Selling on Ebay
I briefly touched on this in my 101 ways to make money. But I spend so much time selling and trading on ebay. It is my lifeblood. There are also other trading sites.. Which I would love to trade on also some of these are Craigslist and Esty and I hope to one day get there and list some items. I have also heard gumtree is free to list. But I need to at least give ebay all my time before giving the others a go.
Most people are familar with Ebay or have at least heard from ebay. Not everyone has heard from Etsy. So there is more traffic going to this site. I will list some proven tips that I have tried and what has worked and what pitfalls to avoid when selling your items via ebay. Also dont forget to check out my store http://stores.ebay.com.au/FOX-AND-FOE-VINTAGE. I sell vintage clothes and second books.
Ebay is a fantastic way to earn some extra money. I have heard that the average person has $9000.00 of unused goods that they could sell on ebay. Just remember that another persons trash. Is another persons treasure.
There have been some strange stuff traded on ebay, such as Pat Rafter's ponytail and a Perth man's entire life. In 2004, a piece of Nutri-Grain resembling movie alien ET sold for $1035.What is with that.
Know your market. Research Research Research.
Check out completed listings. Check out what the highest biddest item are. You will be amazed at what comes up. I saw a vintage Nightmare on Elm shirt, go for over $130.00. The shirt was from the 80's. But this was a rare item from the 80's. The item was sold just after the remake came out at the movies. Also when the smurf movie came out. People were selling there original smurf collections. These were selling for hundred of dollars. There was so much demand for these. Decide what you are going to sell and set an realistic price for these items If an item is consistently listed with no bids, perhaps there's little demand, or seller is asking too much. So it is important then to research research research.
Don't overspend on a listing
When seting up an eBay auction, keep your costs down by keeping it simple. EBay will always charge you an insertion fee for listing your auction as well as a final value fee, and of course Paypal take there cut as well. These costs need to be added when selling your item. If you are reselling. Like I do. You need to include the cost of the item. The listing fees, final value fee and paypal fees into the costs. Otherwise you will be making a lose. These costs all add up. So keep in mind that eBay will charge you these fees even if your item does not sell and, this includes even if a buyer fails to pay you. But Ebay will give you a credit of the final valuation fee. But you will be out of pockets for insertion fees. If the seller does not pay. I find it handy. To always include a note that if the buyers does not pay within three days after the auction ends. I will report them to ebay. I have found since including this little note in my listings. I have had no non payers to date. Before adding this comment. I had one in three, that refused to pay.
Descriptions
Take a look at what other sellers are using for item titles and how much information they are including in there descriptions. Use buzz words. I use words like Vintage 80's size small high waisted festival skirt. People like to know the size. What style of clothes? Get creative. Use as much of the space as possible. No spelling mistakes. Please. Think about it. This is what is searched when your customers are looking for your item on ebay. You want your item to come up. Include free postage if you can. But make sure that you include this price in the cost
Photos
Always use a photo in the gallery listing . I never look at items that don’t have a photo in the listing when I’m buying. You would buy an item without looking at it first. Most of us would say no. So how do you expect your customer to buy. You want as many customers looking at your listing as possible. Use as many photos as you can. Photos of an item do wonders for removing buyer fears and making them feel more confident about bidding or buying an item.
Use quality, clear photos, also use an photo editor. To make you photos look like a million bucks. Trust me you will get more bids and people will spend more money. I have found. The listings I had with poor pictures just did not sell. I could get more for my listings with nice pictures.
Use a model
Clothing are the most sold items on eBay. It’s through eBay buyers can find nearly any kind, color, size, or vintage of clothing. If you’re serious about selling clothing on eBay use a model. You will be surprise how much more people are willing to pay when you use a model. Hangers just don't do it.
Be Honest
No one wants a dishonest ebay seller. Trust me. I have run into a few of dishonest seller myself. Be honest about the wear and tear of the item. You want your buyer to feel confident about purchasing the item. If selling clothes, let the buyers know about staines and holes etc. Take pictures if you can. Dont sell the item if it damaged beyond repair.
Timing/Demand
Sell your winter clothes in winter. Summer clothes in summer. List items on a Thursday night. So they sell on Sunday night. After 8.00pm is the best. You will find that you will get a higher price. As this the busiest night for shoppers on ebay.
And remember to have fun. I just love watching the bids come in.
