January "Ask a Seller"

[tyler@ebay]

Howdy everyone - 

In the spirit of trying something new I want to begin a new monthly post feature called "Ask a Seller". I've collected some questions from new and intermediate sellers over the last few months and would love to have your input on these. Hoping that these can spark good conversation and be a resource for folks getting started.

And so with that introduction (drumroll), here's this month's question:

What's one piece of advice you would give someone just starting out on eBay?

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Clear, properly cropped photos.

-Lotz

[msmaggie060]

Read, read, then read again, everything you can on the boards to teach yourself all about buying and selling on eBay.

[mrdutch1001]

Read everything in eBay's Seller Centre and know the rules, the policies, and the fees before listing that first item.

[femmefan1946]

You can refuse Returns, but you can't refuse Refunds.

[triber]

Know what you sell. Check eBay for similar items and see what they sold for.

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

1A. If you have ANY questions. Email tyler@ebay day or nite...nite or day. 🙂

[momcqueen]

Plan ahead for the day you will have your first unhappy customer. Take a long, hard and honest look for your strongest and weakest areas and make efforts to compensate for your soft spots.

Contrarily, stand firm against the other users who will try to browbeat you into compromising your values as a seller. Maybe you have a potential buyer who wants to lowball you into the offering the cheapest shipping possible, knowing full well this leaves you vulnerable to claims of item not received. It’s okay to say no to some sales. You do deserve to make money for your effort at the end of the day.

[tyler@ebay]

Awww shucks @lotzofuniquegoodies - thanks for making my morning! 

[cumos55]

Preparing a description for a listing.

(1) Do not say   ....... I did this.....  say everything in the third person....This was done.

(2) Prepare short paragraphs... sometimes one sentence to a paragraph...... Long paragraphs are very difficult to read.... Long paragraphs are like a long-run sentence.

(3) Putting everything in  capitals is considered ..... Yelling.....

(4) Terms of Sale. should be short and to the point, and very easy to read.

[cumos55]

Photos must be clear.....

Set things up with  lighting... one light to the left  and the other light to the right, with both lights above the item being photographed.

Using a flash on the camera  will reflect  from an item and create   a ... "flash-back" if the item being photo will act like a mirror

The background for a photo must be simple, with nothing extra in the photo.....  Some buyers will expect that something extra to be a part of the sale.....  Many sellers have confused the buyer...

Learn how to edit photos... crop the photo to an appropriate size.  Color-correct the photo with the understanding that the light source can affect the color of the item being sold.

Incandescent light can create a red image....Taking a photo close to a window in winter will create a blue image.... always make sure  the item is shown with the correct color.

We do not see the color  became our brain edits what we see.

Read a book about digital photography.

Putting several photos in a listing  gives a potential buyer a better view of the item for sale.

For some inventory  a scanner can be used to make a photo....   Crop   to a required size.....and edit if necessary.  Books as an example where a scanner can be used.

[cumos55]

As the seller of an item you become the "eyes" of a potential buyer.

For many items size is important.....  Provide size in the listing.  Some sellers add a ruler to a photo... and then say the ruler is not for sale

Be very honest, and present a very clear description of what is being sold

[2nd-time-around-jewelry]

Sell only to Canada & the US when you first start selling. Start with smaller items first.  And send higher priced items with tracking if possible.  Also pack items extra carefully.  No one likes getting damaged goods.

[cumos55]

Success as a sellers  is based on knowing ....

What NOT to do.

[cumos55]

Restricted items....

If there any question .... check the eBay restricted items list.

Sometimes the restriction is worldwide....  and sometimes by country...

Some items should not be sold on eBay... no matter what a seller might consider acceptable....

Always be careful... and if there any possibility of a concern or question with respect to restricted........  Do not list it.....

[cumos55]

If it is damaged, to any degree..... not working......   for parts only  always be careful

Many buyers do not read  carefully, and may be confused by what they receive  and what they expected.

My view ... If it is not absolutely prefect.... it is best not to list it...

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Small follow up to cumos55 Restricted Items point:

You can also check the canadapost website at the following link prior to listing questionable items. Saying you "Did not know" is not a valid reason for listing an item.

https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/kb/details.page?article=what_items_cannot_be&cat=sending&cattype=kb...

-Lotz

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

Not a problem Tyler. I thought about including a home phone number but decided best to use a little restraint. You could have had a major coffee incident reading that post. 🙂

-Lotz

[ricarmic]

I'm late to the game but better late then never!

Make sure you really understand your margin, or most notably the other half, the cost of goods sold.

The cost of goods sold means keeping in mind all the components of selling an individual item such as:

-the original item cost

-the cost of shipping

-the cost of envelopes, tape, paper etc

-the cost of driving your vehicle to and from the post office etc

-the cost of ebay fees

-the cost of PAYPAL fees

-the cost of currency conversion

-the averaged out cost of insurance (whether purchased or funded through "cookie jar insurance")

-the averaged out cost of returns, INADs, SNADS etc

-the annual depreciation value of your computer, printer etc

-the costs of "location" (using a portion of your home, renting warehouse space, a storefront etc)

-etc

All of these things have to be figured in to really understand what your actual margin is so you know if you can actually make money on the item.

[momcqueen]

Don’t start selling with a brand-new account. Buy on eBay first. Lots of things from sellers everywhere so that you can see first-hand what it means to get good service and poor service, good items and poor items. Take the best of what you’ve experienced as a buyer and translate that to sales. Make note of the worst and vow to do better.

If, when you’re ready to sell, you don’t want to mix your buying with your selling, create a new account for future purchases. Keep the existing one for selling.

Also: never leave feedback when you’re angry. Those words remain long after your temper has cooled and your tirade as a buyer will reflect poorly on you as a seller.