eBay selling software to set up 'shop' - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2017, 09:29:42 pm
content: I am about to start a 'shop' on eBay in order to sell my somewhat extensive excess equipment inventory. Basically I am selling most of my test equipment, as I am just not using it enough. The core essentials will be retained.Has anyone on here got experience of 'off-line' eBay listing generation software that would simplify the process of adding lots of equipment listings per day please? The 'big players on eBay must surely use some decent quality off-line listing authoring software.Any recommendations ? No objection to buying some decent eBay listing software either.Fraser

author: bitseeker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2017, 10:03:12 pm
content: I've seen some programs named in attribution lines of listings by "pro" eBay sellers. The names escape me at the moment, but you might note them the next time you're surfing the 'Bay.

author: Astrodev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2017, 10:37:39 pm
content: Yes I have been running ebay shops for about 8years and there are 2 main third party applications I have used the original one was Bigger Bids you can upload images in bulk and create simple templates so that you can actually minimise the amount of work needed for each listing.However the second option is InkFrog which is a much more sophisticated listing tool but once you get the hang of it is probably the easier to use, it allows you to create templates as well as reuse listings already created you can also build up offline folders of items ready to list as well as being able to use the same interface to manage live listings in case you need to change something. It also links into other systems such as Terrapeak to help you get the best search hits for you listing.The downside is that both these are subscription services but I have found that they did pay for themselves in the time saved managing listings.If you want to talk about any of this just PM me and we could even arrange a chat as I am also in the UK.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 01:56:21 pm
content: I like crazylister. it's also free for some time.First, I put bulk listings on eBay, there is an option to put more than 1 listing each time.I put the correct picture and description for each listing, and go to crazylister, choose all the new listings, apply the template and it does all the work.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 02:07:54 pm
content: Thanks for the suggestions guys. I shall look into these listing tools.There is going to be a lot of inventory to sell. A neighbour asked if the equipment on my garage shelving was stock for a shop ! It is now 🙂Best WishesFraser

author: Astrodev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 02:38:17 pm
content: One thing to be careful of is that ebay use the time it takes to deliver as a metric that sets your rating and how your items are found, if you are latter than quoted on dispatch this will count against you also if the item arrives after the quoted latest delivery date then this also counts against you.The problem is that they do not seem to take into account weekends and bank holidays, you can also forget about any days off or holidays as that time will come back to bite you and usually takes about 18 months to work through the system.With all the changes they have brought in over the last 2 years their backoffice systems for sellers are so broken I have given up with them and am actually packing in using ebay over the next 3 weeks, I have already ditched over 300 listings with the rest to follow.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 03:39:36 pm
content: TEST GEAR? LIST IT HERE

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 04:34:51 pm
content: I will.I am creating a collection of equipment descriptions and pictures.The equipment will be tested and I will put a 'Buy it Now' value on it for eBay sales.I will list the equipment on this forum at a lower price before uploading it a week later to EBay. If someone wants the equipment and we agree on the price, they can have it.I have Lot of nice quality RF test equipment and even some 'beginners' equipment so there should be something for everyone.To give an idea of the challenge I face, I have two spare rooms, two garden sheds and a lab fully of test equipment that has been dry stored awaiting a use. It's pretty crazy.The Equipment includes, but is not limited to.....RF Spectrum Analyzers, CRT Oscilloscopes, Digital LCD Oscilloscopes, Portable Oscilloscopes, Lab power supplies, Multimeters - handheld and bench types, RF Signal Generators, AF signal Generators, RF Frequency counters, RF Millivoltmeters, SINAD meters, Vector Network Analysers (PC type, compact units), Analogue and DVB TV & CATV signal strength meters/analyzers, Oscilloscope probe sets, HV multimeter probes, HV Oscilloscope probes, Logic Analyzers, Huntron Trackers, ToneOhms, Transistor testers, TV signal generators, Frequency counter adapters, Frequency Counter prescalers, Analogue RF Transceiver Test System (R&S), Function Generators, Portable Inmarsat satellite dishes (1m petal type), Modern Boat RADAR sets (Raytheon) Qty 7, HF receivers (many) , Professional HF/VHF/UHF monitoring receivers (many), Lowe HF-125 HF-150 HF receivers (many + the UK spares holding for them), Car battery testers (Professional resistive load type - not cheap Chinese stuff), CCTV cameras (tons of them !), Thermal imaging cameras (maybeif the price is right). Plus lots more types of kit that I have yet to remember. In most cases I have many examples of each piece of kit.All will be sold as either tested working, tested with faults, or not tested. Most of my kit is working but I did buy "projects" that never got to the top of the to-do list. I believe in being very honest about equipment condition.I hope this is of interest to some forum members. It will be a mammoth clearout and an ongoing task for me. Those local to Milton Keynes could save money by collecting kit. I discount collection as it saves me packing timeFraserUK

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 05:27:36 pm
content: Why not sell the whole lot to a used equipment dealer and be done with it?

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 05:29:38 pm
content: That's like asking Santa why he doesn't sell all his toys to Mattel and be done with it!

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 05:30:58 pm
content: As much as I am drooling at the thought of some of the gear you have .... I think I'm glad I'm in Australia.I know someone else in the household would be too .... if I were to mention this thread.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 05:32:00 pm
content: Nctnico,I work with such dealers and know how they do businessThey like to pay 10p in the Pound on resale value. No thanks.I would like to recover some of my investment. Imagine letting a modern Agilent 2.4 GHz RF signal generator go to a dealer for £60 ! Nope, not a good deal for me.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 05:36:39 pm
content: Brumby,Some of the kit is very modern, small and lightFraser

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 06:26:32 pm
content: Fraser, going into competition with Ian then. Just remember that international shipping is both expensive, takes a long time ( really long if you are sending to places like me here in South Africa) especially for heavier goods going by surface shipping, and often the shipping price is more than the price paid, along with having to send some form of documentation which has a declared customs value ( minimum of CN22 on all, but often more) which can be a pain.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 06:32:39 pm
content: SeanB,Absolutely. sometimes people will pay the high shipping and live with longer delivery times if the equipment is really what they need/wantIt can be a case of obtaining Unobtainium from overseasI buy a lot of equipment from overseas. Often the ebay/Pitney Bowes overseas shipping program makes such purchases economic, but much depends upon the value of the item.Fraser

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 07:08:30 pm
content: Or in my case paying a quarter of the price for essentially the same item here, or less so, and even taking into consideration the customs duties i had to pay it was well worth it.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 07:15:08 pm
content: There are certainly bargains to be had on here, as well I knowFraser

author: Astrodev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 09:53:02 pm
content: I think you have got the right idea offering the gear elsewhere first as I suspect you will probably get a better price as well as less hassle.Also keep in mind that HMRC are now keeping an eye on shop sellers using ebay and if they think you are doing this as a business or go over the VAT thresholds they will be all over you wanting their cut plus potential penalty's so keep good records just in case, I was fully compliant with a proper business setup but they still wanted confirmation that I was playing by their rules.There is a lot that can trip up the unwary when selling online (by whatever channel) so make sure that you do your research first and ask others who have experience of doing this first as they can provide a wealth of useful information including some do's and don'ts.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 10:05:58 pm
content: Astrodev,Many thanks. Wise words indeed. I know exactly what you mean about the Tax man watching eBay like a hawk !Fortunately I have zero income since taking early retirement and so have my full tax free allowance available to meThe down side of selling away from eBay is you sometimes reduce your market and prices can be a lot lower, even when taking eBay fees into account. As SeanB has already indicated, he bought kit on this forum for a fraction of the price it sells for on eBay. Good for him, but not so good if I was the seller ! I will have to walk a virtual tightrope and try to balance my equipment disposal process in order to recover a decent amount of invested capital with the least possible hassleI shall be treating this process just like running a small business until the task is complete. My wife will be happy to see lots of kit leaving our house, and she can then spend the released money on Cruises !Thanks again for your helpBest WishesFraser

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 11:22:17 pm
content: Just make sure to put a link to your Ebay shop in the buy/sell/wanted section and a short list of items so it will be easy to find the items.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2017, 11:43:13 pm
content: Thanks Wilfred. That sounds like a good planI was just wanting to give forum members an opportunity to buy kit at a decent price before placing it on eBay. In retrospect, that is likely to just complicate matters with negotiations on price. eBay is quite a 'remote' selling method. The buyer either uses a B I N option or bids what they think something is worth to them. Everyone should end up happy, with no "what us you lowest price" questions to stress overThankfully I have done some selling in the past on eBay, but small scale and over many months. I have well over 4000 positive feedback as a buyer and around 50 as a seller. 100% rated as wellVery Best WishesFraser

author: Astrodev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2017, 12:08:32 am
content: It is worth noting that ebay shops are for business sellers and put a lot more responsibility and limitations on what you can do and if things are accidently setup incorrectly things can go south very quickly, I have seen shop sellers go from Top Rated to Below Standard in the space of 6 weeks due to a listing error that they were unaware of and not being able to correct it as they were blocked from editing their listings and needless to say ebay customer service were not interested in sorting anything out, this is generally true of any problems sellers have, as long as they are getting paid they are not interested in solving seller problems.I know this all sounds a bit jaundiced but I am basing it on personal experience as well as a large number of others I know who have also been business sellers on ebay, as a general rule if you are going to sell over 10,000 items a year on ebay you will probably be OK but anything less than 5000 and you will not be able to ride out any problems due to the rating system ebay now employ, remember it is down to the number of items sold and not the value.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2017, 12:16:40 am
content: A buyer left me a negative feedback with the message: "F".Yes, just the word "F", nothing more.The issue was that he had some problem with the item I have sold him, so I told him how to fix that and he didn't respond back. just put a negative feedback "F".I tried contacting him, no answer. I tried contacting eBay about this - no answer.10/10 support.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2017, 10:09:32 am
content: Fraser, if you are going on cruises then simply choose the right port cities. Sydney is great in the British summer as a cruise destination, simply as it is winter time but not as adverse as the UK winter, and for you would be tolerable. Think about the nice suitcase you can pack, and how light it will be if there are fewer souvenirs when you return after your circumglobal cruise.

author: Astrodev
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2017, 11:51:51 am
content: If you did that it would make the day of the people on the security part of check in, with the type of gear you are talking about their faces would be a picture.I once knew someone who used to go over to the US a few times a year and would strip down a telescope (tripod and fork mount) and pack it in his suitcase along with his clothes and other stuff, you would never get away with that now.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 16, 2017, 03:37:52 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on July 15, 2017, 05:36:39 pmOh no.... the temptation!