Not Selling On Craigslist? Try eBay, Double Your Money
I have been trying to sell a lot of my stuff that I haven’t touched in months locally on Craigslist with so-so results. I thought that by posting on Craigslist I could avoid the eBay fees, Paypal fees, and the hassle of packing and shipping whatever it was that sold. The idea sounds great and would be if stuff would actually sell.
Generally I get the quick email of interest from a potential buyer and then that it is it, the person would drop off to never be heard from again. I would assume it was an impulse decision to buy and the more time that goes by they would decide they really didn’t need what I was selling. Which is fine, but frustrating to no end as I really want that cash to kick a Chase Visa to the curb. I have been trying to sell a PDA that was used maybe, and I mean maybe, used three times. It was in like new condition and I couldn’t get that thing to move on Craigslist for $50 or even $40. After about two weeks of trying to sell it I posted it on eBay.
It was a seven day auction started on Saturday. I started the auction at $.99 cents with a couple of pictures and an eBay technology template. Total charges to place and sell the item on eBay, accept payment via paypal, and to ship was $16.42. The PDA sold for over $100, I came away with close to $100 in cash whereas if I sold the item on Craigslist I may have only received $40.
If it can be shipped and it’s not selling on Craigslist, sell it on eBay. There is a larger marketplace there anyway.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
You know, for me it depends on what I am getting rid of. I get more $$ from craigs list when I have some new electronic item that I am getting rid of. Stay with me here. By the time I subtract listing fees, final value fees, and PayPal fees it often ate into a good chunk of my profit. With Craigslist I often didn’t have to wait a week and sold the item for cash only. No fees involved…but then I live in NYC where there’s a ton of people always wanting a good deal and willing to come pick things up.
Funny enough cosmetics sell like hot cakes on eBay, and for relatively good money for small items. I know it’s kind of crazy but it works for me. I just need to find something I can sell or get rid of now.
BTW congrats on the Plasectomy!
March 12th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Nice article. I’ve found Craig’s list to be limiting. I thought it was great at first but…I’ve had little to no response on many items. What I’ve learned with ebay is that you really have to research what you’re doing, I always check the completed sales to see what made it and why (free shipping seems to be key.)
Hang in there with the money, it does get better.