How to Sell Auction Items on eBay

Describe and photograph your auction item exactly as it looks.

Auctioning off items on eBay is a viable alternative to selling unwanted goods in a garage sale or at a flea market, or donating them to a thrift store for tax deductions. To start auctioning goods on eBay, you must open an account on its website, register as a "seller" and list your item on an auction setup page.

Things You'll Need

• Computer access
• Digital camera
• Shipping materials

Instructions

1. Set up your eBay account. Log in to the website. The home page identifies you as a non-eBay member and prompts you to open an account and register to sell.

2. Click "Sell" on the eBay home page to begin the setup page that starts the auction process.

3. Select a category for your item. Ebay suggests a category, which you approve by checking.

4. Enter a title for your item's auction. Instead of listing an auction as "Canon Camera," for example, also list the model and features.

5. Add pictures of your item. Use the eBay popup tool that lets you find and upload pictures from wherever they're stored on your hard drive.

6. Describe your item in detail. Cover the item's condition, function, damaged or missing parts, good and bad characteristics and smell, such as from a damp or musky basement. Mention that you own pets for potential buyers with allergies.

7. Set a price for you item. One option is to start with the "lowest price" you are willing to accept. The second option is to set a "reserve price, "which is the amount bidders must reach before you will sell your item.

8. Choose the auction's duration.

9. Pick a buyers' payment method. You may accept PayPal payments, for which you must have an account; money orders; and personal checks.

10. Set up shipping-rate options. Offer free shipping, set a flat rate or base shipping on weight and destination.

11. Establish a return policy. If you choose, guarantee reimbursement for any reason, for only damaged items, for the selling price but not the shipping fee, or only if the item is returned within a certain number of days after the auction.

12. Preview your auction listing. Click "Preview" on the last setup page. When satisfied with your listing, click "List Your Item."

13. Contact the buyer immediately after the auction. Send the buyer an invoice with the total price. Once you're paid, ship the item.

Tips & Warnings

• Photograph your item with even light and take shots from various angles. Take closeups of damaged areas so buyers can see the item's actual condition.

• Buyers and sellers complete sales transactions and leave each other feedback through the "My eBay" page

• You may edit or revise most aspects of your auction before listing as long as it has no bids.

• Some bidders wait until the last seconds to bid in a process called "sniping."

• Buy sturdy boxes in various sizes; tape; "peanuts," bubble wrap and other packing materials; and labels for shipping your items.

• Ship items as quickly as possible, preferably the day after the auction has ended.

• The more details in your item's description, the less likely buyers are to return the item and give you negative feedback.

• Only send an item to the buyer after you receive payment in your PayPal or bank account. Ebay is susceptible to fraudulent users.

• Communicate early with auction winners and often with prospective buyers who may have questions.

• Wrap items securely to prevent damage. An item that arrives damaged reflects poorly on the seller -- even if the carrier is at fault.

References

• How to Buy, Sell & Profit on eBay: Kick-Start Your Business in Thirty Days; Adam Ginsberg; 2005