First, search at eBay for similar items now on sale and see how they are described and what kinds of prices people are paying for them to give you some idea. Most of the bidding takes place in the last hour or so even the given time for auctions usually last seven days. Bookmark the pages describing items that are closest to what you want to sell as a guide. Then go back just after that particular auction has ended to see what the final price which the item was sold. I highly recommend that you read all the info that eBay provides explaining the process and what it costs. There is a non-refundable fee for placing an item for sale, which depends on the minimum price you will  be willing to accept as a sale. When an item sells, you and the buyer contact one another by email and arrange for shipment privately. You need to arrange the shipment! In your posting you should make it clear that the buyer will pay for shipping, and indicate the amount. You need to mention where you are willing to ship either within the country or worldwide. The buyer sends you a check or credit card number (if you have a merchant credit card account). Or you could just use Paypal and it is one of the easiest way. You send the merchandise. At that point eBay charges to your account a small percentage of the final sale price.

• After delivery of the goods, the buyer inputs feedback on the transaction at eBay, which serves as a reference for future buyers who might want to get other things from you. It's a very good idea to describe your merchandise with great honesty and detail, mentioning any and all defects, and to ship immediately. Make sure you provide the shipping information to the buyer too. High ratings by customers about you in ebay can be very important for future sales. This will create credibility when people want to buy from you in future. The environment here is very much like the old pre-Web Internet -- self-regulating, with lots of sharing, and lots of candid comments. If you are accurate in your descriptions and prompt in your deliveries, the system will work in your favor and create its own credibility for you.

• For starters, pick one category of goods to focus on -- something that you know very well. Don't go and try to sell an item that you don't know anything about. Within that category start with items that you know won't sell for very high prices. To certain extend, cheaper items are easier to sell. Save items that might conceivably generate competitive bidding until you have built up feedback and perfected your pitch. Then, with more experience you could try much more competitive items.

• Sell one test item, with a low minimum bid to get used to how the system works. Try with an item that you could sell at rock bottom price. Your main idea is to get the experience. Deliver it instantly when sold. Encourage buyer to post feedback and build your credibility.

• Once the feedback is online, add listings for many more of the same kind of thing, using your previous posting as the starting point.  People bidding on one of these items will probably want similar things as well and will want to consolidate shipments, to save shipping costs. Single shipping which might be higher than the cost of the item itself. Mention in each of your descriptions that you have other similar items for sale and would be willing to consolidate shipments. A buyer might be interested buying more and consolidate shipping compared to buying from different parties which each will charge a shipping cost. That incentive helps generate interest and pushes the bids higher. When you have 10 positive feedbacks, you get a gold star; after 100 a blue star; 500 purple; 1000 red. These symbols attest to your credibility and reliability, and are very important to bidders.

• When you first post items for sale, a sunglasses ("shades") icon appears next to your name - this was right at the point of writing this site info. That symbol indicates that you are either a newcomer or you have changed your online name recently. Most people especially experience bidder will know that this perhaps because of a bad reputation from a previous identity. Shades are a warning sign, indicating "Buyer beware". We, in this community, don't know who this guy is. After one month, you lose your "shades". By then, too, you should have some good feedback -- at least a gold star. Sometimes it may take longer, so be patience. After that it is a good time to start experimenting with other categories of goods.

Back To Previous Page

BACK TO MAIN