Your top tips please for an eBay selling virgin!

[penona]

I bought a couple of things off eBay many years ago but have never sold anything there. Most stuff I either give to friends or Freecycle.

I have lots of baby related stuff (playpens, stairgates, double buggies, Bumbo seat, etc) which is frankly a bit too good to Freecycle so thought I might have a go at selling it!

Anyone got any top tips before I get going? (Like, is just before Christmas a very bad time, am in no massive hurry to get rid of stuff!)

I wouldn't sell now as people are busy with christmas. I'd wait until the first or second week in January. Also, list your items in the evening (remember, the time you list is the time they finish). Thursdays are good as you can put them on for 10 days to finish on a Sunday evening. People then get 2 weekends to see them.

When you take pics make sure that the pic isn't blurred (sorry to say that some pics aren't clear) and that the background is neutral and uncluttered.

Make sure that your title contains good searchable words and not words that no one would use to search e.g. beautiful. Also make sure that you put your items in the correct ebay category. If you're not sure, have a look at similar items and what category they're listed in.

I normally put items on with a low start of 0.99p (low listing fee too) but if your item is of value and you don't want it to sell for a low value, then either put a reserve on it (you'll have to pay for this) or start it at a higher price.

Just a few tips that hopefully will give you a start. If you're not sure, Ebay has forums that also have helpful tips and advice.

Don't start now.
Xmas is very bad time for poastal delays , tbh anything you start as of now won't get many bids due to reluctance to buy for xmas.
Wait until end of Jan when people are getting straight over xmas

Thanks!
OK , will leave it for now, that makes sense. Also gives me time to get a PayPal account and take photos etc. And to browse those forums to work out how to sell stuff.

Am bizarrely quite excited as reckon I could make about £100 from all the stuff which would be marvellous!

Give lots of information about everything you are selling. Give actual measurements of anything which may require it - clothes that are a bit bigger/smaller than label states, for example. Be truthful about any blemish/damage - take a photo to clarify if necessary. Do plenty of research before listing, to see what similar items sell for. Take on board good ideas from other people's listings (but don't copy verbatim). Take clear, uncluttered photos. You may need to use good daylight for this as for some items flash can mask details. Be extra-polite to customers, communicate with them as much as you can and post quickly to rack up some good feedback early on to encourage future buyers. Good luck!

don't leave feedback for your buyer before they've left feedback for you.

Post by recorded delivery etc...it's amazing how many dishonest people out there will say the item has no arrived...since i started sending by recorded delivery...nothing has gone missing...funny that

i've used 'interparcel' to courier heavier stuff..can be cheaper than Royal Mail for heavier things...and is fully tracked...and delivered fast.

remember as a seller...you cannot leave negative feedback aginst a buyer...so if you get a 'non-payer'...the only revenge you can get is to lodge a 'non payment' claim. Sometimes, when someone gets that...they do pay up...and if they don't they get a 'non payment strike' against their name!

finally, i advise lots of emailing...invoice when item ends, allow 3 days for payment (seems polite!) then after 3 days email a polite reminder (i make out i'm just letting them know what days i am going to be able to post their item...) then after another 3 days...if you have had no response at all...start the 'non payment' process.
(If i have had some response- i send 1 more friendly email...before the 'non payment' process)

I don't know about listing times. If I were you I would do a search now for the things you're selling, and I'd consider starting a 10-day listing now.

You may have no competition because everyone has decided to wait until January to list, and millions of buyers stuck indoors by the snow and getting bored and cranky with their families and sneaking off for a bit of alone time on the computer.

People might also be feeling guilty about the amount of money they've spent on Christmas and be looking to economise on essentials.

oh...and....be warned....

it becomes very addictive...for me its not much about the money i make...it's about knowing that my stuff is going to an appreciative home...hopefully to be loved!!!

It makes throwing anything away very hard...as you feel it could come in useful for someone..