Video Professor

I buy stuff from the eBay auction site all the time and have been for at least five years. Now, I think I am ready to start selling some items myself, but honestly I don’t know how to start selling my items on the eBay auction site. So I did some research and it goes something like this. First, I would need to sign up as a seller and provide all the information that the eBay auction site asks for and a credit card number. Once I have done that, I would be ready to begin listing my items. I found a top 10 tips for success on www.procomputernews.com/news. The article is called “A Beginner’s Guide to Selling on eBay.” It outlines ten tips that will help to make my auction a success so I can reap better profits from my sales. I selected five of these top ten tips that I found the most helpful.

1. Your title should be authoritative and tell exactly buyers what the item is. Instead of saying Turkey Platter, list specific info such as Turkey Platter, stoneware, late 70’s and maker. You are limited to around 80 characters for your title, so be sure to choose it wisely. Avoid words like ‘look,’ ‘must see’ etc., as most experienced eBay auction site shoppers don’t pay attention to them.

2. Choose the category for your listing carefully. With hundreds of different categories to choose from, this can be a bit difficult to determine. If you feel your item fits in more than one, feel free to select a second category. More than one category does incur extra fees, so be aware of that as you list.

3. A picture is worth a thousand words in an eBay auction site listing. All items need at least one picture. Higher priced items need more than one. Use a good quality digital camera or a scanner if the item is flat. Proof your pictures to make sure they are clear and crisp, and crop where needed.

4. List all the details of your item in the description box. Be sure to point out any flaws in the item. Think of any keywords that you would look for if you were searching for the item and include those in the description. Also list what payment methods you will accept, how long the buyer has to get payment to you and what shipping methods you will use.

5. Choose your listing time wisely. Many sellers feel that the eBay auction site has a higher traffic ratio on the weekends. Some feel that Sunday afternoons (between church times) are best, while others close their auctions late on Friday or Saturday night.

Selling on the eBay auction site sounded really scary to me because I was going to be responsible for items that I am selling to people I have never even seen. With some good advice and preparation, I have found my new endeavor profitable and fun.