eBay Advice

**wannabprogramma** · 07-10-2011, 09:06 PM

So I'm looking for a little advice about selling an iPhone on eBay, mostly I'm wondering if short (like a couple days or a week) or long (like a month) auctions will yield more traffic/better prices. Also, is it better to start at 0 and just let the auctions do their thing or start somewhere in the 200-300 range? Lastly, should there always be a Buy it Now option or should I leave it to the auction? Thanks for any advice!

**i.Annie** · 07-10-2011, 09:13 PM

In my personal experience:
1) I would start at $0, trust me an iPhone is popular and you'll likely get the price you want or close to it (sometimes more even). Starting higher may cause people to turn away from it, they may think it starts at $200, they can get a better deal for less but in reality with all the bidding any listing of a functional iPhone can meet or surpass the price you seek.
2) you don't want to drag it out too long or have it too short. Too short doesn't give you enough time to get bids and too long pushes your listing further and further down the list. That and people don't want to wait 7 days for an auction to end so they'll move on to say one that will end in 3 days. If it were up to me I would choose 3 or 5 days, probably more towards 3.
3) buy it now is pretty good if you can settle for less. Bidding will in most cases give you a higher payoff than setting a BIN price. Although it would definitely give you a quicker sale. Say you want $250 for your phone, set it at $250 and some people might buy. But in many cases people bid and fight over it and might be willing to go $270 or $300 for it. It's up to you. I like to set a BIN price bc I like to sell quick. Although I know I might be able to get more for it, but I am impatient

Hopefully my POV will help you. Others may disagree (personal preference) and I respect that.

Edit: I retract my statement on BIN. I was thinking of setting a reserve price. BIN is generally *more* than what people expect to buy something for but some impatient people may want it immediately and don't mind paying the extra. Bidding never surpasses the BIN price of course. So set the BIN and maybe an impatient person will buy it immediately. If not you'll still get plenty of bids to meet your expectation.

**Stray** · 07-10-2011, 09:29 PM

Be careful with the buy it now as there are some people who like buying it and not replying. It is a hassle dealing with eBay. Trust me I've got experience.

**wannabprogramma** · 07-10-2011, 09:35 PM

alright thanks yall, so what I'm planning is an auction starting at 0 with no buy it now and lasting about 5 days... does that sound right?

**Stray** · 07-10-2011, 09:38 PM

Yup. If my memory is correct you could always make the bidding one day and extend it but I'm not entirely sure

**GnatGoSplat** · 07-11-2011, 01:37 PM

Just be aware that eBay+PayPal fees are pretty steep (around 12% altogether, also charged on shipping cost). I had sold a few iPhone 4s for $400-ish, would have had to get $450 out of them on eBay to make up for the fees! Only a handful went for $450 or more, most went for closer to $400, so I would have lost a good deal of money selling on eBay. I've been selling on eBay since 1997, but the fees have gotten so high I pretty much consider it a last resort.

**Cowboy** · 07-11-2011, 01:50 PM

I would have to agree with annie

ps thread moved to right location

**wannabprogramma** · 07-12-2011, 03:27 PM

spam much?

**Simon** · 07-12-2011, 03:31 PM

spam bots are liking this thread. That was the 25th we have killed in here.

**Stray** · 07-12-2011, 04:08 PM

its like West's thread all over again

**Simon** · 07-12-2011, 04:09 PM

Sure is

**Cowboy** · 07-12-2011, 04:29 PM

So much scrolling just to post

**Simon** · 07-12-2011, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by Cowboy

So much scrolling just to post

Better?

**Paco** · 07-12-2011, 04:53 PM

I say change the title. Ebay attracts bots

**Simon** · 07-12-2011, 04:56 PM

I kinda like when they swarm to one thread. Makes it easier to catch them then if they are posting in random threads.

Maybe we should make a spam catcher thread with all the keywords that they love, hmmm.....

**Stray** · 07-12-2011, 04:57 PM

Then I'd get confused, report it, and get pissed when nothing happens lol

**i.Annie** · 07-13-2011, 10:10 AM

This is almost unbearable. Ever since this got moved to chit chat it's a bot magnet. I'm almost inclined to just sit on this thread and refresh it lol, doesn't look like it's gonna stop.

**Simon** · 07-13-2011, 10:13 AM

lol, that was funny one posting right after you said that.

**i.Annie** · 07-13-2011, 10:15 AM

Hahaha wow, seriously right after I said it. I was just about to come and delete it, you're too quick Simon

**Simon** · 07-13-2011, 10:19 AM

I'm a spam killing machine today

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