rarebourbon
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posted on October 24, 2002 12:16:27 PM new
Experienced and successful eBay-ers all have some "live and die by" advice -- what's yours?
Just to get the ball rolling, here are the two single things which continue to ring true for me after four years on eBay -- my "gems" of wisdom, if you will: 1) Sell seasonable, quality merchandise with a low opening bid & no reserve and the concept of "mental ownership" will propel the auction into orbit, and 2) As a buyer, if you see something you absolutely must have (after checking the completed auctions to see the latest going prices), always snipe the auction with the highest price you're willing to pay -- and then add a penny. Use sniping software whenever possible and practical.
Let's hear your gems!
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computerboy
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posted on October 24, 2002 12:21:39 PM new
My words of advise:
Buy low and try and control the product/inventory you are selling. If it's a closeout or overstock purchase for goods, make sure you buy the entire lot and negotiate for the very best price. Otherwise their might be sellers offering the same goods who are willing to sell on smaller margin. In other words, take steps to try an minimize your competition with the items you are selling and control the marketplace to the best of your ability.
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kyms
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posted on October 24, 2002 12:30:14 PM new
Be sure the lid is up and the seat is down...
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rarriffle
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posted on October 24, 2002 12:45:38 PM new
Treat every buyer the same way I would want a seller to treat me. Buy nothing I wouldn't be happy keeping...that way if it doesn't sell, I am still happy
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bkkofaz
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posted on October 24, 2002 12:52:04 PM new
Forget your ego. Don't let frustration get the best of you. Never take them out on your customers no matter how inane they may act!
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toolhound
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posted on October 24, 2002 12:57:02 PM new
Type fast and take no checks!!!
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tooltimes
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posted on October 24, 2002 01:06:22 PM new
Describe the livin' daylights out of everything you sell w/ lots photos.
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capolady
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posted on October 24, 2002 01:11:22 PM new
Be honest and polite!!!
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lovepotions
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posted on October 24, 2002 02:27:59 PM new
Know how much it costs to ship your items.
If you don't know the rate pack it, take it to the PO and get a quote based on a couple different example zip codes in different zones. Then list the item with the shipping rates clearly in the add. Don't leave an open ended " Buyer to pay shipping" line in your description.
http://www.lovepotions.com
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stanleymu
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posted on October 24, 2002 03:01:54 PM new
have good TOS, stick to your TOS and
provide the best customer service you can.
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Helenjw
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posted on October 24, 2002 03:52:38 PM new
Keep it simple.
Helen
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micmic66
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posted on October 24, 2002 04:56:26 PM new
I try like hell to "buy only what I have sold in the past" This methed protects me from blowing $20 on an unknown item that ends with no bids. Granted, I may have left a $20 item behind not knowing it is worth $100. Oh well, my theory works just fine for me, profit margins cannot be mathematicly calculated. (when ebay isnt stale like it is now!!)
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uaru
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posted on October 24, 2002 05:42:10 PM new
capolady Be honest and polite!!!
damn good advice.
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alldings
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posted on October 24, 2002 05:52:20 PM new
If ain't worth owning then it ain't worth selling.
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quickdraw29
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posted on October 24, 2002 05:58:18 PM new
My "live and die" advice is, If you live by the sword, you die by the sword.
My other advice is, hype the hell out of everything you sell.
Everyone is entitled to my opinion.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on October 25, 2002 12:17:24 PM new
Geez, I could write a book.
Keep your expenses low, the number of your auctions high, and don't plan on paying yourself at first. I've been doing this for five years (two years full-time) and I am finally paying myself $1000 per week. But it took a lot of hard work.
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amber
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posted on October 25, 2002 01:41:18 PM new
Sell what you "know" I have been doing crafts for over 50 years, and sell mostly used craft books, so I'm able to answer questions and describe correctly. I sometimes get into problems when I sell things I don't know too much about.
BE POLITE!! I am apalled at some of the "email manners" of people. Just yesterday, buyer sent address, the name just "Smith", and address, nothing else. I write back a friendly note asking for the first name so that I can label the envelope. This is the exact reply "Use what I gave you" My mother always used to tell me "good manners cost nothing"!
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on October 25, 2002 02:28:23 PM new
amber: I guess I don't "get" the bad manners here. You asked for information you didn't need, the person refused, and that was that.
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amber
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posted on October 25, 2002 02:43:12 PM new
I think to just put "Hi" or "thanks" makes it far less abrupt, maybe I'm just too sensative, but personally, I would never just send a message like that.
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breinhold
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posted on October 25, 2002 03:30:00 PM new
capolady-damn if thats not the best advise for life. 
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lylecherner
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posted on October 25, 2002 04:11:29 PM new
Bid at the very last second. Earlier bids tend to drive the prices up.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on October 25, 2002 05:20:27 PM new
amber: Words like "hi" and "thanks" do smooth the way, you are right about that. That's pretty much their only function, though. I guess some people choose not to use them.
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cherrytreegirls
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posted on October 27, 2002 12:03:46 AM new
The best advice I wwould give any eBay seller is list with GOOD pictures.
Have good lighting
Be in focus
Show every side
Give close-ups of "boo-boo's"
& by all means don't allow you sweet little, dog, cat, boogery kid, dirty supper dishes or piled up laundry get in the shot!
Remember amateurs built the ark - Professionals built the Titanic.
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rarebourbon
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posted on October 27, 2002 09:25:54 AM new
Stanleymu ~ You said "have good TOS, stick to your TOS." I'm curious what you mean by "good" terms of sale. What qualifies as good?
[ edited by rarebourbon on Oct 27, 2002 09:26 AM ]Edited to get those brackets right!
[ edited by rarebourbon on Oct 27, 2002 09:28 AM ]
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koto1
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posted on October 27, 2002 10:48:42 AM new
Don't lie, and smile as you reply to email.
"Who's tending the bar?  Sniping works up a thirst"
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drgah
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posted on October 28, 2002 04:45:58 AM new
I agree--use lots of quality pictures. I average at least 5-6 per auction. I am thankful that AW software allows me to do this. And offer a reasonable BIN for items you think don't have a chance.
Also, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
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doormat
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posted on October 30, 2002 10:55:40 AM new
Be a Buyer first.
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koto1
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posted on October 30, 2002 11:41:22 AM new
doormat, that's great advice!
"Who's tending the bar? Sniping works up a thirst"
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ahc3
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posted on October 30, 2002 11:57:16 AM new
Always keep looking for ways to make your operation more efficient, and less costly, because the price of doing business will only go up and up, and a more efficient operation can handle more auctions.
The customer is not the enemy, though I get the impression from here it is that way. Sure, I have had a few bad ones, but if there is a problem, I don't automatically assume the customer is trying to screw me.
Know your product well, because in some cases the market changes, and you don't want to be held with something that doesn't sell well.
I've been doing this for 5+ years and closing in on 2000 unique positive feedbacks and zero negatives.
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