Break-Even Analysis on Selling Copper Pennies on eBay

[camtender]

Have you ever asked yourself "Should I be selling pennies on eBay, is it worth my time/effort"

Maybe this will help

Utilizing the best/most simple eBay calculator I have found yet.

http://salecalc.com/

Assuming you are the following:

1) Standard seller on eBay (non-Top Rated, no PayPal volume discounts),
2) Free shipping to buyer,
3) USPS Medium Flat Rate on-line purchasing, including approximate tape expense @ $11.50 and
4) Not including fuel on pick up and return of zincs.

Break-Even would approximately be a sales price of $127.00

With 1)Top-Rated and 2)Mid-PayPal discounts applied, Break-Even is approximately $124.00

Please add to analysis or suggestion on amending analysis.

[Market Harmony]

Acquisition costs? How much time and actual cost is there to sorting per CTU?

[ScottyTX]

Acquisition costs? How much time and actual cost is there to sorting per CTU?

Ahh don't think that's the point he driving with his original post. Simply put I believe he showing you what it would cost to "sell" on ebay w/ shipping per CTU over other avaiable options hence the statement, is it worth it for "you" to sell on Ebay. But yes in general, one must first calculate their Acquisition cost in order to move to Step two and determine selling costs. Everyone's acquisition cost will be different and I do believe that why he just skipped that step Nice post and I thank it will/can be very useful information for everybody Cam..

Scotty

[barrytrot]

Nice post camtender.

Very informative.

[Market Harmony]

Acquisition costs? How much time and actual cost is there to sorting per CTU?

Ahh don't think that's the point he driving with his original post. Simply put I believe he showing you what it would cost to "sell" on ebay w/ shipping per CTU over other avaiable options hence the statement, is it worth it for "you" to sell on Ebay. But yes in general, one must first calculate their Acquisition cost in order to move to Step two and determine selling costs. Everyone's acquisition cost will be different and I do believe that why he just skipped that step Nice post and I thank it will/can be very useful information for everybody Cam..

Scotty

I see. I agree that this is a great post. The acquisition costs can add up to the person wanting to sell on eBay. It is important to consider that number for anyone contemplating the profitable sale of CTU's in any venue. eBay certainly adds to the selling costs.

To expand on this, Cam, perhaps there is a formula to determine acquisition costs which is adaptable to each seller's circumstances. Fuel, vehicle wear and tear, equipment depreciation, time, etc. are some variables. If you had all of this information, then you can add the "cost per CTU" to the "eBay selling cost" and figure out the "minimum profitable selling price"

[m83striker]

I like this idea!!! We just need someone to make a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and share it with everyone. That way it can be a "living" changeable spreadsheet that will evolve daily according to the market and percentages of copper coins that you are collecting. If your percentages increase then it takes less of everything to make your CTU. I really like this idea.

[spacemanX]

agree great thread here. been wondering what the estimated break even point would be.

[duane1966]

And for each additional dollar the auction goes above the $127 break even point you would be making about .88 cents profit

[barrytrot]

And for each additional dollar the auction goes above the $127 break even point you would be making about .88 cents profit

Woo hoo! I sorted $100 worth of cents and made 88 cents!

[SilverDragon72]

And for each additional dollar the auction goes above the $127 break even point you would be making about .88 cents profit

Woo hoo! I sorted $100 worth of cents and made 88 cents!

WOW!

Don't spend it all in one place, eh?

[thepennyfund]

Very Interesting Post!

[camtender]

Once thing to consider is that there is a benefit to selling at Break-Even to the extent you need to learn (or practice) how to package copper pennies. Also an easy way increase your seller's volume to get to Top-Rate Seller status.

[thripp]

Once thing to consider is that there is a benefit to selling at Break-Even to the extent you need to learn (or practice) how to package copper pennies. Also an easy way increase your seller's volume to get to Top-Rate Seller status.

Not to mention the risk of the box being lost in shipment, or dropped, or stolen, or broken. The box could also get stolen after being delivered if it's left at the door, or the buyer could complain and demand a refund because there weren't enough wheat pennies, or some other stupid excuse. Plus, the bags to hold the coins cost money. Your time, gas, electricity, and wear and tear on the Ryedale are also worth money. On the plus side, you might get some good wheats out of it if you do the resort on the coppers.

[HoardCopperByTheTon]

Once thing to consider is that there is a benefit to selling at Break-Even to the extent you need to learn (or practice) how to package copper pennies. Also an easy way increase your seller's volume to get to Top-Rate Seller status.

Not to mention the risk of the box being lost in shipment, or dropped, or stolen, or broken. The box could also get stolen after being delivered if it's left at the door, or the buyer could complain and demand a refund because there weren't enough wheat pennies, or some other stupid excuse. Plus, the bags to hold the coins cost money. Your time, gas, electricity, and wear and tear on the Ryedale are also worth money. On the plus side, you might get some good wheats out of it if you do the resort on the coppers.

Ah yes, now I remember why I don't sell on eBay anymore.

[My2Cents]

I've bought a few CTUs off of Ebay back in the day (the pre-RC days)... and whenever I wanted more boxes, I just contacted the previous seller and made purchases directly from him. So while the break even point may be fixed at $124-$127, don't forget the repeat sales OUTSIDE of Ebay that come as well.

[HoardCopperByTheTon]

True.. I did do a lot of after the eBay sale business with several customers.

[Diggin4copper]

I charge the buyer for shipping.... helps with the bottom line

[HoardCopperByTheTon]

And eBay charges you FV fees on your shipping. They want you to charge fair shipping charges to your buyers, but they want to take a bite out of you shipping charge to the buyer as well. You have to overcharge on shipping just to break even on it.

[TheJonasCollegeFund]

Another thought is that I never make bank runs anymore. Meaning, if I'm out doing other errands, that's when I buy or dump. Since both banks are on my way to go anywhere! No special gas guzzling trips....unless I run to Chicago to exchange the copper for frn's!

[Trapper30]

The paypal discount will depend on your monthly $ volume

[uthminsta]

Another thought is that I never make bank runs anymore. Meaning, if I'm out doing other errands, that's when I buy or dump. Since both banks are on my way to go anywhere! No special gas guzzling trips....unless I run to Chicago to exchange the copper for frn's!

Good point. All my profits are low enough, if I took gas into consideration on all those pickups and dumps, fuhgeddaboutit!

[pipster]

did the percentages of fees and cost my self last night on some completed listings they had
sold for $156 free ship
ebay final sell fee comes to about 14.04
shipping 11.35
pay pal cut 4.83

20.22 in fees
so that leaves you with a profit of
22.20

so no it is not worth it
but if you have fun pulling wheats and copper and don't mind selling a few ctu's go for it you are already sorting for yourself it is a hobby