Tips to selling on Ebay?

[PGS28]

I plan to start an Ebay jewelry store this weekend.  Ebay has revised their TOS and way of doing business over the last few months.  Any up to date tips on how to turn a residual profit on ebay, retain returning customers, and gaining the attention of new customers?

Thanks!!

[Sciolaro]

[PGS28]

LOL!

[alamedann]

I've bought lots of stuff on ebay and most of the sellers were reputable--and I never got ripped off by getting a really old model of the product I thought I'd won!   

I'd say make sure you keep to your promises:  the quality of the object you are selling, if there are defects be sure to note that and (if possible) provide photos, responding quickly to inquiries, and shipping/mailing the item to the winner.

And take really nice photos of your stuff.  Is there something special or different about the jewelry you're making?  Then be sure to somehow highlight that in your photo.

[PGS28]

I've never had that experience either, as a matter of fact ebay makes it really easy to rate sellers, leave comments on sellers' pages, and open a dispute if necessary.  Thanks for the tips! I think I'll get a marble tile to display the jewelry on and I think I'll photo outside at sunset, that's when the lighting is absolutely beautiful. 

[wadee1958]

I plan to start an Ebay jewelry store this weekend.  Ebay has revised their TOS and way of doing business over the last few months.  Any up to date tips on how to turn a residual profit on ebay, retain returning customers, and gaining the attention of new customers?

Thanks!!

i always wanted to learn how to do that. i just don't have the patience.

[bessie1111]

Best of luck to you.  I've tried, but never had much luck.

[oldbuddy]

Biggest tip I can give you, offer free shipping and build it into the price.

[CHANEYLAKEGIRL]

Crisp clean backgrounds without much going on other than your item for your photos.

Take pictures like there is no description, and write descriptions like there is no picture.

Never list anything you can't afford to loose, ebay is ripe with scammers and bottom feeders looking for a free bee (and they get them)

Give excellent customer service, ship the next day.

Read the seller discussion boards, especially seller central. You will find a wealth of information on how ebay works, their rules and policies.

Good luck!

[PGS28]

wadee1958 and bessie1111 I may or may not do well, but the one thing I know for sure is that I'm going to try. I had this on my goal agenda for next year but I figured if I went ahead and started now I could expand next year with knowledge that will prepare me to be successful, even if that knowledge is acquired through failure.

Thanks oldbuddy!

CHANEYLAKEGIRL  I've recorded your advice, thanks so much!

[kqa]

I have put off selling clothes I bought on eBay that didn't fit for some time now. I gave them away. Now I'm getting serious about it because many of them still have tags. I had read that the free shipping was a good "hook." Good luck to you and good luck to me!

[skippymcnapper]

I plan to start an Ebay jewelry store this weekend.  Ebay has revised their TOS and way of doing business over the last few months.  Any up to date tips on how to turn a residual profit on ebay, retain returning customers, and gaining the attention of new customers?

Thanks!!

Are you selling jewelry you made? If so, I would advise looking into Etsy over ebay.

[LenoraMinogue]

Do some poking around on eBay and check out what the competition is doing to sell products. Make sure you have a competitive price and pay attention to search terms, so people can find your jewelry.

[PGS28]

kqa Stop putting it off, do it now!!!! Ebay is already a well respected selling platform, that alone is an advantage for you as a seller.  I bet you gave away hundreds of dollars worth of clothes.  I do it too when I donate to the Goodwill.  But if it’s something you have an interest in doing just post a few of your best pieces and see how that goes, I’m pretty sure most of it will sell.

Skippy not at the moment, but my kids have mentioned homemade jewelry, thanks for the resource! I’ll definitely check that out.

Good advice Lenora!! Here are a few other good tips for anyone contemplating selling on Ebay that I’ve recorded since I started selling, which is doing great btw.  Last night was the first night I didn’t get any orders but after my first day I averaged 12 overnight orders per day. Hopefully these tips can help someone get an extra line of income started.

Ebay Selling Tips and Selling How To:

When you have more than one item to list, repost it again using the same title so the multiple quantity option can come up.  Then you won’t have to repost every time you sell.

As previously advised, use a very descriptive title, offer free shipping, and post very professional looking pics.

Allow returns, be honest about the condition of the item, research competition prices, and add disclaimer to cover yourself in case of legal situation.

Include thank you notes with every order, ship item out quickly, and specify if you only ship within the U.S. or not.

Put in title for buyers to specify size/color of desired item.

To send an invoice go to Selling tab, scroll down to the purchase not yet paid for, and there's an invoice option to the right which is self explanatory (this is not always required).

Ebay suggests you auction items instead of selling at a fixed price.

Explain what makes your product better than others in the title in as few words as possible.

Hope this helps someone!!!

[southernhorizons]

I plan to start an Ebay jewelry store this weekend.  Ebay has revised their TOS and way of doing business over the last few months.  Any up to date tips on how to turn a residual profit on ebay, retain returning customers, and gaining the attention of new customers?

Thanks!!

Are you selling jewelry you made? If so, I would advise looking into Etsy over ebay.

The advantage of selling on Ebay over Etsy is that you don't have to do so much promoting of your products on ebay. On Etsy, to be successful, especially in saturated categories such as jewelry, you have to do a ton of promoting off-Etsy, to get people to come into your shop and buy. I was really disappointed in Etsy for that reason. I thought it would be like Ebay, where you list the items and wait for sales.