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Profit margin
 

What do you consider a good profit margin for items that cost less than $5 each. I typically got 50% when selling on etsy after all the fees, etc but now that I'm strictly on eBay the volume isn't as great as etsy at the 50% profit.

Re: Profit margin
 

I don't bother with anything under $5 unless it's to start off building an account. At that stage, I either break even or take a slight loss. After fees and shipping, you want to be in profit by 50% on a $5 item, you are doing it wrong.

Profit margin
 

I personally don't bother with anything under $5. My profit margin on onof particular item is 200% per sale.

I have another item that has about a 600% profit margin.

Re: Profit margin
 

I still profit $125 to $150 a day which I'm okay with. I don't have a lot of space and I'm only doing this a job to keep me busy since I was medically retired from the military. I would love to invest in larger items I just don't have the room.

Re: Profit margin
 

It's all about what your happy/content with....Nothing wrong with $125-$150 a day as long as you enjoy what your selling.

Re: Profit margin
 

Profit margins are different for every product. Since I sell used books (out of print and rare) mine varies widely, anywhere from 20% - 10,000% - with a lot more closer to the 20% mark than the 10,000% mark - those are very rare!

But you have to calculate EVERYTHING on lower priced items, or you could end up with a loss pretty quickly. Here is a free calculator you can use to see what your actual profit will be when you sell an item on eBay:

EcommerceBytes Fee Calculator for eBay and PayPal

There is also an option to tell the calculator what percentage of profit you want and it will tell you what your price needs to be.

Lastly, you COULD use stealth to get back on Etsy as well. Just be sure that all of the basic rules are followed and that you pictures, titles and descriptions are different.

Re: Profit margin
 

125-150 per profit is a good start. 3750 - 4500 a month is nothing to sneeze at. More than a lot of people make by putting in a full 40+ a week. Keep plugging at it, but I say try for bigger ticket items with high turn arounds. I have a few things that I usually flip around for a 1400% profit.

Re: Profit margin
 

Thanks. This is a great tool I've been using for years. I definitely watch fees and profit when I list items.

I do have a stealth account on etsy but I think they may have linked me because I'm not being indexed. Everything I've read says that you need to contact them. I know if I do that'll draw red flags.

Re: Profit margin
 

Yeah it's been good but without Etsy my profit will probably be half of that. I am going to look at bigger items when I get rid of this inventory. I had over 1200 listings and about $25k worth of items on etsy when I was shut down.

Thanks for all the replies :)