Unless you’ve been under a big rock for a while, you’ve heard of eBay. eBay is a site that allows people to become members and you can buy and sell things over the Internet. It has become a household name with millions of members around the world. If you haven’t learned how to sell on eBay, here’s some helpful information for any eBay newbie.
eBay was founded by Pierre Omidyar as Auction Web in 1995. They decided to change the name in 1997. The site allows you to sell almost anything, but certain items are seen more frequently. Collectibles, antiques and clothing are three top sellers. People have sold broken, old, or rare merchandise on eBay. Some people even sold food in the form of religious iconography! Beyond these oddities, real business happens every day on eBay!
As for how to sell on eBay, you need to set up an account. You must first register. Registration includes providing eBay with information such as your name, address, and telephone number. Next, you need to set up a seller account. This includes providing information to verify your identity; this is usually accomplished with a credit card. You must also set your preference as to how you want to be charged for seller fees. Setting up a Paypal account is a good idea, as it can help speed up transactions. This will also require financial information, although your card will not be charged until you have a transaction.
One thing to keep in mind during setup is to read the policies for sellers. Violations in the listings may result in a suspension of the sale. For helpful information, also visit Seller Central. It has tips, news and other useful information. There are also different types of fees to consider. For listing an item, you will be charged a listing fee, which is typically very small and based on the item. If you add features to the list, such as the Buy It Now option, you will incur another fee. Another fee to consider is the final value fee. It is a small percentage of the final value of the sale.
Once you have items to sell, you need to create your listing. It must have a title that will show up in keyword searches. For example, if you are selling a children’s T-shirt, you must list the size, color, and logos on it. Also include any manufacturer information such as a warranty when listing. Take photos from different angles and add them to the list. This is essential for selling on eBay! You can also set a reserve or minimum price, but you will incur a fee for that. Set a time limit and finish your listing!
There are two main ways to sell on eBay. How you sell on eBay is up to you! Auctions are set up to have a time limit. Members can set maximum bids so that if someone exceeds their original bid, the system will update their bid to the next higher amount. When the time limit is up, the bid at that time is notified so that you get paid, depending on the options you set for payment. Once you get paid, ship the article!
One of the best tools that eBay has is the feedback system. This system allows sellers to leave feedback on buyers and buyers to leave feedback on sellers. This way, if you plan to sell to someone who has good feedback, you know that they will most likely go through with the sale. On the contrary, if you follow up properly, they can leave you good feedback. Beware of sellers and buyers with bad feedback!
Once you play around with the site, you’ll feel more comfortable with eBay. There are tutorials and FAQs to help you find your way. It can be a great way to earn extra money or spend it!