Post #502461 by Pikeys Dog on Tue, Jan 5, 2010 12:21 PM

Having sold a lot in the past (my old selling ID had a feedback score of over 2000) here's a few pointers...

1.Be prepared to deal with the most obsessive and mentally ill/challenged people you could have the misfortune to meet.

2.Always pack well and use appropriate packing materieals - don't send anything fragile wrapped in newspaper and little else... (as one seller did with four Trader Vics headhunter mugs I bought - suprisingly 3 of them arrived in one piece but the fourth was in smithereeens) - I've also received old 45 records in Pizza Boxes (with cheese still inside - Yum!) and a disposable diaper (fortunately unused, but possibly a comment on my taste in music!)

3.Insist on tracked shipping - Paypal chargebacks are rife, and without this they always favour the buyer.

4.Sell "Worldwide" - it's no more effort to post overseas, and so long as you pack well it's no less safe - it opens your sales up so many more buyers.

5. Always factor in the eBay/Paypal fees when listing items - it can soon add up.

6. I'd recommend that you only charge correct shipping (including packaging costs) rounded up to the nearest dollar or so - Additional Handling charges can put many buyers off.

7. There will always be someone who you cannot please / will never be happy with the item / want more from you than you can give - accept this is a fact, and don't take it personally. If someone threatens to use negative feedback as leverage to gain a refund when they don't deserve one - tell them to post and be damned. The odd negative comment in your feedback won't affect your sales, and so long as you respond to it in a calm and measured manner most prospective buyers reading it will be able to 'read between the lines'