ARTICLE DISCUSSION: Ebay selling tricks

pinkgem

try buy it now with best offer? slightly more in listing fees but you can guarantee that if it sells it will go for a price you are happy with

eyelinerprincess

wissychraddle wrote: »

I host my own photo's by using www.imagshack.us, download the toolbar and you can click and host an image in seconds. Then when it redirects you to the hosting page, click and copy the code for thumbnail (sites) and paste this into your html code in eBay whioch is tabbed from your text description.

To see how it looks go to a current listing. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190216586037&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

You can add as many as you want then and you don't have to do thumbnail, you can post extra large images also.

I used to use Auctiva which is very good, I just find it quicker to list on eBay though.

HTH

CJ

May be worth mentioning if you host your own photos they can be easily deleted, as there are a few people out there that want to scam buyers or are lazy, who steal photos and descriptions. Especially if you have a high end or rare item.

tightwadman

I'd like to seek opinion on what people consider to be the best way to start off an auction in order to

a) sell the item and
b) get the best price?

For example, if I am selling an item worth, say, £200 I obviously don't want it to go for 99p. I tend to set a minimum starting bid with the minimum price I am willing to accept, but I have had limited success doing this. The other way is to start at 99p and set a reserve price which, for me, has been more successful, but this incurs more fees. Or, is it best to throw caution to the wind and just start low and see what happens? Or are there any other suggestions?

List as low possible eg 99p BUT do set a reserve price or run the risk of listing at 99p and getting just that. The key to selling on ebay is getting bids so get a clever title that grabs attention and also a cool and clear listing.

Good luck!

StaffsSW

tightwadman wrote: »

List as low possible eg 99p BUT do set a reserve price or run the risk of listing at 99p and getting just that. The key to selling on ebay is getting bids so get a clever title that grabs attention and also a cool and clear listing.

Be very wary of using reserve prices - eBay do not refund the 2% fee if the item is unsold - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=871767

RFW

stevew8975 wrote: »

Be very wary of using reserve prices - eBay do not refund the 2% fee if the item is unsold - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=871767

I'd echo the don't use reserve sentiment. If you check that there is a decent market (and not too swamped) for your product and list it correctly then it should achieve a decent price.

Before listing anything to sell I'd always recommend doing a completed items search for the product, as mentioned. It isn't basic search where you find 'completed listings' you need to go to 'advanced search' (its at the top of most Ebay pages next to the standard search box) then click the 'completed listings' only search and you will see all items sold in the last 30 days with that description. Check the highest achieved price items and see how they were listed, what category/ies were used, when listed, when ended, was it sold internationally?, how long was the listing (short 1-3 days, or longer), also check the wording in the item title.

Another good tool is Ebay pulse which you can access from the Ebay home page or site map. This shows the 10 most watched items in each category and subactegory, a good way of finding out what people are looking at.

When listing make sure you use as much of the description as possible that can be used in searches (without keyword spamming), 'clever' is not always the best approach, simple and straightforward is best, no need to put 'rare' or 'l@@k' or 'best buy on Ebay', these are (literally!) a waste of space. If new, mention that, the use of 'as new' or 'like new' is not allowed.


As for pictures, a tip that is often (amazingly) not used is make sure the picture is the right way up. Every PC has a program that will rotate a picture and Ebay's photo editing has it built in, as does Photo Bucket. You should also crop the picture to just show the item.

Regarding payment I'd also add that if asking for cheque payment, I'd also ask for postal order payment too as that is the only form of postal payment that you can receive that you can bank without the need for clearance. All cheques require clearance which should be 7 working days (as the banks now fully clear them after 6 days).

Put a return address on all packages, as well as your details inside. Where possible check the buyer's postcode and address are correct before sending. (free to do at Royalmail.com)

StaffsSW

Research the popular keywords by category if you are listing an unfamiliar item. The most commonly searched keywords are updated weekly here - http://category-keyword.ebay.co.uk/default-category.html

wissychraddle

eyelinerprincess wrote: »

May be worth mentioning if you host your own photos they can be easily deleted, as there are a few people out there that want to scam buyers or are lazy, who steal photos and descriptions. Especially if you have a high end or rare item.

I have yet to have one deleted, during the listing being active, I am aware that hosting services do clear out files after a while though.

People can easily 'steal' photos from eBay anyway. If you wanted to safeguard against this write your ebay name or lot number on a peice of paper and put it next to the item you are selling before taking the picture.

wissychraddle

november wrote: »

I read the article, went 'doh' as it never occured to me to host my own pictures (I use Photobucket) and had a go at adding more pictures.

I can't get it to work though Clicking on 'add pictures' and choosing 'self hosting' works fine. However if I add another picture it simply replaces the first one

I tried pasting the html code into my ebay html but then it just showed up as html coding in a page of text!

I am obviously going very wrong somewhere but can anyone tell me where (please! )?

Just make sure you are getting the right code. I don't use photobucket but I assume that it will operate much the same as imageshack. When you host your image it should come up with about 3 or 4 code options. Make sure you select the one that...... hold on. Let me just sign up to photobucket and see if I can work it out......

Bear with me.......

Right when you get your links select Code for Websites or blogs.....

<a href="http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn157/wissychraddle/?action=view&current=CIMG0533.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn157/wissychraddle/CIMG0533.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Should look something like that!!!

Click on the HTML tab and input it somewhere and that should work...

Let me know if it doen't by PM and I could help you further...

CJ

tightwadman

Be very wary of using reserve prices - eBay do not refund the 2% fee if the item is unsold -

No - and neither does ebay refund your listing fee if your item does not sell. Listing and reserve fees are just that - fees you pay for a service. If you had a very rare item and sold it in a traditional auction house would you really let it start at 99p? I dont think so. And its quite suprising the number of eaby bidders who dont realize items have a reserve but just see the low price and get bidding.

You need bids full stop or you have wasted your time and your money.

StaffsSW

tightwadman wrote: »

No - and neither does ebay refund your listing fee if your item does not sell.

eBay did refund the reserve fee up until recently, but quietly changed it.