Gatterberry
New member
Hello all, im new to this board. Im thinking about selling minis online to make some money and wonder what advice you could give? like how to ship and what varnish to use? or anything else you can think of. Thanks in advance.
HELP selling minis on ebay
- Thread starter Gatterberry
- Start date
S
Sturmhalo
Guest
Well I always use Revell\'s matte and gloss varnishes, but anything as long as it does the job.
As for shipping stuff. I mostly wrap my models in soft tissue (pink toilet roll looks pretty!) and then wrap the model in bubble wrap. If you\'re using a box make sure the figure isn\'t going to rattle around. Plenty of bubble wrap does the trick. For individual models or small numbers you can get away with a padded envelope, but I always make a simple box out of rigid card to put the model in to stop it getting crushed.
Then just pray to the god of postal services that your figure gets to its destination in one piece and in good time!
As for shipping stuff. I mostly wrap my models in soft tissue (pink toilet roll looks pretty!) and then wrap the model in bubble wrap. If you\'re using a box make sure the figure isn\'t going to rattle around. Plenty of bubble wrap does the trick. For individual models or small numbers you can get away with a padded envelope, but I always make a simple box out of rigid card to put the model in to stop it getting crushed.
Then just pray to the god of postal services that your figure gets to its destination in one piece and in good time!
For varnishing, people really don\'t seem to be into the glossy look at all, so the more matte your finish is, the better.
As for the shipping, I wrap mine in bubble wrap and then place them in a box filled with foam packing peanuts. If the model(s) are particularly delicate, I make a smaller box and place them in that before placing them inside the larger box with more packing peanuts in between the two boxes.
As for the shipping, I wrap mine in bubble wrap and then place them in a box filled with foam packing peanuts. If the model(s) are particularly delicate, I make a smaller box and place them in that before placing them inside the larger box with more packing peanuts in between the two boxes.
Gatterberry
New member
thanks for the help. Ive never sold anything before on ebay. So like what kind of payment do you usually accept and any other tips you have would be appreciated.
S
Sturmhalo
Guest
Payment options? Try and have as many options as you can. That way people have a good choice. I sell in the UK and find that most folks over here pay by cheque which is nice and straight forward. Foreign buyers on the whole use Paypal. Invaluable if you\'re looking to sell abroad. Ebay payments are also useful. I\'ve only ever had one buyer use that option, but it really did make for a very quick transaction (he lived in Japan!). That\'s the big three in my opinion but other options wouldn\'t hurt.
S
Sturmhalo
Guest
Oh, just a couple of tips as well!
Give your auctions the full 10 day auction option. The longer it\'s on there the more people will see what you\'ve got!
Post your 10 day auction on a Thursday so it ends on a Sunday! More people will be around for that final bidding frenzy. Hopefully.
Post your auctions so they end at a suitable time. Depending where you are in the world try and take into account that foreign buyers might not be awake when your auction ends. I\'m in the UK and try and end my auctions around about 8pm to midnight. That way America is awake!
Use Buy it Now options as well. If you want £10 for a figure put a £15 (or £20) Buy it now option on it as well. It costs peanunts to add on and might get you a higher price!
Finally be very polite and prompt with your buyers as they will remember you and give you good feedback!
Give your auctions the full 10 day auction option. The longer it\'s on there the more people will see what you\'ve got!
Post your 10 day auction on a Thursday so it ends on a Sunday! More people will be around for that final bidding frenzy. Hopefully.
Post your auctions so they end at a suitable time. Depending where you are in the world try and take into account that foreign buyers might not be awake when your auction ends. I\'m in the UK and try and end my auctions around about 8pm to midnight. That way America is awake!
Use Buy it Now options as well. If you want £10 for a figure put a £15 (or £20) Buy it now option on it as well. It costs peanunts to add on and might get you a higher price!
Finally be very polite and prompt with your buyers as they will remember you and give you good feedback!
Chrispy
Active member
Actually, Sturmhalo a few of the auctions I won specifically asked not to use online payments, but to send the money by Western Union. This takes a bit longer though as the money has to get there by mail. I use PayPal, but they take a percentage of my profits now!
I\'ve also had people send me a money order but when it arived I was confused as to who was sending me money and what for.. Plus there was no return adress!! So I had to figure out who it was and now I ask that people tell me what they won and where it needs to go. I would think this would be common sense, but obivously not to some people...
I\'ve also had people send me a money order but when it arived I was confused as to who was sending me money and what for.. Plus there was no return adress!! So I had to figure out who it was and now I ask that people tell me what they won and where it needs to go. I would think this would be common sense, but obivously not to some people...
S
Sturmhalo
Guest
Yeah those paypal charges are a bitch. I think that only folks in the US can transfer money to their accounts from their bank. Johnny foreigner (me) has to use a credit card which means the seller has to upgrade and get charged on everything! I just pass it onto my buyers though.
PStafAllen
New member
Originally posted by Chrispy
I\'ve had weird things happen with buy it now.. One mini I set for $25 but people bid on it.. when it ended it was around $30...
The buy it now option disappeared when your -reserve- was met. This can be lower than the BIN price, so people think they\'ll Buy it if the price gets near, otherwise they might get a bargain, but suddenly there\'s no buy it now price and they\'re hooked on the mini... Mwa ha ha ha ha!
C
chilipepa
Guest
selling on ebay
I like a couple of good quality photos when looking at painted stuff on Ebay. A blurry dark photo with the seller claiming they are beautifully painted minis is a red flag for me(I have suckered for a couple of these with poor results). Matte finish is the only way to go IMHO.
I like Paypal but Money Orders are good also. Personal checks should be cashed and items sent when the check clears the bank. Rememeber to save All Ebay info till auction is done and buyer sez He has received the item. Leave feedback!!!
I like a couple of good quality photos when looking at painted stuff on Ebay. A blurry dark photo with the seller claiming they are beautifully painted minis is a red flag for me(I have suckered for a couple of these with poor results). Matte finish is the only way to go IMHO.
I like Paypal but Money Orders are good also. Personal checks should be cashed and items sent when the check clears the bank. Rememeber to save All Ebay info till auction is done and buyer sez He has received the item. Leave feedback!!!
B
Big Mean Elf
Guest
selling on ebay
:flame:I HATE this more than anything \"Pro Painted-L@@K\"
:flame:
I would like to reach out and grab em,the sorry stinky paint-at-er`s that slap that claim on thier crap auction...GRR!
I don`t like seeing 509,899 NON GW models with \"Warhammer\" in the title,that is very annoying as well!
BUT...beyond that...I think that if you just post good clean large pictures,and you are fair and honest in the auctions priceing and description,you will do well.
I would also say that to be sure to keep all info related to each auction,includeing post office reciepts,until you know your customer has the item,and that they are satistifed,i.e.:leave feedback...and nothing wrong with asking politely for it.
:flame:I HATE this more than anything \"Pro Painted-L@@K\"
:flame:
I would like to reach out and grab em,the sorry stinky paint-at-er`s that slap that claim on thier crap auction...GRR!
I don`t like seeing 509,899 NON GW models with \"Warhammer\" in the title,that is very annoying as well!
BUT...beyond that...I think that if you just post good clean large pictures,and you are fair and honest in the auctions priceing and description,you will do well.
I would also say that to be sure to keep all info related to each auction,includeing post office reciepts,until you know your customer has the item,and that they are satistifed,i.e.:leave feedback...and nothing wrong with asking politely for it.
C
chilipepa
Guest
Pro Painted?!?!?!?!?!?
Originally posted by Big Mean Elf
:flame:I HATE this more than anything \"Pro Painted-L@@K\"
:flame:
I agree! Who is this supposed pro painter. Some 12 yr old with a q-tip and testors paint?
Let your picture do the talking-tell if you primed and clear coated the model.
Include a link to your web page with more of your work.
S
Sturmhalo
Guest
I always put \'pro painted\' in the titles of my painted minis on Ebay! That way people can identify that particular auction as being for a well painted figure.
However, I am sick of seeing figures listed as pro painted when they\'re actually utter toss! :flame: It kind of demeans the valid claims to the \'pro painted\' tag that the likes of us should be able to use.
I also wish people wouldn\'t list historics (WWII mostly) as \'W40K Imperial Guard\'!
However, I am sick of seeing figures listed as pro painted when they\'re actually utter toss! :flame: It kind of demeans the valid claims to the \'pro painted\' tag that the likes of us should be able to use.
I also wish people wouldn\'t list historics (WWII mostly) as \'W40K Imperial Guard\'!
Right now I\'m twiddling my thumbs deciding about putting up a seller account on eBay... I really don\'t know if I want them having access to my checking account. Why they can\'t just get by with a credit card number and billing address is beyond me... but I\'m sure they\'ve had people stiff them in the past.
Just a few quick questions though:
1.) How can you figure the cost of shipping without having to take the item down to the post office?
and
2.) How can a private individual receive money from a credit card transaction?
Thanks in advance
Joe
Just a few quick questions though:
1.) How can you figure the cost of shipping without having to take the item down to the post office?
and
2.) How can a private individual receive money from a credit card transaction?
Thanks in advance
Joe
Joe, regarding your shipping question, there should be a website that has shipping rates that you can look up without actually going to the post office. I\'m in Canada, so I just go to canadapost.com but obviously there must be a USA equivalent. I just don\'t know what it is .
The only catch is you will have to weigh the box and possibly measure it too, if it\'s large. However, buying a little scale is not really a huge investment.
Regarding your second question, I think most people just use Paypal.
-Greg
. The only catch is you will have to weigh the box and possibly measure it too, if it\'s large. However, buying a little scale is not really a huge investment.
Regarding your second question, I think most people just use Paypal.
-Greg
Originally posted by Big Mean Elf
:flame:I HATE this more than anything \"Pro Painted-L@@K\"
:flame:
I would like to reach out and grab em,the sorry stinky paint-at-er`s that slap that claim on thier crap auction...GRR!
I don`t like seeing 509,899 NON GW models with \"Warhammer\" in the title,that is very annoying as well!
I I know Pro paint L@@K is annoying,do to the fact that a lot of \"scratchers\"(a term for \"unskilled\" in tattoo industry) are giving those with quality product a bad name,but it makes people look. I know a lot of people who find it annoying but they ALWAYS end up looking.
K
kannan_fodder
Guest
Gatterberry, I found this post a little late, but wanted to offer you some advice. I was in your position sometime last year, and had a pen pal who was more than helpful about getting me started.
Varnish. I\'d say it is a MUST! I use a couple of \"matte\" varnishes, which always tend to go glossy. So I got some Testors Dull Cote (that is how it is spelled on the can), and boy does it really take off the shine! I then retouch anything I want glossy with paint on varnish. The key thing here is to seal your miniatures - especially if you intend to sell them to gamers!
Shipping. I wrap my minis in a good wad of bubble wrap, line the box with packing peanuts and shredded paper, and then tape the hell out of the box. In addition, I send everything by Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation (available in the US only, tho). I charge a flat rate for domestic shipping, and charge actual post for international shipping. If you want to look at postal rates, check out www.usps.com
Payments. PayPal seems to be one of the most preferred forms of payment. It\'s easy to use and very fast to send/receive money. However, you do have to upgrade your account to take credit cards, and PayPal will charge a percentage of the transaction. Some people add a surcharge to make up for the PayPal charges, but be careful about ever mentioning that! It is illegal to do in some states!!! With personal checks you always run the risk of someone bouncing one. Therefore, make sure it clears before you ship, and make sure to state that in your auction! Money orders are safer, but some banks have their own policies about them.
Feedback. Yes, I think feedback is very important. It is a way for Ebay users to let each other know who\'s reliable and who\'s not. And yes, it is important to leave appropriate feedback as soon as the sale is completed.
Whoops! Got a little long winded there! Anyway, the most important thing is to GO FOR IT!!! But don\'t expect too much out of it. It takes time to build up a good following, and you will always be able to say, \"Well, at least I tried.\"
KF
Varnish. I\'d say it is a MUST! I use a couple of \"matte\" varnishes, which always tend to go glossy. So I got some Testors Dull Cote (that is how it is spelled on the can), and boy does it really take off the shine! I then retouch anything I want glossy with paint on varnish. The key thing here is to seal your miniatures - especially if you intend to sell them to gamers!
Shipping. I wrap my minis in a good wad of bubble wrap, line the box with packing peanuts and shredded paper, and then tape the hell out of the box. In addition, I send everything by Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation (available in the US only, tho). I charge a flat rate for domestic shipping, and charge actual post for international shipping. If you want to look at postal rates, check out www.usps.com
Payments. PayPal seems to be one of the most preferred forms of payment. It\'s easy to use and very fast to send/receive money. However, you do have to upgrade your account to take credit cards, and PayPal will charge a percentage of the transaction. Some people add a surcharge to make up for the PayPal charges, but be careful about ever mentioning that! It is illegal to do in some states!!! With personal checks you always run the risk of someone bouncing one. Therefore, make sure it clears before you ship, and make sure to state that in your auction! Money orders are safer, but some banks have their own policies about them.
Feedback. Yes, I think feedback is very important. It is a way for Ebay users to let each other know who\'s reliable and who\'s not. And yes, it is important to leave appropriate feedback as soon as the sale is completed.
Whoops! Got a little long winded there! Anyway, the most important thing is to GO FOR IT!!! But don\'t expect too much out of it. It takes time to build up a good following, and you will always be able to say, \"Well, at least I tried.\"
KF
