Welcome :: Selling on online auctions

Selling items on eBay and other online auction sites

The first thing you need to do to sell on any online auction site is register. Here is a direct link to the eBay registration page. It’s fast and free, but you are required to put in credit card information as a seller.

(The rest of this page is devoted to eBay specifically, but most of the principles in this discussion apply to using any online auction site. This page also assumes that you know what item(s) you want to sell. If you don’t, look at our what to sell page.)

As a seller, the most important part of your auction is your title. You are limited to around 80 characters, so avoid using any filler words, and try to describe your auction as specifically as possible. For example, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Book 5, mint hardcover." is a good title. However, "Look at our auction and buy this great Harry Potter book today!" is not a good title -- so much wasted breath.  Also, choose the category for your auction carefully, since some people do browse by category.

After the title, a picture(s) of your item is the most important element of your auction. Try to take the picture against a neutral backdrop that makes the item stand out visually. If you know how, reduce the amount of memory the picture requires so it will load on your auction page faster. If you’re listing a high-priced item, you’ll probably want more than one picture.

Describe the item fully and carefully. The more keywords you have in your description, the more search hits you’re likely to get. However, don’t merely list keywords, as you’ll ruin your credibility with potential bidders. Also, make sure to describe the condition of the item -- if there is something wrong with it, say so.

Pick a starting bid that you think is appropriate. It might be a good idea to look around at similar auctions to see what other people are charging. You can also use the "Buy It Now" feature for your item, if there is a flat price you’re willing to accept. Think about when your auction will close to help you pick the best day and time to list it. eBay has the highest amount of visitors on the site during the weekends.

If there is an auction winner, eBay will send you his/her email address, and how much the item sold for. Send the buyer an email soon after the auction ends. Establish that a transaction has occurred, and outline the plans to finish it, including plans for payment and shipping. Once you receive the payment, ship the item as soon as possible and let the buyer know when the item should arrive. Many eBay users use PayPal to handle payment, and if you plan to sell on eBay regularly, consider opening an account.

After the transaction is complete, hopefully the buyer will leave positive feedback about you. If a few days have passed and no feedback has been left, email the buyer and politely ask him/her to leave feedback about you, and say that you will do the same. Remember, feedback ratings can make or break you as a seller on eBay -- they are there for all to see. So be professional at all times, as a good reputation will get you a long way on eBay.

Many people make a significant amount of income by selling items on eBay. We also offer more information on starting your own eBay business.