eBay has become a buyer's world. Gone are the days when sellers could count on their wares selling for more than they're worth; or even what they're worth. Every time you sell an item, you can count on someone else selling something bigger, newer, and cheaper. So what can you do to set your item apa
rt? Here are a few tips.
1) Start your item for less than the rest
Search eBay for similar or identical items that others are selling. Find the lowest price that those items are currently bid to. Now start your auction for less than that price. Starting the auction for lower will give you tons of exposure, as it will show up first for anyone who organizes their search by price.
2) Sell your item when people want it
The time of year makes a big difference when buying and selling seasonal items. The demand for snowboards is much higher in December than in July. Likewise, more people will be buying jet skis in July than in December. Hold on to your items until you can sell them in the best market. I have a colleague who makes good money buying motorcycles in late fall and selling them in early spring.
3) Cater to your demographic
Bear in mind who your item will be bought by. If you think that teenagers will be most interested in your item, write your auction to be most appealing to them. Make sure the end time of your auction will be when teenagers will be most available. Don't let your auction end at 10AM, when they'll still be in school.
4) Pictures, pictures, pictures
Take good pictures of your item from every imaginable angle. Make sure that the picture is clear and the lighting is good. Don't take any pictures in front of a busy, cluttered background. Lay a white sheet down and take pictures on it. Cell phone camera pictures aren't going to cut it if you want a good auction. Use either good quality digital pictures of good quality scans of regular pictures. Be ready to provide more pictures to potential buyers who might request them.
1) Start your item for less than the rest
Search eBay for similar or identical items that others are selling. Find the lowest price that those items are currently bid to. Now start your auction for less than that price. Starting the auction for lower will give you tons of exposure, as it will show up first for anyone who organizes their search by price.
2) Sell your item when people want it
The time of year makes a big difference when buying and selling seasonal items. The demand for snowboards is much higher in December than in July. Likewise, more people will be buying jet skis in July than in December. Hold on to your items until you can sell them in the best market. I have a colleague who makes good money buying motorcycles in late fall and selling them in early spring.
3) Cater to your demographic
Bear in mind who your item will be bought by. If you think that teenagers will be most interested in your item, write your auction to be most appealing to them. Make sure the end time of your auction will be when teenagers will be most available. Don't let your auction end at 10AM, when they'll still be in school.
4) Pictures, pictures, pictures
Take good pictures of your item from every imaginable angle. Make sure that the picture is clear and the lighting is good. Don't take any pictures in front of a busy, cluttered background. Lay a white sheet down and take pictures on it. Cell phone camera pictures aren't going to cut it if you want a good auction. Use either good quality digital pictures of good quality scans of regular pictures. Be ready to provide more pictures to potential buyers who might request them.
