From jake92028@yahoo.com Mon Oct 18 22:33:47 2004
Subject:Re: OT: selling stuff on ebay - return policy and reserve price


> I recently listed a keyboard on ebay and one of the questions
when you are setting up the
> auction is "what is your return policy?"

eBay recently started a new "warm and fuzzy feeling" concept of
having you answer email questions online making you more a part of
the eBay "family" = don't. When you get these emails, instead of
clicking on the eBay link, reply direct to the questioner to avoid
more silly stuff from wannabe buyers. My opinion per your questions:
Never offer returns. I will generally say my item is in ________
condition and will be as described, no return offered, check my
Feedback. If I really want to sell something (OCD) and not wait for a
long auction, I'll list just before the weekend with a 3-day auction
to cover Friday through Monday. I don't use the Reserve option. I put
a Buy It Now price for a realistic (researched) amount that's what I
want to sell for, then a starting price about 12-15% lower. Before I
even list anything, I do a search on my item to see what others have
them listed for, then I check the Search box for Completed items and
search a second time to see what they've sold for recently before I
set my price. I also try to offer a flat rate shipping charge that's
about an average between realistic closest and farthest shipping
distance - lower 48 states only. YMMV #^) Walter j

Evidently people are more apt to bid if there is a
> return policy. Has anyone used a return policy with stuff they've
sold on ebay? It seems
> complicated for an individual seller.
>
> The other question is whether to have a reserve price or just
list the item at the lowest
> price you will take (which is basically the reserve). Have people
had better luck listing
> with no reserve? I started at $800 with a reserve of $900 but
maybe I just should have
> started at $900.
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice,
> Joe
>
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