Ebay 101
I blog a lot about how to save a buck, but this time I'm going to talk about how to MAKE a buck! If you have never tried selling things on Ebay, it can be really intimidating and confusing. But I'm here to say...Try It! There is a little bit of a learning curve, but once you have listed a few things, it's really easy and worth the effort. Here are some of my tips on how to make it work for you. Keep in mind...I am not an Ebay pro. I'm not a Super Seller who lists 100 things a day. I'm just a mom who sells my kids clothes, but I hope that my experience can help those of you who have never tried Ebay!
WHAT TO SELL
You can LIST anything and everything on Ebay. But the question is, what can you SELL? The first thing you should do if you have an item you want to sell is do a search to see if there is a market for it on Ebay. You can do an "Advanced Search" to see completed listings to see what things have sold for to give you an idea of what kind of money you may make from selling an item.
When it comes to kids clothing, the only things worth selling on Ebay are brand name clothing in good condition. Brands like Gap, Gymboree, Polo, and boutique brands like Matilda Jane or Baby Lulu sell very well on Ebay, but lower end brands, no matter how cute the clothes are, just won't sell for enough to make it worth your time or the money you spend on fees. So sort through your kids' wardrobes and pull out only the best pieces for Ebay. The rest may sell better at a garage sale or on consignment where customers can see how cute it all is in person.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
Once you decide what to list, make sure the time is right. Clearly you do not want to try sell a winter coat in July or a cute sundress in the middle of winter. A good way to decide when to sell kids clothing is to look at what is in the stores. When it is back to school time in stores, that is a great time to list your kids' fall wardrobe. Right now is the time to sell spring clothing (even though it still feels like the middle of winter here).
You also want to list your items at the right day and time. In general, items will sell for more if the auctions end in the evenings. And the best days for your auctions to end are Saturdays or Sundays. So whether you choose a 5 day or 7 day auction, make sure it ends at a good day and time. (You can schedule the starting time for your listing for $.10 per item, so you can work on the listings when you have time and the listings will start when you schedule them).
PREPARE YOUR LISTING
When you are preparing to list your items, take the time to get a good photo of them. For clothing, make sure the clothes are cleaned and ironed (or at least mostly wrinkle-free). Pick a neutral background and get photos of the whole item and close ups of details. You MUST have photos of your items if you want them to sell. The first photo of each item is free, additional photos are $.15 each. One photo is fine for many items, but close ups just help the buyers make a decision to bid.
Make sure the title of your listing includes the brand name, the size, and a short and sweet description of the item. Also make sure you list it in the right category...a mistake there could mean that no one finds your listing to bid on it!
Also write detailed descriptions of the items. In addition to describing the item and any details not visible in the photos, make sure to describe the condition of the items carefully. If the item has any flaws (including wash wear or fading), mention them. But put the focus on the things that make the item desirable. Also make sure to mention if your item comes from a smoke-free and/or pet-free home...that info is important to many buyers!
THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Picking your starting price on Ebay can be tricky. The first thing to do is to search for that specific item to see if there are any other identical listings. See what they are priced at and also search for completed listings to find selling prices. That will give you a ballpark. In general, you want to start the price as low as you can (keeping in mind that you have to sell it for enough to cover the fees you will pay to Ebay and Paypal) because high starting prices will turn away buyers. I try to start my items at a price that I think I could get at a garage sale (which is hopefully a lot less than what they will eventually sell for). In the end, you have to ask yourself, "If this item sells at this price, will I be satisfied?" If the answer is no, raise the price to a level you are comfortable with, keeping in mind that it may not sell at all if you price it too high.
Searching for identical items is also an important step because you may find out that you have an item that is more valuable than you think! Occasionally a certain line from Gymboree or a certain boutique dress will become sought after and you may end up selling it for more than you paid! In that case, you will want to price it accordingly.
Last, make sure your shipping costs are accurate. Offering shipping at too LOW of a rate will end up costing you money. But if you price shipping too high, buyers will not want to bid on your item. Ebay will allow you to research shipping rates based on the weight of the item and I suggest setting your shipping price at the exact amount you will pay. Buyers really hate inflated shipping costs (at least THIS buyer does!)
REPUTATION IS EVERYTHING
Ebay is built on user feedback and reputation. When you buy or sell an item, the people you interact with will give you feedback as a buyer or seller. Getting negative feedback can kill your reputation as a seller and prevent people from bidding on your items. A low amount of feedback can also be a deterrent, so if you are brand new to Ebay, I suggest you start by buying a few items to get a few positive feedbacks before you start to sell. Once you do start selling, the best way to get positive feedback is honesty and good communication. Be 100% honest about the condition of your items, make sure you ship them as soon as you can, and communicate openly with the buyers. Leave positive feedback for them as soon as you receive payment and they will be more likely to return the favor.
For more tips, check out the Basics of Selling and Ebay's Top 10 Tips. And then just take the plunge! List a few things to learn the ropes and then you will be off and running with a few extra $$ in your pocket! Happy Selling!