eBay hints : Rooftop Views

Rooftop Views

eBay hints

GOING ONCE...GOING TWICE...SOLD ON EBAY!

The garage sale season is coming to an end, but if you haven't had a chance to clean out your closets or spare rooms yet, don't fret. One of the most powerful sales is taking place right this minute...actually every minute of every day...on eBay!

The online auction site has quickly become a convenient way for consumers to buy the goods they're looking for--and for sellers to actually make money by auctioning off items they don't need or want. Even though listing and selling items may be easy, the tips below can help you increase the number and size of the bids you receive!

What You See Is What You Get. Believe it or not, many buyers won't even look at your ad if you don't provide a picture of it...they still want to see what they're buying. To increase your number of potential bidders, make sure you include a quality photo for every item you're selling.

How Low Can You Go? It sounds a little counter-intuitive, but the lower you start the bidding, the more money you may get. In fact, starting the bidding at 99 cents--versus a dollar or more--attracts a larger number of bidders. This larger pool has two powerful impacts. First, the more bidders you have, the more new bidders will be drawn to your ad, believing that you've got a red-hot item. Second, many bidders will continue the bidding game once they've begun it, which means they may bid more in their third or fourth round then they would have been willing to offer if you started that high in the first place. Finally, remember that your profit isn't just determined by how much you sell your item for...you also have to consider how much you will have to spend in order to sell it. By listing your item at 99 cents, you'll qualify for the lowest eBay listing fee.

Don't Get Carried Away With Shipping. In order to receive an item, the buyer must pay for shipping in addition to the winning bid amount. Those shipping fees aren't determined by the post office...they're actually determined by you. To make sure you don't drive buyers away, clearly list the shipping fees that apply. And don't get greedy and run up those fees. Smart shoppers will know you're trying to take advantage of them and they'll walk away. So, be clear and be fair!

Consider the Alternatives. Potential buyers will find your ad through searches. To make it easier for them to find it, consider alternative spellings--such as "videogame" and "video game." Also, once buyers find your ad they may have questions. To make sure they can contact you, consider providing a second e-mail address, in case your primary one is only checked while you are at work.

Everybody Loves Options. Some buyers prefer paying for their online purchases through a secure Internet payment service; others prefer using credit cards. Increase the number of bidders interested in your item by offering a variety of payment options.

Know When to Post 'Em and When to Hold 'Em. The day that you post your ad makes a difference. For instance, if you post a 10-day ad, the best day is Thursday. That way, your auction will end on a Sunday...which happens to be a big day for eBay bidding. Plus, your ad will be up for two full weekends, thus increasing your exposure on active bidding days. If you're getting ready to list an item, take a minute to consider how the listing day will impact your sale. It's better to wait a few days and get a better price in the long run, rather than rush into a situation that might mean fewer--and consequently lower--bids.