Half.com Great Earning Potential (&Spending Too)
Written: Oct 24 '01
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The Bottom Line
A great site - easy to use, great to make money by selling your used books, cd's, videos and more. Most merchandise is available for well below retail prices.
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I have been a half.com addict now for over one year. I discovered the site last summer when I was looking for a way to do two things - clear out my old college textbooks and earn a little extra cash. Half.com was helped me achieve both those ends and more. It has also become the first place I check when I am looking to buy books or CDs.
Did Someone Say Yard Sale?
Prior to discovering half.com I was under the assumption that the only way to get rid of junk lying around your house is to 1. Give it away. 2. Throw it away or 3. Have a yard sale.
As anyone who has ever had a yard sale knows, by about 3PM, you are selling stuff for pennies, literally, just so you don't have to put the stuff back in your house. Stuff, by the way, that is worth far more, if only you had an opportunity to reach a wider audience than your next door neighbors.
The thought of selling my substantial collection of books for pennies did not appeal much to me. It was at this time, that I discovered half.com
How it Works
Half.com is basically just a vehicle to list merchandise for sale on the internet.
You can sell the following types of items on half.com: Books, CD's, DVD's, Videos, Trading Cards, Electronics,Sporting Goods. (NOTE: My experience with the site has been with books, CD's and Videos, so that is what I will be discussing).
In order to list an item for sale you need to know the IBSN number (for books) or the UPC code (for CD's and Videos). Once you enter that, you need to select the condition your item is in (like new, very good, good and acceptable). You can also, at this time, enter a short description of the item. This is the place where you might want to note that your book is in good condition except for the bite your dog took out of the cover... You then set the price that you wish to sell the item at. This is not an auction site, so in order to buy an item, the buyer must pay the price as listed. Since it is not an auction, once you list an item, there is basically nothing left for you to do but wait for someone to buy. An item can stay listed indefinitely.
When a buyer is "buys" your purchase, you receive a notification both on the site and via e-mail, asking you to confirm the order. Orders must be confirmed within 48 hours or they are automatically cancelled. You then have 24 hours to ship the order directly to the buyer.
A couple of key facts:
1. At no point does the buyer know who you are. You receive their address and ship the merchandise to them.
2. You are not responsible for collecting any money - the buyer pays half.com and half.com pays you.
3. You are responsible for shipping costs. However, you receive a shipping reimbursement from half.com.
4. Half.com takes a 15% commission on all sales. (A small price to pay for the ability to reach a nationwide audience)
5. Half.com is a self-policing site utilizing a system of seller ratings to keep sellers honest.
6. Half.com will pay the sellers either once or twice per month, via check or direct deposit.
I was amazed, at how quickly I was able to unload my old books, and also at the prices I was receiving for these books. WAY MORE THAN YARD SALE PRICES. I soon started selling some old videos and CD's that I no longer listened to.
From a Buyer's Perspective
I have also become a regular half.com consumer. Most CD's and Books are being sold for well below retail - often at 50% off retail. Additionally, I have found several out of print books on half.com that I couldn't find anywhere else. I have never (knock on wood) had a bad purchasing experience. All the merchandise I have ever purchased has been in the same or better condition than the seller described, and most has been received ahead of schedule.
Half.com is definitely the first place I visit when looking for a book, cd or video.
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 16 members
About Me: 30-something foodie, who loves shopping, music and travel.
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