How to Sell Items for More on eBay

So, you want to learn how to sell items for more on eBay? Ebay is perhaps the greatest place for entrepreneurs and regular people to earn money selling items second hand or direct from wholesalers. It is one of the biggest innovations in the open market, and some people make their living auctioning off everything from unique soap dispensers, to the latest digital cameras. If you want to learn how to earn more money selling your items on eBay, you need to think about who would want to buy your item, and cater to that person. Then set a really, low starting bid, and list everything you can about the item on eBay. If it is a hot electronics item, or a specific niche collectible, there are things you can do to sell your items for more money, and this article will show you how. First you need to analyze your item. Is it a niche collectible, a hot electronic item? Who would be interested in buying it, and how many people are going to place a bid?

Instructions

1. Write a promotional, but search-engine friendly title. If it is a hot electronics item, camera or car part, include the item's brand name (Sony, Toshiba, etc.), model name or number, and general name (HDTV, digital camera, memory card) right in the title. Ebay's software searches item titles and descriptions to some extent to make matches for users searches. The better the match, the more people will see your item. If it is a niche collectible you will want to include the name of the collectible in your title and description, also include any generic names, the year of production and features that collectors will want to know; the item's background story, authenticity statements, whether it comes with the original box? and so on.

2. Start a bidding war. Set the minimum bid extremely low, and don't set a reserve. Buyers will hesitate to bid on a product that has a reserve price set, because they do not know if they will actually get the item, and bidding on it seems pointless. There are millions of potential buyers on eBay, you only need to start a bidding war between three or four to drive your price sky high.

3. Beef up your description if you want to sell your items for more on eBay. Put everything your buyer needs to know in the eBay listing and you will get a higher price for your item. Include specifications or features along with promotional copy for your item that motivates people to bid. Include its size, and all the additional information bidders will want to know. If you can find the item's specifications online, cut and paste them into your posting. List compatible items if applicable. Use bullets, so people can find what they want fast.

4. Take better product shots of your item. A good product shot is one of the best ways to sell items for more on eBay. Position it in a provocative way. Set it in good light, in front of a clean single color or faded background like a bed sheet, poster board or clean white wall. This will make it jump off the page. When people see parts of your living room in the background, they feel a little less confident about the eBay item. Also, be sure to clean your item with a clean cloth and mild soap solution to remove grime.

5. Give buyers a reason to buy your item rather than someone else's item. Whether it is the condition of the item, the fact that it comes in a box, or has had little use. No matter what it is, be sure yours stands out from all the rest. Be brief and to the point but use promotional copy to convince someone this is the item they want. Use phrases like, "Lowest price," "Fast shipping," or "Reliable seller!" and anything else that promotes the item.

6. Set a low, shipping price, or offer free shipping. Potential bidders will not bid on your item if you list it cheap and try to make up the difference in the shipping cost. This is the oldest trick in the book and consumers are very aware of it. Since the shipping cost is a set price, bidders know they have to pay it eventually on top of the final price of the item. They will look for an item that promises a lower overall cost.

Tips & Warnings

• Always mention the best features right at the top of your listing, and if you can fit them, put them in the title.

• Be sure your description matches your item, do not exaggerate but always focus on the positives of your item, and set it apart from all the rest.

• Ebayers are hungry for good deals, so if you price you item low, like $.99 for a digital camera, more people will take notice and "watch" your item. They'll love the idea of getting something for so cheap. In the process they will form a connection with your item, and be more prone to bid on it, sending the price higher. People will even pay more than the item is actually worth, just because they want to "win" that item.

• Setting a low price could mean you sell your item for less, but when you do set a low price, more people will bid. This is only a good idea for popular items that interest many people, like small cameras and electronics, popular toys and novelties, and so on.