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How to Sell on eBay

Selling on eBay is as easy as going through a few steps. It's user friendly and can always be edited. Here's how you can
sell on eBay. If there are any questions you can always go to the "Help" section of the site.

Steps [ed it]

1. Assuming you haven't yet signed up, go to eBay's Main Page and then click on register at the very top of the page
to create an eBay account.

2. Once you've signed up, you'll want to log in and go to Sell either in My eBay or on the Main Page at the top.

3. After picking a category you'll then be asked to enter the title and description. Be VERY detailed about your product,
and include a picture unless it is impossible. Not including one will deter some buyers from your item.

4. Continue to go through the options, and be sure to look everything over very carefully. There's a lot to look through
and you'll want to make sure everything is correct.

5. Be sure that when you're done with everything at the end (you're at the overview page) to double check and press
submit. If you don't press submit it won't be entered. You'll then get an e-mail confirming that your product was
placed on eBay.

6. Once the item has been shipped, and they have left feedback for you, you should leave feedback for that person.

Tips [ed it]

You need to have excellent feedback to sell well on eBay. Sell inexpensive items to build up your feedback first.

As long as you follow the directions and press submit at the end, your product will be viewable to everyone.

Always answer a customer's questions promptly. Be clear, direct, and friendly.

Be sure to choose the correct category and keywords...the easier it is for your customer to find you, the better it will
sell!

You will have to ship the product out on your own, so you're going to have to add shipping into the price, there's a
section where you set the shipping.

You can always go back and edit it if you don't like something. Just go into "My eBay" and go from there.

All of your questions can be answered in the "Help" section.

Keep good communication with your customer, they're interested in your product and you want to be ranked as a
good seller in the end, so be a good seller!

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Try and have it so your auction ends on a Sunday. Avoid ending auctions on Friday or Saturday when people are not home
to bid.

Avoid using "reserve price" auctions. These auctions are a form of shill bidding where the bidders are bidding against the
seller himself. A reserve auction makes some buyers angry because they have no idea what the buyer wants. Instead, set
the opening bid at the lowest amount of money you would be willing to sell the item for.

Help keep the feedback system honest by only placing honest feedback and avoiding the "trading" of positive feedback. A
seller should leave positive feedback if the buyer pays promptly. A buyer should leave positive feedback if the item arrives
in a reasonable time and is as advertised. A seller who waits for a buyer to leave positive feedback is really trading
feedback. Such a practice skews feedback ratings.

Use USPS Priority Mail for shipping. It is usually faster and buyers will have less anxiety about sending payment to you
because their waiting period is shortened. It is also usually cost-effective, and shipping boxes are free! Besides, THEY
usually are paying for their products shipment.

People will look at things that have cheap or free shipping, so include the shipping price in the total price (or min bid) and
people will be more inclined to buy. If you offer it, make sure they know that you're offering it.

SHIPPING is key in selling for eBay--understand the basics of using the postal service and services such as UPS and
FedEx, such as postal rates, types of services, incurance, and office hours.

Packaging is also important. If items are fragile, improper packaging can end up in broken items and unhappy customers!
Also keep in mind the price YOU pay for shipping: the box, padding, etc., to decide on a reasonable price or add it to
shipping and handling fees.

Payment will be vital. PayPal is an extremely popular payment service on eBay, and as a seller, you will want to understand
how it works and quite possibly sign up. Offering this service also may help attract buyers, because payment is instant and
simple. Checks and money orders are also popular, but by nature take time. Also, be aware that payments from buyers by
check does not necessarily mean they have sufficient funds! So consider what your comfort level is with these different
payment types when you list your item.

Warnings [edi t]

Do not sell illegal items. Doing so can bring heavy consequences upon you.

Negative feedback can lead to buyers cautious of you and makes sellers think twice about selling to you. Follow up any
negative feedback with accurate facts. Do not call names.

Be careful when sending feedback. You can be sued for making dishonest statements on the feedback page, so keep in
mind that you are responsible for your remarks. Keep it honest and professional, and above all, don't make childish and
angry remarks.

Don't overcharge for shipping and handling. A reasonable amount for your materials and effort is okay, but buyers don't
want to pay $15.00 for shipping and handling and then see on the postage label that it only cost you $3.85 for shipping.

NEVER put the starting price lower than what you can afford to lose by selling it! You need to consider the fees eBay,
Paypal (if you offer a PayPal payment) and shipping. It is entirely possible to lose money on an item if you put a starting
price that is too low for you to at least break even if only one person bids on it.

Be careful of selling overseas. Most items are perfectly fine, and can increase your bidding pool. However, what may be
perfectly legal in the US may be illegal in New Zealand, Turkey, or Japan (or vice versa).

Related wikiHows [edi t]

How to Set up a Drop Ship Business on Ebay

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How to Sell on eBay - wikiHow http://www.wikihow.com/Sell-on-eBay

How to Write Ebay Listings That Sell

How to Buy Stuff for Cheap on Ebay
How to Save Money Shopping on the Internet
How to Package Books for Shipping

Sources and Citations [edi t]

Start Selling on ebay A detailed guide on how to start selling

eBay Management Software Software to help automate your eBay business
www.newlifeauctions.com Everything you need to know to start a successful eBay business. There are plenty of tips for
buyers and sellers.
Do You Know if You are Shipping Hazardous Materials? A publication for small businesses (like e-bay sellers) to learn
more about what is Hazardous put out by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Categories:Online and Home Businesses

Authors
Morgan Barnhart, Anonymous, Champthom, Jack H, Lord Mactalon, Ellen Etc., Tom Viren, Katie R., KnowItSome,
Marketworks, Sondra C, 1guitarhero2, Corry81, NewLifeAuctions, Travis Derouin, Tahir

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 26,171 times.

All text here is freely available to copy, adapt, and distribute under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

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