Selling on ebay for the first time

[dlock13]

I am selling an instrument on ebay and would like to know how to make my item sell quick and with the greatest profit. I know it will sell, but I want to get my money's worth and would like it to stand out.

Also, since it is my first time, any help to avoid scammers and such would benefit me greatly.

Hope ATOT has some great advice.

BTW, the instrument in question is a Synthesizer. I doubt anyone on here has a use for it so ebay should be able to get rid of it quickly.

Thanks everyone.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Take lots of pictures, be truthful in your ad and don't ship to Nigeria or anywhere outside of the US.

 

[akshatp]

Pics Pics Pics

Dont accept bids from new members with 0 or negative feedback.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: CrackRabbit
Take lots of pictures, be truthful in your ad and don't ship to Nigeria or anywhere outside of the US.

True. Detailed pictures are a must. Be truthful in your ad but don't write an essay regarding the item. People would rather read cliff notes than a novel.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: akshatp
Pics Pics Pics

Dont accept bids from new members with 0 or negative feedback.

You can block bids from people with negative (total) feedback, but you can't block anyone with a feedback rating of 0 or higher, unless you make your auction available to pre-approved bidders only. In which case, you might as well do a fixed price auction with instant payment because nobody will bid on it.

 

[RossMAN]

1) Research, research, research. Look at other closed auctions for the same item.

2) IMHO the best time to end an auction is Sunday 9:00 PM EST when most of the country is home, awake and probably online.

3) As others have said, pictures pictures pictures.

4) List as many details as possible, including the condition of the item and your terms and conditions.

5) This is a matter of personal preference but I only ship within the lower 48. I always require a signature and insure the product - CYA!

6) Accepting Paypal is both a blessing and a curse. If the item is rare enough and in demand, I wouldn't accept Paypal.

7) I try to make it easy for potential bidders to contact me with any questions they might have. So I usually list my Skype username and toll free number in my auctions and encourage people to contact me. I've only recently started this and I noticed my auctions are ending higher than normal. Usually right after someone calls, they place a bid almost immediately. The toll free number is affordable and can mean the difference between selling a DSLR for $850 vs $775.

Hope that helps

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
So I usually list my Skype username and toll free number in my auctions and encourage people to contact me.

You're right about getting higher bids with a toll-free number; it adds a certain level of professionalism that makes bidders more comfortable.

But it's also a curse if you're moving things in volume. I had one for a while, but I got tired of answering a large volume of calls at all hours of the morning/evening (even with phone hours listed). Especially during the holidays. You also get lots of special requests and hagglers by phone.

But if you're selling items (or in volumes) that won't have your phone ringing at all times of the day, of if you actually want that, by all means. Kall8 is a great company, BTW.

Skype is a good idea since you can always turn it off

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: RossMAN
So I usually list my Skype username and toll free number in my auctions and encourage people to contact me.

You're right about getting higher bids with a toll-free number; it adds a certain level of professionalism that makes bidders more comfortable.

But it's also a curse if you're moving things in volume. I had one for a while, but I got tired of answering a large volume of calls at all hours of the morning/evening (even with phone hours listed). Especially during the holidays. You also get lots of special requests and hagglers by phone.

Skype is a good idea since you can always turn it off

I've had a few of those. I've found that most tech savvy buyers prefer to communicate via electronic means (email, IM or Skype). OTOH if it's a grandmother who wants to know if the SanDisk Sansa is a good MP3 player for her grandson appreciates the fact that you have a toll free number.

I'm not sure why it adds a level of professionalism but it definitely works. Anyone with a credit card number and $4 (plus usage) can buy a toll free number, it's not like it costs $100 a month or anything. Maybe buyers think since they have your phone number if anything goes wrong they can call you after the purchase? Not quite. Just disconnect the number and buy another for $4

Do you still have Skype? Add me to your buddy list, my username is RossyRoss

 

[bamacre]

There is a TON of great info in this thread. I'm going to look into the toll free number, as I don't sell in volume.

 

[WildHorse]

I quit eBay.

Was good for me early on, but then one bad experience after another.

Here's a web site that you might find useful in helping you do research on similar goods sold:

Mpire - Shop, Compare, Research, and Find the Best Deals online from the world's best auction and retail sites

I haven't used it in a long time, years, and I remember it as focussed just on eBay. Looks like they've branched out to include more.

Good luck!

 

[Old Hippie]

So I usually list my Skype username and toll free number in my auctions and encourage people to contact me.

Pretty Slick! :thumbsup:

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: Old Hippie

So I usually list my Skype username and toll free number in my auctions and encourage people to contact me.

Pretty Slick! :thumbsup:

Thanks.

The average phone lasts 10 minutes and costs me $0.69. If that's the difference between something selling or not selling then it's well worth it.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: Old Hippie

So I usually list my Skype username and toll free number in my auctions and encourage people to contact me.

Pretty Slick! :thumbsup:

Thanks.

The average phone lasts 10 minutes and costs me $0.69. If that's the difference between something selling or not selling then it's well worth it.

Definitely.

I already put in an order for a home phone, and as soon as its ready, I'm going to get a toll free number for my auction listings.

Even if they don't call, I think it helps that they just see it.

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: dlock13
I am selling an instrument on ebay and would like to know how to make my item sell quick and with the greatest profit. I know it will sell, but I want to get my money's worth and would like it to stand out.

Also, since it is my first time, any help to avoid scammers and such would benefit me greatly.

Hope ATOT has some great advice.

BTW, the instrument in question is a Synthesizer. I doubt anyone on here has a use for it so ebay should be able to get rid of it quickly.

Thanks everyone.

1. Invent a time machine
2. Travel back to 1997 when Ebay was actually worth using
3. Profit!

 

[aurareturn]

Why was Ebay better in 1997?

 

[DaveJ]

Originally posted by: aurareturn
Why was Ebay better in 1997?

Because they didn't screw you over on bogus fees, there were nowhere near as many scammers, and as a buyer prices were generally lower. I used to score deals frequently back in the late 90s but you don't find nearly as many deals nowadays.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: DaveJ

Originally posted by: aurareturn
Why was Ebay better in 1997?

Because they didn't screw you over on bogus fees, there were nowhere near as many scammers, and as a buyer prices were generally lower. I used to score deals frequently back in the late 90s but you don't find nearly as many deals nowadays.

It's usually the opposite with people getting so excited about an auction that they pay way more than the actual worth. The only deals I usually find are mislabeled auctions or auction lots with incomplete or vague descriptions (with accurate pictures).