An eBay noob here...I've never bought or sold anything.

I have some stuff I want to get rid of (Tivos, mainly), and figure eBay is the way to go.

What do I need to know?

-How are transactions usually done? Payment methods, etc. (Paypal?)

-How to figure out shipping costs?

Anything I should do when starting out?

Thanks for any help.

What kind of TiVos? Unless they already have Lifetime on them, don't expect much for them.

People can get a TiVo for next to nothing new after rebate these days.

I sold a Series 2 with a bigger harddrive, but no service, for about $60 a few months ago.

As to questions:

--If you pick the shipping options during setting up your auction you can either set a price or just have them figure it out. I go with the latter. You enter the dimensions of the packaging and the weight. UPS/FedEx pricing takes it from there. Word of warning: add a few pounds to the total. I've found the online pricing to be a couple bucks less than what I was charged if I don't add a couple pounds.
--Take pictures of the item and the more information you give, the better.
--I only use Paypal. I've gotten burned with other forms of payment.
--I start the price out at the bare minimum I want to get for it. Nothing worse (to me) than starting at $10 and only getting that when you hoped it would hit at least $50. If it doesn't sell, you can relist for free.

Just old DirecTivos. A few R10s and a DVR40. I know I won't get a lot, but since I got them all for free from DTV, I'll be happy with whatever I can get plus the empty closet space. Plus since DTV isn't carrying Tivo branded units any more, there might be a little more demand for them than a year ago. I hope.

Thanks for the other suggestions.

Get ready to practically give them away on Ebay....Selling on Ebay lately has been absolutely rotten.....

Agreed. Unless it's some type of collectible or otherwise in demand, I've noticed a huge drop over the past year or two. I've sold (just CDs, DVDs, etc. I no longer want) on eBay since 1998 and it's to the point where it almost isn't worth the time to put together listings anymore.

Still haven't gotten around to doing this...but I have 3 R10 receivers to get rid of - search eBay for "Directv r10" - they seem to be bringing decent prices? Either way, they're just taking up space, and I have no idea how else to get rid of them besides throwing them away.

You could donate them to like Goodwill
and get a tax rightoff. Anyways....
Sounds like you really do not want
the hassle of selling/packing/shipping them.

Its better than just trashing them.

http://www.freecycle.org/

Check to see if there's a Freecycle group in your area. Ours is a Yahoo group, which sends out emails to subscribers when people have things to give away. I assume most of them are designed that way. It's a great way to see that things you no longer need end up in the hands of someone who wants them - they come pick them up from your doorstep! I've also picked up a lot of really great free items along the way.

Thanks Colleen, that is a VERY cool site.

With selling on ebay, many people do not want to purchase items from an inexperienced seller. You may want to purchase a couple of items to get some feedback before you begin. Things that you would use anyways like print cartridges is something that you can save money on.

Make sure that when setting up your paypal account that you only accept payment from verified addresses. Also when you ship items, make sure to get delivery confiramtion, and signature confirmatiuon if the item is over $250. That way you are protected from idiots.
If accepting other methods of payment, you can also accept post office money orders, they are very safe and can be cashed at any post office.
Take good pictures, and check the completed listings on ebay to get an idea of what your items would go for.
I have been selling on ebay for years, as a part time job income, and do really well. If you have any questions let me know.