Ebay selling tips

[Cetti]

This will be my first time as a seller and I really want to get it right. I've read all the instructions on the ebay site, but would really appreciate some first hand knowledge (money, pitfalls etc) Thank you.

[Ethel]

Start by buying, and selling low value items to get used to how things work.

Take good photos.

If you accept PayPal you must understand the rules. Send goods only to the address that is registered with PayPal, and send by trackable means. That way you will be protected against fraudsters and scammers.

Weigh the item plus the packaging before you do the listing. You need to know in advance how much to charge for postage and packing. Too little and you will be out of pocket, too much and you will put buyers off.

Start the listing price at the price you are prepared to pay. But understand the fee structure. It costs more to list an item for �1.10 than 99p for example.

Bear in mind all the fees - listing fees can be high if you choose to use all the bells and whistles, final value fees and PayPal fees.

I really recommend you start by selling low value, unwanted items.

Good photos are essential, as is a clear, accurate and truthful description.

[Cetti]

Many thanks Ethel. You are obviously a very experienced seller/buyer and I really appreciate your help.

From what you've said I can see problems before I start. The first item is a very heavy manual, postage would be in the region of �20 +, but it would be for a collector, so hopefully they would be willing to pay - or better still collect.

[Ethel]

Specialists items like your do well. Be sure to put the best key words in the title so as many collectors as possible will find it. Think carefully about your listing - it sounds like a niche market.

List for 10 days - this gives people time to find it. If anyone offers to buy it beforehand, refuse unless the offer is too good to turn down. Usually the collector will know it will sell for far more, and is chancing his luck.

Good luck. :)

[ojread2]

You could use alternative couriers for goods of weight rather than RM - find alternatives on the Ebay community pages

ALWAYS, ALWAYS send by a trackable method of posting - this is to protect he seller not the buyer as it is the sellers responsibility to claim for any missing goods.

Anything of a high value always choose insurance for it - with this method it seems acceptable to add the extra cost onto postage amounts

Anything that is collected in person only deal in cash on delivery - again, this protects you more than the buyer

Time your listings to end either around 8pm on sat or Sunday night, even later is sometimes better, around 9/9.30 for maximum selling lookers

[Cetti]

Gracious, so many points I hadn't thought or even knew about!

The value will have to be a guess as it's the first time this particular manual has been offered for sale, so thank you for wishing me luck!

I will make a list of everything you've both said and armed with the relevant facts should be very well prepared. I'm very grateful to you both.