Ebay Selling Tips

• Don't start too low
  Never set a start price less than you would be happy to sell the item for. If you start at 99p it might sell for that. The only exception is when you are ABSOLUTELY SURE that the item will attract a lot of bids. I have been absolutely sure before and been wrong, so be warned. Watchers and visitors do not always become bidders.
  
• Always include a picture
  Items without pictures go for around half the price of items with pictures, maybe less. The picture shows that (a) you have the item (b) what condition the item is in and (c) that you can be bothered.
  
• Use Paypal
  There is still a hardcore of people out there who loathe Paypal, like they loathe Bill Gates, and Manchester United, and Madonna. And you could no doubt make a case for loathing all of those things. However, probably 95% or more of buyers on ebay use Paypal, so if you do not offer it as an option you are reducing your potential profits. It's easy to set up, very reliable, and about the cheapest entry point for online trading there is.
• Use the break points for listing fees
  Use the break points (0.99, 4.99, 14.99, 29.99 etc). I still see sellers advertising items starting at £5.00 who pay double the listing fee for the same item at £4.99. Not too bad for one item, but when you start advertising hundreds it makes a huge difference.
• Always list for ten days
  Always list for the maximum length of time for the minimum listing fee (ten days in the UK and seven days in the US). This gives maximum exposure to the item. You probably won't get any bids before the final day, but you allow people to see it's there. Why anyone would list for less I don't know. Impatience would be my guess.
  
• Use Buy it Now
  Either combine it with an auction, or go the whole way and list an item at a fixed price. Starting an auction at £4.99 with a Buy it Now of £6, you only need the BIN to work 1 in 20 times to make a profit. Many buyers can not or will not wait for the end of an auction if they are buying for a present or something needed immediately. Give them an option.
  
• Don't end at the Weekend
  Never finish auctions on a Friday or Saturday. I haven't seen this advice anywhere else, but Friday and Saturday are always quiet days on ebay for us. Sunday evening is ok. And don't forget your buyers in different countires if you sell worldwide. Evening in UK is still daytime in USA so gives them a chance too.
  
• If you are serious, get an Ebay Shop
  Ebay Shops offer terrific facilities at cheap rates. List your inventory for as little as 3p in the UK, for £6 a month. You get a shop front to advertise your stock, and you can be found on Google within a few days of listing. Excellent value.
  
• If you are serious, become a Powerseller
  Becoming a Powerseller isn't too hard if you are selling regularly. If ebay offer it, become one (but watch out for spoofs). If they don't, then apply (I did and it worked). The Powerseller logo is a good indication to potential buyers that you are not a scammer (they are a big problem on ebay).
  
• If you are really serious, get a website
  Actually, this is good advice for any business. It doesn't have to be too fancy or cost that much, but a website is a must these days. Relying solely on ebay for business is a recipe for disaster, as many ebay businesses are finding at the moment. One change of an ebay rule can make a huge difference to an ebay business. A year ago we tried opening a shop and sold nothing in a month. In February they changed the rules, so that shop listings showed up at the end of normal listings (not just as links from your existing auctions). Bingo - we save half our listing fees and sell the same volume. But next week or next month it could all change. A website is essential for any business planning a long term future, and an ecommerce site is fast becoming essential too.