Go to Island Reflections
- Add a comment
- Go to EBAY EXPERTS STEP RIGHT UP!
Thanks, Joe!
posted by
word.smith
on October 21, 2005 at 8:15 PM
| link to this | reply
word.smith
I don't know how much it costs to ship things from Jamaica, but you might also check out half.com. It's kind of like Ebay in reverse.
posted by
Joe_Love
on October 21, 2005 at 7:40 PM
| link to this | reply
Silvermoon,
I don't understand why, but we don't do a lot of yard sales here. Donating them to the library would be the easiest way out...and yet, I have to admit I've already got dollar signs in my eyes! 
posted by
word.smith
on October 19, 2005 at 5:34 AM
| link to this | reply
Spitfire, thanks.
I do have a fair amount of books. Grouping them will be easy. They are more or less shelved that way. I think I'm just trying to avoid the work of packing and moving them to a store. 
posted by
word.smith
on October 19, 2005 at 5:32 AM
| link to this | reply
Jo, thanks very much for your advice.
I appreciate it.
posted by
word.smith
on October 19, 2005 at 5:30 AM
| link to this | reply
You could always set up a table in your yard and have a yard sale. Get rid of your other stuff that's just sitting around collecting mold and dust, as well. I don't know about Jamaica, but people do it in America all the time. Or maybe you could just donate them to the library or the local train station.
posted by
SilverMoon7
on October 19, 2005 at 4:01 AM
| link to this | reply
Word, I've sold a handful (if that) of items on Ebay and
personally, I feel that if you're selling items of monetary worth (more than $20) then, yeah, probably worth it. However, if you are selling something around the value auction price of like, $2, nope. I say go with Gomedome's idea and sell the books to a bookstore. It's probably more worth your time and effort unless you're selling them in bulk.
posted by
SpitFire70
on October 19, 2005 at 12:44 AM
| link to this | reply
I am an eBay Tutor (qualified)
postage is always the problem
what you do is work out the prices first and test one to see.
I have been selling sheet music it always sells.
Jo
posted by
brisbane_artist
on October 19, 2005 at 12:40 AM
| link to this | reply
Libertine,
Thanks for dropping in just the same!
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 5:32 PM
| link to this | reply
Rhiannon,
The expense of getting a camera did prove a little off-putting. I've got some great advice here. It might be best to get off my lazy backside and go to a used book store to sell. 'Course, they'll rob me blind too.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 5:31 PM
| link to this | reply
Sassy,
You might want to look at gomedome's advice. Sounds like you might have some valuable books in there. Those would be worth your while to sell.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 5:30 PM
| link to this | reply
Sorry, my only experience is buying a few things on there!
posted by
Holy_Grail
on October 18, 2005 at 4:10 PM
| link to this | reply
I've nevetr done it,
but you simply set up an account, preferably linked to PayPal, so you can get instant money. It helps to have a digital camera to photograph all of your stuff. Then if someone pays you promptly you compliment them. A friend's son made a tidy sum selling used bullet proof vests. Have fun! Rhiannon
posted by
Rhiannon1
on October 18, 2005 at 3:26 PM
| link to this | reply
I don't know, but when you find out let me know also
I practically have a mini library myself. I have many books from the 1800's, and I have a bunch that just add to the clutter of the shelves. I'd like to get rid of some, and I have considered donating them to the local library, but some extra cash would be nicer yet.
posted by
Sherri_G
on October 18, 2005 at 12:37 PM
| link to this | reply
Malcolm - 40%??
That would be incentive for me to put them on a table in the middle of my neighbourhood and sell 'em - except that for whatever reason we don't do yard sales as such in this country.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 11:26 AM
| link to this | reply
Gomedome,
Thanks very much for your advice. All those fees are a good example of 'nothing in life is free'. You pay even if you don't sell...I dunno if there are used book stores in my area, but certainly there are stores in Kingston. That would net me a lot more and I won't have to pay a middle man. My only problem is laziness.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 11:25 AM
| link to this | reply
My experience
is that eBAy is not that great for single books unless they're rare (e.g. first editions) or special (e.g. signed). A better way might be to put up bundles on a theme such as a crime bundle or sci-fi bundle. My friend sells regularly on Amazon in the UK and books and CDs do go but Amazon take a big cut - I think it's 40%. Good luck.
posted by
malcolm
on October 18, 2005 at 11:24 AM
| link to this | reply
Thanks Offbeat....
This is one of the great things about Blogit. There's always someone around who knows a thing or two. By glancing at gomedome's comment above yours, I can tell he knows a thing or three. I'm sure it'll help.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 11:21 AM
| link to this | reply
word.smith - I can help you with this I think
The best market for used books is a used bookstore, the type working on a simple buy and sell formulae. I know it sounds simplistic but I have sold large lots of books to them many times in the past....and for cash. All of the bits of information you are receiving in your comments about eBay should by now, be giving you a clear picture. To list and sell on eBay you must pay listing fees, selling fees and funds transfer fees if using PayPal. Averaging around 7.4% in total cost. (this is dependent on how many times an item is listed and selling price range). If the item does not sell, you are still on the hook for the listing fees. When all is said and done, one stop at a used bookstore (there has to be one somewhere near you) produces the biggest net profit with the least effort. To give you an example. My station wagon loaded up with about 10 boxes of books nets about $200. Examples of prices fetched per book: $.25 for most, $.50 for series and how to's, $1.00 for hot titles.
But don't give up on eBay for other things.
posted by
gomedome
on October 18, 2005 at 9:58 AM
| link to this | reply
Word
I was just checking back to see how you made out on the ebay question. Sounds like your on the right road with a lot of good suggestions!
posted by
Offy
on October 18, 2005 at 9:52 AM
| link to this | reply
Update!
The sites for International sellers (i.e. Canada and the U.K.) are no good either. See info. below from both sites.
Note: We currently only support Amazon.ca Marketplace sellers with Canadian bank accounts.
Note: we are currently only able to support Amazon.co.uk Marketplace sellers with a UK invoice address and a UK bank account.
P.S
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 9:40 AM
| link to this | reply
Cosy thanks, very much...
I appreciate that very much, but there's more. 
For those who may be following this, I took the following excerpts (in italics) from Amazon's site:
At this time, only sellers with a U.S. checking account and U.S. billing address are eligible to apply for Amazon Payments. Unfortunately, the lack of an international standard for identity verification has made it difficult thus far for us to offer this service to our international sellers.
Why Do You Need My Checking Account Information?
All of the proceeds from your sales will be transferred directly into your bank account via an ACH (Automated Clearinghouse) deposit. This is the most efficient method of paying you.
Ouch! I guess I'd better go back to exploring Ebay some more. Thanks again for being so will to help Cosy.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 9:28 AM
| link to this | reply
wordsmith
you just need a U.S.A address??? Well, if that's all you need 4 membership then use mine. Email me.
posted by
cosy
on October 18, 2005 at 9:17 AM
| link to this | reply
Silvermoon,
The only drawback is that you have to have a U.S. address to list on Amazon. 
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 6:34 AM
| link to this | reply
Thanks, B.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 6:33 AM
| link to this | reply
Interesting post. I hope you find your solution.
B.
posted by
A-and-B
on October 18, 2005 at 6:09 AM
| link to this | reply
Thanks, Silvermoon,
I'll check that out! 
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 5:51 AM
| link to this | reply
Word, if you want to sell your books, try listing them with Amazon.com. I don't know if there is a fee or not. My friend sells books that way, and she never mentioned anything to me about a fee.
posted by
SilverMoon7
on October 18, 2005 at 5:29 AM
| link to this | reply
Avant,
Thanks for that information. I know what not to do. Didn't know it costs to list. It sounds as if it's bettter to err on the side of caution. Wouldn't be good to pay to list and then not get even a single bite. 
I'll make sure to go look up some of the titles on Ebay.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 5:22 AM
| link to this | reply
Me too, Cass.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 5:17 AM
| link to this | reply
Offbeats,
Thanks, every bit of information helps - especially when you don't know anything.
posted by
word.smith
on October 18, 2005 at 5:17 AM
| link to this | reply
word.smith
My wife is big into e-bay. She tried to sell some of my books, and decided the best way was to group them in four or five each, and list them as a series. They were true crime. It was a tremendous flop. We looked up individual titles to the hardbacks. There's very little pay off for books.
I found out years ago that books are pretty much worthless as a historical antique. The ones that give names, dates, and events to a local history are the only ones with value.
What I would do is look up the titles and see if they've sold or are selling. It costs a fee to list, so don't just go listing them.
posted by
avant-garde
on October 18, 2005 at 3:50 AM
| link to this | reply
I too have little if any information, but I will read the comments on this post with interest!
posted by
Ca88andra
on October 18, 2005 at 2:38 AM
| link to this | reply
Word
I wish I could help you out, but this much I do know. You can list everything in one day and set the day for the end of the sale. That way you are only shipping one day per week. That's how my nephew does it anyway, it works for him! Good luck with it~~
posted by
Offy
on October 17, 2005 at 10:35 PM
| link to this | reply