Online Selling

Is it a sign of the times that this year's adult learning courses in our area are offering a 'buying and selling on-line' three-week course (2 hours a week for 3 weeks)?  I would imagine that trying to make a bit of extra money selling online, or trying to find a few bargains by buying second-hand online would be very very popular at the moment.  I'm not sure whether the fact that ebay have now removed listing fees for all auction items starting at 99p or less is a sign that they are doing very well or are desperately trying to encourage more people to take up online selling.

I've been selling on ebay for more than six years now and oddly enough have had some of my best sales since the New Year.  Just before Christmas (usually a bonanza time), I was very disappointed with some of the sales I had.  Things just weren't fetching the sort of prices they had in previous years in the run-up to Christmas and I was really fearing that the recession had meant even second-hand sales were beginning to suffer.  Luckily, since then things have definitely improved and I've had some great sales - like the Marks and Spencer king-size cotton duvet cover which I paid £1.00 for and which sold for £33.00, or the vintage child's Holly Hobby apron which I also picked up for £1.00 and which went on to sell for £24.00.  Of course, there have been plenty of things which have either failed to sell or have only fetched the initial 99p or not much more, and which in hindsight I wish I'd never bothered to list.

I just keep listing away - usually for 10 day listing-periods - every Thursday afternoon in the hope that things will keep on selling despite the recession.  At the moment I've been having a good look through my summer wardrobe and have decided that a lot of my T-shirts just aren't really long enough so a lot of those will be getting listed in the next few weeks - many of them have only been worn a couple of times and are in really good condition.  The question is why did I buy them in the first place as I certainly haven't grown in height in the last year or so - around possibly, upwards definitely not.

How has your ebay trading been lately?  Have you noticed any great changes - for good or bad?  I'd love to know how others are getting on.

Comments

[sharie]

I keep thinking that I should start selling, I could do with a little bit of extra cash.
Just had a lousy experience with a seller who accused me of being a liar as the item had been delivered to the wrong house and he claims it was mine. So not sure if I can cope with the stress of buying and selling at the moment.

Rearding the too short tops... I've noticed my pj tops and t shirts have gone too short too! Wash them once an they seem to shrink a good inch.

[gill]

I fnd Ebay can be hit and miss, I've recently sold a lot of my Dolls house minitures most of which went for a fair price but one item which I expected to fetch a good price only sold for £25. Even the lady who bought it left me feedback to say what a bargain and it was worth £100 or more!
Haven't sold much this winter but did put some items of clothing on last week which sold well.
Do you know I often buy clothes which look great on the first wear but once I've washed them they lose their shape or just don't suit me any more...leaving me wondering why I bought them in the first place!