The Potential for Successful Selling on eBay

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More than ever, the opportunity to sell extra "stuff" overloading closets and attics is as easy as the push of a button. The same is true for those wishing to buy "things." And with the explosion of computer technology and the Internet, just about everyone has heard about eBay.

EBay auction and "Buy It Now" features have provided a viable "home-run business" option. One that has proved a successful venture for an estimated 400,000 people who make a living by advertising items for sale on eBay.

A Growing Trend

As a global marketplace for any given item, with very little initial investment, sellers are able to reach interested buyers world-wide through eBay; offering nearly any item desired – new or old.

Sellers not only have a highly visible platform with massive traffic from which to market merchandise. They have the opportunity to realize top dollar for a desired item.

On the flip side, items purchased while eBay shopping can be acquired at lower prices than what might be paid in a retail setting. Part of the phenomenal eBay success story; it is a win/win situation for buyers and sellers alike.

Become an eBay Member

The first step in eBay business success is to visit the web site and activate eBay membership by setting up a "my eBay account." Follow instructions, providing basic residence and contact information.

New members can use either their real name, or a "nickname" as their eBay username. Helpful Tip: by selecting a nickname for user ID, members protect personal contact information; made available only to those they choose to correspond with.

For individuals setting up an eBay account primarily to sell merchandise, eBay offers ID verification status; attached to their user name for a one-time fee of $5. This assures buyers that the seller's identity, residence, and contact information has been verified.

ID verification is money well spent; it gives sellers instant credibility. Buyers feel confident the seller is legitimate; not fraudulently posing as someone else or "non-existent."

Note: as with any other membership, rules and guidelines apply. Violators risk stiff consequences; eBay account suspension, or permanent disbarment. While eBay is reasonably tolerant with new members making innocent mistakes, be prudent. Become familiar with eBay rules from the start, and operate by them.

Paying and Getting Paid

Whether you sell on eBay or shop eBay, it is important to pay for items purchased on time, and receive prompt payment for items sold.

Payment options include PayPal, credit and debit card, personal or cashier's check, money order, escrow, and bank to bank wire transfer.

Cash or wire transfer requests such as Western Union or MoneyGram are not only risky, but are not allowed. Requests from sellers for these type transactions should be reported to eBay immediately.

Note: one of the best ways to minimize risk of online fraud or theft is to use PayPal. Benefits include: prompter payment, an automatic payment tracking system, and protection of your credit card and bank account information. PayPal is also an affiliate of eBay.

Setting up an eBay Online Store

Members serious about successful selling on eBay have the option to set up an eBay online store under one of three monthly plans:

• Basic Store ($15.95 per month) – 1 megabyte of storage for images is included. Items are listed at a set price; purchase of merchandise is immediate. Listings have a longer duration than Online Auction or Fixed Price formats, but lower visibility.
• Featured Store ($49.95 per month) – as with Basic Store, 1 megabyte of storage for images is included; items listed are at a set price and purchase is immediate. Added features include more customization and brand control options, advanced tracking features, increased exposure, and free or discounted access to various eBay selling tools.
• Anchor Store ($499.95 per month) – an option for high-volume sellers who want maximum exposure on eBay. This includes 1 gigabyte of image storage, a store logo at the top of each page, more listing and tracking capabilities, more custom pages, and 24-hour support.

Make Use of the Membership Rating Feedback Feature

One of eBay's key features is "member rating feedback" for buyers and sellers alike.

A rating of 98 to 100% over a period of several years of active membership is considered excellent; 90 to 95%, while still good, indicates more than one person has had some sort of negative interaction with that member. This doesn't necessarily indicate which person was at fault. It simply means complaints were lodged – legitimate or not.

Lower ratings indicate a pattern; especially when the person has only been a member for a short time. Buyers and sellers should proceed with caution, or seek another eBay resource; one with a better membership rating.

The bottom line when it comes to good membership feedback is to conduct business in such a way that feedback will be positive:

• Be honest and accurate when describing sale items; don't embellish or misrepresent merchandise.
• Be timely when responding to queries from interested buyers. Provide honest answers to questions.
• Be fair when calculating shipping costs; don't over charge.
• If you want positive feedback, do likewise. Buyers, too, are interested in building eBay member credibility.

Make Money Selling on eBay Online; Tips for Success!

Using eBay as the powerful marketing tool it can be could financially change your life forever. If you are serious about becoming a successful eBay entrepreneur, follow these helpful tips:

• Search eBay; understand the basics of selling on eBay.
• Understand how eBay auctions work; start out by selling just a few items until you are more familiar with the process.
• Don't invest lots of money on merchandise until you know whats selling on eBay.
• Books on eBay marketing strategies are available online for a fraction of the cost you'd pay for the same book in bookstores. Visit Alibris and type "eBay success" in the book topic search option window.
• Visit eBay's forum for eBay selling advice; ask longtime members questions.
• Make use of eBay's other features, like their advanced search option for product pricing. This tool reveals what type items have or have not been a hot selling item on eBay within the last month.
• Help sell your product; be creative with merchandise titles and descriptions. At a loss as to how to develop enticing descriptions? Study listings written by sellers with high feedback ratings. EBay also offers listing templates at reasonable rates; making listing merchandise faster and easier.
• Know your competition before deciding on what type products you want to sell.
• Research the most popular current keyword search trends. This can provide insight as to what sellable items might currently be of top interest to persons worldwide.
• According to eBay selling success gurus, eBay marketing is like any other business. Success involves good customer service.
• Make use of "free kit" offers on how to make money on eBay. While some prove little help, others contain tips that can help you get off on the right foot.

After careful research, discovering whats hot on eBay, and implementing all of the above, you are ready to incorporate what you have learned into your own eBay selling strategy.

Another top eBay selling secret: research antique collectible books for identification and worth of various items. Then cash in on the golden opportunity to pick up valuable treasures at yard, garage, and rummage sales for next to nothing. For high-profit turnover and successful selling on eBay!