Any avid eBay sellers?

[jennyh]

I have a load of stuff to sell on eBay (mainly shoes/fashiony stuff) and not sure if there is knack to it or just a case of posting it up and hoping for the best. I've not got masses of spare time so I had considered getting someone to do it for me but would rather avoid the cost. Sorry if I sound like a numpty, just want to give it a good shot rather than letting my once worn ?300 shoes go for 5p!!!

[steveo]

Good photography is essential. Make sure the pictures are in focus and as big as you can get them. Describe the goods comprehensively and don't make spelling mistakes.

[right-clicking]

Wait for the weekends as you'll get free insertion, time it for an early evening end time, do your homework by reading up on completed listings and search for the item you are selling, try to slot it in on a day with fewer similar listings. ramp up the postage!!

[jumpinjackflash]

if you have a lot of designer goods, proof of authenticity and/or receipts is always good. If you're a first time buyer/seller you won't have any feedback score and some buyers can be put off by that. Oh and if you don't want to let a pair of your Jimmy Choos go for a tenner then set a minimum price!

[jennyh]

Thanks everyone. yeah i did think about the fact I would have no ratings..hmm, not much I can do about that! Thanks for all the other tips!

[the-e-dealer]

Looking for ebay advice and you didn't come to me!

[the-e-dealer]

ramping up the postage is greedy and wont get you good ratings. sell a few things at very good price and get them out of the door very fast to get good ratings.

Reserve prices tend to depress interest.

Research prices well by searching for similar sold items.

Get your description right and accurate and include all the important keywords. Don't waste money on prime stuff. Always use you free photo. You can always look at other's listings to get ideas about good presentation.

Respond to queries quickly.

[giggirl]

Send everything of value by Royal Mail Special Delivery. The seller is responsible for the buyer receiving the goods safely. If, for whatever reason, the buyer doesn't receive the goods, the buyer can open a case for a charge-back. They will win their case unless the seller can provide proof of delivery. Proof of postage is not worth the paper it is written on. If the PO looses something then the seller takes the hit - not the buyer.

Best of luck. Ebay isn't for everyone. It's not for me. Personally I took armfulls of my unwanted designer clothes to the hospice shop on Lordship Lane. I tried to sell on ebay but I was irritated by the sheer cheek of some ebayers.

If you have anything really special then I would consider giving it to an experienced re-seller. I had a few dresses that I didn't want any more that were really high-end and I knew that if they were sold by the right seller they would go to serious collectors. That's what happened and it was worth the fees because they went for much higher prices than I would have attracted. It depends on what you're selling.

[Townleygreen]

I agree with not ramping up the postage, as e-dealer says, that's what puts me off buying from sellers who do this!

[giggirl]

Postage is a minefield. As a buyer I don't mind paying the cost for Special Delivery (usually about ?6) but I get annoyed when the package arrives and it's been sent Recorded Delivery (usually about ?2). Big difference. It's a rip off and personally I ask for a refund of the difference or I neg them.

As a seller you need to pass your postage costs on to the buyer or you will loose money. It's annoying when you charge the exact postage that it's going to cost you to send the item and you get marked down as "postage costs too high".

You should point out any faults in the items you're selling and try and take photos of the faults. Buyers will usually overlook faults that have been pointed out in the item description but if something arrives and it has faults that weren't pointed out then they feel ripped off.

If you're selling clothes then it's useful to include measurements as well as the size, and if the material is stretchy then say so.

I find stock photos off-putting. It's OK to include a stock photo so long as you've also taken your own photos.

[the-e-dealer]

Also , packaging. Don't assume the Postman is a gentle waif. Better assume a bus will be driven over your parcel!

Pack well, Bubble Wrap is Great. I got a 32 inch TV delivered in Bubble Wrap it was fine!