Tips

[sixlostmonkeys]

I thought I'd post a few ebay tips here (I hope no-one minds)

Basically they are tips I've learned along the way through my own experience (some at a cost!)

I'll keep popping back as and when i think of more tips (unless someone disagrees with what I'm doing) and I thought it could be a good thread for others to join in with, with their tips.

I'll start with packaging.

If you anticipate selling quite a few items it is worth buying a large roll of brown paper from an office supplies (eg Staples) than buying a few sheets from the PO. (I get 25m long roll for under £6. I think it costs a couple of quid just for a few sheets at the PO)

Bubble Wrap - have a look in the fruit and veg section in the supermarket, they throw it away. You can always ask if it's ok to take some (so long as you don't empty the apples on the floor) It's clean, doesn't smell and just by collecting a few sheets with your weekly shop can really help out.

Save cardboard from some pakaging eg some biscuit packaging comes with lovely plain cardboard - ideal if you need to post something that requires support eg CDs.

All of the above can work out much cheaper than buying jiffy bags.

If selling a lot of clothing items, have a look on ebay for the plastic mailing bags - they really do work out quite cheap (posted to your door too so no petrol costs)

Add a little note in with your item, either hand written or print a few off. they don't need to be big (I print 8 on one piece of paper) just saying thank you for buying and include the URL for your listings or ebay shop. people love getting notes

Remember to write the sender addy on the back of the parcel - just house number and post code.

My best ones are use £4.99 as a starting price or reserve instead of £5 as the charge is less and also I package everything in black bin liners - they are really cheap and perfect for packaging things in.

Try to work out how must it is actually going to cost you to sell your item.

eg. if you list at 99p - anticipate it may sell for 99p.
Add up the listing fee and gallery fee etc (if used) add to that the final value fee and the paypal fee (remember paypal take a cut of the entire amount which includes your P&P)
Work out roughly how much you have spent on packaging.

This can easily add up to 70 - 80p.

Weigh your item with the packaging to see how much the postage will be.

You can add the packaging amount to the P&P (the second P in P&P which some buyers forget) and don't be afraid to state the amount you actually need to cover these costs.

There is no point in putting a lower P&P thinking this is the only way it will get bids. You could end up not making any money or even worse, actually paying to give your items away (I know, I've done it! )

Look at what other similar items have for P&P but don't worry too much if yours is going to be a few pence higher. It will not matter if someone wants your items unless there are lots of identical items - but what are the chances of there being another dress aged 2yr in pink from Next, for example.

If you are in a position to post within 24 hours of auction end, state this in your listing - it will give you an edge.

id say try and keep p+p low (cds/dvds for one acctually costs 65p to send so i charge £1) as it attracts buyers.

think about the end time of your listings and who will be buying, if its kids clothes you're better off ending of an evening after bedtime, if its teenagers then early evening etc.

try and put as much detail in the title as posible as i will turn up in more searches!

cheapest brown paper we've found is from IKEA - long roll for 99p???????

If you are prepared to use the agent booking service for DHL at £3.99 then that is cheaper Than Royal mail for anything over 1kg in weight - although not to the socttish Islands etc

actually we've been using wallpaper that we bought in the chairty shop for 10p per roll, thicker than brown paper too.