Selling on eBay tips

Whether you’re a new seller just getting started, or you’ve been selling on eBay for years, there’s always something new to learn. Want a few ideas to make your selling experience on eBay less time consuming and more fruitful? Do your research before listing.  Most bidders love it when sellers are too lazy to research their items before putting them up for sale on eBay. Those sellers consistently offer them bargain after bargain, which can be sold again on eBay with a better title and description for lots more money. Use your books on antiques and collectibles, Web sites like this one and conversations with other sellers to learn about what you’re selling on eBay long before you attempt to auction it off.
Keep your shipping and handling charges reasonable. Shipping and handling charges can really jack up the cost you pass along to bidders. Some folks avoid auctions that quote very high shipping and handling fees altogether. Consider charging only what it costs you to mail the item, and build in the cost of packaging and labor into your starting price instead. And if you’re not stating the shipping charge in your listings already, be sure to do so. Bidders want to know how much they’re going to have to pay to get their buys home before they bid.  Don’t be like one of those sellers that sell an item for $ 9.99 but the shipping costs is $ 49.99 for an items that only weights a few pounds.
Start your eBay auctions for $0.01.  Only if you know that the item you are selling is a Hot selling item.  eBay makes money by charging sellers both a front-end and back-end transaction fee. The fees are based on the item’s beginning price and final selling price. No sense paying more in fees just to start your item off at a higher price. I’ve found that $0.01 auctions tend to generate a lot of interest at first and create a lot of “watchers.” These watchers will monitor the item throughout the selling process and come back near the end of the auction to bid.  Most bids on eBay are placed on the last day (and the majority in the last hour) of an item’s listing.  It’s tempting to set the starting price closer to what you would like to actually get paid, but I’ve found this method to be both costly and largely ineffective. If you are selling a high-priced item you may want to consider a higher starting price.
Write a Good Description.  Clearly state the item’s condition.  You want to be honest and describe the condition, what it is made of, brand name, dimensions and possibly the reason you are selling it.  Include photos and  be sure to note any damage or any other unique features.  Always assume the buyer doesn’t know anything about the item.  Read more...