Mommycosm's eBay Operation Disney update

M-I-C-K-E-Y... e-B-A-Y!!

Operation Disney is ON, people.  We got off to a slow start - mainly because I was intimidated by the whole selling process.  Especially after my first sale blunder, ehem.  I almost felt guilty that I was being such a scardy cat. After all, I am on the eBay Parent Panel and should be fearlessly showing you all how to make money online.  Right?

Keeping it real. 

Selling can be intimidating.  But as with anything, education, skill building and practice are keys to success.

So, you may be asking, what was holding me back?

Shipping.

Totally should be a four letter word.  It was owning me.

Shipping is something you definitely need to understand before you can accurately price your items for sale on eBay.  If I have one bit of advice for newbies starting up, it would be to buy (or borrow) a scale and measuring stick before trying to estimate shipping costs.  Don't go into it blindly.  An ounce of education will save you post-sale stress.  Get to know the various methods of shipping, use the eBay tools to calculate and you will be good to go.

It's been taking about 30 minutes per item to list, including price and shipping research.  Here's my process right now:

1. look up item online - both on eBay and other sites to determine the going price and decide what I want to make on the item
2. measure and weigh box with item inside
3. take picture with iPhone and email to myself
4. on my computer, list via eBay.com
5. store item inside shipping box with sticky note indicating box dimensions and weight, the method of shipping promised and amount it should cost - this will save time post-sale
6. once items sells, print reciept from PayPal, insert in box and seal
7. ship
8. leave feedback for buyer once it arrives and funds are released

A little about setting the price.  We are not emotionally attached to the items we are selling, therefore, I am setting them on the low end of going price.  I don't feeling like playing around with the Auction right now.  I like to buy via Auction, but feel like people are just looking for steals and I'm not willing to just give these items away. 

I found myself paying fees to set a high reserve price within Auctions.  SO, now, we are simply setting a Buy it Now price that includes free economy shipping.  Seems to be working well for us.  Might revisit Auction later.  Would love to hear your thoughts about selling via Auction.

Also, I'm sure the process would be quicker if I used the mobile app to scan the bar codes and take the picture right from the iPhone.  Might move back to that method as my confidence grows.  I kinda like the regular site right now - it allows me to dot my i's and cross my t's on a larger screen.

Hoping to get close enough to our $4,000 goal to set our Disney plans in time to surprise the kids on Christmas Day.  How cool would that be?! 

The plan: In a perfect world, we would leave the next day and spend 4-5 days in sunny Orlando.  THAT might be a bit of a stretch.  We might be better off waiting until after the holidays because the prices (and long lines) will go down significantly.  We'll see.  The $4,000 is a ballpark figure for what the trip will cost.  We don't have the raise all the money before booking.  However, we'd like to know that we are funding the trip almost entirely outside of our normal budget, once all is said and done.

Here's our status so far:

Sold: $400+

Active Listings: $1,000+

We are 10% to our $4,000 goal. 

Taking advantage of the holiday shopping push over the next couple of weeks.  Even considering buying a few Black Friday items to re-sell on eBay.  Pretty sure we could turn a profit rather easily, but I'm a little nervous about the initial investment.  Right now, we are just selling things around the house and probably have enough to reach our goal without adding having to spend money to make money, you know.

Now that I have a few sales under my belt, I'm getting super excited and am no longer intimidated by the process.  We have a lot of stuff just kicking around that others are willing to buy.  The tree hugger in me loves the greenness of it all.  My husband is loving the greenness of the found $$.  The kids are simply going to bounce off the walls if we get to surprise them with a Disney trip.

eBay is pretty much rocking in Mommycosm.

So, will you be buying or selling via eBay this holiday season?  Would love to hear your story.  If not, what is holding you back?  Maybe I can help.

Disclosure:

This post was created in connection with my appointment as a member of eBay's Parent Panel.  Thoughts are clearly my own.

Comments

[Lisa from NYC]

You inspired me. "Great Purge 2011" is going strong on ebay. Sold 36 things and the six that didn't sell are going straight to the church for a donation. I have made enough $$ to pay for Christmas completely, thank goodness.

And learned a bit about people along the way. Very good social experience.

[Mommycosm]

Lisa, that's awesome!! Congratulations :)