(Part 3) Top products from r/Ebay

Sorry to hear that you have problems with the weighmax, you should consider having it replaced, mine lasted 3+ years before starting to have smaller problems, and I can still use it.

I use two scales myself, I have a weighmax that is more or less crapping out on me, turns itsef on/off all the time and won't tare properly sometimes, maybe I should send it in for warranty replacement...

I've had mine for 3+ years and used it to weigh ~1500 shipments before it started acting up, and I can still use it although with a little difficulty.

The second scale I use is this:
http://www.amazon.com/eForCity-DIGITAL-DIAMOND-POCKET-SCALE/dp/B0042E4AG0/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1381201589&sr=1-1&keywords=eforcity+scale

Search for 1000g pocket scale on ebay and sort lowest price from US seller, you should not pay more than $7 for it

Since I mostly sell smaller items I can weigh ~90% of all shipments on it, it's much faster and easier to use than the weighmax scale, and it's small enough for me to keep on my desk.
Cons: battery powered, but it will last a long time still, can only handle ~2-3 lbs, somewhat difficult to weigh larger packages since you need to see the display at all times, I put an empty roll of tape on it to raise packages up and it works great
pros: small, quick, easy, extremely good accuracy, very cheap

Pick one depending on what you sell, you can always search by customer reviews on amazon
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_st?keywords=shipping+scale&qid=1381202292&rh=n%3A1064954%2Ck%3Ashipping+scale&sort=reviewrank_authority

eg:
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Postal-Shipping-Postage-Scales/dp/B002TWEXXM/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1381202297&sr=1-1&keywords=shipping+scale

Seems to be good

I got this, it seems like a good amount of light for the money. My backdrop, I just got piece of sign from home depot that was pretty white, and a bit rigid, but still flexible, taped it to a table, and up the wall. I was pretty impressed with the light, its probably not amazing, but the price was right.

Definitely get a scale. Seriously a great investment for saving as much as possible on shipping. Every ounce counts. I bought this scale and love it. Also make sure you round up when doing USPS. If your package weighs 4.1 oz, mark it as 5.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P7P9M2?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

Easily the best tape I've ever used, and I've tried a number of different kinds.

They regularly go on sale for $8.99 or sometimes $7.99.

im not familiar with VA laws and codes, so what i know wont be of much help.

you will find the tab labeled 'ebay for business' helpful

http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/

your home office can be used as a workspace, and is even tax deductible. it does not have to be zoned for commercial use.

you may find this helpful as well

http://www.amazon.com/Tax-Loopholes-eBay-Sellers-Money/dp/0072262427

We're in the UK, so we only need tracking for anything that sells for more than £62. Anything below that is covered by Royal Mail by just having a receipt.

Those are pretty much the kind of toploaders we use. Sleeve-wise we use ones like these. Some prefer these instead because they're cheaper, but they're too loose in the toploaders for us to be comfortable with using.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W7IOV4/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 bought this one and LOVE it. it can stay on if its plugged in, if its via battery power it may turn off after a certain amount but i havent tested it for this

I've started doing something similar for the more expensive (non-electronic) items I sell. I purchased this tamper evident tape and type a unique order # on it, then affix it to the item and take a picture of it, along with the packing slip. Then I send the buyer an email with the order # on it and a copy of the picture.

I also note that this will be done in the actual listing itself.

While none of this is guaranteed to prevent a scammer from trying to pull one over, my hope is that they'll realize I'm going to fight any BS claims and look for something with less hassle.

Definitely more work for me, and not worth it for most of my items - but so far, so good.

My sister knows I ebay and hooked me up for Christmas last year and it made this type of thing so much easier.

One of these, and one of these will do you wonders

https://www.amazon.com/Laptop-Shipping-System/dp/B00CIGQGVG/ref=sr_1_5?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1482425142&sr=1-5&keywords=laptop+shipping+box

https://www.amazon.com/EcoBox-Laptop-Box-17-Inches/dp/B00KRP20WO/ref=sr_1_21?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1482427373&sr=1-21&keywords=EcoBox

https://www.pack-secure.com/LAPTOP-Shipping-Boxes-5-ct_p_1711.html

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/803808/60percent-Recycled-Laptop-Shipping-System-17/ (Pack of 5)

It is stupid because the item is worth over $200 even when used.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0058GK560/ref=sr_pi_pm_mupnf_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370310478&sr=8-1&keywords=815530011767&condition=used

I am neurotic about this sort of thing because it's happened to me often. Whenever I sell "openable" electronics — laptop, external hard drive, MP3 player, etc — I make a label using a Brother P-Touch label maker and their "security tape" which destroys itself upon removal. On the label I put the ebay auction number and the serial number of the item. I trim one end of the tape with a zig-zag scissor (like this) and affix the label to a choice spot, typically someplace where it covers a screw and at least part of a seam. If the buyer makes any attempt to open the item they'll need to remove the label which then destroys it. If they try to make a new one they'll need to exactly match my zig-zag pattern which is pretty difficult at best.