Tips on Selling Relatively Expensive Items on eBay and Gumtree

BuBerryCo on 25/05/2020 - 10:18
Last edited 25/05/2020 - 10:25

Hi guys,

I have recently upgraded by home theater projector and would like to sell my old perfectly working 4K projector on gumtree and eBay. I was hoping someone who has sold a relatively expensive item (around $2000) can give me some tips on making sure i have a safe and smooth transaction.

I do know roughly how much the item is currently selling new and the second hand price. I am eventually hoping to sell at the standard market price.

I will first list on gumtree and then port the listing over to eBay for the free final value fees. Also the item will be available for local pick up only for cash and the buyer will be provided ample opportunity to test the projector prior to sale. I don't want to offer returns or refunds.

In addition to what I propose to do above, how can i ensure buyers don't try to return the item or scam me in anyway.

Any feedback and tips will be much appreciated.

Cheers
Sand.

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Comments

  • brendanm on 25/05/2020 - 10:22
    +1

    How could they return the item or scan you if they pick it up and pay cash? Seems pretty straightforward.

    • BuBerryCo on 25/05/2020 - 10:26

      I was worried more from a implied warranty perspective.

      I.e. alleging something is wrong with it despite testing prior to buying.

      • brendanm on 25/05/2020 - 10:27
        +3

        Used purchases are as is, where is. Inform them that it is working, buy there is no warranty. Get them to sign something stating that they accept this if you are really worried.

        • BuBerryCo on 25/05/2020 - 10:29

          Thanks Brendan. So just to confirm - no warranties given in the sale. The signed document is more for a peace of mind?

          • FireRunner on 25/05/2020 - 10:30

            @BuBerryCo: PayPal enforces a 180 day return window for the buyer. If going the gumtree cash only you'll be fine

            • BuBerryCo on 25/05/2020 - 10:32
              +1

              @FireRunner: Thanks - i will definitely not be using paypal. I.e. local pick up for cash

              • FireRunner on 25/05/2020 - 10:35

                @BuBerryCo: Yeah that's the safer option. You have no legal obligation to accept returns, if they do come back tell them this. If they still hassle you out, call the police. Very unlikely this will happen since it unlikely to work for a scammer. Much easier to pull of other types of scams

              • jamescavs on 25/05/2020 - 12:41

                @BuBerryCo: If you list it on eBay, then you might have to allow PayPal as a payment according to the below link. If you want to avoid PayPal entirely, then don't sell it on eBay, use Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace instead. I find it is easier to sell on Facebook Marketplace than Gumtree.

                https://www.ebay.com.au/help/selling/listings/choosing-get-p…

          • brendanm on 25/05/2020 - 11:00

            @BuBerryCo: You cannot lie if they ask a direct question, but even then it is your word against theirs. If people want warranty, they buy new.

      • FireRunner on 25/05/2020 - 10:29
        +1

        Don't meet at your house so they can't find you.

        • BuBerryCo on 25/05/2020 - 10:30
          +3

          I was thinking initially because it's a projector - people would generally want to test it before buying.

          • slow on 25/05/2020 - 11:06

            @BuBerryCo: You cant do this with ebay. Not allowed to exchange personal details before the sale. I did this once so that someone could see an item before bidding and got suspended by ebay due to them monitoring private messages and picking it up

        • TilacVIP on 26/05/2020 - 09:21

          So if you are selling a used item, you won't allow the buyer to see it working???

      • Ughhh on 25/05/2020 - 10:33
        -2

        I was worried more from a implied warranty perspective.

        Then don't let them pick up from your home address or work, if you want a clean transaction.

        • Tee Rex Arms on 25/05/2020 - 11:35
          +1

          If I wanted to buy a 2k projector and someone told me to meet them at some random address other then their own home I wouldn’t even message them back.

          • Ughhh on 25/05/2020 - 11:42

            @Tee Rex Arms: Ohh noo, and you're the only buyer in the whole town!

            I've sold many many things at public places, theres no shortage of buyers. You don't like my terms, next.

            • TilacVIP on 26/05/2020 - 09:23

              @Ughhh: Try selling a $2k projector in a public place. I doubt there would be anyone so dumb as to accept that term, considering it is used.

              • Ughhh on 26/05/2020 - 11:00

                @TilacVIP: Just be prepared to be forced to refund the buyer, if he drops the thing and decides to blame you for selling faulty stuff. Your safety vs buyers happiness. Depends how desperate one is.

                • TilacVIP on 26/05/2020 - 12:21

                  @Ughhh: What's that got to do with selling via your home (see it working, inspection, etc) vs selling in some public place where the item can't be displayed in working condition. You think people are just going to hand over about $2k, just because you say it works but won't allow them to come over and check it out before buying??? I think not.

                  • Ughhh on 26/05/2020 - 12:39
                    -1

                    @TilacVIP:

                    What's that got to do with selling via your home

                    O.o I just told you why.. . If life has taught me anything, it's to think a few steps ahead ie. Not just the initial meeting, but what could happen after. Do you think the crazy buyer will let $2k go if he decides the projector is fake or some shit.

                    Would you be OK if it was your daughter inviting a stranger to her house?

                    You do what you want. It's your life, there's no incentive for anyone to help or give advice to you. no one here would know if something happened to you or your family.

                    I've had a close call, thank god I used a temp number and met at a public place. Otherwise I would be worrying about a brick being thrown at my house.

                    • TilacVIP on 26/05/2020 - 12:47

                      @Ughhh: Your points are all valid when it comes to selling to the public via Gumtree/Facebook, but that's not what I replied to, on your first post & it generally doesn't work, as it raises a red flag in my opinion. I was replying to what you said about meeting in a public place to sell (and the top here is a $2k projector) & that there wouldn't be anyone (lets say genuine buyers) that dumb enough to take up that offer & just hand over the cash simply on the seller's word alone.

                      Would you buy anything worth that much without having the option to inspect it? No, I didn't think so.

                      • Ughhh on 26/05/2020 - 13:51

                        @TilacVIP: Your points are valid too, but it's naive to only take 1 point into consideration, especially in a world where entitled crazy people exist. Considering that people are still paying strangers via bank transfer, despite 10000 post online about the risk, there will be a person who will hand over the $2k. I guess it helps if you have a trustworthy face.

  • koplik8 on 25/05/2020 - 10:34
    +1

    I’m an eBay seller. Here are the fees:
    eBay gets a cut when your auction sells. After your auction or fixed-price listing ends, eBay charges the Final Value fee to your account in a matter of minutes. Final Value fees on auctions are pretty easy to figure out. If your item sells, you pay eBay 9% of the selling price to a maximum of $50.00.

    Then if you use PayPal as the payment option:
    PayPal fees is 2.9% + $0.30 of the total selling price including the sales tax. This fee is calculated before eBay fees. For international transaction, PayPal charge 4.4% + $0.30.

    PayPal is the safest way for payments. The combined fees are not really for small time sellers. Here’s the online calculator to work out the total fees you pay

    https://www.ebayfeescalculator.com/australia-ebay-calculator…

    • BuBerryCo on 25/05/2020 - 10:36
      +1

      Thanks - isn't the final value fees on eBay waived if its a gumtree listing ported over to eBay?

      Do i still have to pay the paypal fees if its cash on pick up?

      • koplik8 on 25/05/2020 - 10:39

        Oh I’m not sure about your first one. Nothing is free these days lol
        No there would be no PayPal fee if it is cash

    • Ocker on 25/05/2020 - 11:02

      eBay charge 10% GST on their (minimum) sales fee of 9%, so the (minimum) total fee is 9.9%

  • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2020 - 10:59
    +1

    'you should never sell a item worth more than your feedback'

  • screensaver on 25/05/2020 - 11:02

    dont be alone if someone comes over. Make sure you have their mobile, landline, email and speak to them on the phone first before giving your address, and call back number to check it is genuine

  • battler on 25/05/2020 - 11:06
    -1

    write a note saying it was sold for $x in condition as sighted and tested, get buyer to sign, put their drivers licence on the note and take photo. Accept cash only.

    • Dean29 on 25/05/2020 - 11:27
      +9

      If someone asked me for my drivers license details when they are trying to sell something i would just walk away

      • battler on 25/05/2020 - 12:10
        +1

        the OP is looking for suggestions to cover his ass. I provided one. another genuine buyer will come along if the first was like you.

        • Dean29 on 25/05/2020 - 14:44
          +2

          What people could do with the details on your drivers license. I wouldn't be giving out details to anyone

  • Quantumcat on 25/05/2020 - 12:35
    +3

    Don't sell on ebay if you don't want to get scammed - just gumtree with cash on pickup only

    • [Deactivated] on 25/05/2020 - 15:15
      +3

      Agreed by far the best approach. Gumtree cash on pickup, very little to no recourse for purchaser

    • TilacVIP on 26/05/2020 - 09:29

      The problem is, buyers that pay the most are on eBay.

      If selling on scumtree, you will need to have a very appealing price & be prepared for constant lowballing. Oh, and you are exposing yourself by allowing pickup & the buyer now knows where you live.

      • Quantumcat on 26/05/2020 - 09:33

        I think getting a little less is worthwhile for less risk. Also ebay and PayPal take a major chunk out of what the buyer pays, so it may even be debatable as to whether you end up with more money by selling on ebay anyway

  • thatonethere on 25/05/2020 - 19:50

    I find for this kind of item just take it to their place (with a friend) so they can see it works for them.

    Out of many sales only had one scary hoarder and a crazed husband and wife who insisted on bench marking a GPU for an hour in their gaming "hovel"… didnt sit down just read ozb while I waited and tried not to breath.

  • Pro-crastinator on 26/05/2020 - 02:03

    My best tip for selling expensive things on eBay and Gumtree:
    - develop a thick skin… and expect lowballers… but not just any old lowballers, the purest form of lowballers without any dignity kind.

  • slowey on 10/06/2020 - 21:12

    Hey Sand, are you still selling your projector? I’m in the market for one at the moment and would be keen for a chat if you are.

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