[QUOTE=kathyspear;1878749]I've been selling on eBay for 20+ years and used to teach "How to Sell on eBay classes". I still use it for certain things but the fees have gone through the roof. You pay a small fee to list an item, a "final value fee" when you sell something (which can be 10% of the price), and then you pay Paypal to process the transaction. Plan on about 20% in fees. Also, when you check the listings on eBay to determine what your item might bring be sure to click the "Sold Items" box in the left hand pane. (It doesn't matter what someone is currently listing an item for, just what people have been willing to pay for one.) Keep in mind, also, that you need to package things well and schlep them to the post office or UPS. Lots of work involved in eBaying if you do it properly.
I being a pack rat had a house loaded with stuff. We are talking loaded. Over a period of 2-3 years we did garage sales, ebay, metal recycling and I was on first name basis with the guy at the county dump. Each was it's own adventure.
Ebay has changed quite a bit in recent years. Most people are honest BUT. You can no longer leave negative feedback for a buyer. So as a seller a buyer that you would not want to deal with will have excellent feedback. Everyone pays with paypal. Any issue and paypal will charge the seller back and side with the buyer. At my peak, I would run 20-30 items a week. Ebay now demands your social security number. Imagine an audit
due to stuff you sold on ebay.
The original post selling Hummels. Assuming they are perfect. Someone with the same one but theirs is chipped, a small chip and the value is half or less can switch it with yours and report that yours was chipped-arrived chipped. You the seller will pay shipping both ways and get back an item worth far less than it actually was.
I've not seen it recently. People used to sell stuff for you on ebay and they would typically take half of the price it sold for.
To anyone thinking about selling on ebay, I would start small. Learn and get some feedback.
For me, I made about 50,000 in three-four years. I met some interesting people.
I had an old doorknob. I was shocked at how much people bid on it and that there are people who collect door knobs. Buying stuff. You can find almost anything on ebay.
I bought brake parts for a 1950 Schwinn. A friend helped me install them and I a year or so later when I realized we were moving I sold the bike on ebay. Time? I bet I made ten cents an hour.
As to a tax deduction. I think few people in the villages, most are retired, qualify to itemize. The standard deduction you do not get any tax deductions.
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