| This is such an important topic and the majority | | | | And almost forgot! Yes, John needs to pay the |
| of sellers don't control their ebay fees. Are you | | | | $10 for shipping. Therefore, total costs are:Buy |
| completely aware about the costs involved when | | | | merchandise: $ 55.00 |
| you are selling on eBay?Have a look at John:John | | | | eBay fees: $ 8.30 |
| has bought a nice antique vase on a garage sale | | | | Paypal Fees: $ 3.43 |
| for $55 US. What a bargain, since he knows that | | | | Shipping: $ 10.00Total Costs: $ 76.73 |
| on eBay he could sell it for a big profit. He makes | | | | Received: $108.00 |
| 3 beautiful photos and John wants to use one of | | | | Profit: $ 31.27Well, John has made a profit. That's |
| photos as a gallery picture, because he knows | | | | pretty good anyway, but I think John could save |
| that without a gallery photo it is hard to sell your | | | | massively on his ebay fees. Here some tips how |
| items.So, he starts to create his auction | | | | to save on eBay fees:John could easily host his |
| listings.The auction starting price should be $55, to | | | | own pictures through his internet service provider, |
| break even. John also ads a 'Buy it Now' price for | | | | through some online pictures services. In fact he |
| $110 and an additional subtitle. As John is not | | | | could add unlimited ebay pictures as he wants |
| satisfied with the first look he decides to add the | | | | without paying additional cents. John would have |
| 'bold' feature as well and finally he submits his | | | | saved $0.30 on this additional picture hosting |
| auction. This auction looks perfect now, but does | | | | feature. Then, John could have easily removed |
| John really know how much he paid on eBay fees | | | | some special features like 'bold' and 'subtitle'. John |
| just for this listing.Let's do the math:Insertion fee: | | | | could have come up with a more descriptive and |
| $2.40 | | | | detailed main title with some snappy keywords to |
| Buy Now Price: $0.25 | | | | attract more buyers. John could have also started |
| Subtitle: $0.50 | | | | with a lower price to decrease the insertion fees, |
| Bold: $1.00 | | | | yes even a a starting price of $1 No reserve'. |
| Gallery Photo: $0.35 | | | | The positive effect with these $1 starting auction |
| 2 Extra Pictures: $0.30John finally sells his vase | | | | is two fold; Firstly, you save on insertion fee and |
| for $98 as the highest bidder so John pays | | | | secondly more buyers place a bid if the starting |
| additionally:Final value Fee: $1.31 (5.25% for the | | | | bid is low. This increases dramatically the number |
| first $25) | | | | of bids and this attracts even more buyers |
| and: $2.19 (3% of $50 ($75-25$) | | | | because they think 'When so many people place a |
| = $8.30 just on eBay fees!But this 'fee journey' | | | | bid, then this item must be really cool' and they |
| is not over yet...John receives payment from the | | | | bid as well.In summary: Keep your eBay fees in |
| bidder of $108 ($98 for the item and $10 for | | | | mind and don't guess how much your listing will |
| shipping) The bidders pays via PayPal and John | | | | cost. Sit down and do the math before you |
| has to pay PayPal fees of 2.9% + $0.30 US = | | | | launch your auction listing. It's worth and maybe |
| $3.13 +$0.30 = $3.43.In total John has paid $11.73 | | | | saves some surprises at the end of the month |
| just on fees. He has already paid $55 for the | | | | when the monthly bill from eBay is waiting in your |
| vase plus the $11.73 in total for listing = $66.73. | | | | mailbox.T. |