eBay

Managing your eBay selling activities.

• Category for item (Very important for some items, e.g., collectibles). Search for similar items to determine category if it isn't obvious to yo.
  • Item Title Description
  • Search words in title & description
• Pictures - Not all items need a picture
  • Develop film and scan it in is a pain.
  • Have pictures put on a CD. Time consuming but better
  • Digital Camera - This is a still camera
    • Fast turnaround
    • High cost in the beginning, but lots cheaper in the long run
  • Do you want to manage a web site? FTP commands vs a pay for play program, e.g., CuteFTP
  • Can you add HTML to display the picture? You get 1 field to display a web site picture. You can put all you want into your HTML description. I have used it and it is not hard.
  • Do you want to edit multiple photos into one? Keep an eye on your pictures. If they are too large, they discourage the "just-looking" buyers who have a dial connection. Those with cable or DSL don't care.
  • Can you live with 1 picture managed by eBay? You can add up to 5 more pictures for $0.15 per pic.
• Details and status of Selling activity (Spreadsheet)
  • Sold items
  • Items that do not sell
  • Insurance Invoices (Word)
  • Payments - Checks, Money Orders, Online, International
  • Online selling costs
• Selling tools
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  e-Mail

  1. e-Mail with eBay.
     1. New item listed
     2. End of Auction
     3. Buyer asking for checkout update
  2. e-Mail with customers
     1. Respond promptly to questions.
     2. e-mail winning bidder when auction ends with total costs, your address, payment options and return policy. Optionally, use eBay Checkout which is easier for new users.
     3. e-mail buyer when payment is received and let him know when the item will be shipped.
     4. e-mail buyer when item is shipped.
        • leave positive feedback
     5. e-mail buyer if you do not hear from him.
        • after 10 days post a non-paying bidder alert Alert
        • after 10 more days ask for a final value credit request Credit
        • leave negative feedback if you are so inclined. You can leave feedback from the item page or go to The Feedback Forum

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Tips.

  • If it isn't fun, don't waste your time with inexpensive items. Just donate them or trash them. Remember, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Maybe it has value you don't understand and a few people are willing to bid for it.
  • Don't pay for optional services if you aren't a power seller or business.
  • Research - Knowledge is power. Search completed items. Use google.com. Find out what price others are asking for the same thing. You also might find some provenance on things you have but know nothing about.
  • Check your e-mail as often as you can. Many potential bidders may ask a question and your answer might sell your item or sell it at a higher price.
  • e-mail - ISP's have problems and lose e-mail, your e-mails get lost in all the SPAM, many people don't check their e-mail every day, take holidays, get sick, etc.
  • Be very careful what you say, especially to people with English as a second language. Use simple sentences. Never use a sentence when a word will do. Be courteous & businesslike. Don't try to be overly friendly or unfriendly. Click brick to see an example.
  • Don't leave negative feedback unless you know there is a valid reason. In my opinion no response or failure to pay are not good reasons. I assume they are telling the truth in their e-mails and I also assume they have dropped out of sight for a good reason. If I see they are still bidding after failing to pay me, I might give them a negative feedback, but I have never had that case.
  • Set up your procedures and try not to vary from them.
  • Don't charge for packaging if you are reusing packaging materials. I never charge, but I would if I always used new materials.
  • Combine items in single auction to save listing and selling fees, also time. Also, you can use larger boxes and save your smaller boxes.
  • Make sure that each item that has been packed is distinctly marked with the item number and description. I use post-its and quickly learned to scotch tape them to the package.
  • I never pack an item until I have a bid. If someone e-mails and asks for shipping charges, I give them a best estimate.
  • Create model for Descriptions in HTML. Use .txt file extension so you can edit it easily and paste it into the selling page. Following are some locations for HTML coding:
    • Use HTML ascii code symbols to save space and make things more readable. Symbols.
    • eBay HTML Tips.
    • BigNoseBird ASCII Character page.
    • About.com HTML for Beginners.
  • Create model for e-mail to buyer at end of auction. Paste it into your e-mail and edit it adding Item #, Title and total costs including price, shipping and insurance. Everything else should canned information, e.g., your mailing address, return policy, insurance (optional or required), payment options (personal check, money orders, bank checks, PayPal, Billpoint, BidPay, etc.) and anything else you want to add.
  • Never type anything you can cut and paste. Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V, Ctrl-X for windows that do not have Edit copy, paste & cut functions.
    • The only time I key in an address label is when I have to get it from the return address or check.
    • A printed label is a major help for packages to reach their destination. I have never had an item fail to reach its destination. Hand written labels are the bane of the post office. 9 digit ZIP codes help also.
  • Click Here for postal rates and calculations
  • Click Here for UPS rates and calculations
  • Print Domestic Postal Rates and Fees (simplified) click here
  • I insure everything unless the buyer doesn't feel the need and/or doesn't want to pay for it. I take no responsibility for uninsured items if they are lost or broken. Because of good packing (my wife does a great job), I have never had an item damaged in transit.
  • If the buyer is unhappy with an item, insured or not, I give them a full refund, including shipping costs, if they return it. My return policy is, "If you are dissatisfied with your purchase for any reason, you may return it with no questions within 10 days of receipt". I have had 2 items returned out of 1100+.
  • Have a separate e-mail address for eBay. It keeps your business e-mail separated from your personal e-mail. Use this e-mail address for PayPal and Billpoint also. Watch out for viruses from you buyers. Never open an attachment.
  • Get a mail.yahoo.com e-mail ID as a backup, just in case your normal e-mail server is down.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  Real e-mails between brick and me.

  Dear  Sear
   
  Hello,   
  I am desiring it inevitably, although you are tendering it to all the 4 items that are
  putting out to E-Bay and be.  Do not I take the trouble of selling your 
  #71748636?#71963856?#71972913?#71992439 with $150.00?  
  Give ? that I answer.  
  Thsnk you
   
  Nobue
  
  
  
  Dear Nobue,
  
  Thank you for your message about my E-Bay Items 71748636, 71963856,
  71972913, and 71992439.  I did not fully understand your message, but I
  believe that you wish to buy all 4 items for $150.00.  As the items are
  already up for auction on E-Bay, I cannot remove them and sell them to
  you directly.   Please bid for them on E-Bay.
  
  Regards,
  M-L
  
  
  Dear mac1997,
  
  Congratulations on being the high bidder for Item # 71748636, Raggedy
  Ann.
  
  It looks as though you might also be high bidder for 71963856, 71972913
  and 71992439.  Please send me your shipping address so I can calculate
  shipping costs.  If you are the final high bidder for the other items, I
  can package them all together and reduce the shipping costs.
  
  Regards,
  
  M-L
  
  
  
  
  Dear Sear
  
  Hello,
  I sent you a/the message as of February 28.
  I am thanking for you.
  I request it with $150.00 with 4 items.
  There is the preparation that I do MO to you.
  
  I live in Japan.
  Could you estimate, the carriage to Japan?
  Or, even the carriage payment on arrival is good(Air Mail).
  
  my name is NOBUE 
  address   
      ZIP  
  
  I am iooking forward to hearing from you by return.
  
  Thank you
  
                                Nobue 
  
  
  Hi Nobue,
  
  Congratulations on your winning bid for:
  
  71748636   Raggedy Ann Applause Limited Edition MIB             $132.50
  71963856   Raggedy Andy Applause Limited Edition MIB             $77.00
  71972913   Camel w/Wrinkled Knees Applause LE MIB             $102.50
  71992439   Raggedy Ann/Andy Bean Bags by Toy Works '91       $44.00
  
  ---------
                                                                Total Purchase
  Price US $356.00
  
  I will pack the items tomorrow and let you know the full price including
  shipping and insurance costs.  I estimate the shipping will be approximately $50.00 by
  US Mail.  It depends on the weight.
  
  Thanks,
  
  M-L
  
  
  Dear M-L
  
  I am poor at English.
  It is misunderstood that I wanted to convey.
  I negotiated with you before the successful bid of E-bey ends and sold to me
  with the 4 $150.00 of item total and wanted to receive.
  Irrespective of a/the successful bid price I was believing that the
  negotiation with you is materializing.
  If all the totals are or more $150.00 I hand over all the rights to the 2nd
  successful bid person.
  Your message I does not understand 100% and be very regrettable.
  I hope that you take the trouble of understanding my message.
  Please respond to me.
  Sorry!!
  
  Thank you
  
  Nobue