kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217 
|
Post by kentuckyrocker on Apr 18, 2009 8:22:05 GMT -5
I have been on ebay as a buyer for about a year- most of what I check out rocks, jewelry, that sort.
What I am noticing on the US ebay is most of what sells is raw-
strings of beads, slabs, some cabs - but a good bit of the really nice beautiful wire wrap, handcrafted silver and such- it does not move.
Personally, what I look for is reasonably priced cabs because I don't have my saw and such yet.
I think shows are a good idea- yeah for sure , go to a few , scope it out but I tell you, what sells one day may not be given away the next. It is a gamble.
If you are in it mostly for the love of it all, then for sure the shows. You just never know.
Ebay seems to me like they really screw over the seller. The fees, all of it.
There needs to be a better online site for selling but as others have said, they just do not get the traffic.
I think I would do the shows and have cards made with my website listed.
If I went ebay, I would look into the UK and Australia base - if they allow it anyway.
Catalog is a good idea. Maybe if you can swing it , do a small sample printing, send out to areas that would be most likely to be your customer base.
Be worth a try.
|
|
kentuckyrocker
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since November 2008
Posts: 217
|
Post by kentuckyrocker on Apr 18, 2009 8:25:06 GMT -5
If you should do a small catalog, in your descriptions be sure to include tidbits of interest about the stone and such. History, locale, meanings, what have you. Do less if you must in order to do quality. Just some thoughts  Theresa |
|
buckwheat69
noticing nice landscape pebbles
How do we get out of here ??
Member since July 2008
Posts: 96
|
Post by buckwheat69 on Apr 21, 2009 21:51:05 GMT -5
You could always give EBIDDZ a try. your only out 3.75 % if you sell it. I can still get those vouchers that will waive all listing fees so all you pay is the end sale fee. yeah they don't have a lot of traffic yet but it's getting bigger. and now with all these new ebay rules it might not be such a bad idea. more people are gonna make a move somewhere.they don't hold your money! they have been doing more marketing and search engine optimizing with a marketing group to help with the ratings. Just a thought and yes they are world wide.
someone said they paid 18 % to ebay you can save 14.25% and put it in your pocket. might offset the high shipping from Canada. ebay didn't start out with a million people breezing through each day and it's obvious they are to big for their britches now.
let me know if anyone would like to try ebbidz
Steve
|
|
|
|
Post by Michael John on Apr 22, 2009 3:40:33 GMT -5
I can see by the reputaion rating of eBiddz sellers that it's getting off to a very slow start. I hope things start to pick-up for you folks over there.
|
|
1rockhound
spending too much on rocks
Member since July 2008
Posts: 286
|
Post by 1rockhound on Apr 22, 2009 22:26:48 GMT -5
Tony, I have a 100% feedback rating on eBay ... they made me wait for my money. MJ You fall under one of these three reasons for your funds being held: 18. What are the payment policy changes? Which sellers do they affect? eBay will require some sellers to offer a safer payment option, either PayPal or a merchant credit card. These payment options offer additional protections to buyers. Sellers will be required to offer safer payment if they meet any of these conditions: * have more than 5% dissatisfied buyers in the last 30 days (shows as "poor" or "unacceptable" on the Seller Dashboard) * have a feedback score of less than 100 * are listing items in the following higher risk categories (and sub categories): gift certificates, video games, cell phones, computers and consumer electronics If you are required to offer a safer payment option, you might also be subject to holds on payment. PayPal may hold payments for the sale of an eBay item until the earliest of the following occurs: * the buyer leaves positive feedback, * 3 days after confirmed item delivery* * 21 days without a dispute, claim, chargeback, or reversal filed on that transaction *PayPal can confirm delivery. PayPal will confirm delivery if you use USPS, UPS, or FedEx to ship the item and (i) use PayPal shipping labels, or (ii) upload tracking information to PayPal via the transaction details page. This applies to US domestic transactions only. eBay Motors vehicle categories (Cars & Trucks, Motorcycles, Powersports, Boats, and Other Vehicles categories and subcategories) will not be included in these payment policy changes. Here is the link: pages.ebay.com/sell/update08/rewardsfaq/index.html#18Jason |
|
rockhound97058
freely admits to licking rocks
Thundereggs - Oregons Official State Rock!
Member since January 2006
Posts: 760
|
Post by rockhound97058 on Apr 22, 2009 23:56:07 GMT -5
I started selling on the Internet in 1997 and that was before "ebay". I actually started selling on Yahoo Auctions and it did very well until the Bay took over the web. I agree I've sold lots of rock on ebay and have made fair money at times, but I have not touched it in over a year and a half. Mainly just as you stated the fee's... Between the Paypal and Ebay fee's it cost's a dang chunk. It's hard to cut a profit using their service. I have a friend who wants my help in selling Motorcycle parts... I have thought about doing so for the extra cash, however I really hate to fund them! All they do is raise prices and yet this is what I found on the Internet Anyrate it's all a scam! Keep in mind though, I know many folks do this as a hobby to make some extra cash. However if you do claim it as income keep in mind you can use the ebay fee's and paypal transaction fee's as a perfectly legal write-off on your taxes. If you want to boycott Ebay a good buddy of mine has been trying very hard to build a fantastic website for rock only auctions at www.dragonsayeauctions.com/ |
|
brent
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2008
Posts: 1,316
|
Post by brent on Apr 23, 2009 9:15:28 GMT -5
I just took a look at dragonsayeauctions.com. It's a nice display site, but I didn't see any bids on the rough rock or cabs. I find the same with alot of stuff on ebay. For me it makes the sites a good place to buy, but not sell.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnjsgems on Apr 23, 2009 9:26:36 GMT -5
As far as "reporting income" I have a friend that sells mineral specimens all over the world on e-bay. He was shocked to receive a letter from the U.S. government that included to the penny every sale he had. Apparently e-bay or pay pal or both report sales. Big Brother watches.
|
|
bushmanbilly
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2008
Posts: 4,719 
|
Post by bushmanbilly on Apr 23, 2009 21:38:45 GMT -5
They lost the battle with the taxman here in Canada. If you are a power seller they have to send your records to Gov. People bitch about fees. What would it cost you to advertise your goods worldwide? A lot more than what they take. Yes they are high. I have a business and I know what it costs me just to advertise local. Just bite the bullet and live with it. Claim it and write it off. If you do it right you can write the gas, rooms, boots, and food off that you use to find rocks, etc. The only time you have to worry about paying to much tax. Is if you have a high profit the cost margin. If you have that, your ripping off your costumers. And that will come to bite you in the end. ![]() www.rocktumblinghobby.com/smile/2cents.gif[/img] |
|
Gotta lick those rocks to see if they shine!!
