10 Tips For Successfully Selling On eBay
Stacks of boxes ready to be mailed is a common site around are home from late May till late July. After I have sold what I can of the homeschooling curriculum we no longer need at second hand curriculum sales and I start listing what is left on eBay.
Ten Tips For Successful Sales on eBay
(Links in this post are affiliate links. I will be compensated when you make a purchase by clicking those links. See my disclosure page for more information)
I know there are a lot of homeschoolers out there that buy their curriculum long before then, but I still get a lot sales on eBay from the wait until the last minute crowd. Recently I have listed my books as late as the week before Labor Day and still had great returns on my time spent.
eBay of course sells way more than just homeschooling curriculum and in the past I have sold every thing from toys, kitchen items and books.
In order to sell on eBay you first need to open an account. I find eBay to be an extremely user friendly system. Simply click on the register button and follow the directions.
Selling your item is easy just follow the step by step instructions that eBay provides. However, I do suggest doing a few of the following things to provide you with the best eBay experience.
Ten Tips For Successful Sales on eBay
1. Read up on the topic
If you are going to sell a lot of items on eBay read a few books on the topic. I have read an older edition of eBay for Dummies, as well as the original, The Complete Idiots Guide to eBay, both were very simple to understand and provided me with tips to sell my items at a higher rate of return.
2. Take good pictures
Try experimenting with light, and backgrounds to get the most accurate picture of you items. For books I like laying them on my laminate floors. For toys I drape either a dark or light table cloth behind them to help accent them and often bring in a desk light to help light the area better. You might even find you get the best light by taking your items outdoors.
3. Make sure you clean up you item the best you can
Dark marks on Lego can often be removed with a bit of rubbing alcohol followed by a rinse under water. Little Tikes toys clean up well with a soft scrub cleanser. Over time you will discover all kinds of tips to clean up your items.
For more tips on preparing your items for sale check out …
How To Prepare Your Items For Resale So You Get Top Dollar
4. Do a bit of research and know the value of your item
You can do this by searching the sold listing area of eBay which is found in the side bar of options when searching for items.
5. Do an auction with a buy it now option
Start the auction at about 20 to 30% less than the average sale price of your item on eBay. Set your buy it now price at the high end of the average sale price of your item. This allows for the I just want it now type buyer to snatch up your item, and for the if I wait I might get more of a deal, buyer to both be included in the sale.
6. Allow your buyers several options for shipping
Rarely do I do a flat shipping rate, to me I feel like it can anger buyers if set too high. Instead I let the buyers decide what type of shipping they want. If my item is sure to grab me a high profit I often offer free shipping.
7. Be extremely accurate with your the description of your item.
It pays to even down play the shape of your item. There are always people more picky than you out there who will think that you described your item unfairly. If you have down played the condition of your item, you will not have complaints but instead praises.
8. Describe all the details
Add measurements of your item in the description box, as well as number of pieces, colors, or anything else that might be applicable to the sale of your item.
9. If you are going to accept returns make sure you have a stated return policy
I generally do not accept returns and have had no problem making sales without accepting them. I am extremely accurate in my pictures and details so that the buyer knows exactly what they are getting.
10. Make sure that you are prompt in sending out your item as soon it is paid in full.
I try to wait no longer than 48 hours.
Bonus Tip: look in the sellers section of eBay for additional tips for selling.
Are you an eBay seller? Do you have any tips to add?