[Snow_Serpent]

Not sure where this thread should go, so I started in General. If it needs to be moved, just let me know.

I'm looking to sell some LEGO sets that are just eating up space and I used to sell on Ebay a long time ago (last sale was 8-9 years ago I think). Is EBay still the best place to list/sell items or is there a better option?

Thanks!

[cobraviper72]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snow_Serpent

Not sure where this thread should go, so I started in General. If it needs to be moved, just let me know.

I'm looking to sell some LEGO sets that are just eating up space and I used to sell on Ebay a long time ago (last sale was 8-9 years ago I think). Is EBay still the best place to list/sell items or is there a better option?

Thanks!

I sell on ebay all the time, for me it works really well, Lego depending on what they are typically sell very well, now, ebay has a lower IRS reporting threshold now, it used to be you could sell $20,000 or 200 items and not report it, now its $600 so keep that in mind as if you go over you will have to fill out a 1099K with the IRS, assuming they dont delay it another year.

[Matrix889]

Sorry, this is a long post, but I wanted to chime in on this topic.

Yes, eBay is great place to sell Lego, and prices for Lego seem to be higher than ever, but you have to be careful, and take come precautions.

The tax situation that cobraviper72 mentioned is really in flux. Nothing is set in stone, but there is momentum to set the threshold to $5,000 for reporting for 2024, unless they decide to delay it again, which the IRS might do since it's an election year. It's important to note, that even though you may have the payments reported by eBay or PayPal, if you meet the threshold and need to file a 1099-K, you only pay taxes on the profit you make, not the full amount of the payment.

The are some things you need to watch out for on eBay. There is a lot of theft and fraud when it comes to Lego. I do not ship internationally, but I have had international buyers buy my Lego and then have it shipped to a reshipping company to send overseas. You can usually figure it out by googling the address. This is a sure sign of fraud. The buyer will claim they never got the set, even though they have, you lose your money and the Lego and the fruadster turns around a resells the set.

I experienced a US based customer try this. I shipped a $300 Lego set to buyer via FedEx only to have the buyer state they never got it after FedEx delivered it. I took a very close look at that buyer's buying and selling history and determined they were buying Lego sets and then turning around and reselling the exacts same sets. I started hounding the buyer about filing a report with their local police department and suddenly the buyer "found" the set. I watched the buyers listing and they turned around resold the very set I sold to them.

Also, be wary of brand new ebayers with 0 feedback buying your items. It very well may be legit, but I cancel those orders to be on the safe side.

I had someone with very low feedback try to buy something expensive from and when I researched the name addressed, everything pointed to the person being deceased.

I would strongly recommend adding signature delivery confirmation. Given the amount of fraud around Lego and theft or packages from porches, it is the only real way to protect your yourself and be sure that honest buyers aren't victims of theft. It's a litter under $4 to add the signature confirmation. It might turn away some legit buyers, but the peace of mind is worth it. Beyond adding signature confirmation, I have a note on all my auctions about researching addresses. If the item I am selling is not going to a residential address or anything seems odd, I cancel the order and issue a refund.

Finally, if you don't have an established selling history, start out with small items, build your reputation and then list the larger items. New sellers and low feedback might turn off some buyers.

Again, sorry for the long post and good luck with your sales!!!

Also, FYI, I have done a lot of research on other selling options over the years and have not found anything better. There is also Amazon, but it all comes down to the lesser of two evils.

[cobraviper72]

Ive been selling on ebay since 2003, i average around $5,000 in sales, always buying stuff, buyers remorse and sell, but yes Lego sell very well, i have sold alot of Lego on ebay.
Currently the threshold is $600 but is in flux, ebay is trying to change the threshold but the IRS can not make that decision on its on, it requires congress to make that change, while i have reached out to my senators and congressman, its the same answer from everyone, they will look into it, best we can hope for right now is another delay from the IRS which they made the decision to delay in early December last year.
As mentioned, watch out for people with less than 10 postive feedbacks, while i have not had alot of issues with buyers, i did have a stretch where people with no postive feedbacks were bidding on my auctions, win it and then cancel it immediatly so as to drive up the average sale prices of things, i had to block alot of people and it was with lego items, it hasnt happened in several months but was frustrating selling something, only to get an cancelation request a couple minutes after the end of the auction, so i would have to start all over again.
I ship all over the world and havent had any issues, ebay takes care of the shipping, typically i ship to a distribution hub in Chicago and they take it the rest of the way, so if there is a problem, ebay is responsible, my responsiblity is to Chicago and that it.
Good luck with your sales

[280-CUSTOMS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cobraviper72

Ive been selling on ebay since 2003, i average around $5,000 in sales, always buying stuff, buyers remorse and sell, but yes Lego sell very well, i have sold alot of Lego on ebay.
Currently the threshold is $600 but is in flux, ebay is trying to change the threshold but the IRS can not make that decision on its on, it requires congress to make that change, while i have reached out to my senators and congressman, its the same answer from everyone, they will look into it, best we can hope for right now is another delay from the IRS which they made the decision to delay in early December last year.
As mentioned, watch out for people with less than 10 postive feedbacks, while i have not had alot of issues with buyers, i did have a stretch where people with no postive feedbacks were bidding on my auctions, win it and then cancel it immediatly so as to drive up the average sale prices of things, i had to block alot of people and it was with lego items, it hasnt happened in several months but was frustrating selling something, only to get an cancelation request a couple minutes after the end of the auction, so i would have to start all over again.
I ship all over the world and havent had any issues, ebay takes care of the shipping, typically i ship to a distribution hub in Chicago and they take it the rest of the way, so if there is a problem, ebay is responsible, my responsiblity is to Chicago and that it.
Good luck with your sales

I have also been selling on ebay since the early 00?s , my other account was hacked then shut down back in 2014 so i started another one , i have had a great experience using ebay for selling and buying since 2000 , and both of these guys points are valid start off with small stuff and build up from there . I sold off my ultimate millenium falcon after 6 months of selling because i already had a ton of positive feedback . So while it may take a little time to sell it all off its worth it , my stuff that is shipped internationally goes through the hub in Erlanger kentucky . But after the post office takes it and i get tracking it is no longer my problem ..

Also i might add presentation & communication is everything in getting 100% positive feedback , i pack every item like it will shatter in a million pieces i dont cheap out on tape or packing materials we recycle all of our amazon/pulse whatever delivery boxes and packing stuff so we almost always have a box that?ll work for something . I hate giving ebay an even bigger portion of my earnings but it beats selling on mercari they are terrible


And once you have really good feedback the chances of people trying to pull a scam lessens as well , and ebay usually had your back for about 99% of any problem you would have …

[cobraviper72]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280-CUSTOMS

I have also been selling on ebay since the early 00?s , my other account was hacked then shut down back in 2014 so i started another one , i have had a great experience using ebay for selling and buying since 2000 , and both of these guys points are valid start off with small stuff and build up from there . I sold off my ultimate millenium falcon after 6 months of selling because i already had a ton of positive feedback . So while it may take a little time to sell it all off its worth it , my stuff that is shipped internationally goes through the hub in Erlanger kentucky . But after the post office takes it and i get tracking it is no longer my problem ..

Also i might add presentation & communication is everything in getting 100% positive feedback , i pack every item like it will shatter in a million pieces i dont cheap out on tape or packing materials we recycle all of our amazon/pulse whatever delivery boxes and packing stuff so we almost always have a box that?ll work for something . I hate giving ebay an even bigger portion of my earnings but it beats selling on mercari they are terrible


And once you have really good feedback the chances of people trying to pull a scam lessens as well , and ebay usually had your back for about 99% of any problem you would have ?

Exactly, communication, presentation and discription, I always add alot to my listings, try to be as honest as possible, i have seen some listings where the item discription is one line and vague, packing makes a difference as well, i am a shipping manager so i know how to pack according to industry standards and i also offer one day ship time, so once its bought and paid for assuming its not a Friday evening, i usually ship either the same day or next day,
My internationals used to go to Kentucky but that changed in the last year, now they go to Chicago, but yes, once a package arrives at the global shipping hub its no longer your responsibility, ebay takes over, they handle the shipping and international documents.
I have had only one negative feedback in my entire time of selling and even that wasnt a negative, literally the guy gave me negative feedback and wrote "good" on it, ebay was even confused by his response, otherwise, i have been very fortunate to have so many happy buyers.