What is the best advice for selling gear?

I have never sold anything online, so I'm asking for any, and all advice for a perfect transaction. Do most people collect money through PayPal? I know that has to do with using your email address, but I'm not sure just how it works. I have a few Canon lenses to sell. I do have a PayPal account that I use for purchases. Any help would be most appreciated.

I've bought and sold a lot of stuff online, through E-Bay, Craigslist (CL), and POTN. Some suggestions if you don't mind:

1.) Clean your gear WELL, before taking photos of it post in your sale ad.
2.) Post GOOD photos of your gear, pointing out any obvious wear/defects.
3.) Accurately and fairly describe your gear.
4.) Research sale prices to determine YOUR asking price.
a.) compare 'SOLD' listings on e-bay and POTN.
b.) most CL asking prices range from fanciful to delusional, they mean nothing
c.) check POTN 'for sale' listings for like items, check asking price, and sale price if available
c.) I have PM'd several POTN sellers to ask what their item sold for. Everyone has responded, so far.
5.) Once you arrive at a fair asking price, take off 5-10%, your item will sell quicker
6.) Include PayPal fees (~3%) and shipping costs in your price. Nobody likes an ad that
says $XXX + PP fees + shipping costs. Most folks just want to know how much money to send.
7.) Monitor your sale ad(s). Nobody likes PM'ing or e-mailing an offer or a question and waiting a week for a response.
Optional:
8.) Use USPS Priority Mail - Insured to ship your packages. (Full disclosure, I am retired USPS). Priority mail is reliable. I've probably bought/sold 100 times. I've never had a USPS package damaged on receipt. USPS is VERY EASY to make a claim from, if needed. You can also print Postage and arrange for your mail carrier to pick up your package, right from your computer. I have actually posted an ad, negotiated a sale price, gotten paid, printed postage, and scheduled a pickup in less than an hour. Nothing I ever sell will go out later than noon the next day.
(USPS plug over. Back to waiting for my retirement check! )

Good luck with your sale!

EDIT:
An example of a well-done 'for sale' ad: https://photography-on-the.net …/showthread.php​?t=1473934

Great tips Tom, thank you! Any advise on the PayPal procedure? Packaging? How do you get photography safe boxes? I have bubble wrap!

SJC from VT wrote in post #18253645
Great tips Tom, thank you! Any advise on the PayPal procedure?

I've been using PayPal so long that it is second nature. I would NOT include your PP info in the ad. Do your negotiations through PM or E-mail. Once you agree to a price, send the buyer your PayPal e-mail address. Once they pay, you'll get a notice in a matter of minutes. You'll be able to see the amount in your account as soon as you get the notice. As soon as you see money, ship your item. PayPal really is quick and painless. I usually just leave the money sit in my account. With my degree of G.A.S., I know I'll be spending it soon, anyway.

I'm not sure that helps. If you have a specific question, feel free to post it. I'll do the best I can.

I use craigslist and seem to get better than average selling prices. Haven't had any problems at all. Takes some time to go meet them but I am always very open about the product they are getting and haven't been burned yet

Versus the couple of peices I have sold online, both processes are about the same level of work/effort.

Bassat wrote in post #18253650
I've been using PayPal so long that it is second nature. I would NOT include your PP info in the ad. Do your negotiations through PM or E-mail. Once you agree to a price, send the buyer your PayPal e-mail address. Once they pay, you'll get a notice in a matter of minutes. You'll be able to see the amount in your account as soon as you get the notice. As soon as you see money, ship your item. PayPal really is quick and painless. I usually just leave the money sit in my account. With my degree of G.A.S., I know I'll be spending it soon, anyway.

I'm not sure that helps. If you have a specific question, feel free to post it. I'll do the best I can.

Thanks again Tom! More great advice. So once the price is agreed upon, I sign into my PayPal account and click on the request link, where I then fill in the buyer's email, or phone number...correct?

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18253651
I use craigslist and seem to get better than average selling prices. Haven't had any problems at all. Takes some time to go meet them but I am always very open about the product they are getting and haven't been burned yet

Versus the couple of peices I have sold online, both processes are about the same level of work/effort.

Thanks for the advice. It seems like the photography section of Craigslist in my area does not get much use, but I may try it anyway! Do you meet up in a public place?

SJC from VT wrote in post #18253697
Thanks again Tom! More great advice. So once the price is agreed upon, I sign into my PayPal account and click on the request link, where I then fill in the buyer's email, or phone number...correct?

Thanks for the advice. It seems like the photography section of Craigslist in my area does not get much use, but I may try it anyway! Do you meet up in a public place?

You don't have to do anything. (I think you can send an invoice. I've never done that.) When the buyer pays you, money will show up in your account. PayPal will send you a notice of WHO paid you, and HOW MUCH. The net proceeds (sale price minus about 3%) will be immediately available in your PayPal account. I don't think you can withdraw it for 21 days, just in case the buyer registers a complaint. If you have your account secured with BANK and/or CREDIT CARD info, your money is available immediately. Withdraw it, or let it sit, your choice.

Generally, I prefer to deal locally in person with cash.

Paypal invoices are easy.

For shipping, I always quote shipping with a tracking number so there is a trail of proof the item was delivered, as well as insurance as it's cheap.

DrMitch wrote in post #18253791
For shipping, I always quote shipping with a tracking number so there is a trail of proof the item was delivered, as well as insurance as it's cheap.

For USPS shipping, how do you get the tracking number before you ship the package and provide that information to the buyer?

SYS wrote in post #18253804
For USPS shipping, how do you get the tracking number before you ship the package and provide that information to the buyer?

If you go to USPS.com and buy your postage online (requires weight and destination address), the tracking number is right on the postage/label you print at home. Very simple.

Bassat wrote in post #18253863
If you go to USPS.com and buy your postage online (requires weight and destination address), the tracking number is right on the postage/label you print at home. Very simple.

Okay, thanks, but you can't get the tracking at a local USPS location, right? I don't have a reliable weighing machine at home....

SYS wrote in post #18253869
Okay, thanks, but you can't get the tracking at a local USPS location, right? I don't have a reliable weighing machine at home....

When you go to the Post Office to ship, the tracking number will be printed on your receipt, and on the label the clerk puts on your package.

I got a cheap electronic scale at Target for less than $20. It was worth it to me; I do a lot of online buying/selling.

Bassat wrote in post #18253871
When you go to the Post Office to ship, the tracking number will be printed on your receipt, and on the label the clerk puts on your package.

I got a cheap electronic scale at Target for less than $20. It was worth it to me; I do a lot of online buying/selling.

Thank you for all your responses. Very helpful.

My pleasure.

SJC from VT wrote in post #18253697
Thanks for the advice. It seems like the photography section of Craigslist in my area does not get much use, but I may try it anyway! Do you meet up in a public place?

Craigslist "Rules" suggest, cash only, very public place, daylight only.

I have met at restaurants during lunch, banks in the afternoon, one woman wanted to meet inside a Target department store. She knew that the restaurant area that was right by the door would be closed at that time of night. I sold her a Tamron 17-50 non-VC for $325 when the common selling price elsewhere was $250. I sold a 100-400 via CL for the same price i had paid here after owning the lens for 6 months. I had it listed here at a $50 discount over what I paid and did not get one inquiry.

Police departments often are happy to have people meet in their parking lots.

Traffic to CL helps, but you really have little to lose by listing it multiple places, especially after you do all the work to get it ready for sale.