Learning Listia

So, as I mentioned before, I've joined this site, Listia. Where you give and get free things. Remember how eBay started out? Remember when there weren't "Stores" or "Buyout" options? Like eBay once was, Listia is an internet flea market, whereas eBay has become a shopping mall. The biggest difference between Listia and eBay (aside from "size") is no real money exchanges hands, unless you pay for someone's shipping charge. You can avoid that by looking up auctions with Free Shipping.

When I did a random search on Listia, after becoming a member, I read a lot of articles about how the place was a scam. However, being a member in the short time that I've been, I can confidently say, Listia is not a scam! 

I love it there! As long as you're "Verified" (using your phone to get a one time automated call for a code and linking your facebook), it's smooth sailing. People will happily bid on your items and even "Fan" (ie Follow) you. The key word here is "Verified". Like most auction sites, Listia has its fair share of scammers. These people are often unverified, because their accounts keep getting deleted and they keep making new ones; unless they have an unlimited number of phones at their disposal, they can't get verified. People don't like dealing with unverified users, scammers are unverified. 

Things I Learned

I'd suggest posting your auctions with free shipping when you start. Many people avoid auctions with shipping fees, like the plague!

Don't pay for credits, that's just silliness. When you list an auction you get points, you comment you get points, when you answer comments you get points, when you bid, when you win, when you sell, when you watch videos, when you connect FB and twitter (you can make a new twitter just for Listia, set it and forget it, like most people do), you get points. 

I suggest starting with small, light stuff that can be shipped first class using a regular envelope with a stamp or using Paypal (free tracking numbers through Paypal, always use Paypal for shipping if you need more than a stamp!) 

I definitely don't suggest putting any moderate to high priced items on Listia until you are well established. I put one of my hair feathers up, the type that sells for $25. How much did I get? 2770 credits... talk about giving things away! 10,000 would've been acceptable, rough half of what the actual value of it was. So I learned. I posted a tier auction to make sure the winner only got what they paid in credits for. See what happened? Although Credits are not real money, we (or at last I did) start to think of them as such.

Stickers, used gift cards with more than $1 on them (less than a dollar is against the rules), trading cards... people even sell their own drawings on there, start with those. With gift cards you can use digital delivery and just send the code. No shipping costs! Just be careful that the buyer doesn't turn around and try to say the code didn't work. Keep the receipt you used to buy the gift card, also keep a copy of the number and pin if you can. That way, you can verify if the card was used or not by the other person. Heck, pick small things up at the dollar store or thrift shop. Costume/Fashion jewelry seem to sell well.

And get verified using your phone and linking facebook. The only call you'll get is an automated call with a verification code. Listia doesn't bother you after that. With Facebook, you can set Listia permissions to where only YOU see them. 

Also, put in the description of your first auction that bidders must be verified users with verified addresses. Unverified people also like to win things and then report you after they get it so they can get their credits back. This is why tracking numbers are so important and why using Paypal is the best, the tracking is free. Tracking numbers prove that you sent the item and they got it, so they can't say you never sent it. Sending your items to a verified address is covered by Listia Assurance. Request verified addresses and make sure your address is verified. It takes less than a minute.

Try to avoid auctions with shipping costs, unless it's something you really want and feel it's worth the shipping cost. Listia is truly free if you avoid a user's shipping charges!

Don't bid on anything by an unverified user! Especially if they're using stock photos or selling something REALLY good, like new Alienware laptops or iPhones/iPads. Always read comments and just "Watch" if you aren't sure. They end up getting deleted in a day or two.

And you don't have to input your CC, Paypal, or bank info. This place isn't the scam some wannabes think it is. 

I've made a ton of connections and friends here and got a bunch of useful (NEW) stuff! The best thing is, you can message a fellow crafter and work a deal to get more of their items, specially made for you. 

If you want to know what a credit is worth, the general consensus is 1000 credits = $1. 

Remember, don't buy credits. 

In the month I've been there, I've gotten over 50k in credits and surprise bonus credits just selling, bidding and commenting. I think you get 250 credits for your first auction. 

New users have to wait to get credits when they first start. When you've sold 5 things and got 5 positive feedback, you get your "Wings" and then credits are usually given to you immediately after an auction.

Make sure you read the Listia policy on what's "legal" to put up.

You can follow my twitter @SanguineMoonPGH or my Facebook for updates on what I'm giving away!