Use the tools provided to you by eBay in order to make your home business a success. I can't tell you how many times other experienced eBay sellers have asked me a question that was readily available to them if they would have only used the HELP tab which is available on the top of any eBay page. Most of your questions can be answered this way.
Those that can't can probably be answered by visiting the eBay community forums. Chances are someone before you has asked the same exact question. You can even find some great information about the brain bleeding eBay math. Others have already figured out different price points to use with what format. Good thing for me.
If you are unsure of what to price an item at (antiques and collectibles can be tricky as the market is always fluctuating), you can do a completed item search on eBay (not allowed if you're not already registered) to get some idea of what your item has been going for lately---providing you don't have something rare. It will do you no good to look at auctions that have not ended or fixed price items from other sellers since you can't assume that another seller knows what he is doing. Plenty of inexperienced users out there on eBay.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Online eBay Business Tip Integrity
Be honest when you list an item. Describe the item accurately. If there is a huge bald spot on the back of one of your big burly troll dolls that you have for sale, then say so! There will still be a market for your damaged doll though it won't go for as much as a mint one. However, you will spare yourself a ton of problems down the road, including negative feedback, item disputes, returns and chargebacks. Get enough of these, and you could get kicked off of eBay.
And if that isn't incentive enough to be honest, consider that you will actually be able to live with yourself. As much as I would like to get more for some of the items that I sell, I find the fact that I can sleep worth the price.
Again, treat others as you would want to be treated.
And if that isn't incentive enough to be honest, consider that you will actually be able to live with yourself. As much as I would like to get more for some of the items that I sell, I find the fact that I can sleep worth the price.
Again, treat others as you would want to be treated.
Online eBay Business Tip Postage Calculations
A lot of eBay novices (I would say most) make the following mistake. I know I did. They don't bother to accurately figure out what something is going to cost to ship ahead of time and end up losing money. There were times I practically paid my customers for me to go to the trouble of shipping their items. It takes a little work. You have to weigh items and you have to take into account the weight of the packing materials (you should always pack well)....boxes, padded envelopes, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, etc....You also have to familiarize yourself with all the different mailing options available to you.
You can save a little money by printing USPS postage online through PayPal and the postal workers will even come pick up your items when requested. However, you cannot print labels for first class international mail so you may still end up making some trips to the post office.
You can save a little money by printing USPS postage online through PayPal and the postal workers will even come pick up your items when requested. However, you cannot print labels for first class international mail so you may still end up making some trips to the post office.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Online eBay Business Tip International Shipping
Don’t be afraid to ship internationally. I don’t understand why so many people are afraid to do this. By shipping internationally, you could more than double your market share and you will increase your chances of making a sale. Go the extra step and fill out a customs form...it's really not that hard. More than half of my eBay customers are overseas and I have had far less problems with overseas customers than here in the states. Less packages lost, less returns (actually none) and definitely less agitation...which leads me to my next thought....
PLAY NICE! I’d love to say that each and every transaction is going to be sunshine and roses, but the law of averages dictates that you are going to have to deal with some jerks on the internet. Don’t stoop to their level. If someone is treating you rudely, kill them with kindness (this always works for me) and then once the transaction is complete (that means after they have left their feedback), add them to your Blocked Bidder List so that you don’t have to deal with them in the future.
PLAY NICE! I’d love to say that each and every transaction is going to be sunshine and roses, but the law of averages dictates that you are going to have to deal with some jerks on the internet. Don’t stoop to their level. If someone is treating you rudely, kill them with kindness (this always works for me) and then once the transaction is complete (that means after they have left their feedback), add them to your Blocked Bidder List so that you don’t have to deal with them in the future.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Online eBay Business Tip Ebay Stores
Think about opening up an eBay store. The basic store on eBay is fairly cheap to open and you can list individual items in your store for 3 to 5 cents per month (on top of the store subscription fee) indefinitely. This is dirt cheap and especially cost effective for items under ten dollars and hard to sell items.
You will have to learn eBay math. eBay math is tricky (and constantly changing) and it can be more costly to list in one format than another. Furthermore, items that fit into multiple categories can cost more to list in one category than another so you really need to do your research. Map out your financial strategy ahead of time.
You will have to learn eBay math. eBay math is tricky (and constantly changing) and it can be more costly to list in one format than another. Furthermore, items that fit into multiple categories can cost more to list in one category than another so you really need to do your research. Map out your financial strategy ahead of time.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Online eBay Business Tip Drop Shipping
If you still haven't decided what to sell you can always consider using a drop shipper. A drop shipper is a company that provides the merchandise and ships the item. You sell the item and collect the markup, ordering the item from your drop shipper only after it's been purchased.
Drop shipping can be extremelely convenient since you don't have to invest anything other than the listing fee and you don't have to deal with the storage or handling/mailing of merchandise. eBay has specific rules for the posting of drop shipped items so be sure that you know what those are before listing.
Drop shipping can be extremelely convenient since you don't have to invest anything other than the listing fee and you don't have to deal with the storage or handling/mailing of merchandise. eBay has specific rules for the posting of drop shipped items so be sure that you know what those are before listing.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Online eBay Business Tip What To Sell
eBay online auctions can be a lucrative (and fun) small, home business. If you are thinking about starting an eBay business, you have to start somewhere. First: decide what to sell.
How do you decide what to sell? If you're unsure you might think about what you have a passion for and go from there. The possibilities are endless but if you are really into something, let’s just say big burly troll dolls, for example, then you could buy large lots of big burly troll dolls (even on eBay) and piece them out at higher individual prices. It's the same concept as parting out a car in the “real” world. A lot of collectors will do something like this. Buy a large lot of that thing they can't get enough of, keep what they want, and then sell the rest. This helps them to pay for their collection.
You can also check out what other sellers are doing and you may get some great ideas. Do your homework but be sure to make whatever you do your own.
Don't limit yourself to selling just one type of item. It might seem more proper and organized to do so, but unless you already have a super successful share of some niche market, you are limiting your income potential and your customers really don't care. As long as you have what they want, they will buy.
How do you decide what to sell? If you're unsure you might think about what you have a passion for and go from there. The possibilities are endless but if you are really into something, let’s just say big burly troll dolls, for example, then you could buy large lots of big burly troll dolls (even on eBay) and piece them out at higher individual prices. It's the same concept as parting out a car in the “real” world. A lot of collectors will do something like this. Buy a large lot of that thing they can't get enough of, keep what they want, and then sell the rest. This helps them to pay for their collection.
You can also check out what other sellers are doing and you may get some great ideas. Do your homework but be sure to make whatever you do your own.
Don't limit yourself to selling just one type of item. It might seem more proper and organized to do so, but unless you already have a super successful share of some niche market, you are limiting your income potential and your customers really don't care. As long as you have what they want, they will buy.
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