Expert view: Beginners' guide to eBay
Online community guru Dan Wilson tells you how to make money by selling on eBay.
Many people buy on eBay, but far fewer have taken the plunge of selling online. If you’ve never used eBay don’t be scared. Here are some ideas, tips and pointers.
Learn as a buyer
The best way to get to know eBay is to become a proficient buyer. You can learn about feedback, bidding, postage, auctions and Buy It Now whilst shopping for bargains and hard to find treasures.
Your first sale is an experiment
Don’t rush to shift that valuable heirloom. Get to understand the selling process by listing a few low cost, easy-to-post items first. eBay often holds cut price listing promotions that mean you can experiment without paying seller’s fees.
Photos are important
Take clear, unfussy images that show your sales off in the best light. Avoid background clutter and make sure buyers have the information they need to put their hands in their pockets. Even a decent photo taken with a camera phone can do the trick.
Factor in the Fees
There can be Listing Fees for putting an item up on the site and eBay also charges a sales commission or Final Value Fee for successful sales. These fees can easily eat into your profits.
Trade safely
eBay has lots of vital security information available on the website. The number one tip is obvious: use eBay’s own online payment service PayPal.
Savvy tip
The better your Feedback reputation the greater your visibility in eBay’s search engine.
When you use eBay people review your performance. Make sure that you send buyers purchases swiftly and items are exactly as described.
Pass it on – ‘Make Serious Money…’
Dan’s book ‘Make Serious Money on eBay UK’ is available from Amazon.