Do you remember the first item you ever sold online? Let us know by sending an email to ina@auctionbytes.com and we may publish your story. Today we hear from Chris who has an entertaining story about selling his first item online - a used "Mark and Brian" mousepad he had goten for free!
In my early days of eBay (back in 2001) I started to sell stuff round my house - like many eBayers start off by doing. One item I had was a Mark and Brian mouse pad. Mark and Brian is a radio show syndicated out of Los Angeles and every caller who made it on the air would receive a lovely parting gift. During the time their program was aired in Modesto CA I was lucky enough to win a mouse pad that looks like the one you can view at think link: http://rarefootagevault.com/v-web/gallery/albums/GiveAWay/56_Mouse_Pad_mini.jpg
My mouse pad had been used, When it arrived to me my mailman folded it and crammed it in my mailbox - so it had a permanent crease down the middle. There were black marks on the mouse pad from my hand and mouse moving on the mouse pad. Also the lower right hand corner had broke off. (the mouse pad was hard plastic type material attached to a foam backing).
I listed the item with a photo (I wish I still had the photo) and described all the flaws. I did not leave out anything.
I started the listing at 43 cents. I did not expect it to sell, and if it would sell it would probably just cover the listing fees.
Well people started bidding - and kept on bidding - and bided even more! The item sold for about $21.47. The thoughts that went through my head included:
There are some people who have no rights to have money
The winning buyer must be a single man - there is no way any married man could buy that without jeopardizing his marriage.
I also received prompt payment and positive feedback - it pays to be completely honest when you list on eBay!
My eBay ID: powerwheelerchris
My eBay store: Bases Covered Sports
Chris Mitchell
www.powerwheelerchris.com
About the author:
Ina Steiner is co-founder and Editor of EcommerceBytes and AuctionBytes.com and has been reporting on ecommerce since 1999. She's a widely cited authority on marketplace selling and is author of "Turn eBay Data Into Dollars" (McGraw-Hill 2006). Her blog was featured in the book, "Blogging Heroes" (Wiley 2008). Follow her on Twitter at @auctionbytes and send news tips to ina@ecommercebytes.com.
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