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My #FlippingTip 
mega-thread.
This will be something I add to with time!
A living document of all the tips and tricks I’ve learned or been taught by others.
That being said- let’s get started!
mega-thread.This will be something I add to with time!
A living document of all the tips and tricks I’ve learned or been taught by others.
That being said- let’s get started!
The secrets to eBay - Listings come before sales
- Build feedback as buyer & seller
- Cleanest pics you can manage
- Price for base hits, not home runs
- 99% Buy it Now, Free Shipping
- Pay ~3-5% promotion
- Require immediate payment
- Package like your life depends on it
1) Listings before sales:
It seems obvious, but you have to list something to sell it.
So the first step is getting off your butt, sourcing items, and listing them.
Listing also seems to boost you in the eBay algorithms.
Almost every time I list, I get a sale soon after.
It seems obvious, but you have to list something to sell it.
So the first step is getting off your butt, sourcing items, and listing them.
Listing also seems to boost you in the eBay algorithms.
Almost every time I list, I get a sale soon after.
2) Feedback on eBay and other similar marketplaces (OfferUp/ LetGo, FB, etc) can be built two ways:
First, as a seller. Sell enough things and do it well and you’ll rise in ranking.
But don’t neglect buying on these platforms. It’s an easy way to get feedback at the start.
First, as a seller. Sell enough things and do it well and you’ll rise in ranking.
But don’t neglect buying on these platforms. It’s an easy way to get feedback at the start.
3) Pictures:
A picture says a thousand words. And on most of these platforms it’s your first- and maybe only- impression.
Take clean pictures with no clutter in the background (preferably a solid color background).
Try to use natural light as well.
Why?
A picture says a thousand words. And on most of these platforms it’s your first- and maybe only- impression.
Take clean pictures with no clutter in the background (preferably a solid color background).
Try to use natural light as well.
Why?
Synthetic light tends to cast shadows or make glares/ reflections on the item.
Using natural light tends not to have these issues.
Take pictures against a wall or table next to an open window.
Check out the difference it makes below-
Using natural light tends not to have these issues.
Take pictures against a wall or table next to an open window.
Check out the difference it makes below-
4) Price for base hits, not home runs.
An item may range in sales from say $90-120
If you can make a decent profit margin in the lower half of that range and move it quickly, it may make more sense than waiting for the rest to sell out before possibly making the top range.
An item may range in sales from say $90-120
If you can make a decent profit margin in the lower half of that range and move it quickly, it may make more sense than waiting for the rest to sell out before possibly making the top range.
This also applies more generally to profit margins for items.
Don’t exclusively look for high profit items as they may take longer to sell. Instead mix in some lower profit items that sell quickly and keep your inventory moving.
Don’t exclusively look for high profit items as they may take longer to sell. Instead mix in some lower profit items that sell quickly and keep your inventory moving.
5) Buy it Now:
Both personal experience and polling my followers seems to indicate
The buy it now option on eBay is more effective than auctions for most items.
If you have a set price you’re looking to get, it doesn’t make sense to have your buyers wait for an auction.
Both personal experience and polling my followers seems to indicate
The buy it now option on eBay is more effective than auctions for most items.
If you have a set price you’re looking to get, it doesn’t make sense to have your buyers wait for an auction.
Instead, list it as buy it now and allow them to get their item as quickly as possible.
Buy it Now also allows you to promote your listings, which is something I’ll touch on next.
Buy it Now also allows you to promote your listings, which is something I’ll touch on next.
6) Promoted Listings on eBay:
Promoted listings are an easy way to get your item to the top of the search results for a small fee.
Simply type in the percent of your sale you’re willing to fork over for promotion and eBay will slide your listing to the top.
Ex:
Promoted listings are an easy way to get your item to the top of the search results for a small fee.
Simply type in the percent of your sale you’re willing to fork over for promotion and eBay will slide your listing to the top.
Ex:
Of the last 10 listings I sold, 7 sold via promoted listings.
And that’s fairly typical throughout my selling history.
Generally I do 5% or less, most often around 3% or so depending on the item.
Some people suggest as low as 1% or less so experiment with that feature!
And that’s fairly typical throughout my selling history.
Generally I do 5% or less, most often around 3% or so depending on the item.
Some people suggest as low as 1% or less so experiment with that feature!
7) Free shipping:
With buy it now, the customer is already indicating they want their item already!
So pair it with free and fast shipping as the hook!
Most of the time putting shipping separately is a turn off. It looks like you’re nickel and diming them.
With buy it now, the customer is already indicating they want their item already!
So pair it with free and fast shipping as the hook!
Most of the time putting shipping separately is a turn off. It looks like you’re nickel and diming them.
AND most people don’t like math. So showing one price instead of two they have to add together looks more appealing.
Free shipping is one thing- but fast and free is what we’re looking for!
Free shipping is one thing- but fast and free is what we’re looking for!
8) Fast shipping:
Did you know- especially at lower weights- eBay’s shipping discounts (or platforms like PirateShip, more on them later)
Means you can get fast shipping (priority Mail, express, first class, etc) as cheaply as the slower options?
There’s just one problem.
Did you know- especially at lower weights- eBay’s shipping discounts (or platforms like PirateShip, more on them later)
Means you can get fast shipping (priority Mail, express, first class, etc) as cheaply as the slower options?
There’s just one problem.
Most people don’t know that because eBay’s estimated shipping costs when you are in the listing screen are over estimated.
Typically I’ve found if an item says it’ll cost $8-14 to ship priority Mail in the estimate, it will cost $12 at most at checkout.
And so on!
Typically I’ve found if an item says it’ll cost $8-14 to ship priority Mail in the estimate, it will cost $12 at most at checkout.
And so on!
Due to COVID, shipping is slower now via the major carriers.
BUT you can do your part to speed it up.
Make sure your handling time is as short as possible (1-2 business days)
And I’ve found great success shipping on Saturdays even though you’re not expected to!
BUT you can do your part to speed it up.
Make sure your handling time is as short as possible (1-2 business days)
And I’ve found great success shipping on Saturdays even though you’re not expected to!
9) While on the topic of the preferences page of the listing. ALWAYS require immediate payment.
Avoid headaches from non-paying buyers.
10) Package your item like your life depends on it/ the post man will drop kick it!
There’s no such thing as too much tape/ bubble wrap!
Avoid headaches from non-paying buyers.
10) Package your item like your life depends on it/ the post man will drop kick it!
There’s no such thing as too much tape/ bubble wrap!
11) Use the @eprofit_app to quickly figure out your profit margins. It’s so simple and accurate. Why waste time? (Ex below)
12) Check out http://PirateShip.com for awesome shipping calculators, eBay integration, and $100 insurance on all packages for FREE!
12) Check out http://PirateShip.com for awesome shipping calculators, eBay integration, and $100 insurance on all packages for FREE!
13) Not sure what something is but think it might be worth flipping? Use Google Lens to search the web using pictures (pic below)
14) Don’t fear eBay international. All you do is ship the item to a local eBay warehouse and they insure it the rest of the way!
14) Don’t fear eBay international. All you do is ship the item to a local eBay warehouse and they insure it the rest of the way!
15) An easy way to get the hang of shipping is to have several boxes around and get used to what items fit in each as well as the weight and how that affects shipping.
Also consider buying a box resize tool from Amazon (~$15) to cut down boxes and save more.
My setup-
Also consider buying a box resize tool from Amazon (~$15) to cut down boxes and save more.
My setup-
16) A couple resources that’ve helped me:
- @toyfolio’s book of the same name!
- Products for Profit (PFP), a group all about retail and online arbitrage where they give you leads and you just go execute!
I proudly affiliate for PFP so check them out! https://gumroad.com/a/758215795
- @toyfolio’s book of the same name!
- Products for Profit (PFP), a group all about retail and online arbitrage where they give you leads and you just go execute!
I proudly affiliate for PFP so check them out! https://gumroad.com/a/758215795
If you have any questions about PFP just send me a DM and I’ll answer based on my experiences.
I also have my own course all about how I got started flipping books on eBay.
If that sounds interesting to you, check it out here: https://gumroad.com/l/EuJnt
I also have my own course all about how I got started flipping books on eBay.
If that sounds interesting to you, check it out here: https://gumroad.com/l/EuJnt
17) Finally, I’d be nothing without my mentors and peers in this space.
There are so many, it’d be impossible to thank them all so here are just a few-
@ toyfolio
@ DoctorFlip
@ CoachJoeHart
@ WestCoast_Goodz
@ NCsteveo
@ RidleyLevelsUp
@ Y_Sing
@ NoTimeZone_
& many more!
There are so many, it’d be impossible to thank them all so here are just a few-
@ toyfolio
@ DoctorFlip
@ CoachJoeHart
@ WestCoast_Goodz
@ NCsteveo
@ RidleyLevelsUp
@ Y_Sing
@ NoTimeZone_
& many more!
