topic Re: Selling on Ebay in Community Chat

Selling on Ebay

KittySoftPaws — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 20:22:42 GMT

I have been selling on Ebay for many years, I enjoy it and I like the little bit of extra money. However, over the years their capture rate from Sellers has steadily risen. It's currently 13.6% of whatever the item sells for, or so I thought. I just sold an item today and found out something that has me really upset. When the Buyer pays their state tax on the item, that tax is also added to the Seller's total value sale, then the Seller has to pay Ebay on their tax as well! Hope I explained that well. I Googled this and someone else asked an on line Lawyer site which replied that "it should be a deceptive trade practice, but, unless States or the Feds pass a law prohibiting it, you agree to the terms as an Ebay Seller. I told the guy on the phone at Ebay how unethical this is so at least my "recorded call" is noted. I think I will be listing my items somewhere else from now on.

Re: Selling on Ebay

San Antonio Gal — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 20:35:55 GMT

@KittySoftPaws - I used to sell on Ebay as a hobby on the side. I haven't sold anything in a few years. I didn't realize the fee was up to 13.6. It was 10% not too long ago.

I did not realize the buyer's tax paid is added back to the value of the sale, and then the seller pays. Interesting.

Where are you going to sell? Ebay has the biggest platform out there to get your products sold.

Re: Selling on Ebay

rockygems123 — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 20:42:13 GMT

@KittySoftPaws

I've sold on eBay for years too since eBay was about 6 months old, not coincidentally my son was about 6 months old . Worked out well not having to go back to corporate after he was born.

If you are a Top Seller fees are discounted. I don't like having fees on taxes and shipping either but to me it's a great venue. So much traffic and haven't really found anything else that works as well.

Re: Selling on Ebay

willowbark — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 21:11:43 GMT

I have a ton of stuff I'd like to sell but don't want to go back and forth to the post office or does everyone have their packages picked up from their residence by usps or ups?

Also, what do you do if a buyer claims the box or package was empty. Does ebay automatically give them a refund from your money?

Re: Selling on Ebay

San Antonio Gal — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 21:40:46 GMT

@willowbark wrote:
I have a ton of stuff I'd like to sell but don't want to go back and forth to the post office or does everyone have their packages picked up from their residence by usps or ups?

Also, what do you do if a buyer claims the box or package was empty. Does ebay automatically give them a refund from your money?

You can schedule USPS to pick up items from your home at no extra charge. I've never had to go to the PO to mail my Ebay packages.

As far as a seller buyer saying a package was empty, the buyer would have to open a "case" and it would be investigated by Ebay. Depending on the outcome of the case determines what happens in the end.

I've never had a buyer to that to me. I guess it could happen, but I don't think you should let that stop you from selling on Ebay @willowbark .

Re: Selling on Ebay

rockygems123 — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 22:44:00 GMT

@willowbark wrote:
I have a ton of stuff I'd like to sell but don't want to go back and forth to the post office or does everyone have their packages picked up from their residence by usps or ups?

Also, what do you do if a buyer claims the box or package was empty. Does ebay automatically give them a refund from your money?

@willowbark

If you decide to sell check out "Sold" items not just what people are asking for something to give you an idea what you should expect price wise..

Also depends on the category, it really fluctuates what is desirable.

Re: Selling on Ebay

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 22:55:45 GMT

@willowbark wrote:

I have a ton of stuff I'd like to sell but don't want to go back and forth to the post office or does everyone have their packages picked up from their residence by usps or ups?

Also, what do you do if a buyer claims the box or package was empty. Does ebay automatically give them a refund from your money?

@willowbark

First ... Welcome!

A few thoughts ....

I think it depends how far away your post office is and how many packages, on average, you end up selling per week.

If you're selling about one package a week, running over to the PO doesn't seem like a significant issue.

Also, if it"s a small package, it's possible you could just give it to your postal carrier when they're on your street.

Ebay can step in if you have a disagreement of some sort with a buyer. You ask and they investigate for fraud. Example: If the label on your package says weight 12 ounces, and a post office employee picks up an empty box, they'd look if it was broken into and then return to you. That means, the "empty" box was never delivered and the buyer is lying. It happens occasionally, but most people who try to trick the system are a little stupid, so their stories fall apart. Ebay will close the case in your favor.

Ebay can track whatever happened with "empty box" claims. I've found them to be fair, even when the outcome took a few days longer than expected.

If you're selling a higher volume, then scheduling a UPS pickup might work out better.

Hope that helps.

Re: Selling on Ebay

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 22:59:02 GMT

@San Antonio Gal wrote:
@KittySoftPaws - I used to sell on Ebay as a hobby on the side. I haven't sold anything in a few years. I didn't realize the fee was up to 13.6. It was 10% not too long ago.

I did not realize the buyer's tax paid is added back to the value of the sale, and then the seller pays. Interesting.

Where are you going to sell? Ebay has the biggest platform out there to get your products sold.

@San Antonio Gal @KittySoftPaws

ITA .... Ebay isn't perfect, but I don't think there's a broader market of potential buyers.

Sellers want to get their ads out to as many people as possible.

Re: Selling on Ebay

Tinkrbl44 — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 23:05:05 GMT

@rockygems123 wrote:
@willowbark wrote:
I have a ton of stuff I'd like to sell but don't want to go back and forth to the post office or does everyone have their packages picked up from their residence by usps or ups?

Also, what do you do if a buyer claims the box or package was empty. Does ebay automatically give them a refund from your money?

@willowbark

If you decide to sell check out "Sold" items not just what people are asking for something to give you an idea what you should expect price wise..

Also depends on the category, it really fluctuates what is desirable.

@rockygems123 @KittySoftPaws

That's always a good idea before listing, but then remove "Completed" sales from the search and see what that item is being sold for right now, so you understand the current competition.

For instance .... If you were trying to sell a slightly used Dooney handbag, you'd definitely need to know what others have theirs currently listed for.

That information often affects your initial asking price.

Re: Selling on Ebay

TheMemphisVette — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 23:16:47 GMT

i have usps pickup scheduled for tomorrow.

i have orders from ebay, poshmark, depop, mercari going out tomorrow

selling on more than one platform is important because any one or more platforms could have an issue

i use vendoo for crosslisting, inventory management, automation, and performance tracking

selling fees high to low

-poshmark

-ebay

-mercari

-depop

number of orders high to low

-ebay

-poshmark

-depop

-mercari

order value high to low

-depop

-ebay

-mercari

-poshmark

Re: Selling on Ebay

rockygems123 — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 23:35:53 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
@rockygems123 wrote:
@willowbark wrote:
I have a ton of stuff I'd like to sell but don't want to go back and forth to the post office or does everyone have their packages picked up from their residence by usps or ups?

Also, what do you do if a buyer claims the box or package was empty. Does ebay automatically give them a refund from your money?

@willowbark

If you decide to sell check out "Sold" items not just what people are asking for something to give you an idea what you should expect price wise..

Also depends on the category, it really fluctuates what is desirable.

@rockygems123 @KittySoftPaws

That's always a good idea before listing, but then remove "Completed" sales from the search and see what that item is being sold for right now, so you understand the current competition.

For instance .... If you were trying to sell a slightly used Dooney handbag, you'd definitely need to know what others have theirs currently listed for.

That information often affects your initial asking price.

@Tinkrbl44

Sure thing, you look at both prices, what sold and what people are asking to give a good price gauge.

Re: Selling on Ebay

willowbark — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 02:48:05 GMT

I read somewhere that now ebay sends you a 1099 each year. Is that true?

Re: Selling on Ebay

TheMemphisVette — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 03:01:58 GMT

@willowbark

yes

The Reporting Threshold for eBay Sales

The threshold is $5000 for 2024 and $2500 for 2025. It is planned to be reduced to $600 for 2026. If the individual receives a certain amount or more in payments on eBay during the year, the platform will issue a Form 1099-K. This form is also reported to the IRS

Re: Selling on Ebay

willowbark — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 03:06:01 GMT

@TheMemphisVette wrote:
@willowbark

yes

The Reporting Threshold for eBay Sales

The threshold is $5000 for 2024 and $2500 for 2025. It is planned to be reduced to $600 for 2026. If the individual receives a certain amount or more in payments on eBay during the year, the platform will issue a Form 1099-K. This form is also reported to the IRS

Thank you

Re: Selling on Ebay

Tinkrbl44 — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 19:21:28 GMT

@KittySoftPaws wrote:
I have been selling on Ebay for many years, I enjoy it and I like the little bit of extra money. However, over the years their capture rate from Sellers has steadily risen. It's currently 13.6% of whatever the item sells for, or so I thought. I just sold an item today and found out something that has me really upset. When the Buyer pays their state tax on the item, that tax is also added to the Seller's total value sale, then the Seller has to pay Ebay on their tax as well! Hope I explained that well. I Googled this and someone else asked an on line Lawyer site which replied that "it should be a deceptive trade practice, but, unless States or the Feds pass a law prohibiting it, you agree to the terms as an Ebay Seller. I told the guy on the phone at Ebay how unethical this is so at least my "recorded call" is noted. I think I will be listing my items somewhere else from now on.

@KittySoftPaws

Well, this isn't good. How did you notice this?

Re: Selling on Ebay

KittySoftPaws — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 20:01:48 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 I had called Ebay regarding an issue I needed resolved and the rep had shown me how to pull up all the details/charges of the sale in my accounts page. While on the phone with him I happened to see it there and questioned him about it. He was somewhat flustered as if he was caught or maybe wasn't expecting me to put it together, I don't know. Either way, I saw it and I wasn't any too pleased. He only said he was sorry and he doesn't make the rules. I could tell he thought it was unethical too but could do nothing about it. I don't argue Ebay is still the best selling platform, problem is they know it too, and stick it to the seller any way they can.

Re: Selling on Ebay

Tinkrbl44 — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:20:14 GMT

@KittySoftPaws

Now that taxes are paid, I just realized I'm going to have to separate sales that I charge shipping costs, and the sales I offer free shipping.

Those sales that I've paid for shipping are a shipping expense on my tax return.

Do you separate them?