Ebay virgin - anyone got good advice?

[marthamoo]

Being rather skint at the moment, and having a glut of unplayed with toys, and a new influx due in December 25th, I've decided to have a go at ebaying some things.

I registered this afternoon (still need to send off my Direct Debit mandate) and I've started taking digital photo's of the things I want to sell.

Was feeling very enthusiastic til I looked at their posting forums and read some of the horror stories - non-payment, buyers claiming goods haven't arrived/are damaged, nasty emails from buyers threatening negative feedback - and the general consensus seems to be that ebay are pretty useless at resolving disputes.

I'd appreciate any words of wisdom, positive and/or cautionary tales from seasoned ebayers!

Many thanks in anticipation...

I'm on the hunt for some girl trousers 28cm inside leg -- if anybody wants to sell. Anyway, here's some critique of some current Ebay auctions:

Here is a very good add for a job lot of boys' clothes. Good pic, low starting price will attract attention. Even if there were no photo, the listing format makes it easy to visualise what the job lot contains. Postage is precise, implying the seller has weighed & priced it up properly, already. Another nicely laid out ad.

Here is a terrible ad; no picture isn't ideal, but what makes it impossible is that the verbal descrip is quite difficult to read. Seems to rely on impulse purchases intent only on certain brand names.

Notice this auction put £0.00 down for postage, and elsewhere says she'll get it weighed to find out what postage should be. I'm sure someone could do major complaints on the ambiguity of this info. Plus she can't be bothered to describe items more than tersely -- ack!

And this one just scared me. Text is so small that it's difficult to read and then... they can't do links to their online shop due to complaints from competitors??? Seller has a very good feedback rating, or I definitely would think 'avoid'!