Any experienced ebay sellers here?

[mobama94 0]

Hi,

I got laid off from my job a few weeks ago and I thought of selling some of my stuffs on ebay to help me get by while I search for a new job. I am running low on my savings since I have used a good portion of it on medical expenses.

I set up my first auction on ebay a few days ago and today I just learned that a buyer bought my item using Buy-It-Now. Item sold for less than $50. I sent the buyer an invoice a few minutes ago and as I was checking the buyer's feedback and ebay profile/contact info (feedback score of 9, with 100% feedback as a buyer--buys from US sellers), I found out that this buyer registered on ebay in Russia on Sept 2008. Last item bought by this buyer was valued at $350 and bought from a US seller dated Jan. 22, 2009. They have both exchanged positive feedbacks which looked legit to me, date stamps and all.

Anyhoo, my buyer hasn't paid yet and I am not in a rush to get paid either (at least until 7-10 days has passed no reason to worry just yet). After sending the invoice, ebay allowed me to "View Order Details". And it shows that the buyer's address is in Bradenton, FL. Out of curiousity, I googled the address and it looks legit, my buyer's US address is under the same name (from ebay's pulled contact info) and lives in an apartment/suite.

My question is, how can I check if my buyer has a confirmed Paypal address? Will this information be made available after my buyer pays? I gave specifics on my ebay listing, will only accept Paypal payments and will ship to a confirmed Paypal US address, no international shipping. I am confused with the addresses, can a buyer register from Russia in ebay and use a US address for transactions?

I am just taking precautions as there has been many scams reported on ebay. I tried to sell my things on craigslist but no one is biting, yet. What do you think? I cannot handle being scammed at this point (no jobs, mouths to feed and bills to pay) and I cannot be a bad selller either. I am torn whether to think this is a scam or a legit transaction.

Any advice is very much appreciated. Help!

michelle

Edited March 2, 2009 by mobama94

[Amby 490]

if they're confirmed it'll tell you when they pay through paypal

[mobama94 0]

if they're confirmed it'll tell you when they pay through paypal

I appreciate the reply, thanks!

[Shad and Dani 3]

I NEVER ship outside the USA. Just helps avoid scammers

[NickD 203]

I NEVER ship outside the USA. Just helps avoid scammers

I only sold a few items on ebay, LOL, too much work, have to take a bunch of colored photos, write up a long description, and payment terms. But never ran into problems. I shipped to foreign countries, but not until I had the money in my pocket for the item price plus shipping cost. Good to keep in contact with your buyer. What is ruining ebay today, is way too many stores, and people buying stuff from Wal-Mart and upping the price a couple of bucks, and I see over 300 vehicles for sale from dealers in my home town. Not like the old ebay of ten years ago.

[Mitchamy 0]

As long as payment transsaction is done. Which Paypal shows if payment is made or not. Theres no worry of address. We buy and sell overseas for couple of years now thru ebay and till today no problem.

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth keeps saying she is going to sell some of her stuff on eBay but so far all she has done is continue to collect more stuff

[happywifeymom 4]

Hi,

I got laid off from my job a few weeks ago and I thought of selling some of my stuffs on ebay to help me get by while I search for a new job. I am running low on my savings since I have used a good portion of it on medical expenses.

I set up my first auction on ebay a few days ago and today I just learned that a buyer bought my item using Buy-It-Now. Item sold for less than $50. I sent the buyer an invoice a few minutes ago and as I was checking the buyer's feedback and ebay profile/contact info (feedback score of 9, with 100% feedback as a buyer--buys from US sellers), I found out that this buyer registered on ebay in Russia on Sept 2008. Last item bought by this buyer was valued at $350 and bought from a US seller dated Jan. 22, 2009. They have both exchanged positive feedbacks which looked legit to me, date stamps and all.

Anyhoo, my buyer hasn't paid yet and I am not in a rush to get paid either (at least until 7-10 days has passed no reason to worry just yet). After sending the invoice, ebay allowed me to "View Order Details". And it shows that the buyer's address is in Bradenton, FL. Out of curiousity, I googled the address and it looks legit, my buyer's US address is under the same name (from ebay's pulled contact info) and lives in an apartment/suite.

My question is, how can I check if my buyer has a confirmed Paypal address? Will this information be made available after my buyer pays? I gave specifics on my ebay listing, will only accept Paypal payments and will ship to a confirmed Paypal US address, no international shipping. I am confused with the addresses, can a buyer register from Russia in ebay and use a US address for transactions?

I am just taking precautions as there has been many scams reported on ebay. I tried to sell my things on craigslist but no one is biting, yet. What do you think? I cannot handle being scammed at this point (no jobs, mouths to feed and bills to pay) and I cannot be a bad selller either. I am torn whether to think this is a scam or a legit transaction.

Any advice is very much appreciated. Help!

michelle

Hello Mich,

I am an ebay seller. You will know if she ha a confirmed paypal address when you use the USPS labelling at home coz the USPS website tells you it is not a confirmed address and so is paypal.

If you type his/ her address in the postal website they will tell u it is not a confirmed address.

You mentioned it is not paid yet so your other option would be to cancel the transaction and inform the buyer the item is no longer available for sale. Even if it is paid.. you can send the money back to your buyer.

Better not to ship items outside the US. Better be safe. I know how important feedback is for new seller like you.

Edited March 5, 2009 by happywifeymom

[Danno 1,228]

I thought about selling stuff on ebay,,, but never get around to it.

I have sold a ton of stuff on Craigslist.org Mostly bigger stuff such as tools, appliances, music equip.

In fact I had a buyer tonight.

No shipping and it's free!

The weekends are the best time to get buyers so list the item on fri.

The postings are viewed by date so you must "renew" the add at least once a week.

It is also a great place to find a job as many companies list there.

As for buying on Craigslist, it is often cheaper than Ebay if you can find that item on craigslist.

One thing I have not figured out is "How does craigslist make money"?

Edited March 5, 2009 by Danno

[happywifeymom 4]

I thought about selling stuff on ebay,,, but never get around to it.

I have sold a ton of stuff on Craigslist.org Mostly bigger stuff such as tools, appliances, music equip.

In fact I had a buyer tonight.

No shipping and it's free!

The weekends are the best time to get buyers so list the item on fri.

The postings are viewed by date so you must "renew" the add at least once a week.

It is also a great place to find a job as many companies list there.

As for buying on Craigslist, it is often cheaper than Ebay if you can find that item on craigslist.

One thing I have not figured out is "How does craigslist make money"?

100% agree with you since Craigslist don't charge you any listing fees and final value fees when items are sold.

[CHICTOPIC 0]

I was about to join Ebay also, but I don't know yet how to , so I started my own online store ,I paid for my own domain ,privacy and protection and so far , its good .

I am considering having store on ebay , but may be not now .

[bslsailor 0]

I've sold a couple of things on FEEbay, however like a lot of sellers looking at a new auction site

called Bonanzle.com.

A lot of sellers are going over there as everyone is fed up with fees and the "new" feedback system at Feebay.

Just google it.

NO Listing fees, just a very modest and simple selling fee scale

It's worth a look, not much activity yet, however site traffic has been increasing 50% per month.

John