Tips For The First Time eBayer

Looking for a way to make a few extra bucks this holiday season? Now even those of us who are technically challenged can post items on eBay through their easy-to-use selling tools. If you are like me, you will find clothes in your closet with price tags on them, baby items baby never got a chance to use or wear and home décor that never really made the cut when redecorating time came around. Selling on eBay can prove to be an easy and lucrative form of making little extra money. Here are a few simple tips that will help you get started.

Listing Your Item:
Think like the buyer. What key words would you search for when perusing the eBay network? For instance, if you are selling a new black BCBG skirt size small. You’ll want to include the brand name, the size, the color and the word new in the listing. Include as much information as you can in the listing. The number of characters is limited, but offers enough space to include a detailed description. Obviously, you want your item to show up in as many different searches as possible. If someone searches for skirt they’ll see your item. If someone searches for BCBG your item will appear. If someone searches for small or new your item will appear.

Photos Make Your Sale:
Make sure you upload a high-quality photo to accompany your item. At first, I listed items with a low-quality photo thinking it really didn’t matter. It matters! I had trouble selling the items. I then decided to set up a mini photo shoot. I took the time to position the items in front of a complimentary background and captured a decent photo. My items sold after reposting them with the high-quality photos. I believe the photo really makes or breaks your sale. It’s beneficial to pay the extra 35 cents to have a gallery photo. The gallery photo is the small photo that appears to potential buyers searching eBay along with your price and listing. Most people won’t take the time to click through unless they see the gallery photo.

Don’t Over Or Under Price:
Search eBay for your item before you list your price. This way you can gauge what your item is selling for. It is common for sellers to overprice items and then wonder why no one bid on them. Do your research! Know what your item is worth. Remember, you can start your auction at a price, but it could always sell for a higher price if a few people are bidding against each other. Also be prepared to sale your item at your starting price. It is never gauranteed that your item will be sold for a higher price.

Provide Shipping Options:
Offer buyers different forms of shipment, not just UPS. UPS tends to be a bit pricey and buyers like to see options. I post a shipping and handling time of one day, which gives you one business day after the completion of the sale to box and ship the item to the buyer. Make sure you choose or change the shipping weight when listing. I posted an item that was one to two lbs. and then posted another item right away. The shipping stayed at one to two lbs. because I didn’t change it to reflect otherwise. The weight will remain the same as the last item you sold if you don’t change it.

Smooth Transactions:
I only accept PayPal transactions. It’s the easiest way, and you don’t have to deal with personal checks or money orders. Most people using eBay have a PayPal account or they can process a check through PayPal. You can set up your account by going to www.paypal.com.

Finding Help In The Ebay Community:
Need Help? Don’t look for a 800 number. You’ll never find it. The customer service phone number is reserved for eBay store owners. I recommend using the eBay Community. It’s better than a customer service line. It’s advice from people who actually have experience selling items! There are many, many people who live for eBay. They are very helpful answering questions online in a timely manner. It’s amazing! You click on community and then click through to your topic in question. Post your question and then check back in about 15 minutes to see if anyone has answered. You’ll usually have a response by that time.

Selling is easy and fun! Don’t let those Power Sellers scare you. One day you might be a Power Seller yourself! For more information visit www.ebay.com.