Selling on ebay

[Elmer]

I'm about to sell a few things for the first time on ebay (I'm used to buying on it, just not selling)

Are there any good online guides for selling tips, I was going to buy a dummies guide to ebay, but thought there would probably be as good guides on the net free. I had a google but couldn't seem to find anything suitable.

 

[sjackson]

if you could find yourself a July 2006 copy of Personal Computer World, they have a good section about eBay in it.

Don't know of any online guides though.

 

[RMCF]

I'm sure eBay has its own guide. Have a look around their site.

 

[shahedz]

what are you selling? i don't sell to people with less than10 feedback with a minus , and also never sell to nigeria

 

[littlesheepy]

If it's for something that'll be going for over about £10 in total, i specify in my listings that payment must be from a confirmed or verified account via paypal so that you're covered if someone is using a dodgy credit card or something. At least it's slightly safer then

 

[shay0]

Make sure you stress you're not responsible for items going missing in the post. You wouldn't believe how many items I sent, that didn't require a signature (at the buyers request, cos they didn't want to pay an extra 65p), then they "never arrived"

 

[Elmer]

Thanks for the replies guys

I’m going to be selling 1gb of pc memory, and a pace 40gb sky. I’d planned on restricting sales to the UK (I think there is an option for that). And probably only doing recorded delivery.

I was looking for a guide which gave more the sort of tips people are giving here, rather than just a basic guide by ebay themselves. Things like the best days to end sales (I presume Saturday and Sunday evening?) wording or titles that sort of thing.

 

[Woodywizz]

My Mrs who is an expert on Ebay - 100% feedback on 311 items - says that the most important thing when selling is to ensure that you end the auction at a good time - best time being a Sunday evening. Also, as good a picture and as honest and accurate a description as possible.

 

[av2diefor]

Elmer,
why not try and sell on the classifieds on this site?

A lot less chance of being "nipped"

 

[Joe90sDad]

I use ebay a lot, primarily for selling. If you're ever stuck you can go onto the forums that Ebay provide.

My best tip - only sell to UK buyers and make sure you click the relevant boxes for this rather than just state it in the ad. Also keep an eye on your bidders, especially if you're selling high value electronics or luxury goods.

Also, regards insurance, I don't give buyers the option of choosing insurance I just include it in the postage.

 

[Womble76]

To be honest I usually say "free postage within country" - this encourages far more bidders as there is no uncertainly about the shipping costs. Then you pay for the best postage for you - ie registered and needing a signature - you get more for your item than you would if you didnt offer free shipping so the cost to you is actually nothing and you save all the hassle.

Obviously not great for heavy worthless things tho.

 

[Arfa]

Make sure you stress you're not responsible for items going missing in the post. You wouldn't believe how many items I sent, that didn't require a signature (at the buyers request, cos they didn't want to pay an extra 65p), then they "never arrived"

On that note, due to incredibly unreliable/untrustworthy posty's local to me: if you're not getting stuff signed for, get a certificate of posting from your PO. Doesn't cost anything extra, but if/when an item goes missing, it'll help no end with your insurance claim. Plus you can prove to the buyer you did really send the item. Remember bog standard 1st class post is automatically coverered to £28. An extra 50p covers the item to around £100 or £150.

Bare in mind some people don't want a signature as they know they won't be home and the local sorting office may be miles away...

Other tips:-
Wait until cheques clear before posting. They can still be reversed weeks later, but you'll at least know it hasn't bounced due to no funds.
Use lots of high res, clear, in focus photos. Host them on your own site, then just pu <img > tags in your desc.
Don't give negative feedback, unless its a very last resort. It can so easily descend into a bitching contest that'll mess up your own feedback just as much.