I ran two used book auctions. One sold, the other did not. I mailed the package today, but I made a mistake. Being frugal and a little environmentally conscious, I re-used a white USPS Priority Mail box. BIG MISTAKE.
I wanted to send the books by Media Mail rate since it’s discounted from regular postage, but slower. But because I used the white box with the red and blue stripes, I was not allowed to send it via Media Mail. So while I charged a fixed fee for shipping, I ended up losing 15 cents. It’s not a lot, but when you’re sending a $4.00 package, it’s annoying.
But I made my first sale! Yippee! Netting myself $3.85.
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
How much would you have made selling the book at a local used bookstore? I find it hard to overcome the transaction costs on small items sold thru ebay. Between Paypal, listing, and shipping fees, I dont think there is enough juice left for it to be worth my time.
Yeah on getting that sale! Some folks turn the USPS priority mail boxes inside out and then ship. Thereby avoiding the “using our free boxes, must go priority” argument at the post office. However, I think they are getting wise to it.
I save the brown Amazon.com boxes and reuse those for my eBay shipments. I have even gone so far as to take a large brown box and using a box-cutter cutting up the box and making a smaller more book friendly box out of it. For some reason I really hate paying for shipping containers and like the idea of re-using as much of the packing mateial as possible.
I call myself “thinking green” while my family calls me “cheap” – either way it is all good
If I had gone to a bookstore, I would have gotten a dollar a book or less. As it is, I got almost $2 for each book if I hadn’t messed up the shipping. I work across the street from a post office, and drive past another one going to work everyday so it’s not inconvenient. It’s ‘worth’ my time since I don’t want to throw out a book (aka Bookcrossing) or hoof a box to the library for a donation, or watch it clutter up my small apartment/be unloved/unread.
Thanks Jane for the tip. I’ll have to try turning them inside out the next time. Or cover it up with brown bag/kraft paper.
You and Jane are really doing it with the Ebay sales. I need to jump on the bandwagon and follow suit. You would think I’d be ready to get rid of this mess around the house since I’ll be packing and moving soon. Oh, I’m so lazy. I need some motivation!
Ebay your stuff so you don’t have to pack it up! Then take the cash to buy decorations for the new house. (It’s only 4 bucks, so I’m not getting rich, just getting rid of stuff.)
Good luck with your eBay adventure! No matter how much (or little) you make, part of it is the fun. And I’ve “met” some interesting people through eBay.
Just a note about turning Priority Mail boxes inside out, though — keep in mind that it is illegal. Many people still do it figuring that USPS doesn’t watch for it. The practical result is increased postal rates for all of us. I thought about it when I first started selling on eBay, but decided not to. It’s awfully easy to rationalize small stuff away based on whether or not you’ll get caught, but I’ve reached a point where I’ve got to be true to what I believe is right rather than on whether or not I might get caught. Guess that sounds kind of preachy, but I’ve come to realize that I can’t expect my kids to grow up with a strong value system unless I model it for them.
I’ve just started using ebay to sell some old books I’ve read. I find that doing a search on the item I’m selling is very helpful. Providing (selling prices, who’s bidding on items, how the auction is set up, etc.) I’ve been successful by following what others have done. I like your blog, a lot of good information and an excellent link collection. I would be pleased if you could add my blog as a link. http://howtomakeamilliondollars.blogspot.com/ Thanks, G.