A couple of percent here and there add up quickly in eBay sales. A person can have a sizable bill for fees without a lot of sales and not realize it.

If you read the tutorials you get the idea that eBay gets 5%, PayPal gets another 5%, and there may be a few other charges in there, but your $50 item did not cost a whole lot to sell.

The concept is good and honest, but the picture is a bit rosy.

I have tried to maintain a goal of $1,000 per month in eBay sales. Sometimes I sell a car or a large ticket item and I am real happy. The typical on target month nets an average sale of $16 to $18 with 60% of the items listed sold. The figures come in eBay reports because I have a basic store.

When costs of sales is calculated for this activity I find that my total cost to EBay and PayPal is about $250 or 25%. It is still not a bad cost, but one to be aware of.

Remember that the insertion fees for the 40% unsold must come from the 60% sold. This adds a lot when the fee is a minimum of $.30 and more often $.65 + a $.35 gallery fee.

I sell a lot of items and I think eBay is the best conduit to the customers in my field. I just have to make sure I wear that accountant's hat often.

Thanks, Bernie