What fee or percentage would you charge someone to list their items?

What percentage of the sale price or flat fee do you think would be fair for me to charge someone to list their items? Let’s take into [URL removed] 1) my time 2)the potential value of the item for sale and 3)the fact that if it does not sell, I still have invested my time, etc. Any comments or suggestions?

asked about 14 years ago

Alacrity
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20 Answers

I think you have to evalue. how important is this income? is this going to be a serious business for you? You could charge a split of hourly/flat fee with commission together? I think tiered commission are very fair. All depends on your customer base that you are doing this for!

answered about 14 years ago

Hi. I know if you take something to a consignment place, they charge anywhere between 30% to 40% based on my experience. That being said, I think it is just about what you are comfortable with. How much effort are you putting into selling the item for them, etc. I know listing stuff is not quick and easy and does take time so if it is 1 item, I wouldn’t charge more than the B-fee and PayPal fee for selling it, but if it is more than one item, I think I would charge a percentage based on the number of items.

answered about 14 years ago

Hi, as a general rule of thumb on big ticket items I charge 10% plus fees, But on the flip side if I know that the client is going to need to be coddled I tend to charge 25% plus fees this is only because they take more of my time and effort. On the smaller items I charge a flat 5.00 Plus fees. Over all I would recommend that you take into consideration how much time it is going to take you to list the item and how much interaction your client is going to need and what you would project the client could make you in a life cycle. I hope this answers your question, If you need more info please feel free to ask.

answered about 14 years ago

Hi dangoodstuff. whatever you decide to charge, remember YOU are providing a service to those people that they either Cant or Wont or are afraid to do on their own. You are providing your talent, knowlege, expertise and time. Dont short yourself, and dont be ashamed of what your are charging them whatever you decide. Its no different than being a Mechanic, or an investment advisor.

answered about 14 years ago

In my area, consignment shops are 50 50. They allow items to sit for a few months and if it doesn’t sell then they must be picked up.

answered about 14 years ago

This is my commission fee schedule for selling [URL removed]
Sales Price Commission
$0-$49.99 50% after fees
$50-$199.99 30% before fees
$200-and up 20% before fees

  • Consignors are also responsible for paying all associated selling and payment fees.
  • No fees are due up front, all fees are deducted from sales proceeds before payout

answered about 14 years ago

I charge a flat rate of 35% of the sale price…works for me!

answered about 14 years ago

i only sell high end items $500 or more on consignment and i get 25% to 35% hope this helps

answered about 14 years ago

I have paid someone to list my items for me, not here on Bonanzle but elsewhere. And to basically run the store there. The cost was 20% of all sales off the top. Phaedra

answered about 14 years ago

Very interesting thread, glad I stopped in. I will add that if picture taking is up to you, that is obviously going to be a good chunk of your time too.

answered about 14 years ago

I charged my close friend 15 percent after fees (not on Bonanzle), but in the end it wasn’t worth my time (photos, listing maintenance, keeping up with the fees, final fees). I’d say 20-40 percent after fees make more sense.

answered about 14 years ago

I used to sell as a favor to people/friends/relatives and did not like doing it. I charged 25% plus any fees.

I now say “you write the discription and do the research, pay the fees and I will list it for you for free.” That has gotten me no takers…and I am glad.

answered about 14 years ago

twysp2
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Most of the time you will be listing for a very close friend or a relative. I suggest charging 20% for the first $ 100 and 25% for sale over $101.
Remember we have to pay Bonanzle and PayPal fees.

answered about 14 years ago

i think that is to be determined by how costly the item is, how often they use your service and how much effort it takes to list the item. Another determining factor is if and how you market it or your site to sell it for them. anyone can list and sit; marketing is a whole different ball gamme

answered about 14 years ago

I would tend to agree with KayceeStudios.

Many people, including myself in the early days, treated consignment selling more as a favor to another friend or relative without really covering expenses involved.

If you are going to sell consignment, covering all your fees is of course the primary issue, but don’t forget your TIME in accomplishing all the different tasks involved……………….

answered about 14 years ago

I used to do this, and this was my fee [URL removed]

Selling Price My Commission
Up to 49.99 25% of Winning Bid
$50-$199.99 23% of Winning Bid
$200-$349.99 20% of Winning Bid
$350 and up 15% of Winning Bid

My final client had several hundred items, and most items sold for less than $50 each. From that experience, I was completely soured by the amount of work I agreed to do for the amount of commission I ultimately gained. It simply seemed to be too much work to do at any cost with little to show for it in terms of profit.

At the time, it seemed unthinkable to me to charge 40% commission—it just sounded like too much. But now, based on my own experiences, I would not even consider performing this service for a commission of less than 50% for items priced below $50.

I think Kaycee’s schedule (above) is a good starting point.

Keep in mind that for every item you list for someone else and all that goes with it (listing, photography, calculating shipping, keeping in contact with potential buyers, selling, shipping and feedback), this is time you have chosen to spend away from selling your own merchandise, at 100% of the commission. And you really need to be fairly compensated for it.

answered about 14 years ago

my parents want me to list books that they used or didn’t use while teaching so I charge fees & 20% of the final price. I said nothing but they wouldn’t accept that!

answered about 14 years ago

Back several months ago when I checked into it, the usual going rate (at least I was told then) was between 25-35%, depending on how much people had for you to list and how many places. But that was late last summer….it probably has changed by now.

answered about 14 years ago

annimae
Reputation: 100
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I charge 20% besure to have a contract also

answered about 14 years ago

As one of you brought to light, If I can hardly find the time to put my own stuff on here… then, I definitely better make it worth my while to start putting other people’s stuff on here. Good advice from everyone! Thanks for all the input!

answered about 14 years ago

Alacrity
Reputation: 199
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