AnyVan’s top 10 tips for eBay sellers

Research, research and then research again

Research anything and everything relevant to your sale. Look into your potential suppliers, competitors and buyers activity and make sure you know how the eBay site works back to front. The best way is to act as if you were a buyer to determine the item description, how you are going to set up your seller profile and how much you should sell your items for.

Have a look at how your potential competitors set up their item descriptions. Note what it is you as a customer dislike about them and use these as a template to ensure your page is better and more attractive.

Get the right photo

Your photo can be the difference between receiving 5 bids, or 35 bids. Customers want to see more than just the item from one angle. Make sure to post photos including a variety of angles, as this allows customers to ensure they are purchasing the right product for them. Be thorough and explain any marks/scratches clearly in your description. It is important not to try and use effects or lighting to hide scratches or marks. Tactics such as these can ultimately cause you to receive bad user ratings.

Keep a well organised filing system

When selling items, it is important to make sure you keep a record. On your desktop or in hard copies (preferably both), make sure you file each item under the product category. Keep a record of all pictures, communication between yourself and the buyer, and anything else you think relevant to the sale just in case there are any issues.

Communication is the key

Buyers expect to be kept well informed during each stage of their purchase. Send a sale confirmation email, a payment received email, and a dispatch confirmation email. If you’re not sure you will remember each time, sign up to a program that will automate these emails, such as Selling Manager Pro.

Save time and upload in bulk

If you want to post multiple listings, use a tool such as Turbo Lister’ eBay doesn’t let you pre-upload draft listings, but Turbo Lister does. This way you can prepare advance listings, which will allow you to save time and increase your productivity.

Find your niche

If you’re planning on selling electronics, such as iPods, TVs or computers, think again. These categories are already dominated by the big players. Find a small, niche market that you can dominate. Research your market and learn about the type of person you will be selling to. This research and subsequent knowledge, will allow you to offer a better, more personalised service, in a less competitive market. This will therefore increase your ability to strive in your market.

Always fill out the item specifics

The eBay search tool looks in three places for keyword matches; the title, the item specifics and the first 100 words of your listing. By ensuring you fill out the item specifics such as colour, size and material, this will better improve your search placement, as you will have a greater chance of a keyword match.

Furthermore, the provision of a detailed, honest description can go a long way in attracting users to make purchases from you. Descriptions are often underrated, however a strong description can go a long way in evoking a bidding war, or convincing a user to buy now.

Make sure you have sufficient storage

Regardless of how little you think you will be selling on your eBay store, ensure you have efficient storage. If demand for your products takes off, it is important to be well prepared for the additional influx of stock you may need.

To stay organised, label each of the boxes you are storing items in. Keep tabs on the number of items in each box and keep a record of every item taken out. Additionally, in order to keep items in prime condition, ensure the storage area is free from cigarette smoke, pets, kitchen smells and damp.

For free storage quotes, be sure to visit https://www.anystorage.com.

Package your products professionally

If you want to make a good first impression, put in a little extra effort and ensure you wrap your products professionally. By purchasing bubble wrap, tissue paper and packing peanuts, your customer will feel assured that you take care of the products you sell. If you don’t have the time, you can always hire a packing professional. Additionally, if you want to add a personal touch, place a thank you note or a personalised message alongside the package. Small touches such as these allow you develop a relationship with the customer, increasing the chances of them purchasing from you again, and giving you positive feedback.

Be realistic with your pricing strategy 

When you begin selling items on eBay as a private seller, you are entitled to 20 listings for free every month (as long as you don't wish to post in the Motoring and Classifieds sectors), and these listings can be Buy it Now or Auction style, and you can create the listing with any starting price you like. Due to this change from the previous stipulations of "100 free listings if you start under £1" it is no longer necessary to price your items at a low cost and fiddle around setting a reserve price. Instead, sellers should thoroughly research the sale of similar items in similar condition on eBay, and take note of the average selling price. This way you can judge the overall success of both Buy it Now and Auction sales of similar items in your category, and formulate your own pricing strategy to put you ahead of the competition.

AnyVan provides a range of useful resources for eBay sellers including specific eBay delivery quotes, as well as courier services, furniture delivery and storage quotes. Our extensive network of over 35,000 trusted providers, gives you the power to choose from who is best for you. You can take comfort in knowing your products are in good hands, and know that you’ve received a stellar service for the best price.

For more information or to obtain a free quote, visit us at https://www.anyvan.com