Estore Setup Questions

I think this goes here but not really sure. I'm a dismantler by trade so whenever I get boards I get to taking as many of the parts off the boards as I can so I have a small stock. My question is, are there others out there like me who do the same and do you attempt to sell your items through a estore, ebay, etc.. or just collect enough to turn em in to the scrap yard.

-Matt

I'm in a little different boat than you probably are, but here's what I do:

I run a computer sales and service shop. Refurbishing computers is a big part of our business. I keep as many usable parts as I need. It also works great for repairs. Power supply failed in your Gateway? No problem. And, no parts costs

But, I don't sell much on eBay. I put complete systems up there when they're nice, but as for parts, they would need to either be specific (Say, a Dell OptiPlex 755 SFF Power Supply), or really, really good/desirable stuff (750W Corsair Power Supply).

A 400W power supply may profit you $10, but I just don't have the time to test them all and box them all.

If I had the time, I'd sell more parts on eBay, though. Before I opened up my computer store, I did a lot of parts sales on eBay. It paid well enough, and was a pretty straightforward job. Test part. Take pictures of part. Box part. Write description on part. Ship part.

Not too bad, but I'm booked solid with my sales and service job. And, since I can charge labor, it pays better than eBay for me.

The only boards I give a yard are my low grade. Rest are sold to buyers here, or saved for future refining depending on the boards.

I don't deal with eBay, we have a love hate relationship. I love to hate them. If you enjoy eBay good on you, an I mean that. I got fed up with them long ago an refuse to deal with them anymore cept through a third party as I have someone who does sales for me now an then.

My methods work for me, yours will be different I'm sure.

Good luck!

Sirscrapalot - My glass of haterade needs a refill please.

That sucks. Hate to see folks get jaded with them like I am, but I'm sure you got your reasons as I did/do.

Hang in there boss, there is life after ebay despite what others say. Just gotta get a bit more creative.

Sirscrapalot - Taking the cooler on some traveling in a week or so.

I used them like a champ to till I got fed up.

We've been down this road, an I still say I'm glad it works well for some. Me an Ebay had one of those high school break ups an are no longer friends. LOL.

Again..For those that use it, I say awesome. For those that don't..there is life after don't let others scare you. I did selling for quite a few years, an don't need the hassle any longer.

As it turned out me an eBay make better enemies then we did lovers.

Good luck no matter what route anyone goes with their resales. At the end of the day..it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as long as your happy with the rewards. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, do what is best for YOU.

Sirscrapalot - Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer. - Denis Waitley

Hello everyone and thanks for the replys. I was curious how everyone sells their stuff and if I was the only one on the board that sells what's depopulated. I went the ecart route to eliminate any fees that sites like ebay and amazon charge but there are downsides to that. I source craigslist for those wanting to get rid of their electronics(which is how I landed a gig with Coilcraft when I was in Iowa).

-Matt

Originally Posted by Mechanic688

What kind of boards are you stripping?? If their computer related boards then you are devaluing them which takes them down to the low level prices.

Anything electronic that comes my way. PCs, telecom, monitors, tvs.. anything. When I got into scrapping this way 8 or 9 years ago, I was following spot values from a website called recycle.net when their values were free. It's their lists I went by so to me, the components were more valuable then the boards themselves so I have alot of resistors, capacitors, motors, crystals, relays, etc.. I found this forum while attempting to find a buyer for what I do have since moving to TN only to find out most of what I have is worth next to nothing.

-Matt

Now, I never said that I like eBay.

I hate them. They used to be great, but not anymore. I need the outlet to sell refurbished systems, so I put up with them. If an independent cart on my website were profitable, I'd dump eBay faster than a dump truck.

I've never tried to sell capacitors or resistors. I do the "big stuff"

That said, I've thought about an E-Commerce site. I am a web designer, so the site design would be very cheap. My concern has been with people going there. The reason that I stick with eBay is that I assume I'll have way more sales.

Has anyone ever done an independent E-Commerce site? How did it go?