new website for users who find EBay too complex

August 20, 2013 7:02 AM

I saw a notice for a new site that was described as "EBay for Dummies" and I'm not able to find it again. It had the word "Simplify" or something similar in the title ~ anyone else out there see the notice? It'd be awesome to be able to sell my things without hiring a techie! thanks kindly, Jeanne3
posted by Jeanne3 to Technology (8 answers total)

Originally, eBay was a little challenging to figure out. You were better off if you knew HTML and could insert your own code. But over the years, they have worked very hard on making it user friendly. Now it's almost too easy. A child can do it. I suggest you give it another try.
posted by Hanako at 8:08 AM on August 20, 2013

You're probably thinking of Shopify.
posted by Oktober at 8:20 AM on August 20, 2013

Are these "things" you've made or things that you own and are trying to unload? Shopify will work for arts or crafts or other items you make, it won't work for selling off collections or used items. For the latter, ebay still is the best, or possibly Craigslist if you live near a major city.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 8:41 AM on August 20, 2013

I've been in and out of ebay since 1999. It's PAINFULLY easy to list things now. Really. I promise. You don't need to hire any one to list things for you. Just be sure you take good pictures!
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:16 AM on August 20, 2013

I sometimes see late-night tv commercials for an online auction site called Quibids (no link because I don't want to drive traffic to them) that markets itself this way. And, frankly, it sounds pretty scammy. I can't recommend it, but it might be the site that you're thinking of.
posted by box at 9:55 AM on August 20, 2013

Depending on where you live, there are some shops that act as eBay auction managers, setting up your auctions and such for you. Of course, they take a cut of the earnings, or get some fee upfront.

Otherwise, I'd suggest using Craigslist if eBay is too daunting. Make sure you read the Craigslist page of ways to avoid scams. In short: only deal with people in person, and only deal in cash if you can. If you are concerned about people coming to where you live, you can meet in a public place, which can also be good for selling to someone who lives a distance from you.

And don't forget ton include a bowl of colorful fruit in any product photos.
posted by filthy light thief at 12:32 PM on August 20, 2013

Depending on what you're selling, the Amazon marketplace may be what you want - they handle all of the description/pictures/review part and you just tell them how much money you want and a text description of the condition the item is in. There's also lots of places that will sell your stuff on eBay for a cut of the proceeds. It's not cheap but depending on the item, the greater exposure that eBay brings compared to some of the niche sites may make it worth it.
posted by Candleman at 7:18 PM on August 20, 2013

Based on its size and the typical seller, Etsy must be dead simple to use.
posted by humboldt32 at 9:07 AM on August 21, 2013