| Are you ready to sell something on eBay? It really isn't | | | | need to set the starting price. As I have said before in |
| all that hard. Here are 5 simple steps to help you setup | | | | the other articles in this series, $0.01 is the best starting |
| your first auction. | | | | price. Items will almost always finish at higher price than |
| Step 1: Sign up as a seller | | | | the same item listed at a price closer to its actual |
| Hopefully, you have read my other articles and have | | | | value. Never set a reserve price, reserve auctions just |
| already purchased items on eBay. I strongly encourage | | | | don't work very well anymore. The next thing to set is |
| anyone who is looking to sell on eBay to buy several | | | | the length of the auction which can be 3, 5, 7 or 10 |
| items from the site first. You need to know how | | | | days. How long is your choice, but longer sales will |
| buyers use the system, get a positive feedback rating, | | | | usually get more bids. I have personally found that 7 |
| and be a member for over 30 days, before you try to | | | | days work best, especially if the auction ends on |
| sell something. That way you have some credibility. All | | | | Sunday evening. Take a picture and upload it. Pictures |
| new members start with 0 feedback and a "shades" | | | | always get more bids. Now all you have to do is click |
| icon next to their user name. Most buyers won't buy | | | | the payment methods you will accept and where you |
| from a brand new member with no feedback. After | | | | will ship to. Just PayPal and your own country is the |
| you have used your account for over 30 days, log in | | | | best way to go. Click "submit" and and that's it, you're |
| and click "Sell" at the top of the page, then click | | | | done! |
| "Create a seller's account". Simply follow the on-screen | | | | Step 4: Let the bidding begin |
| instructions. Be prepared to prove your identity and | | | | Just sit back, relax, and watch the bids come in. It is |
| make payment arrangements. | | | | perfectly normal to not receive any bids for the first |
| Step 2: Pick an item to sell. | | | | few days of the auction. Don't get nervous, I have |
| This is your first auction, what you sell is not really | | | | personally had auctions get no bids at all until the last |
| important. Check your garage or attic and I am sure | | | | few hours. Then the feeding frenzy starts and they go |
| you can find something that is just gathering dust that | | | | through the roof in the last 10 or 15 minuets. If any |
| you could get rid of. Books, DVDs, games, and | | | | bidders email you with questions about the item, do |
| educational toys are great first items. Keep in mind | | | | your best to answer these questions as quickly as you |
| that this is just to get your feet wet, these types of | | | | can. And remember, if your item doesn't sell, you can |
| items will not make you a full time income. I will discuss | | | | list it again for free. |
| how to do that in future articles. | | | | Step 5: Get Paid, Ship it outeBay will send an email to |
| Step 3: List your Auction | | | | your buyer and request payment. Don't ship anything |
| Log into your account and click "sell", now you're on | | | | before you have received payment in full. Make sure |
| your way to posting your first auction. The first thing | | | | you pack the item carefully so that it does not get |
| you need to do is pick a category for your listing. Type | | | | damaged in shipping. If using UPS or USPS, they have |
| in a description for you item and the system will make | | | | packing materials available. Make sure you can track |
| suggestions for you. Then, write an eye catching title | | | | your shipment and verify your customer received it. |
| and a detailed description. Be sure to include the "key | | | | Have fun selling your first item. Watch for my next |
| words" you think people will use to find your item in the | | | | article where I will give you the top 8 things a seller on |
| title. Enter all of the information you have about the | | | | eBay should always do. |
| item, including its condition, in the description. Now you | | | | |