by Samuel

Created on: September 12, 2008

Selling products on eBay versus selling in a garage sale

Both methods of selling products are good, but one method always works faster and better, depending on the kind of product being sold and some other factors.

Here are some factors for comparing both methods.

TYPE OF PRODUCT

People sell almost anything in eBay, but not all products sold there have actually done well. Collectibles, electronics, and furniture are good products to sell on eBay because of their size and the possibility of getting bids far more than the original price. Shipping such products is normally not "very challenging".

For heavy products like cars, eBay might not be the best spot for sales. The risk of having to give a price commensurate to what previous sellers gave is a factor; and the challenges and cost of shipping the product, if finally bought, is also another issue.

In garage sales, there are no serious shipping problems because the product is already available at the spot. It's like a "cash and carry" service. Garage sales would be better for heavy products like cars that will normally cost a lot to ship.

PRICING

Are you ready for your product to be openly priced? In eBay, people place bids. A new bidder is allowed to see the previous bids, and may place bids based on that. This kind of method can work advantageously or disadvantageously to the product; it either leads to a high or low price.

For garage sales, people come in different occasions to negotiate, and the price agreed upon remains between you and them until a new potential buyer comes.

TIME

eBay users have learnt the virtue of patience overtime. If you are in a hurry to sell your product, eBay may not be the best spot because people have to bid. And with the time also needed to ship the product if bought, selling in eBay does take time.

Garage sales do some time as well, but as soon as you get a buyer, the deal can be sealed up right at the spot.

WEATHER

In garage sales, you have to place the product outside for all to see. During bad weathers, you may do a lot of work, like covering and protecting the product. In eBay, you don't experience such, except the task of ensuring the product is properly packaged for shipping.

QUANTITY OF PRODUCTS

Garage sales are a limitation when it comes to selling lots of products, especially when the products are different. In eBay, you can sell as much products as you want, and you can post information of such products on their specific titles to target specific buyers.

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