20 Tips For eBay Success

© by Cheryl Coccaro; all rights reserved

1. Your eBay auction title needs to be KEYWORD rich.
2. Don't use the SUBTITLE option offered as they are treated by eBay as part of your description text and DO NOT show up when buyers do TITLE only searches, which are the most common way people search.
3. Know eBay's FEE STRUCTURE and make the best use of your starting price & listing upgrades fees. Starting an item at $10.00 causes you to be charged the next tier level, where $9.99 is the lesser fee structure price. This is an extremely easy way to lower your SELLING cost fees.
4. Offer a BUY IT NOW feature for those buyers who do not have the time to wait for your auction to end.
5. Using NO BACKGROUND or a POOR BACKGROUND detracts your buyer's eye OFF of the item you are selling.
6. Please do CLEAN your item and make sure it sparkles and gleams.
7. If selling a GROUP or a LOT of similar items be sure to use the word LOT in your eBay TITLE listing.
8. Be sure to use a REFERENCE of SIZE whether it be a coin, a ruler, or a battery. Be sure to mention the size in inches also. Do not use a cigarette pack or a lighter as buyers will not bid on items that might SMELL OF SMOKE. If you sell JEWELRY be sure YOUR PACKAGING does not smell musty or of smoke.
9. Make sure you ACCEPT PayPal for a payment option - as we are in the electronic digital age where is it preferred to pay on line for our transactions. You could also offer MULTIPLE payment options such as US Postal Money Orders.

   Did you know that you can verify a US Postal Money Order Number over the telephone? That telephone number is: 866/459-7822.

10. Know the value of OFFERING INSURANCE on highly breakable items. Be sure to give your buyer the OPTION to select it. Your auction should state that you are NOT responsible for items ONCE they are in the US MAIL SYSTEM.
11. TERMS of SHIPPING should be spelled out. Which carrier you will use and the cost. Be sure to tell them that you ship the very next day after their PayPal payment.
12. Please mention when PAYMENT IS DUE. If using PayPal preferred, as the only means of monies you accept, then you are assured that you will be paid promptly especially if using BUY IT NOW.
13. Select the option of ONLY ACCEPTING PAYPAL and your Non Paying Bidder problems go away.
14. Do you have a RETURN POLICY? Even if you do not have one in place be sure to select the option when completing the Sell Your Item Form.

    A NO REFUNDS / NO RETURNS... is a return policy. Your pictures should be clear and show all flaws... so the buyer will be aware of any mark or chip or defect BEFORE they make their bid.

15. Use a COUNTER which is NOT VISIBLE in addition to one that IS VISIBLE. There are counters available that tell you where your lookers are from and how often they return to your auction.
16. Most importantly use a CALL TO ACTION. This means to ask for the sale and.....BID NOW! You need to create a desire for your item...right now.
17. Create a SECOND eBAY ACCOUNT for your own purchases. Nothing is worse that viewing a seller's feedback and looking at the auction items they purchased...and finding out what they paid for the same item you have bid on.

    Yes, it's best to have one account TO BUY and one TO SELL on eBay.

18. Don't forget about BACK END SALES.

    In your End of Auction email, mention that you will send them updates of new items you will be listing. They will love to get a head start and if you use the BUY IT NOW option, you could have made a sale without eBay.

    If their first purchase was a positive one, they will buy again from you on eBay and even better...on your website where the fees are much much less.

19. List your items at a FAIR PRICE when starting out. Expecting to make a killing in the beginning of your selling phase is expecting too much. We must learn to crawl before we walk and then run.
20. Be persistent and SELL WHAT SELLS.

    Do some research on the item you want to sell and look at what sold in the last 30 days. Select the COMPLETED box when doing this search. What was their starting price? What did it finally sell for? Make your price in line with what has worked before.

Happy Selling!

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