Compass Designs .net

Absolute Guide to Getting Started on eBay:
The One page primer

Pre Sale

1. Set up your About me page. Try to post (once a day?) on the eBay community boards. Make sure you include your “About Me” url in all auctions.
2. Post your auction at the right time. List your items in Prime Time (9-11pm Eastern, 6-8pm Pacific). If possible, have it end on a Sunday, the day with the most traffic. (Note, auction software can list items remotely at any time)
3. Know your price. Spend 15 minutes researching what your product sells for in the real word, in web stores, AND on eBay. Use the “search completed listings” feature. Andale.com has detailed reporting for a monthly charge. Hammertap (there is a 30 day free trial, http://www.hammertap.com/) is another version.
4. List your item in the right section. Before you start creating the auction, decide the right category for your sale. The url is http://listings.ebay.com/aw/listings/overview.html. The default is “show number of items in category”. Use this to figure out what are the 2-3 most popular categories, less than 200 and its inactive, 10,000+ are active. THEN change the view to “category number” to see what to enter in when you create your auction.
5. Use the right Keywords. Auction software helps immensely here. They search for what keywords were most effective. At the very least see what other auctions are using (completed sales again). At the minimum: a. Use specific descriptive words, don’t use words like “awesome” or “@@Look@@” b. Use numerals instead of words for numbers c. Include multiple versions of same word and abbreviations
6. If you will be selling what you consider to be a quality item, consider using the gallery feature eBay offers
7. Set a low starting price. Again, do your research to find final selling prices. Start auction as low as you can stomach.
8. Place for 7 days. The longer the more eyeballs
9. Don’t buy extras. The costs mount up. Caveat: bold and highlight are ok if its an expensive item.
10. Use a counter. It gives you feedback about your auction if it didn’t sell. RESIST gong there yourself, use myeBay page.
11. Use Paypal. Many buyers won’t even look unless they see the icon.
12. DON’T use a reserve price. DO use a buy it now price
13. Include a picture! Make sure it can upload quickly (small file size), http://www.spinwave.com/ is a free site where you can do this.
14. Use html in your listing to give your auction a professional feel. A crash course can be found at davesite.com.
15. Offer guarantees, warranties or returns. People will bid if they feel more secure.
16. Check your emails every 12-24 hours. If you don’t answer questions you will lose customers. Include an email signature that links to your About Me page (the one with all your auctions)

Post Sale

1. Respond to emails within 24 hours. Build a mailing list of your customers, either manually or with an opt-in newsletter. Offer the opt-in newsletter in your emails to the buyer. You can use it to announce new auctions.
2. Use Paypal and its integrated UPS system to save time.
3. Use free shipping supplies if you can find them. Your local liquor store is your friend! When you mail, include a receipt. If you are low volume, include a hand written thank you note. A good way to get your name/web site in front of users is to create a useful insert. http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/pages/insert_main
4. Provide outstanding customer service. Feedback is your lifeblood. Turn first time buyers into regulars (remember the newsletter?)