How do I get started on Ebay?

Seaxwyn

Hi all

I want to sell some stuff on Ebay but I've never bought or sold anything there and don't know how to start. I had a quick look on ebay and couldn't find a guide for newbies. Can anyone point me in the right direction? And is it possible for someone with non-existent webpage design skills?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

sandralovescats

Hello!

First of all you need to sign up to an Ebay account and register either a credit or debit card. You won't be able to buy/sell without it.

To sell, if you click on "sell" on the taskbar at the top it will then guide you through the process. It will ask what you want to sell, then go through the categories, the listing process, adding photographs, adding postage details, etc.

You don't need to have a "shop" on Ebay either, you can just go ahead and sell.

No, you don't need any web design skills to use Ebay to sell.

It is fairly easy to do once you know how to do it!

Good Luck!

Rachie_B

If you are a member of any cashback sites some offer cashback for registering a new account / buying first purchase ,so worth having a look before you start

As for getting started with selling ,I'd start with one item and see how you go

When I first started and many others have said the same,I couldnt believe how long just 1 item took to list lol

but once you have been through the process a few times, it gets much easier and a lot of your info gets saved so when you come to list another item its much quicker / easier

Good luck

earthmother

Once you click on the 'Sell' button, there are tutorials and tips along the way, but it is easy - the most important things are a clear picture, a clear and accurate description, a fair starting price, and reasonable postage costs (a set of scales and the royal mail site will help you there).

I would say though, that if you are selling anything much of value, you may do well to try and build up a bit of feedback first, as more people will be willing to trade with you if they can see you are trustworthy.

Paypal will also attract more customers, but remember that you will also loose some of your profit as they charge a fee on top of the ones eBay charge.


Good luck

adon30

Once you have signed up to Ebay and set up all your options I would recommend downloading Turbo Lister.
You use it to list items that you want to sell then you upload them to Ebay when you are ready. You can view and edit your listings until you are happy.

I have lots of experience selling items... I am not a power seller however. I just use it for personal items. Presentation is definately the key for generating more interest and make sure you have good photos of the items you are selling. You can use something like photobucket (there are others) to host extra pictures if you need and then link it to your auction. It isn't really that complicated.
If you need any help give us a shout.

Good Luck

HazelEyes_3

There is a forum about Ebay etc located here http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=40

Good luck - it is very easy to get started although like most other things it helps to have some good advice in advance

Seaxwyn

Thanks all. I will have a go this weekend. I have some make-up and brushes from the Body Shop that I've never used and I dont mind if they go for nothing, so that can be my first offer. I'll take some good close-up photos!

I've sold loads of books on Amazon so am experienced in calculating mailing costs

My OH has sold quite a bit and has good feedback so I'll leave the stuff of value to him. But he's reluctant to spend time on my bits and I'd quite like to give it a go myself.

Thanks again

Seaxwyn

jm28cardiff

On Amazon, they estimate what the postage will be, and its often way off, how do you get round that? I also thinks Amazons fees are a bit stiff.

Idiophreak

I'm thinking about starting to list stuff on ebay too and have a couple more questions. I think I'm ok with the site itself, it's more the general process I'm unclear on:

1) Is there anything *too* pathetic to bother listing - I've got *loads* of stuff from childhood etc that should sell, but is probably not in great condition (worth 50p?) - is it worth listing this stuff, or am I better off carbooting it?

2) Is it possible to get the buyer to pay the paypal fees instead?

3) Can someone give a general guidline of the *whole* process, from deciding you want to sell, through to posting the item? When do you get a postage quote? How do you decide how much to charge for p&p? What stage does the paypal payment have to be in before you ship the payment, when should you communicate with the buyer? Or does the ebay site tell you all this stuff?

no_debts_no_more

It would be a good idea to sign up for a Paypal sellers account. This way you can accept Paypal payments from buyers. Buyers find this more convenient, and although Paypal take a cut, the money is with you quickly, and you don't have to traipse down to the bank to pay cheques in. It costs nothing to sign up - fees are taken as a percentage of the amount you are paid.

Getting started is quite easy as other posters have said. Ebay make it easy to do, as it obviously in their own best interests!

Setting up an auction is quite easy. Make sure you have a good, clear picture, as this is the only thing a potential byuer can see. Don't be tempted to steal someone else's photo - it will get spotted! Make a well worded title without any spelling mistakes! Most buyers use the search function, so they won't find your item. Use as many obvious searchwords in your description as possible (but don't do the "NOT Nike" thing when selling e.g. an Adidas tracksuit). Don't use words like "nice" or "lovely" in your title - no-one searches for a "nice" pair of Nike trainers, they just search for Nike trainers.

Research the items that you're selling by looking at past auctions. This will help you pitch the starting price accurately. Make your description as honest as possible, and use good spelling and grammar, as poor English tends to put buyers off. A warts and all description seems to draw buyers in. You don't pay per word on the description, so you can afford to write plenty. Have a realistic postage charge (the Post Office homepage has a postage calculator for ebay sellers), and round up to include the cost of packaging. Don't try and rip people off on postage, as it's irritating and tends to put people off. Write down the listing fee price point breaks (it varies with the start price). Get hold of some free webspace, which you can use to host additional pictures of your items (or send additional pictures to for people who ask you questions).

Doing these simple things puts you in the top half of the pack straightaway. You'll be amazed how many poorly worded auctions with blurry pictures there are.

Whilst you are a newbie, your low feedback will also discourage potential buyers. The usual remedy is to build it up by buying cheap items, but you're in debt I imagine, so this may not be advisable. In any event, consider buying items that you actually need this way, as it'll build your feedback and improve your sales. Start by either selling small items, or possibly by selling physically large items that would have to be collected in person anyway. In the first case, (thinking from a potential buyers POV) people may take a risk on losing on a small item, and there's little risk when the buyers pays and collects at the same time. That's how I sold something for £500 - it was less risky for both of us to do the actual deal face to face.

Monitor your ebay messages, and give prompt and courteous replies to queuries. A few items of supposed ebay lore: It is normally a false economy to not add the gallery option. Extra subtitles for your listing are usually a waste of money. Bold titles are normally a waste of money. People are normally online from 20:00-22:00 - aim to end your auctions then. Sunday evening is peak time. Friday evening is a bad time.

Unfortunately there are a lot of stupid and/or dishonest people out there, but there are an awful lot more decent ones. Doing deals on ebay or via various forums where a certain amount of trusting of strangers is required, has refreshed my faith in human nature, and I hope I've helped do the same for other people.

woohoo_postingid

Idiophreak wrote:

I'm thinking about starting to list stuff on ebay too and have a couple more questions. I think I'm ok with the site itself, it's more the general process I'm unclear on:

1) Is there anything *too* pathetic to bother listing - I've got *loads* of stuff from childhood etc that should sell, but is probably not in great condition (worth 50p?) - is it worth listing this stuff, or am I better off carbooting it? - My attitude is that even if it brings in 50p, it is still 50p (less fees) in my pocket and it's one less thing cluttering up my house. You would be amazed at what sells!

2) Is it possible to get the buyer to pay the paypal fees instead? - Against the rules I'm afraid. But it's not unheard of for sellers to charge a little extra on postage to cover this. Not that I can advocate it of course!

3) Can someone give a general guidline of the *whole* process, from deciding you want to sell, through to posting the item?
When do you get a postage quote? - Weigh the item in packaging beforehand and get a price from the Royal Mail website, then quote this price on your listing.
How do you decide how much to charge for p&p? - I put the actual postage plus packaging and printing costs and normally round it to the nearest round figure.
What stage does the paypal payment have to be in before you ship the payment. - Payment received in your Paypal account only, never ship on a promise of money or before a cheque has cleared. Also, post by online trackable method if paid by Paypal (eg Recorded/Special Delivery)
When should you communicate with the buyer? - As often as you like. Good communication is the key to a successful transaction in my experience.