How much does it actually Cost to use Ebay?

A very common question that people ask is "How much does it Cost to use Ebay?" and when you give them the answer very often they ask, "Why does eBay cost so much?" When you first look at those two questions they look very different, but once you start to answer them, they are almost the same.

Before we go into the first question, let us look at the second question...

"Why does eBay cost so much?" 

The answer is for what you get the charges are very small. Where else can you list an item and within minutes of it being listed it is on view to millions of people all around the world. eBay drives massive amounts of traffic to the platform every second of the day. They use many different streams to bring viewers and buyers to the site. On top of this you have the payment process, emails, security and the brand name eBay. This all costs money, and when you look at the bigger picture, you are paying very little.

Also when eBay put up their charges there is always an outcry from people this will ruin my business, how can they do this. Ladies and gentlemen, eBay is a business and they have a business to run and at the end of the year they need to show a profit; please grow up and get over the charges, it is all part of business. And if this tiny increases are enough to harm the profits of the products you sell, either up your prices or find another product, it is that simple.

What it costs to use eBay?

This is a question that cannot really be answered in just short article and it also depends on where you live in the world as each eBay country has different charges and different ways of applying these charges to your eBay listings. But we can look at the question from another angle that should help you make a profit on eBay. To start with there are charges and you need to look at these and build the listing fees, final fees, any extra fees and PayPal fees into your business plan.

But there are other fees that people sometimes forget and can mean the difference between a profit and a loss.

Your Time: 

You need to factor the time it takes you to list an item, make up the parcel and get the item ready for the post office

Delivery Charges: 

Spend some time and research the best way to send the item that allows the item to get there on time and at a cost that is good you the seller and also the buyer

Package Items: 

You also need to allow the costs for items such as boxes, bubble wrap and labels

Internet: 

Also you need to work out the costs of being online

All these little extra's may be pennies or a bit more over time if you have got them wrong you could be selling at a loss. This is why it is so important to check your numbers on a regular basis and also keep accounts up to date. By doing this you can see at a glance where the losses are and where the profits are.