Arbitrage 411

Shipping is a crucial aspect of selling on eBay, and it’s essential to understand how shipping costs are determined to ensure that you’re not overpaying for shipping. One of the critical factors that determine shipping costs is the cubic dimensions of your package. In this post, we will explore how understanding cubic dimensions can help eBay sellers save money on shipping.

When you sell an item on eBay, you need to ship it to the buyer. The shipping cost is determined based on the size and weight of the package. The weight is measured using a scale, and the size is determined by measuring the length, width, and height of the package. The size of the package is crucial because it determines how much space the package takes up in the shipping vehicle, whether it’s a plane, train, or truck.

To calculate the cubic dimension of a package, you multiply the length, width, and height of the package. For example, if the length of the package is 10 inches, the width is 5 inches, and the height is 8 inches, then the cubic dimension would be 400 cubic inches (10 x 5 x 8). This calculation is used to determine the amount of space the package will take up on the shipping vehicle.

Most shipping companies have a maximum size limit for packages. This limit is based on the size of the shipping vehicle and the amount of space available for packages. If a package exceeds the maximum size limit, it may not be accepted for shipping, or additional charges may apply.

Understanding cubic dimensions is essential for eBay sellers because it can help them save money on shipping costs. When shipping companies determine shipping costs, they consider both weight and cubic dimensions. If you have a package that is relatively light but takes up a lot of space, you will be charged more for shipping because the package takes up valuable space on the shipping vehicle.

By understanding cubic dimensions, eBay sellers can pack their packages efficiently, which reduces shipping costs. When packing a package, you want to make sure that it takes up as little space as possible. This can be achieved by using the right size box or envelope and packing materials that compress easily. By packing your package efficiently, you can reduce its cubic dimensions, which will reduce your shipping costs.

Another way eBay sellers can save money on shipping costs is by using free shipping materials. Many shipping companies offer free shipping materials, such as boxes, envelopes, and packing materials, to their customers. These materials are designed to fit the maximum size limit for packages, which means that you can use them to pack your items efficiently and reduce your shipping costs.

In conclusion, understanding cubic dimensions is crucial for eBay sellers who want to save money on shipping costs. By packing their packages efficiently and using free shipping materials, eBay sellers can reduce their shipping costs and increase their profit margins. As an eBay seller, it’s essential to take shipping costs into account when pricing your items to ensure that you’re making a profit while still offering competitive prices. By keeping shipping costs low, you can differentiate yourself from other sellers and attract more buyers to your listings.

As a reseller, I can confidently say that selling used items on eBay is a win-win for both the environment and my wallet. As someone who enjoys flipping items for a profit, selling used goods is an excellent way to make money while also reducing waste.

When I sell an item on eBay, I’m not only making a profit, but I’m also giving the item a second life. It’s a win for the buyer too, who gets a quality item for a fraction of the price they would pay for a new one. By selling used items, I’m helping to reduce the demand for new resources and minimizing the environmental impact of manufacturing new goods.

In addition, selling on eBay allows me to participate in the circular economy. By keeping items in use for longer, I’m helping to reduce waste and keep resources in circulation. It’s a win-win for everyone involved – I make a profit, the buyer gets a bargain, and the environment benefits too.

And let’s not forget about the financial benefits of selling on eBay. By buying low and selling high, I’m able to turn a profit on items that might otherwise be collecting dust in someone’s closet or going to waste in a landfill. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash while also contributing to a more sustainable future.

Of course, as a responsible reseller, I also try to be mindful of my environmental impact when selling on eBay. I use eco-friendly packaging materials whenever possible and choose shipping methods that minimize my carbon footprint. By being conscious of my impact, I can continue to make a profit while also doing my part to protect the planet.

In conclusion, selling used items on eBay is a smart and profitable way to participate in the circular economy and help reduce waste. By giving items a second life, I’m not only making money, but I’m also contributing to a more sustainable future. As a reseller, it’s a win-win situation that I’ll continue to take advantage of.

One way to make money on eBay is by selling broken items for parts. For example, I once purchased a handheld GPS from Goodwill for $3 with the intention of selling it on eBay for $35. However, when I got it home and opened the box, I realized that the GPS screen was burnt out. While I could have returned it for a refund, I didn’t want to bother with the hassle for just $3.

Instead, I decided to see if there were any valuable parts that I could salvage from the GPS. After examining it, I discovered a special type of memory card and charging/data cables that were still in good condition. I did some research on eBay and found that these items could be sold for $12 to $15 each. So, I listed both items on eBay for $12.99 each, plus $6 for shipping.

To my surprise, a buyer purchased both items. I was able to combine them into one shipment and make a profit of over $20. This experience taught me that broken items can still have value if they can be taken apart and sold for their parts. It also allowed me to help someone else who may have needed those parts to fix their own device or to complete a reselling project.

When selling on eBay, it’s important to think outside the box and consider all the possible ways an item can be profitable. Sometimes, the most unexpected parts or components can be worth a lot more than the complete, working unit.

While I say “Yes”, the answer to whether selling on Mercari is worth it depends on several factors. While it’s true that Mercari may not have the same level of visibility as eBay due to its smaller size, there are still advantages to consider.

One notable advantage is that Mercari may be a viable platform for selling items that may not have sold on eBay. It’s not entirely clear why this happens, but some sellers have reported that they were able to sell items on Mercari that were unsuccessful on eBay. This could be due to differences in buyer demographics, preferences, or search algorithms between the two platforms. Therefore, if you have items that have been languishing on eBay, giving Mercari a try could potentially result in additional sales.

That said, there are some potential downsides to selling on Mercari. One aspect that some sellers find challenging is the system of rating both buyers and sellers before a transaction is completed. Since you don’t get paid until the transaction is completed, this can add days before you are paid.

Additionally, Mercari’s shipping options may be relatively expensive for customers, which could potentially deter some buyers. It’s worth noting that offering free shipping and using your own shipping method, such as Pirate Ship, may be a workaround to provide more competitive pricing for customers.

To streamline your listing process on Mercari, you can use cross-listing tools like Flyp, which allow you to easily copy your listings from eBay to Mercari. However, it’s important to remember that managing inventory across multiple platforms requires diligence, as failing to remove a listing from one platform when it sells on another can result in selling a product you no longer have, leading to potential issues with buyers.

In conclusion, selling on Mercari can be worth it for certain sellers, especially if you have items that haven’t sold on eBay or if you want to sell items that are restricted/you are uncomfortable selling on eBay. However, it’s important to consider the potential challenges, such as the rating system and shipping costs, and to use cross-listing tools carefully to avoid inventory management issues. With tha said, using

as an additional selling platform could potentially boost your sales and bottom line.

There is a lucrative opportunity to sell large items on eBay that are difficult to ship. Let me share an example of how I made the most of such a situation.

I purchased a three-bag lawn mower bagger from a local auction site for $15. However, when I tried to list it on eBay, I realized that shipping through UPS would cost around $500, making it too expensive for potential buyers. Considering that the brand new baggers were selling for about $450 to $500 in stores, and I was asking for $250, the total cost would have exceeded $750.

Feeling unsure about what to do, I initially listed it for local pickup only. However, this turned out to be a mistake as three different buyers ignored the local pickup only condition in my eBay listing.

But then, I received an inquiry from a buyer who was interested in purchasing just the weight kit from the bagger. This gave me the idea to sell the parts individually, and I started researching the values of the pieces. To my surprise, some of the parts were worth almost what I had initially asked for the complete kit. Although shipping some of the larger parts was still expensive, it was within a reasonable range compared to shipping the entire bagger.

I realized that my competitors were unlikely to buy such large and bulky items, which is why I was able to purchase it for $15 in the first place. But by parting it out and selling the pieces individually, I could potentially make five, six, or even seven hundred dollars, instead of just $250. Another advantage of not selling it as a whole unit was that I didn’t have to worry about the risk of having to eat the shipping shipping costs both ways if a buyer claimed ” not as described” and requested a return that eBay would force me to take. This could put me at risk for covering $500 to over $1000 in shipping costs.

In conclusion, due to the high shipping cost and the risk of covering shipping expenses and returns, it made more sense to part out the bagger and sell the pieces individually. This strategy allowed me to make more money than selling it as a whole, as there is a demand for replacement parts on eBay.

When out sourcing items for resale, it’s important to consider if there are parts that can be sold individually, which may be worth more than selling the item as a whole and if that you make iems too large to ship shippable.

When selling items on eBay, it’s crucial to think creatively and explore different options to optimize profitability.