jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

A friend called a few days ago and said she was going to sell her car on ebay, and she wanted some advice. You know how people are about advice, so I was cautious.

When I saw the ad, it looked just how I thought it would. It was worded poorly, and the pictures were awful. She's including a Garmin DriveAssist 50, which she just bought. I told her she'd be basically giving it away with the car, but she included it anyway. She took pictures with her iPad, and enlarging them makes them look even worse. She doesn't give many details about the car but keeps repeating that it's in excellent condition. I've seen the car, and it isn't excellent. The only bid after a few days is $1.00. Oh, and she has a Buy it Now price based on the Blue Book value, so it's much higher than any similar cars that have sold recently.

How can an otherwise intelligent person post something like this? Bad pictures, bad description, bad price. It's a shame. Although she called to ask for my advice, she didn't act on anything I told her. In her situation, she'd be better off trading it for a new car.

I know many of you have sold things on ebay, and it can work beautifully, but you have to post a good, accurate ad.

JohnM Loc: Springfield, Illinois

You were smart to be cautious.

PhotoTime Loc: SW Ohio, USA

I agree...You were smart to be cautious.

Kuzano

Your friend is one of the people that allow buyers/sellers to buy and sell without leaving eBay and make money. They will not listen to reason. I am twenty years in on eBay and most of my money, sad to say, has been made buying items I receive, clean up and test, and relist properly on eBay.

In fact, I taught an eBay course at the local community college, for twelve years. Some paid attention and some did not, totally screwing up their listings.

Your friend is a moron, and you have my permission to tell her so. She needs to hear it. A classic case of more money than brains, she is the reason some people will not use eBay and why some people lose their asses there and then badmouth the system.

After 20 years I will say that used properly, both PAYPAL and eBay are the safest and most profitable buying and selling system I have ever encountered in marketing. I've been in marketing of one kind or another for 45 years. eBay is the best. Another is Etsy.

Your friend is the only problem with eBay, and yet, it's best success.

I've often been asked in my class, "Where to you get the stuff you sell?"

My common response is, "Stupid people on eBay!!"

It's also where smart people buy, by using the system as safely as it's designed.

It's also the best place to price items, by looking in the Sold listings, which are kept on record for 60 days.

I NEVER look at Amazon, KEH, B&H or other retail vendors for pricing information. How stupid is that. Those are retail prices after markup and not relevant to sold listing final prices.

That would be like going to car dealers and looking at the sticker prices for value information. Or like using Kelley or NADA blue books, a dealer supported "value" network. Nothing is truly worth the asking price to smart buyers.

eBay is great. Proven fact.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

God knows I have contacted many a seller to alert them to errors in their listings. Most make corrections but some don't even bother to respond. The last one involved an interchangeable module for a Sunpak flash. The listing said it was for what was in the box it was pictured in, but the actual module was for another make of camera...

Kuzano

This is so true. I often alert people on eBay to problems. Then a week later if the problem on their listing works in my favor, I buy the item, if they don't fix the error. I alert them politely and elaborate, but always remain willing to work the system for profit. It's called capitalism, rightly so.

Soul Dr. Loc: Beautiful Shenandoah Valley

I love the people who list camera lenses for sale and don't even say what camera brand it mounts on.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I agree to a point, but any seasoned photographer worth his/her salt can figure that out is the seller has enough images of the lens mount end of the lens. If they don't, a simple email to the seller for additional info is in order...Many times these particular sellers aren't photographers but have acquired the gear in estate sales...

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Ebay adverts like your friends, is often the way to pick up a bargain.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

My wife is an E-Bay master. She collects American Girl dolls, and knows her stuff. She will find no-longer-available clothes and accessories at yard sales, clean them up, and list them on E-Bay. She will find something for $2 and get $40 for it. She takes good, clear photos of the items, and describes them clearly, including any defects present. That is why she has a high rating as a seller.

brobill Loc: Fort Worth, Texas ( Haslet)

Been an Ebay seller for 15 years. Can't tell you how many folks have wanted me to sell unshippable junk and wreck my feedback.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

In our area we have an organization that takes in repairable cars for which you can take a tax deduction for blue book value. They take the car into their car repair school for students to repair in their classes. When finished the car is sold for market value. It is a great school for kids who couldn't afford a school otherwise.

One Rude Dawg Loc: Athol, ID

Sounds like a terminal case of Dumb Ass, there are lots of those out there. No matter what you say you can't help them, save your energy.

shelty Loc: Medford, OR

She may be smart in one way but know nothing about selling something. If someone actually bought the car and found it's condition different than what she was advertising, then she'd be in a heap of trouble.