selling on e-bay - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

treky · 03-31-2019, 02:51 AM

how do you do it? Can I pay someone to do it for me? Do I have to take a picture of the items? What if I don't have a camera?

Keep in mind that I'm in a wheelchair, don't drive and can't get around easily.

Zoneboy · 03-31-2019, 05:38 AM

If you want to sell items yourself you will need to register with a seller account. You will also need to have a Paypal account to accept payments because eBay doesn't allow payments to be made with a check or money order although I personally think that should be between the seller and the buyer. I've heard that eBay is going to sever ties with Paypal and use a new online funding source for payments. You will also need a backup funding source such as a credit/debit card or bank account for your fees which are due each month. The biggest fee is the final value fee if your item sells.
Depending on the category it's listed in the price can be anywhere from 10% and higher. The final value fee is based on the total price charged to the buyer including shipping. Yes, eBay charges a fee if you charge shipping and it doesn't matter if you charge exact shipping or not. They enacted this stupid rule a few years ago because sellers were offering items at way below normal costs, but offsetting that with ridiculous shipping charges. In some categories eBay has a maximum amount you're actually allowed to charge.
eBay also encourages sellers to provide free shipping if feasible. You will need to have at least one photo of any item you sell and the maximum is 12. In some categories such as DVD's you can use a stock photo if the item is new and sealed. If it's used you can still use a stock photo, but you must also include at least one of your own. You can also pay someone to sell your items for you. eBay has seller valets and they can help you find someone in your area who offers this service. There might also be someone near you who does this, but not as an eBay valet. Some pawn shops and thrift stores also do this. I have sold for others myself and if you decide to go this route always make sure you know exactly what your item(s) sold for and always make sure you have you're money in full before you let the seller ship it. Keep in mind though that if you let someone else sell your stuff that they will charge you a fee on top of any eBay and Paypal fees which will cut into any profits you hope to make. If you're not sure how much to sell your items for you can do a completed items search and see what other have sold their's for in the last 30 days. This will give you an idea of what you can expect to receive although it will depend upon condition, shipping charge, etc... If you decide to sell your own items then I suggest you pay your fees as you go so that you don't have a big bill at the end of the month. When I sell an item the first thing I do is print the label then see what my current eBay fees balance is. If the amount is enough where I can go ahead and pay it in full then I will. If not I will pay a percentage of it until my next item is sold. By doing this my monthly invoice is usually already paid in full when it arrives or I will only owe a small amount. I hope this helps and best of luck if you decided to sell on eBay.

Greenbeans · 03-31-2019, 02:43 PM

Hi - I've sold on ebay for 15 years - it's my full-time job. Zoneboy did a great job at describing the process.

Just to add a few things - most new sellers I have known are done-in by late shipping. You have to get the items out fast (preferably next day). The post office has carrier pickup if you have 1 priority mail or first-class mail item to ship. They will pick up your packages at your house so you don't have to go to the post office.

Also, ebay income has to be declared on your income tax. You also have to pay self-employment taxes on any income earned (this is a lot of money). Make sure you know your financials and how it may effect your taxes before you do anything.

Zoneboy · 03-31-2019, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenbeans

Also, ebay income has to be declared on your income tax. You also have to pay self-employment taxes on any income earned (this is a lot of money). Make sure you know your financials and how it may effect your taxes before you do anything.

Link

Not every eBay sale is subject to income tax, but most are. If you use the site to get rid of household articles you've used in the past, you may qualify for "occasional garage or yard sale" treatment. According to the IRS, if your online auction sales are the Internet equivalent of an occasional garage or yard sale, you generally do not have to report income from those sales.

If you make more than $20,000 in gross sales and have 200 or more transactions on eBay, you should receive a 1099-K form reporting this income to the IRS.

Granted, I'm no expert on this, but our accountant is. He said that as long as I stayed under the above threshold of $20,000 a year in sales and 200 or more transactions then I wouldn't have to worry about receiving a 1099. I've had some years with 200 or more transactions, but I've never made anywhere close to $20,000 which is why I've never received a 1099 or any other tax form.

treky · 04-01-2019, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Link

Not every eBay sale is subject to income tax, but most are. If you use the site to get rid of household articles you've used in the past, you may qualify for "occasional garage or yard sale" treatment. According to the IRS, if your online auction sales are the Internet equivalent of an occasional garage or yard sale, you generally do not have to report income from those sales.

If you make more than $20,000 in gross sales and have 200 or more transactions on eBay, you should receive a 1099-K form reporting this income to the IRS.

Granted, I'm no expert on this, but our accountant is. He said that as long as I stayed under the above threshold of $20,000 a year in sales and 200 or more transactions then I wouldn't have to worry about receiving a 1099. I've had some years with 200 or more transactions, but I've never made anywhere close to $20,000 which is why I've never received a 1099 or any other tax form.

thanx but that part doesn't concern me because I don't pay income tax-I get too much with my SSI.

03-31-2019, 02:51 AM	#1
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	selling on e-bay how do you do it? Can I pay someone to do it for me? Do I have to take a picture of the items? What if I don't have a camera? Keep in mind that I'm in a wheelchair, don't drive and can't get around easily.
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

03-31-2019, 05:38 AM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,443	If you want to sell items yourself you will need to register with a seller account. You will also need to have a Paypal account to accept payments because eBay doesn't allow payments to be made with a check or money order although I personally think that should be between the seller and the buyer. I've heard that eBay is going to sever ties with Paypal and use a new online funding source for payments. You will also need a backup funding source such as a credit/debit card or bank account for your fees which are due each month. The biggest fee is the final value fee if your item sells. Depending on the category it's listed in the price can be anywhere from 10% and higher. The final value fee is based on the total price charged to the buyer including shipping. Yes, eBay charges a fee if you charge shipping and it doesn't matter if you charge exact shipping or not. They enacted this stupid rule a few years ago because sellers were offering items at way below normal costs, but offsetting that with ridiculous shipping charges. In some categories eBay has a maximum amount you're actually allowed to charge. eBay also encourages sellers to provide free shipping if feasible. You will need to have at least one photo of any item you sell and the maximum is 12. In some categories such as DVD's you can use a stock photo if the item is new and sealed. If it's used you can still use a stock photo, but you must also include at least one of your own. You can also pay someone to sell your items for you. eBay has seller valets and they can help you find someone in your area who offers this service. There might also be someone near you who does this, but not as an eBay valet. Some pawn shops and thrift stores also do this. I have sold for others myself and if you decide to go this route always make sure you know exactly what your item(s) sold for and always make sure you have you're money in full before you let the seller ship it. Keep in mind though that if you let someone else sell your stuff that they will charge you a fee on top of any eBay and Paypal fees which will cut into any profits you hope to make. If you're not sure how much to sell your items for you can do a completed items search and see what other have sold their's for in the last 30 days. This will give you an idea of what you can expect to receive although it will depend upon condition, shipping charge, etc... If you decide to sell your own items then I suggest you pay your fees as you go so that you don't have a big bill at the end of the month. When I sell an item the first thing I do is print the label then see what my current eBay fees balance is. If the amount is enough where I can go ahead and pay it in full then I will. If not I will pay a percentage of it until my next item is sold. By doing this my monthly invoice is usually already paid in full when it arrives or I will only owe a small amount. I hope this helps and best of luck if you decided to sell on eBay.

03-31-2019, 02:43 PM	#3
Greenbeans Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 13, 2018 Posts: 197	Hi - I've sold on ebay for 15 years - it's my full-time job. Zoneboy did a great job at describing the process. Just to add a few things - most new sellers I have known are done-in by late shipping. You have to get the items out fast (preferably next day). The post office has carrier pickup if you have 1 priority mail or first-class mail item to ship. They will pick up your packages at your house so you don't have to go to the post office. Also, ebay income has to be declared on your income tax. You also have to pay self-employment taxes on any income earned (this is a lot of money). Make sure you know your financials and how it may effect your taxes before you do anything.