eBay is THE marketplace, you can buy and sell almost anything to almost anyone. It, therefore, provides an unrivalled way to make money quickly and easily without the tedious commute, the long hours, the unsympathetic boss.
Most people are excited when first discovering this vast and vibrant marketplace, excited but confused!
"What do I sell?" is the most common question budding eBay entrepreneurs ask when faced with the thousands of eBay categories.
Stuart Turnbull faced the same challenge 4 years ago before he chanced upon the basis of his strategy. He spent the next 4 years researching, testing and refining his idea into a plan that ANYONE can follow to make incredible eBay profits.
No special equipment is required, you can be up and running within days for a few dollars and an hour or 2 a day is all that is required to operate this business successfully.
So now you have the secret to the perfect eBay product there really is no excuse for not grabbing your slice of that pie! Click HERE now.
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A little known strategy to get your slice of the huge 'eBay pie'
Big Profits Selling Old Typewriters on eBay !!
Because they're bulky, often dirty, need lots of careful cleaning and sometimes repairs, most typewriters, old and modern, are overlooked and fetched low prices at local offline auction houses.
Despite this, anyone prepared to spend time cleaning, researching, repairing and eventually packing a typewriter, will find ready bidders on eBay in both the UK and USA, and no doubt other country sites, too.
Typewriters don't always fetch fabulous prices, but most early typewriters, from the late 1800s and early 1900s rarely go unsold on eBay so you're almost always going to make money.
Recent eBay prices range from £73 for an early Empire Typewriter from 1892, to £380 for a Salter Standard Victorian Typewriter in original tin carry case. More unusual typewriter types attract premium prices, such as a Braille typewriter that went for £142 and an early double keyboard model that fetched £127.
Outside of eBay some far higher prices have been achieved for very early and unusual typewriter models which are worth remembering at buying expeditions. For example, at Sotheby's a Merritt typewriter from 1895 went for £715 some years ago, and at Koln in Germany The Auction Team valued a rare Imperial Typewriter, one of only three known to exist, at between £7,000 and £8,000.
Since the first successful commercial typewriters were introduced in the late 1860s many unusual designs have emerged, some plain and simple, others intricate and stunningly detailed. One of the simplest and earliest designs had a wheel with letters round the edge which was turned manually until the required letter appeared in front of the paper and was pushed to form an impression.
More complicated typewriters had double keyboards, one for lower case, the other for capitals, and were created in brass and mother of pearl hand painted with glorious gilded leaves and flowers. These are the kind of unusual models to watch out for at non-specialist auctions and they're almost certain to attract high prices on eBay.
These early models sometimes crop up at specialist typewriter auctions where they invariably fetch a high price. Not the place to buy in expectation of high resell fees on eBay but worth visiting for research and experience.
Like most collectibles, value depends mainly on rarity, not just age. For example, one of the earliest serviceable typewriters, the Underwood, created from 1900 to 1932 was made in the millions and can still be found in working condition, consequently they are worth very little.
Tips
>> There are no catalogues or price guides for old typewriters such as those you'll find updated annually for postcards and stamps, coins and ceramics. There simply aren't enough collectors, or typewriters, to warrant special listings. Value, like many low volume collectibles is best determined at auction, and is the point where the price someone is willing to pay matches what the current owner will accept. By far the highest prices are paid for typewriters in good, clean, working condition, with or without restoration work.
>> You should clean typewriters carefully, getting right into the tiniest of grooves without causing damage to keys which were often long and spindly and unexpectedly delicate. I found the most comprehensive guide to cleaning old typewriters at: http://staff.xu.edu/~polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html
Here's just a tiny few of their suggestions :
'A toothbrush and a nail brush can be helpful.
For a gentler initial cleaning on a basically clean machine, try Endust or Pledge (be cautious around decals (transfers), as occasionally these products can harm them).
For an even gentler and safer cleaning, simply use a few drops of dishwashing liquid dissolved in water.
Q-tips (similar to cotton buds) are very nice for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.
For initial dust removal, the vacuum-cleaner hose attachment kits sold in computer and computer supply stores and catalogues work very well!'
>> Best places to buy are at general auction or from long established office equipment stores, but rarely will you get a bargain from antiques and second-hand dealers who invariably think old means valuable, for most items, and often they are wrong.
>> This is one of those collectibles you really need to study and learn what makes one older item worthless and a more modern type quite valuable. Web sites and books listed later provide much useful information. Choose one or both of those books mentioned later, they're packed with pictures, and keep them close by on buying days.
>> Don't expect to make more than fifty pounds or so on most early typewriters, but remember you can pick them up very cheaply indeed, I've seen them fetch less than a tenner at local auction. The trick to making money is to buy typewriters in good condition, but dirty, and spend time cleaning them up and taking several great photographs to display them from all angles for listing on eBay.
>> Be careful about delivery costs. These early models are extremely heavy and may cost way more to have delivered than they themselves are worth. Where possible, look for local buyers or others willing to collect.
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Bidding And Buying On EBay : Bonus Or Bogus?
You're undoubtedly heard about people getting great deals on items they bought through eBay. If you're a bit envious and ready to try your hand, here's your chance to learn more.
Exactly What Is An eBay?
It's an online auction website, in fact the biggest one in the world. You know how an auction works -- someone puts up something they want to sell and then buyers come along and place bids on it. The highest bid wins the item.
Being an online auction makes eBay a bit different, though. eBay accepts almost any item, no matter how small, and will then advertise it on their sites all over the world.
How Does Bidding On eBay Work?
Bidding on eBay is a little more complex than a normal auction. On eBay, you enter the maximum amount you are willing to pay for an item, and then eBay places the bids on your behalf. You could enter a maximum bid of $100 for something, and end up paying only $25, if that was sufficient to win.
The best introduction to eBay is to dive in and give it a try. First, you need to go to the eBay website for your country. If you don't know the address, just go to www.ebay.com and you will find it. Once you have the front page of your country's website, you should see a big box marked "esearch." Just type into the box anything that you'd like to buy.
When you enter an item, say an opal ring, the website gives you a list of opal rings for sale, along with how much people are currently bidding for them, and the time when bidding ends for that item. Click on each of the listed items, and you can read the description. If you find an item you want, and are willing to pay more than the current highest bidder, then it's time to enter the fray.
How Can I Buy What I Want?
On the item's description page, scroll down to the bottom and type the maximum you are willing to pay into the box. Then click the "eplace bid" button. At this point you will need to sign in, or go through a quick registration process if you are new.
eBay will let you know if someone else's maximum bid on that item is higher than yours, and you'll have an opportunity to change your bid. Otherwise, you're now the new highest bidder! You can sit back and wait until the end of the auction. Meanwhile, if someone else outbids you, eBay will notify you by email, and you can revise your bid.
Sounds like a fun shopping experience, doesn't it? Well, if you're ready, it's time to jump into the eBay.
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Benefits of Buying on eBay
Are you one of the millions of Americans who prefers to shop online? Shopping online is popular because it is quick, easy, and convenient. It is also popular because, when shopping online, you have a number of different options, as there are a number of different retailers that y
One of those is eBay. If you aren’t already shopping on eBay, you may want to look into it, as there are a number of benefits to doing so.
Perhaps, the greatest benefit of shopping on eBay is all of the products that you have to choose from. eBay isn’t like a traditional retailer. They are actually an online auction website.
eBay has other internet users sell products that they have to consumers, just like you. With this type of set up, eBay has an unlimited number of products to choose from. For instance, you can buy real estate, cars, clothing, toys, pet supplies, home décor, entertainment items, and much more on eBay. Basically, anything you are looking for, within reason of course, you should be able to find on eBay.
Another one of the many benefits to shopping on eBay is that you have a number of sellers to do business with. As it was previously mentioned, eBay allows all internet users to sell items that they no longer need or want to own. Over the past few years, the popularity of eBay has reached an all time high. This is what has lead to an unlimited number of eBay sellers.
Since many sellers are selling the same products or similar products, you should have the option to choose who you want to do business with. When buying a product online, particularly one that is offered for sale by a number of different sellers, you are advised to examine product costs, shipping and handling costs, as well as each seller’s feedback. Doing so will make shopping on eBay a positive experience for you.
It is also important to note that eBay is easy to use. In fact, ease of use is one of the many other reasons why eBay has become so popular in recent years. As an eBay buyer, you need to create a free eBay account. That account will allow you to buy on eBay. Once you are a registered eBay member, you can easily start searching for products that you are looking for. For instance, if you are looking for a particular music CD, you can just type the artist name and album name into eBay’s search box and you should be presented with a number of auctions which have your CD available for sale. If you are only looking to spend a certain amount of money or purchase a CD that is located in the United States, you can perform an advanced search. An advanced search makes it easier to find what you need.
The above mentioned benefits, to doing your online shopping through eBay, are just a few of the many that exist. In fact, even if you are unsure as to whether or not you want to start shopping on eBay, you are advised to at least examine it. eBay guests can navigate the site to get a taste of what items can commonly be found for sale on eBay. With a large selection of products, a number of sellers to choose from, and ease of use, there is a good chance that you may find yourself doing the bulk of your online shopping on eBay. And, if you end up doing so, you will definitely not be alone.
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Do You Have An Ebay Store?
In this article we look at the benefits of having an eBay Store. Selling on eBay does not require you to have an eBay Store, but it sure does make things a lot easier.
There are 3 store subscriptions you can sign up for with eBay Basic (15.95/month), Featured (49.95/month), & Anchor (499.95/month).
Now most people starting out will of course go for the Basic store and not the Anchor. You would need to make huge profits to go for the Anchor store. We’ll talk more about the Basic, and Featured Stores here.
If you have a Basic Store you may want to consider upgrading to a Featured Store. Things have been changing with eBay stores and some of things I’m most thrilled with is the $30/month allotment of eBay Keywords.
Free Keywords
Yes, that’s $30/month each and every month worth of free eBay Keywords. With eBay Keywords you will drive more traffic to your listings by putting your ad at the top of the page for the keywords you choose. This also separates your store from other listings. This can significantly increase your store sales.
More Pages
With a Featured Store you get double the web pages! Which only increases your presence on eBay. You can also reduce the size of the eBay header on your pages giving you a page that’s more focused on your business. This helps build your own brand on eBay, and you can match it to your website.
Advanced Reports
With a Featured Store you get advanced monthly reports and traffic stats you can access anytime. I just love looking through my reports to see all the in-depth info that the reports give me. The Path Analysis allows you to see how visitors move around in your store. This is so important as you develop your business.
Owning an eBay store will not only bring you more sales, but it’ll cost you less by using it in the long run. These are just some of the many advantages of owning an eBay store. Once you own one, you’ll wonder why you didn’t go for it sooner.
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EBay Data and Research - A Critical Element of Success
"If you can measure it, you can manage it." Perhaps a cliche, but true nonetheless.
eBay is a business any way you look at it. Sure, it can be an immense deal of fun for both the buyers and sellers, but when you look at it from another view point; you will see that it is a business from the seller's point of view, the buyer's point of view, and eBay's point of view.
More than 40 million dollars a day in business is transacted on eBay. Selling items on eBay successfully is an art AND a science. The good news is that eBay offers many different forms of quantitative information Research to enable you to determine that you are selling the right items, to the right people, in the right way.
Some of the data and research is not free, but much of it is. The available resources include hot items by category, eBay Pulse, merchandising calendar, sales reports, marketplace research, buyer behavioral report, and the eBay solutions directory. These tools are quite easy to use, and the information that can be gleaned from them is extremely valuable.
The Data and Research tools are all accessible through your seller's account, by clicking on the 'Advance Selling' link. Learn to use those tools, and get your piece of that more than $40 million that streams through eBay each day.
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Are You Required To Report Your Ebay Earnings?
Many people ask me if they are required to report the profits they earn on items they sell on eBay on their income tax return. In short, YES.
If you sell items on eBay for a profit, then you should report your eBay sales on your income tax return, and you may owe income taxes on any profits. It doesn't matter if it's just a hobby or if you are trying to build a business - if you earned a profit it's taxable income.
Generally, any income you receive from all sources is subject to income tax unless it is specifically exempt by law (hint: eBay profits are not exempt).
You must file a tax return if your net earnings from self employment are $400 or more. You are self employed if you carry on a trade or business for profit. If you are selling on eBay with the intent of making a profit, then you are self employed.
To report your eBay earnings, you should file Form 1040, and attach Schedule C or C-EZ. Schedule C is used to calculate your net profit or loss from your business, which is then reported on your Form 1040. This is assuming you are a sole proprietor. If you are incorporated, you have to file a separate business return. You will file Form 1120 or Form 1120s (for S Corporations). If you are a partnership, you will file Form 1065.
At this point, you may be thinking “I don’t run a business; I just sell on eBay as a hobby”. Unfortunately, income from hobbies is taxable as well. Even worse, you can only deduct expenses up to your hobby income, which means losses are not deductible.
Finally, there is a common misconception that if you did not receive a 1099 or W-2, you are not required to report your income. This is not true. All income is reportable, regardless of whether you receive a form or not. EBay is only a facilitator of the auction; therefore you will not receive a 1099 from eBay reporting your sales.
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5 eBay Selling Tips for Newbies
I’m directing this article to those who are just starting their eBay Selling Venture. Whether you’re selling books, DVDs, CDs, collectibles or clothing, all things (with the exception of eBooks and services) need to be mailed. And it’s the postage, handling fees and mailing that seems to cause a great deal of angst among new sellers.
You’ve heard the advice – don’t overcharge for shipping. That is very good advice, indeed, as nothing turns off potential buyers like sellers who gouge you on the shipping costs. It’s also a practice that can rack up bad feedback.
However, I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate here and suggest that you don’t go overboard and give so much of a break on shipping that you’re chipping away at your profits. It’s good to remember the “hidden costs” of shipping : bubble wrap to secure your breakables, tape, shipping envelopes, boxes, etc. Then there’s the gas you put in your car to take all those trips to the post office.
You might think I’m being cheap, but, if you added up all your eBay expenses for the year (as some did for their recent taxes) you might be shocked to see how all the packing materials and gas for your car added up and took a little chunk out of your eBay profits. And, believe me, they do add up.
Some people are even more surprised to find they underestimated the weight of their packages, causing their profits to shrink even further.
How can you be fair to both you and your buyers?
1. Buy a scale.
It may sound simple, but purchasing a scale can save you a bundle in shipping. If you’re just eyeballing the weight of the package, you can often times guess too low, and be in for quite a shock when you go to the post office and see the package is going to cost twice what you thought to ship.
2. Know the dimensions of your packaging before listing the item.
Some packages cost more to ship because of their dimensions. Knowing the weight alone isn’t enough.
3. Offer the buyer a variety of shipping methods.
Some prefer speedy delivery with Express mailing, while some prefer to save money with parcel post even though the wait is longer. It’s always a good idea when using parcel post or other slower ground shipping to alert the buyer by email that it can take anywhere from 8 to 10 days.
4. Save yourself money whenever possible by using boxes that have been used.
Most stores are more than happy to let you rummage through their old boxes and take some home with you. But, do remember to choose boxes that are presentable, secure and strong enough for your items. And, if you have breakables, don’t skimp on the bubble wrap.
5. Give yourself a small handling fee that will cover your expenses.
Some sellers add on an additional $1 or $2 to the shipping fees for their handling fees (depending on the cost of the item and how much packaging you have to use). I really advocate doing this because your expenses will add up if you do a lot of selling on eBay. Be sure to be upfront with your buyers that you have a small handling fee so they can’t complain about it later.
Being fair to both yourself and your buyer will keep you both happy, and keep more of your profit in your pocket.
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4 Special rules for selling software on eBay
Here are the various kinds of software that you're not allowed to sell on eBay, and how to spot them. You should always try installing used software before you sell it, as this might give
1.Pirate Software.
This one is reasonably obvious, but pirate software can be hard to spot. The biggest things to look out for are auctions that don't have pictures or only have pictures from catalogues, unrealistically low prices, and come with no manuals or documentation. Microsoft software comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, which you should check. Software that is on recordable media such as CD-RWs is usually pirated.
If you see software that offered for download only, it is often pirated but not always. Some small software developers allow download licenses for their software to be resold on sites like eBay. Type the name of the software into a search engine, and go to the manufacturer's site to check. Remember that software you download is very unlikely to come with resale rights, though.
2.Beta Software.
Beta software is pre-release software, issued by companies for testing purposes. Companies generally do not give permission for their beta software to be sold or redistributed, as it won't be as good as the final product. Do not buy anything that says it is beta, and return anything you receive that says beta or not for resale or distribution anywhere on the CD or during the install.
3.Academic Software.
Some companies sell special educational edition's or student license's for their software, which are designed to make it affordable to students and teachers. You can only sell this software if you are a licensed educational reseller for the company, and your buyers are educational users. Academic software will usually say somewhere on its CD or in its installation what it is.
4.OEM Software.
OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer' this is software that is only supposed to be distributed with a new computer, as it came pre-installed on the computer. The licences for this software usually stop you from selling it without also selling any hardware. Look out for the message for sale with a new computer only, or similar. Note, though, that it's usually fine to bundle any OEM software you come across with computers that you sell on eBay.
If you sell any kind of software that isn't allowed, then eBay might shut down your auction, or your sellers might realise what they've bought and leave you bad feedback. It's not really worth the risk.
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A Beginner’s Guide To The Different Ebay Auction Types
Over the years, eBay has introduced all sorts of different auction types, in an effort to give people more options when they buy and sell their things on eBay.
For every seller who doesn’t like the idea that their item might sell for a far lower price than they intend, there’s another who wants to shift hundreds of the same item quickly. eBay tries to cater to all tastes. This email gives you an overview of the different kinds of auctions and their advantages for you.
Normal Auctions.
These are the bread-and-butter of eBay, the auctions everyone knows: buyers bid, others outbid them, they bid again, and the winner gets the item. Simple.
Reserve Auctions.
Reserve auctions are for sellers who don’t want their items to sell for less than a certain price – a concept you’ll know about if you’re familiar with real auctions. They work just like normal auctions on eBay, except that the buyer will be told if their bid does not meet the reserve price you set, and they’ll need to bid again if they want the item. If no-one is willing to meet your price, then the auction is cancelled, and you keep the item.
Fixed Price (‘Buy it Now’) Auctions.
Buy it Now auctions can work in one of two ways. You can add a Buy it Now button to a normal auction, meaning that buyers can choose either to bid normally or to simply pay the asking price and avoid the whole bidding process. Some sellers, though, now cut out the auction process altogether and simply list all their items at fixed price. This lets you avoid all the complications of the auction format and simply list your items for how much you want them to sell for.
Recently, eBay added a twist to fixed price auctions: the ‘best offer’. This means that buyers can contact you to negotiate a price, which could be a good way to get sell some extra stock at a small discount. The only downside to reserve and fixed price auctions is that you pay a small extra fee to use these formats. In general, it is more worth using reserve auctions for higher-priced items and fixed price auctions for lower-priced ones – but remember that you can combine the two formats.
Multiple Item (‘Dutch’) Auctions.
These are auctions where you can sell more than one of a certain item. Dutch auctions can be done by bidding. Buyers bid a price and say how many items they want, and then everyone pays the lowest price that was bid by one of the winning bidders. If you have trouble getting your head around that, then don’t worry – everyone else does too! These auctions are very rare.
What is more common is when a seller has a lot of one item, and lists it using a combination of two auction types: a multiple-item fixed price auction. This just means that you can just say how many of the item you they have, and offer them at a fixed price per unit. Buyers can enter how many they want and then just click Buy it Now to get them.
Now that you know about the different types of auctions, you should make sure that the items you plan to sell don’t violate eBay’s listing policies. The next email will let you know what’s allowed and what is a big no-no.
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Free eBay Secrets to Success!
Gaining success through the eBay selling business may not be as complicated as you think. You only have to know where to find free eBay secrets that count. Once you get hold of free
No need to look high and low for free eBay secrets, we’ve got them compiled here for you. You can use these free eBay secrets to create a booming business on eBay.
Once you decide to become an eBay seller, choose the user ID you will have to use, carefully. Choose a User ID that represents your business or the items you sell. Your User ID automatically becomes your eBay identity to potential buyers.
1. Look up the “How to Sell” Tour and watch the eBay selling demonstration video. Then learn of free eBay secrets in starting up at the eBay Learning Center.
2. Get your ID verified by using the ID Verify option when setting up a Seller's Account. This gives you an ID Verify icon in your feedback profile thereby giving the eBay community more confidence to buy from you. Don’t let this free eBay secret go unheeded.
3. Make sure to get computer backup disks in order for you to store up valuable data. A free eBay secret of using accounting software will help you know how your business is doing so you can make it more profitable.
4. Look for a good place where you can put your inventory and shipping materials. It’s a free eBay secret that they need to be in a safe, dry place nearby. Writing a daily To-Do List will help you organize your schedule. It is also the free eBay secret for you to manage your time on normal tasks and follow up on opportunities that aren't part of them.
5. Taking eBay’s fees into account may be the free eBay secret you need that’ll guided the pricing of your items.
6. Find the best category where to list your products under. This free eBay secret is probably known by everyone. From eBay's home page, click the "Buy" button, and browse the categories to find categories that apply to your items.
7. Another free eBay secret that’s necessary for your products’ success is checking where competing items have been placed. It's a good idea to choose two categories for your listings to reach more buyers.
8. Even if you have to pay additional fee, spotlighting your title is a practically free eBay secret that’s guaranteed to grab buyers' attention when they search for listings.
9. Hiring a Trading Assistant can free up the time you need to let you focus on the more important aspects of your eBay business.
10.Constantly monitor My eBay for your listings performance and other activities on the site. Keep track of your eBay correspondence by using My Messages. Surely, this free eBay secret will be a great help.
11. Attending trade shows is not only a free eBay secret advice it is also a great opportunity where you can get product trends preview and connect with manufacturers and discuss the opportunity of selling their products on eBay. Make sure to bring your business cards and be ready for discussions/
12. Protect yourself from potential fraud. Be wary for unusual buyer requests and consider it as a fraudulent sign if such requests come to light.
13. eBay consultants are available for advice and even free eBay secret tip offs. Once you know how to sell on eBay and checked out the eBay Community, your head will be buzzing with new business ideas.
14. Subscribing Chatter may get you not only feature articles, tips, helpful links and member interviews but maybe also free eBay secrets to success. Signing up for the PowerUp Newsletter can get you advanced notice of upcoming events and promotions. You'll get to know free listing days, feature discounts, seller sweepstakes and more.
15. There’s nothing wrong in promoting your eBay store. In fact it is another free eBay secret that you design marketing materials to promote your store.
16. Once you made a final sale price, donate part of it to a Nonprofit Organization of your choice. Remember that the ultimate free eBay secret to success is passing on the blessings and knowledge you acquire!
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An Ebay Seller’s Checklist
Being a seller is a lot of responsibility, and sometimes you might feel like you’re not doing everything you should be. This simple checklist will help you keep on top of things.
Have you found out everything you possibly could about your items? Try typing their names into a search engine – you might find out something you didn’t know. If someone else
Do you monitor the competition? Always keep an eye on how much other items the same as or similar to yours are selling, and what prices they’re being offered at. There’s usually little point in starting a fixed price auction for $100 when someone else is selling the item for $90.
Have you got pictures of the items? It’s worth taking the time to photograph your items, especially if you have a digital camera. If you get serious about eBay but don’t have a camera, then you will probably want to invest in one at some point.
Are you emailing your sellers? It’s worth sending a brief email when transactions go through: something like a simple “Thank you for buying my item, please let me know when you have sent the payment”. Follow this up with “Thanks for your payment, I have posted your [item name] today”. You will be surprised how many problems you will avoid just by communicating this way.
Also, are you checking your emails? Remember that potential buyers can send you email about anything at any time, and not answering these emails will just make them go somewhere else instead of buying from you.
Do your item description pages have everything that buyers need to know? If you’re planning to offer international delivery, then it’s good to make a list of the charges to different counties and display it on each auction. If you have any special terms and conditions (for example, if you will give a refund on any item as long as it hasn’t been opened), then you should make sure these are displayed too.
Have you been wrapping your items correctly? Your wrapping should be professional for the best impression: use appropriately sized envelopes or parcels, wrap the item in bubble wrap to stop it from getting damaged, and print labels instead of hand-writing addresses. Oh, and always use first class post – don’t be cheap.
Do you follow up? It is worth sending out an email a few days after you post an item, saying “Is everything alright with your purchase? I hope you received it and it was as you expected.” This might sound like giving the customer an opportunity to complain, but you should be trying to help your customers, not take their money and run.
Being a really good eBay seller, more than anything else, is about providing genuinely good and honest customer service. That’s the only foolproof way to protect your reputation. Of course, you might be wondering by now whether it’s really worth all the hassle to get a good reputation on eBay. Won’t people buy from you anyway, and couldn’t you just open a new account if it really comes down to that? Our next email will set you straight.
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A Toolkit to Get Started Selling on eBay
If you want to sell seriously on eBay (or another online auction site), i.e. do more than get rid of the junk cluttering up your garage or attic, you will find that the following items can really help your business, no matter what you are selling. It is assumed that you own a computer with an internet connection and have already started your account with the online auction venue.
1. A digital camera. Yes, eBay offers stock photos of items, such as books or DVDs. However, that does not help you if you are selling homemade crafts, for instance, and even if there is a stock photo, you might want to show the item from a different angle, or use a close-up. You do not have to spend a fortune on a high-megapixel model, though an optical zoom, a macro setting and the ability to adjust white balance are essential. Some good information on selecting a camera and photographing auction items can be found at http://www.search.reviews.ebay.com/ members/camerajim/
2. A tripod. No matter how firmly you grip your camera, holding it in your hand can easily introduce some blurring, and auctions with blurry photos are less likely to receive bids. A tripod will improve your photos considerably.
3. A photo-editing program. You will want to crop your image, remove irrelevant elements, adjust brightness and contrast, maybe add text or a border. You do not need an expensive program for this, and the freeware Irfanview (http://www.irfanview.com/) may cover our needs. Also, look at older version of programs such as Microsoft Digital Image, which can be purchased quite cheaply.
4. A digital postal scale. As you will mail out your items to the winning bidders, it is important that you invest in a postal scale, so that you do not over- or underpay on postage.
5. Business cards. Even if you are only starting out to sell online, you want to project a professional image. Have some business cards printed up at an office supply store or one of the many online suppliers (such as www.vistaprint.com) and include your e-mail address and website on them. Slip in a business card with every shipment, and always take some with you, in case your online venture comes up in conversation.
6. Lots of Research. Don’t sell things that you know little or nothing about. Research your articles online and at your local library. Research current prices by checking completed auctions on eBay (do a search for the item, then click on the check box “Completed listings” and search again). You can also use Auction Shark (http://www.auctionshark.com/) to check prices on running auctions at eBay, Amazon, Yahoo and Overstock.com.
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An Easy Guide To Making Money On Ebay
One way to make money on eBay that a lot of sellers underestimate is by making money on returns. Items get returned to almost every seller eventually as it’s impossible to satisfy all of the buyers all of the time. By turning your returns into profits you can make money on e
If you are going to make money on eBay from your returns then it is important not to refund shipping charges. You will probably make money on eBay from your shipping charges anyway if you are using cheaper materials and have a standard shipping cost for items, regardless of their weight.
If you just refund the charge of the returned items but not the shipping then you are going to make money on eBay because you will be able to charge the same shipping cost to another buyer who bids on the returned item when you relist it. As you have already made a profit from the shipping charge the first time, you are going to double that profit the second time you ship the item and be able to make money on eBay from your returns that from your original listing.
To help you make even more money on your returned items you can charge a restocking fee. This is not something that buyers particularly like and it may lead to negative feedback but you are within your rights to charge a restocking fee and it is a surefire way to make money on eBay from your returns. It would be advisable to only charge a restocking fee on more expensive or bulky items to lessen the chance of receiving bad feedback which will have a negative impact on your chances to make money from eBay by reducing your sales.
If you have an item returned then the best way to make money on eBay is, of course, to list it in another auction. However, it is important to take note of the reason for the return to ensure that it does not happen the second time and make it impossible for you to make money on eBay from selling the item as it keeps getting returned. If the item was returned because it was not what the buyer expected then you have to make sure that you write your description more clearly the second time around to maximise your chances of having a satisfied buyer and being able to make money on eBay that you intended to in the first place.
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What's eBay to you ?
If you were to ask a group of people how they could make money using eBay, they would probably all come back with similar answers – sell off their unwanted possessions, sell thin
gs for other people and take a commission on successful sales, or perhaps go the more professional route and buy stock to resell from a wholesaler. The chances are very high that none of them would think of using eBay as a springboard to achieving bigger and better things elsewhere.
Yet a small number of internet entrepreneurs are doing just that – utilising the sheer power and reach that eBay has to offer in order to build their own successful website and mailing list. And there are many advantages to using eBay in this way.
These people aren’t selling things on eBay to make money – not on eBay at least. They are using the site in perfectly legitimate ways to help them build their mailing list, which will reap them lucrative – and repetitive - rewards in the future.
If you have your own website and you want to build your own email list in the quickest time possible, you need to be looking at this gigantic auction site to help you do it. And if you are already selling on eBay and you’re thinking of expanding into your own website, then it’s time to start looking at eBay in a whole new way to make sure you get there in double quick time.
Before we get into the details of how to use eBay in this way, let’s look at why the auction site is such an attractive proposition for internet marketers who want to build an emailing list like this
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How to make money selling on eBay
You are already selling and you haven't been able to make the money you desire, you've read books and guides to help you make money selling on eBay. Even so you still feel frustrated because you are in the same spot, you haven't improved your sells, money and time is crucial and you just simply want to know what to do. In order for you to make money to sell on eBay you will have to do the following.
" Be descriptive
" Good communication
" Positive feedback
These three steps are keys to become successful in making money selling on eBay.
Be Descriptive: When you are describing your product make sure you include as much detail as possible. This will narrow down what exactly the buyer needs. Also be descriptive in you title, in your title you want to mention important detail such as size, color, brand name, etc. By doing so the costumer will find it very easy to visualize how the product looks like and see if it is something the buyer is looking for. When you are including detail in you description of your product, it is suggested to make the important words bold that will attract the buyer, for instance, if you are selling a shirt and is brand new, you will want to put in bold letters "Brand New:".
Good Communication: Communication is very critical when it comes to selling a product, for that reason it will be wise for you to respond to questions that interested costumers ask you, for they will lose interest if you don't. If you see that the question is often repeated then it is recommended to include the answer in your listing or in the descriptions of your product. Remember you can always go back an edit the product information.
Positive Feedback: Feedback plays a vital role in selling in eBay which making money selling on eBay will depend on these feedbacks either if there positive or negative. Keep the feedback system honest, some tend to simply give each other positive feedback for the simple convenience, but you want to be loyal and honest since you want buyers who can fully trust you on selling them a product. In order for you to receive positive feedback you will want to be as helpful as possible to the costumer and be prompt on shipping the product.
In order to make money selling on eBay you will want to have in mind these steps as well as try to keep you business running. Some start off selling random items from home that they feel is not of any need. Since selling items from home will eventually run out you will have to figure out a way to keep supply in hand. One way to have consistent supply is to lean your sells on items you are familiar with and you have sufficient amount of knowledge about. This is a good strategy since you will be above most competitors that are selling the same product since most of them are not as familiar as you are. This is an advantage because you will know what right product to sell is and which product is considered the most suitable.
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You Can Sell Anything on eBay – Or Can You?
Over 100 million people are members of eBay. Through eBay, you can buy items in almost any category that you can imagine – at great prices. You can also sell almost anything
eBay does not allow certain items to be auctioned through their website. Services are one type of ‘item’ that cannot be auctioned – simply because it is not an item. Some seller’s blatantly ignore this however. The sell of other items is illegal, even if it isn’t being sold through eBay. eBay restricts the sale of any type of item that is considered ‘illegal for sale’ in any other selling format. Illegal items such as satellite descramblers are forbidden as well.
Anything that is copyrighted - such as copies of DVDs, CDs, or software - may not be sold through eBay auctions. You can, however, sell a DVD, CD, or any software that you bought legitimately…as long as you are not just selling a copy that you
made of these types of items. eBay does not allow the sale of ‘replicas.’ A replica is a knockoff version of designer items, such as purses, dresses, shoes, or sunglasses that look identical to those that have designer labels.
Items that are regulated by the state or federal government are forbidden on eBay. These items include alcoholic beverages, weapons and firearms, all tobacco products, and both prescription and illegal drugs. There are small exceptions to this rule,
however. If you have a collectable, such as a tin that contains tobacco, you may sell that item if the package has never been opened, and if you state the contents of the package are not meant for consumption. There are other conditions that must be met as well when selling these types of collectables.
Any type or breed of animal or reptile may not be sold through an eBay auction. This includes animals that were once living, and are now stuffed and mounted. This rule may also apply to items that are taken from endangered species, such as Ivory. When
it comes to these types of items, when in doubt, don’t.
Tickets may be sold, but it is illegal to sell tickets for a higher price than you originally paid for them. This is called ticket scalping, and it is illegal.
Lottery tickets are also banned from eBay auctions, as well as raffle tickets. Again, if you are not sure if your item is eligible for an eBay auction, either don’t put it up for auction, or contact eBay to get an answer one way or the other. Don’t risk breaking the law!
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3 Tools For Product Sourcing On EBay - Using Seller Central
You may have already discovered that selling on eBay can be fun and profitable. But after you’ve cleared out your garage and attic, and auctioned off everything your husband owns, where can you go to get new product ideas?
Tapping into EBay’s Resources
Most people don’t realize that eBay itself is actually a terrific place to find product sourcing ideas. Besides being an easy selling venue with built-in traffic, it also contains a goldmine of useful data about what that traffic wants to buy. One of eBay’s best-kept secrets is their Seller Central page (http://www.EBay.com/SellerCentral). Very few people, even PowerSellers, are aware of this valuable resource. Consequently, very few people are taking advantage of the tools available there:
• The merchandising calendar — this is a great spot to get sourcing leads because it shows you specifically what products eBay will be promoting over the next few months. It gives you dates and tells you which item categories you need to list your product in for it to be displayed on eBay’s homepage. When a user clicks on that item, your auction will pop right up.
• The hot items section — this is basically a monthly trend-watching report. It tells you what items are moving, producing more bids, and getting higher final prices. It lets you get a feel for where the demand is.
Whether you’re searching for products at a tradeshow or a rummage sale, Janelle Elms (http://JanelleElms.com), of eBay University, recommends, “Print this report and keep it with you at all times.” She explains, “If you don’t know what to look for, this will help direct and keep your mind focused to what’s moving on eBay.”
• The hot categories section — this resource takes the top categories and gives you tips on how to sell in those categories, insider secrets about your buyers, and trending info. For each category, there’s a section called ‘In Demand’ that tells you not only the top-selling items in that category, but also the top keywords that buyers are using to find these items. Use those keywords in your listing titles. If you have any left over, put them in your description. Essentially, eBay tells you what to sell and then tells you how best to list it.
Catering to Your Customers
Advises Elms, “Don’t ever try to sell to the buyer what you think they need to own.” Users are already telling you what they want to buy — you just have to listen. These tools show you what consumers are saying they want and how they’re saying they want to find it. EBay users are ready to spend money with you — all you need to do is give them what they’re looking for.
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eBay Rules
It’s important to remember that eBay has very strict rules on what you can and can’t do on their site. For example, you can’t use the site to blatantly divert traffic to your own website. However they do give you certain allowances – and it is these that we’ll be covering in detail later, in order to build that list of people who are ready and interested to hear about – and buy – your latest products.
We’ll be covering how to make the most of your eBay About Me page and how to make sure it’s as accessible and appealing as possible for anyone who happens to be looking at your listings. We’ll also discover what to sell on eBay that is relevant to your business (whatever it may be) and how to design and use those products to legally self promote yourself and your business.
eBay may be strict on the rules, but they still offer you a goldmine of opportunities to develop and grow your own business elsewhere on the internet – you just have to know how to use them to your best advantage.
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Getting Started on eBay
You’ve probably heard about how much money can be made on eBay. With dreams of quick riches and easy money, you are probably ready to jump in with both feet – right now!
The best thing you can do if you are serious about making money with eBay, however, is to slow down. In fact, just stop for a minute. Don’t rush straight in. Take your time, and do it right.
eBay has over 100 million members. Think about that number for just a minute or two. When you get your eBay business set up, that is how big your customer base will be – instantly. 100 million people - 100 million people who are just waiting for you to get set up and running so that they can throw money at you! Well, not quite. It is true that there are over 100 million members, but at this point, they don’t know that you exist. In fact, no matter how well you
do on eBay, most of them will never know that you exist. 100 million is a very large number.
The most successful eBay sellers started out as buyers – and you should too. This will give you a
sense of how everything works. It will also show you how things are from the buyer’s side of the fence.
Let’s call this period of time ‘consumer research.’ You are literally studying how eBay works, from a customer’s point of view. You may not realize this, but this eBay buyer experience will
actually make you a much better seller – right from the very start.
Really pay attention to the customer service you receive from the buyer. Think about how you want to be treated as a buyer, and take notes. Take your time during this process. Interact with the sellers.
Get involved in hot auctions to see what they are like. In your spare time, start making notes about the hot items that you see. These notes will come in handy later.
eBay works just like any other business. You have to determine what people want to buy before you can hope to be successful. There are very specific items that sell really well on eBay – you just have to figure out what those items are. There are many resources for finding out this information. Start with the lessons that eBay offers to their sellers.
Strongly consider attending the eBay University as well. This is the next step in the process. After you have had the eBay buyer experience, it is time to learn how to be an eBay seller.
Read all of the information eBay provides for you at the site. The information is free and you will learn a great deal from it. Take full advantage of this – before you start setting up your first auction or your eBay store! By reading through all of the resources, you will avoid making numerous mistakes that so many before you have made.
This is another step towards building a successful eBay business. Once you’ve made it through the learning process, you should know everything you need to know to get started with a money making eBay business of your very own.
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