Questions about selling – Ebay or STW?

Following on from one of my previous threads about TT bikes, I’m going to sell off everything bike related that I’m not using to fund my new project.

I’m going to go through everything this weekend and list it all soon.

I know eBay is more variable in relation to final price and it’s probably more of a gamble but having never sold on eBay, what is STW’s opinion on the best way to sell things and what is your prefered route, STW or eBay, and for what reason?

As ever, all opinions appreciated. 🙂

STW, because you are selling to a captive market, you have more price certainty and there are no fees involved.

Plus, posting ads on eBay can be a faff, especially if you are posting a lot of different items.

STW is one of the best places I’ve ever bought and sold used stuff of any description. Incidentally, pinkbike is the worst 🙂

Ebay will take 10% of final sale price + Paypal take another 3 or 4%

I’d sell via STW for fair prices and a small donation.

from what I’ve seen, as a seller, any extra you might get from selling on ebay over stw is eaten up by the fees.

STW over Ebay for the reasons stated above and also seller’s rights if a dispute arises. So heavily in favour of the buyer it’s ridiculous.

Horses for course.

Selling a Specialised or Trek complete bike in summer? Ebay is the place you will get a top price and it will sell in one week and you get the security of the Ebay system (Debatable). You will pay fees but the better price you will get offsets the cost IMO.

Selling something obscure or out of season, Ebay can be a lottery. Go with STW.

Anything in-between and there is not much in it. In either case make a very honest description and take good photos.

ebay fees are pretty steep, but usually evens out given the extra you’ll receive in many cases

I’ve found on here and a number of other forums that people have been more reluctant to buy things this year (maybe I’m selling more crap though),

all subjective I guess

Now pricing?

Obviously want to get the best price I can, but at the same time don’t want to come across as a tool by pricing too high either. How do you research pricing? Look on ebay and aim for a similar price? All items will be open to offer though.

ebay less 15-20% which is what you would otherwise give ebay & paypal is a good starting point.

However, depends entirely on condition – are they new bits etc… anything used pretty much should start at 50% off what you can get it online, and looking at what sells on here, that seems to be the right ball park. new stuff, I think 25% off cheapest online is about right. but some people are willing to take the risk that there is no warranty/comeback in a months time when something breaks and they’ve only paid 10% less than online with warranty…

What you’ll find with STW over eBay is you’ll start with the eBay top price, and people will start asking for a fiver off, or free postage, or maybe tenner for cash etc. etc. and before you know it you’re not getting the price you were expecting. Then someone will point out some random shop has a 50% off sale and its cheaper there new blah blah.

Some Ebay stuff can go for crazy prices. I bought a bike on, previous years model just for the frame. Sold the bits on eBay, most went for more than you could buy on CRC and the frame ended up costing me nothing.

You pick – eBay, potential better price (marginally offset by fees), sold in a week. STW – better karma.

Pinkbike worth considering if it’s MTB stuff, not roadie stuff though.

Contrary to the popular perception, I get less chancers and blaggers responding to my adverts ton PB than I do on STW.

I’m sure STW is getting worse for people who dick you about as well. Maybe it was the weather we were having.

Contrary to the popular perception, I get less chancers and blaggers responding to my adverts on PB than I do on STW

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+1 have happily sold a reasonable amount lately with minimum fuss for prices I wanted on PinkBike no problem at all. That said once you get past the chancers and blaggers when I have sold on STW the experience has been good too. Just can’t be arsed with Ebay and most of your market is probably here on the forum anyhow.

Personally I’ve found Ebay auctions to get a much better price than I could sell stuff on STW, although it can be a hassle with non payers / time wasters.

I don’t sell much (hoarder!) but would usually post it here first. I’d prefer to know it’s going to a good home and kindred spirit, naive perhaps but most folks I’ve sold to on here have been fairly regular posters and a pleasure to deal with.

If you can’t shift it on here for a decent price (for both parties) then stick it on ebay and get as much as you can.

If I do go down the eBay route is it best to start at 1p with no reserve and let the price take care of itself? To me that seems logical as it could potentially attract more bidders. Correct?

As long as there is a reasonable level of demand for something and a few similar items knocking about a 1p start is the way to go.

With most mainstream components and finishing kit there are loads on there and loads of buyers so you will get enough interest and bidders.

If it’s a bit obscure and high value then it’s a risk, if you sold a Ti frame or a rohloff hub with a 99p start for example you might end up giving it away.