How many times have you heard this line? Unfortunately there are hundreds of people selling the “best” ways to make a ton of money on eBay. The truth is you can make a lot of money on eBay. There is not some secret formula or one way to do it.
In this article I will offer tips that could help your eBay selling. I believe the single most important thing you can do is to sell something you know. If you have a hobby or job that is related to your items, you would be very knowledgeable about your product and reduce research time.
If you do not have a hobby or job that is related to anything you can sell, do a search with the completed auction listings in the categories that are of interest to you and see how these things are doing. You can also check the Hot List on eBay that will give you a break down of the hot selling items.
Research articles on auction forums or auction information websites. There is a wealth of information out there that is free.
Check out the forums that are on eBay. These can give you information just by reading what other sellers are talking about.
If possible, try to find a niche product. An example of this is Ham Radio. I hold an advanced class amateur radio license. The United States Federal Government issues this. I got out of the hobby and decided to sell my radios. I sold every radio with no problems. Amateur Radio Operators (hams) are a specific group, looking for specific items. This makes selling so much easier.
Once you find the item(s) that are right for you concentrate on customer service. Make sure that all the items you ship are properly protected with bubble wrap or styrofoam spacers. I do not like packing peanuts because they are messy for the customer. Do not use newspaper for packing material. It does not work that well and just looks bad.
Once you have your item packed properly make sure you ship it promptly. Customers will appreciate this and remember you. Communication with the customer is very important. As soon as you can contact your paying customer and let them know exactly when you are sending the item (you should indicate this in your auction.) After you send the item contact them again and tell them it is on the way. Little things like this can give you repeat customers.
So where is the real money? The real money is in supply and demand. If you have something that is in demand it will sell. If you don’t it won’t. I know this is basic business, but it seems a lot of people have lost site of this for the quick, easy buck. Long lasting sales don’t happen over night. Market saturation also plays a big role.
The best approach to make “real money” on eBay breaks down like this: Know your product, research it and its sellers on eBay (how many, how much), use the recourses I listed above. There are reels of information on selling and buying on eBay on auction information websites, make your customers happy (good shipping, communication)
Knowledge is power. This is your greatest tool.
Shawn Sellen is the owner of auctionreel. An auction information website with Free Downloads.
