Ebay's Worst Offerings

[Rob 3,152]

Just don't list anything of value.

List for 99p or £1 and only include those items you would willingly sell for that amount.

Make sure they are only listed when it is free and by automatically relisting when free, all you need to do is a couple of mouse clicks and top up the gaps when items sell.

Even with that strategy you will probably only sell 5-10%, with most selling at opening price. This provides benefits all round in that it gets rid of shi*e you don't want, without risking the loss of anything valuable. This is good for the environment.

It helps collectors of washers to adequately source material for their collections whilst enriching yourself in the process. As a seller of crap you will probably make a considerable profit on a few pence worth of scrap metal.

The poundshop mentality of your average eBay buyer means they will be equally happy paying a pound for something worth pence as something worth a couple quid.

Don't pretend you can educate people about quality - buyers have rose tinted spectacles meaning if the book says something is worth £1K FDC, they by extension have a £1K washer as it is the only number quoted. The race to the bottom will attract more due to the (outside) possibility of finding a valuable item than it will ever convince the same that they are throwing away good money. Saying something is UNC or FDC is meaningless as nobody believes an eBay seller anyway.

Make sure you include an adequate amount in the postage charge to cover eBay's FVF and Paypoo fees.

Cover your own backside by getting everything signed for even if it sells for only a quid. That covers you against eBay's bias in favour of buyers. If people complain that the postage is three times that of the item, explain that if eBay didn't bite the hand that feeds them, you might be more amenable to trust others. Success breeds an arrogant attitude. Most businesses eventually go tits up because they don't listen to their customers. I confidently forecast that eBay will be no exception to this rule.

Once the initial work has been done, ongoing maintenance is relatively untaxing and you convert something you don't want into a modest amount of cash, occasionally hitting the jackpot when Mr Thicko pays many times an object's worth.

[Paulus 1,975]

Absolutely classic Rob, I enjoyed reading that!

[DaveG38 405]

Just don't list anything of value.

List for 99p or £1 and only include those items you would willingly sell for that amount.

Make sure they are only listed when it is free and by automatically relisting when free, all you need to do is a couple of mouse clicks and top up the gaps when items sell.

Even with that strategy you will probably only sell 5-10%, with most selling at opening price. This provides benefits all round in that it gets rid of shi*e you don't want, without risking the loss of anything valuable. This is good for the environment.

It helps collectors of washers to adequately source material for their collections whilst enriching yourself in the process. As a seller of crap you will probably make a considerable profit on a few pence worth of scrap metal.

The poundshop mentality of your average eBay buyer means they will be equally happy paying a pound for something worth pence as something worth a couple quid.

Don't pretend you can educate people about quality - buyers have rose tinted spectacles meaning if the book says something is worth £1K FDC, they by extension have a £1K washer as it is the only number quoted. The race to the bottom will attract more due to the (outside) possibility of finding a valuable item than it will ever convince the same that they are throwing away good money. Saying something is UNC or FDC is meaningless as nobody believes an eBay seller anyway.

Make sure you include an adequate amount in the postage charge to cover eBay's FVF and Paypoo fees.

Cover your own backside by getting everything signed for even if it sells for only a quid. That covers you against eBay's bias in favour of buyers. If people complain that the postage is three times that of the item, explain that if eBay didn't bite the hand that feeds them, you might be more amenable to trust others. Success breeds an arrogant attitude. Most businesses eventually go tits up because they don't listen to their customers. I confidently forecast that eBay will be no exception to this rule.

Once the initial work has been done, ongoing maintenance is relatively untaxing and you convert something you don't want into a modest amount of cash, occasionally hitting the jackpot when Mr Thicko pays many times an object's worth.

How did you guess my strategy? Have you got a spycam in my house?

[Rob 3,152]

It's the only logical strategy when dealing with eBay and eBay buyers. Both want to screw the seller so you have to look after no.1, because eBay sure as hell don't do customer service.

[DaveG38 405]

It's the only logical strategy when dealing with eBay and eBay buyers. Both want to screw the seller so you have to look after no.1, because eBay sure as hell don't do customer service.

I've been shifting some of the dross recently, and I have been surprised at what people will buy. Not for much - usually £0.99 or £1.99 but it all mounts up to a nice little pool for buying something I really want.

[scott 144]

one mans dross is another mans 3 grand coin

[Paulus 1,975]

You did find a mega bargain recently Scott, that's for sure!

[Peter 615]

My toe is going to be dipped in again.

It is a bit of fun.

Look out for Jakebake1978 and Shill me (MP if you are reading)

[Paulus 1,975]

You are incorrigible Peter!

[Peckris 579]

It's the only logical strategy when dealing with eBay and eBay buyers. Both want to screw the seller so you have to look after no.1, because eBay sure as hell don't do customer service.

I've been shifting some of the dross recently, and I have been surprised at what people will buy. Not for much - usually £0.99 or £1.99 but it all mounts up to a nice little pool for buying something I really want.

I got a superb condition DVD of Groundhog Day recently, for 99p + postage - that sure beats even Tesco's bargain basement!

[Paulus 1,975]

Love that film, even though ultimately he cheats to get what he wants!

[Peckris 579]

Love that film, even though ultimately he cheats to get what he wants!

That's the whole beauty of it - he cheats, but ultimately has to learn more important sh*t than bedding women and winning on the races, especially as he has start again from scratch each morning!

[Paulus 1,975]

But in the end he is left with a woman who thinks he is someone else ... still love the film though, one of only ten or so I watch again and again!

[Accumulator 52]

But in the end he is left with a woman who thinks he is someone else ... still love the film though, one of only ten or so I watch again and again!

I read 'Before I go to Sleep' last year, a great book based on a similar but theoretically possible story. The film with Colin Firth & Nicole Kidman should be one to watch out for this summer.

[Peckris 579]

But in the end he is left with a woman who thinks he is someone else ... still love the film though, one of only ten or so I watch again and again!

Ah, but by then, he IS someone else! That's the moral message I believe?

[eternaloptimist 0]

Had lots of laughs reading this page so I joined to add this, although not exactly a laughing matter,

http://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Buyer-Central/fraud-account-hijacked-Item-251521219613/m-p/3081087#U3081087

The link regards this item http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251521219613?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_from%3DR40%26_nkw%3D251521219613%26_rdc%3D1

Item number 251521219613 Currently with 57 bids at £18,766, reportedly being sold on a hijacked account that has been reported to ebay by multiple members and

also to the authorities. Especially like the part about the seller taking a 2.5% deposit after the auction. Anyway those other suckers don't stand a chance cause my snipe is already set up.

[azda 979]

There's been a lot of those Gold Bars on ebay

[HistoricCoinage 146]

If I win a lot from eBay and the seller (apparently) accidentally sends it to the wrong person it's not unreasonable to assume that I'd receive the coins after the seller and incorrect recipient work it out, right? Turns out I am being unreasonable. The seller received the coins (apparently) from the incorrect recipient, refunds me the money and then relists...

Nothing to do with eBay this time but I'm astonished at the actions of the seller - it seems somewhat dishonest and unprofessional. If I accidentally sent a coin to the wrong person but managed to get it returned I'd obviously still honour my original transaction. It just seems bizarre that this seller wouldn't, almost as if they never 'accidentally sent it' in the first place and was hoping for a higher price...

[Rob 3,152]

If I win a lot from eBay and the seller (apparently) accidentally sends it to the wrong person it's not unreasonable to assume that I'd receive the coins after the seller and incorrect recipient work it out, right? Turns out I am being unreasonable. The seller received the coins (apparently) from the incorrect recipient, refunds me the money and then relists...

Nothing to do with eBay this time but I'm astonished at the actions of the seller - it seems somewhat dishonest and unprofessional. If I accidentally sent a coin to the wrong person but managed to get it returned I'd obviously still honour my original transaction. It just seems bizarre that this seller wouldn't, almost as if they never 'accidentally sent it' in the first place and was hoping for a higher price...

And the guilty party is?

[HistoricCoinage 146]

And the guilty party is?

The seller. This could have happened with any dealer/auction house whether on or off eBay.

[TomGoodheart 400]

And the guilty party is?

The seller. This could have happened with any dealer/auction house whether on or off eBay.

Um, yeah. I think Rob was suggesting a 'name and shame' Clive!

[HistoricCoinage 146]

Um, yeah. I think Rob was suggesting a 'name and shame' Clive!

Ah, I was thinking this was another of Rob's eBay-bashing posts and expecting Dave to join soon.

[Debbie 58]

Why would anyone want this? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400705852311?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Posh hamster bedding?

[HistoricCoinage 146]

Posh hamster bedding?

[azda 979]

Funnily enough if you win something on the German eBay it technically becomes your propery the minute the auction has ended. Apparently Germany has outstripped the USA for suing people. I also refuse to bow to morons for a fiver profit, eBay is just full of morons and keybord idiots who want you to beg and plead so they won't give you a negative, a bit like a dog begging for a treat, unfortumately i don't beg or play those games and make sure they know it

Edited May 9, 2014 by azda