We’ve given you some tips on buying gadgets on eBay in the past, but what if you’re selling them? Getting rid of your old devices can be very easy (but we don’t recommend it), especially if you use a trade-in program at a store. To get the most out of selling your old appliances, posting them on eBay is a good way to go, but there are a few things you should know before you dive in.
Contrary to popular belief, sellers on eBay are just as prone to scams as buyers, so when selling your used items on eBay it’s important to have all your bases covered so a buyer doesn’t try. come back and smash you using some kind of clever loophole.
Here are a few things to keep in mind the next time you sell an old iPhone, iPad, or Android device on eBay.
Describe Your Item Accurately
When you go to write a description of the device you are selling, it is imperative that you accurately describe it from start to finish. If there is a small dent in the corner of the device, make sure to indicate it.
Because buyers on eBay have so much power, they can easily make a claim under “Item is not as described” and get their money back easily, leaving an unsold device you wasted time trying to sell, meanwhile.
To avoid this, make sure you write an accurate and detailed description of the device you’re selling, and if potential buyers ask you questions about the device, it’s a good idea to update your list with this answered question because many other potential buyers have the same question.
Keep Shipping Receipts
When shipping your item to the buyer, be sure to keep all receipts and proof of shipment. A trick buyers like to play on eBay sellers is to claim they never received the item, and without proof of shipment, a seller cannot defend himself and has to pay the money back to the buyer.
Personally, I am not immune from such experiences, and I have had claims that the product I sent never arrived. Money (over $400) is on hold until I can prove I have shipped the item. Easy enough, I uploaded a copy of the shipping receipt I had and PayPal eventually closed the claim and gave me my money back. If I had thrown away the receipt, there would have been no way for me to get that money back and I would have run out of $400.
Buy Shipping Insurance for Expensive Items
If you’re shipping a cheap old phone that only sells for $50, it’s probably not worth much to have insurance and pay extra for it, compared to an iPad that sells for $300. For these types of items, it’s a good idea to purchase shipping insurance for a few extra dollars.
USPS, UPS, and FedEx all provide free insurance up to a certain declared value (about $100), but if the item is worth more, you’ll have to pay a few extra dollars. Essentially, shipping insurance allows you to get your money back if the item is lost or damaged in the mail.
However, there is a fine print to be aware of when buying shipping insurance. First, the USPS, UPS, and FedEx all have their own terms and conditions when it comes to shipping insurance, but they often have a list of products that they don’t all cover. They also do not cover insured products that are packaged improperly. They don’t detail this at all and it’s probably up to their discretion whether something is packaged incorrectly or not, so this is something to know.
Remember: eBay is with Buyers 99% of the Time
Unfortunately, being a mere seller on eBay puts you at a disadvantage because eBay has more of a policy that protects buyers. Sellers are protected, but ultimately buyers prevail. That’s why you need to take precautions when selling something on eBay and have all your bases covered.
This doesn’t protect you 100% because buyers can always find loopholes to defraud sellers, and if they complain enough to eBay, the seller has to return the money while the buyer can keep the item. If that sounds confusing, it’s because it is, and that’s why many sellers turn to Craigslist or only sell to people they know in the area.
