasing amount of scumbags in this scene.

Good Luck

-DZ

Xian Xi · Apr 9, 2007

xmods said:
Actually, it doesnt matter what you put on the label. What matters is how it weighs at the post office when they set it on their scale. If its 2 lbs they will nail you and won't ship your package until you give them more postage. It will vary from post office to post office or if the guy measuring is paying attnetion or not, but they can and will nail you. Altho it just means a couple day delay in shipping your package but i just figured i'd let you know as we ship about 40-60 packages per day at my office.

I guess I have been lucky in the past. But I dont plan on shipping anything anytime soon. Unless my PO just doesnt care.

Vectorman0 · Apr 9, 2007

Xian Xi said:
I guess I have been lucky in the past. But I dont plan on shipping anything anytime soon. Unless my PO just doesnt care.

I take flat rate boxes at less than a pound to my PO, and they cover up the flat rate markings for me. It's good to be friendly. :cool:

Circa2113 · Apr 9, 2007

Xian Xi said:
I guess I have been lucky in the past. But I dont plan on shipping anything anytime soon. Unless my PO just doesnt care.

Neither does mine. I've used the under 2 pounds trick for months now and I've never heard a thing about it.

eclypse · Apr 10, 2007

No one has mentioned this but if you use USPS Priority mail you can use there boxes for free. Also you can go on there web site www.usps.com and order up a bunch of boxes that they will deliver to your door for free.

Also sign up with paypal as a premeir member so you can accept credit card payments as that will help with sales.. You can just sign up with the regular membership which is free and take payments and send money but they will only allow you to accept up to a certain amount of money and then you cant anymore till a certain time. I think its something like up to $1000 a quarter or something.

LoneSage · Nov 1, 2011

BUMP FROM BEYOND

sooo uh I sold my first stuff over here, just a couple games. I used a bubble envelope at the post office, cost like $2.50. Overall it cost like $9.50 to ship four Genesis games (with box and manual). Is that normal? I thought it would've been more like $6.

No big deal, just curious.
Nice thread to read over now that I'm finally selling my shit.

cum_drops · Nov 1, 2011

That is about right, first class mail keeps going up every year or so, so the rates are rising. If you plan on shipping much else, might want to consider picking up some 7.5x12 #1 kraft bubble mailers on ebay. What is the PO charging for a little mailer anyway, probably too much.

LoneSage · Nov 4, 2011

I guess it was the largest bubble mailer they had and I paid $2.50 for it.

Is that what a lot of people do, use bubble mailers? Better/cheaper than using a box to send a few games, I'm guessing?

Dr Shroom · Nov 4, 2011

I'd ship Mega Drive games in a box, PS3 and other "flat" crap in envelopes with bubble wrap.
The price is the same I guess.

Tips for a first-time seller?

A Broken Man

Athena's Wardrobe Manager

The Wonder Years,

Athena's Wardrobe Manager

Onigami Isle Castaway

Crossed Swords Knight

Genjuro's Frog

Gonna take a lot

A Broken Man

JammaNationX,

A Broken Man

Crossed Swords Knight

15 year old,

Mr Neo Fix-it

JammaNationX,

Dodgeball Yakuza

formerly BanishingFlatsAC

JammaNationX,

Raiden's Valet

Duck King's DJ

Banned

A Broken Man

Annex Florida Coalition, Goodwill Ambassador,

A Broken Man

Ol' Stoker likes to toss my name around