How to Sell on eBay from a realistic perspective

This article is for those of you that want to sell on eBay, but question where to obtain items, best ways for shipping, where to get boxes, which shipping services are the best, even right down to little tips and tricks that I have learned over the last few years doing this that will save you time and money. These are things that just aren't told in those other books.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer
• Digital Camera
• SPACE
• Supplies, boxes, paper, tape, etc.

1. Open an eBay account. Go to eBay.com and follow the directions on their site to get you an account opened. There are many add ons that you can do to tweak the site, especially if you are going to automate it or do any sort of volume. I use the selling manager pro, it shows your sales in a graph form and allows me to send out Feedback reminder emails in bulk, and is just overall better than the standard they offer for free.

2. Next, open a paypal account. Go to Paypal.com and follow the steps the site offers. You will need to do a few things with Paypal here...you will have to have the account verified, and link your bank accounts, all in all it is fairly simple following the instructions. Paypal also offers a debit card to quickly remove funds from your account after a while. I currently do not use one, and if you have any open disputes they will not issue one all together until the matter is handled. I have my bank account linked and my transfer takes 2 business days flat, I ship on Mondays and transfer, Wednesdays and transfer, Fridays and transfer..so that means I have money coming in W,F, and M. Paypal is the standard and most widely used form of payment accepted though, if you don't use it you might as well not even bother, I currently am not aware of a single power seller that does not use it. Let me say this Paypal is difficult and lacks seriously in customer service in all matters that I have ever dealt with them, if I could get around using them and still make as much money I would. They have the ability to yank money from your account if there is a dispute and temporarily hold it until it is settled, but we will get to that later.
   
   Offer as many ways as possible on your listings for payment, except for cash. Take Money orders and checks, you will see your profits grow.

3. DO NOT LIST YOUR ITEMS THROUGH eBay, there are free listing tools such as Auctiva.com, which I use that allow you to host pictures...I am glad I can stick 25 pictures on a listing for free, than paying the additional .10 cents or whatever it is through eBay per picture past the first one. Plus I can use my LT (listing tool) to schedule listings, offer insurance, and warranties (which I get a kickback on both for.) Another nice thing about the LT is that I can set my Feedback to auto so if I receive a good feedback I can automatically give one. (This becomes a big deal if you are receiving several hundred or a thousand Feedbacks a month.)
   
   The Auctival LT is one page, and has an integrated scheduler, and also has website hosting(store) abilities, and has one of the neatest functions, it offers all of your items in a scrolling widget on every listing. This gives you just that much extra exposure.
   
   Another great things about LT's is that (like Auctiva) you can make templates and they look great (eBay charges you extra for this feature) The templates add a level of professionalism that gives you street cred in the eBay world...it is the same as dressing for success. I have templates for the things I sell, Baby listings, Electronics, Jewelry, A pink listing for items aimed towards women, and a general item template, that looks good and is used for antiques and most other things.
   
   You can do whatever you want!!!

4. OK now that you have set up your eBay account, paypal, and Listing Tool...you need things to sell right?
   
   Here is what I do. Using the tools I use, supplies, and shipping..we are getting a 7-10-1 return on our money. So whenever I am looking at things to buy I look at it a if I am going to get a 7-10-1 at least on my money. Some things I get a 45-1 or 100-1 return. The important thing is to get a good return, buy low sell hi.
   
   I take a $150 a week to spend to buy items and I am making somewhere between $3-4000 a month.
   
   I go Sales on Saturday (early)and shop until my money runs out, and I go to Garage Sales, and try to focus on larger sales Church Sales, neighborhood sales, and multi sales, and I hit all the regular ones I see en route. Church Sales will usually allow you to get the most bang for your buck...I once bought 5 brand new computer monitors in the box, bags and bags of electronics, filling up a car, a truck, and also with it a piano, and paid less than 30 dollars. Church sales are good to hit at the beginning to get first dibs and at the end if they are going to do bag sales. Nothing like buying a bag full of product for a dollar.
   
   You make think this is hard but it isn't there has only been one time in the last year I can remember NOT spending my full amount.
   
   At the garage sales...negotiate. Look for obvious things that you know is going to sell for more...sadly in the beginning you will have to rely on common sense..but as you go your experience will allow you to take chances on larger items....I would rather buy a few items for more money and get my same return than lots of little items and spend all the extra time.
   
   Electronics bought cheap...you can't go wrong. Modems, Routers, wireless routers...buy for around $5 tops or better..and you will sell them for $20-50 all day long.
   
   I bought 6 Bunn coffee makers 5 3 Burners and 1 5 burner....with all the pots....for $25 TOTAL! I sold them all total for $470. They were a pain in the rear to ship, but worth the return.
   
   Golf headcovers/ golf clubs...Sets that are brand name sell...buy cheap sell hi...if you buy for $20 and sell for $150 its a no brainer. Headcovers...buy for what .50 a piece and sell from $5-10 or more depending on brand and condition.
   
   At these places NEGOTIATE..most of the times they just want to get off of it. Larger places ask up front..say if I buy a lot will you give me a good deal...and make sure to ask someone in charge.
   
   At locals

5. Researching and Photographing your items.
   
   I use my 2 car garage as storage. I immediately take my items in from the car, and photograph them, and then write in my notebook, what it is, model number if possible, anything special about it, and then I have open fields for size, starting price, buy it now price, and shipping. This helps later when I research how much to sell my item for.
   
   As far as how to photograph...this is a no brainer..higher resolution and digital zoom is going to get you a better picture, and this may be based upon your budget. Just remember better pictures sell your item faster and for more money.
   
   Some people use light boxes...if you are doing smaller items (jewelry) it may be necessary that you use it. Whatever you do...don't go off spending tons of your money on pro light boxes...research it online google lightboxes home made..or similar..tons of designs. I myself built one using foam core board from Hobby Lobby and Gorilla Glue and 3 clip on shop lamps.
   
   I now use a section of my garage where a work bench is and have a sheet set up....the natural light comes in and I just take everything there. When it gets dirty I wash it..simple. Light boxes get dirty...and they are a pain to get clean.
   
   Take as many pictures needed but don't go overboard..it is a waste of your time. Again the trick is time spent.
   
   Now you need to research your item. I use terapeak...terapeak.com far and away the best most comprehensive research tool out there. It costs me $9.99 a month and gives me access to the previous 90 days of listings.
   
   I look for the best listings of my item, and try to recreate it...I judge how those ones sold...if it is a good item and is going to sell...I prefer a buy it now option that is slightly cheaper than the best ones sold, and I don't over charge on shipping. That is a sure fire way to kill your sales and get a negative feedback.
   
   Ok..so now what you have your pictures. You have your listings and research in your notebook..now you need to get your pictures loaded and your listings done.

6. I use a memory card reader to load my photos...invest in one. It makes life easy just always having something hooked up and they aren't expensive. Apples cropping tool is better than Windows. After you crop with Windows you have to hit save for the changes to take effect, with the Apple you just hit the next arrow and it auto saves and takes you over to the next picture.
   
   I have one of both. In Auctiva..you can use the basic html loader or Java...the html is going to let you put it in the full size of the file...so if you have something and the pictures are so clear the pores of the materials show you can use the html...but you had better have a fast FAST broadband connection, or sometimes the files will fail to load....I prefer using the html...because Auctiva offers a free supersize option that allows great detail of your picture. If you use the Java....it is by far quicker...BY FAR but it also auto resizes your pictures.
   
   It is just a trade off..if somtimes I am in a hurry..I use the Java...otherwise I try to stick to the html.
   
   I use an 8 MP Kodak Easy Share that has a rechargeable battery...one of the 3.7v jobs...I bought a wall charger from eBay for $5 + $4 shipping...you can't beat it.

7. Listing your item.
   
   Choose an appropriate title, and be honest. Avoid using duplicate words, and try to notice what other successful listings did in your research.
   
   Avoid subtitle unless you need it, or you plan on giving free shipping (because it is free)
   Avoid listing in duplicate categories...if it is going to sell...it is going to sell period.
   
   Write good, concise listings...tell what the item is, condition, functionality, and anything pertinent to the item, what it comes with or don't...and model number. Don't tell stories about the item.
   
   Ship worldwide...but make sure you have it where they contact you first....it is a pain to ship International but it is worth the effort.
   
   Whenever someone asks you for a shipping quote...don't be lazy..go weigh it. Go to USPS.com and check to see for certain...don't use the shipping calculator on eBay.
   
   otherwise you may think it is 3lbs but shipping weight could be 4+ and then it is no longer first class it is Priority and a lot more expensive.
   
   Consider Buy it Nows and best offers....remember you have to wait 7 days (don't even bother with 1, 3 ,5 or 10 day auctions.) plus payment time to get your money with auctions...BIN's I have sold $500 worth the same day I have listed it on more than one occasion using the BIN and B.O.'s.
   
   I list Saturday afternoon and schedule my listings for Sunday at 8:30 central time to start..so it will end then too. BIN's I start immediately, the faster that listing is on the faster I am making money.
   
   Alright you have listings!!! Now what.

8. If you hustled you spent all your money and listed all your items on Saturday..if not then you have to finish up on Sunday...you need to check for messages at least once a day to answer any questions you have.
   
   Monday you need to ship all your items that ended over the weekend. But where did you get boxes? And how are you going to weigh them?

9. Boxes..you have 3 choices. Buy them..get them for free from places..or get free priority mail boxes and supplies from the Post Office.
   
   I never pay for something I can get for free.
   
   I use free priority mail flat rate envelopes for tons of small things that fall over the 13oz first class cut off...these are also good for some items going INTL. because it is a flat $10.95. Check and see if it is going to cost more to ship the other way if not stick it in there. Get an assortment of Post Office stuff and keep it handy...if it benefits you to go that way then do it. After a while you learn the measurements and cutoffs by heart.
   
   Dumpster diving...my wife is a fan of this....but I would rather pick them up...or have Wal-Mart save some for me. Wal-mart plows through boxes and stock all night...come 4-5am...they have so many boxes one trip could last you for weeks or months.
   
   I recently went behind the local ULTA store and they had thousands of boxes just in a giant mound...so I am set for weeks....boxes are a easy commodity....don't pay for something unless you are so big and can afford to and want to have them delivered and you might want a logo on it or something.
   
   Ok you have boxes you need packing material...
   
   Bubble wrap is blooming expensive...avoid it unless it is a special item...I used my airline miles and got the Wall Street Journal free..so I get packing material delivered.
   
   Freecycle wanted posts for newspaper will work well. Picture frame stores have tons of wrapping..all it takes is a call.
   
   I get the paper and buy the Sunday editions of the regular paper and I have plenty of wrapping material. Eventually I am growing enough that I will have to figure something else out.

10. Packing and shipping....pack well, I buy the cheapest tape possible from Staples 6 rolls for $6.99...I don't buy the labels for paypal...they are expensive (VERY EXPENSIVE) I use a cheapy Brother laser printer, tape, and plain paper to print my labels...it is by far the cheapest way, and if you aren't turning out tons of packages this is by far the way to go...you will get Thousands and thousands of more labels money to money over the sticky labels.
    
    However you reach a threshold where you are putting out so many packages that the time of cutting the pages and taping become a hindrance and not worth the money.
    
    The other option is using a thermal label printer....I have researched this extensively and is my next purchase within the next few days. You can get a Dymo or Brother and use a roll of thermal labels. The machine will cost you $80-100 and you can buy the labels from sellers on ebay....for a total of $80 or so you can get about 3000 labels...not counting the cost of the machine...and you never need ink. Go with companies that manufacture their own..not the Name Brand Dymo lables or Brother....by far too expensive.
    
    Pretty soon my wife is going to be laid off and she is going to stay home and do this with me. We are going to increase our spending to $300 a week each...allowing us to double our current take home income.
    
    Now that you have the labels and packaged your item you need to weigh it. I bought a little 75lb capable scale that runs on a 9v battery..for $15 online through eBay. Have had to change the battery one in a year...and it is thoroughly accurate.
    
    Keep your work area clean organized.
    
    heres a tip for you..I don't use a tape gun...it just makes me mad when it doesn't feed right...instead I tape the box, and I have either a tile knife, or a painters tool (the kind you can scrape or flip the edge to open the paint can) and I use them as a knocker to cut the tape. I hold the tape taught in my left hand and take care of it with my right...by far the quickest way.
    
    A tip on storage....I use shelves from Sams and Wal-Mart...label and have a place for everything it will save you time in shipping. Get free bins from the USPS.
    
    Purchase insurance on everything over $20 only ever guarantee anything against DOA....use UPS on heavy items they include insurance up to $100.
    
    This will save you when inevitably someone somewhere will have a problem with something. If someone hits you with a chargeback of $500 when you

Tips & Warnings

• Get your money from Paypal to the bank as fast as you can.
• Avoid thing you know are going to be a waste of your time.
• Don't hang around a garage sale...get in get out.
• If you are doing good, think of investing in a wireless card for your laptop..having the ability to research your items on the fly can make you money. Smartphones and iPhones with 3G access are another great way to go.
• Haggle!
• If you can spend all your money in one place then do it..don't gamble and wonder if the grass is greener. It is your time..if you will make your profit that is a job well done.
• Avoid doing commission sales for people...it often isn't worth the time or effort you could be putting towards making your own money. I learned this the hard way. It only works with expensive items.
• Pay your eBay fees before you transfer your money over to the bank...do it every time or it could sneak up on you and really hurt you.
• Don't pay for things you don't need.
• Don't procrastinate get your items in and listed.
• Items that don't sell..either open up a store and charge a cheap flat rate to get them gone...or have a garage sale. Left over product gets in your way and keeps you from finding items and takes up precious space.

Resources

• Auctiva
• Terapeak