Post #56795 by Doctor Z on Fri, Oct 24, 2003 8:05 PM

A few basics off the top of my head (from an ebay seller with 1700+ positive feedbacks):

--be as honest and descriptive as possible - NEVER try to put one over on your customers, it will always come back and kick your ass!

--if you have the time, be creative with your ad - I've sold plenty of crap on just the ad alone (and I'm sure Midnite and Sabu have sold plenty that way as well...) For some great examples, go to "whowouldbuythat.com" and see what creative copy has done for some folks!

--realize that people will buy ANYTHING, especially if it's not readily available in their part of the world. When in doubt, list it anyhow. Again, check out "whouwouldbuythat.com"...

--ALWAYS put in pictures! I use 'Andale' for my picture hosting (and I think Sabu does too); $5.00/month gets me enough to run about 130-150 auctions, w/pix, every month. There may be better/cheaper/free hosting, but I've never had any problems with these guys...)

--I use USPS - in more than 4 years of selling and over 2000 shipments, they've never lost, damaged or returned a SINGLE package I've sent!

--Free packing boxes are available everywhere! Sabu and I have no problem dumpster-diving for boxes and packing material. USPS will give you free 'Priority' mail boxes just for the asking. Not using Priority? Wrap the box in a paper-bag/butcher paper or turn it inside out.

--I always run my auctions for 10 days. I know that most of the bidding is done in the last few minutes/seconds anyhow, but the longer your ad is out there, the more people will see it. Oh, and I always list in the eBay "Gallery" as well = the more exposure, the better.

--find an 'online group' with a certain "interest". Join it just to post your ebay ads. The 'veteran' members will probably harass you out of town for your 'spam', but hey, it's free advertising directly to your target buyers! (OK, I don't REALLY know anybody that's actually done this, nor do I REALLY recommended it, but...)

--always answer your customers questions quickly and politely, no matter how dumb they (the questions or the customers) are. Customer service is what gets repeat business.

--I prefer PayPal (quick $$$), but I also take money orders and cash. Believe it or not, many customers like the convenience of reaching into their wallets, sticking the $$ in an envelope and sending it off, rather than trusting an online service with their financial info. Plus - it's cash!! I've NEVER had a cash payment 'disappear' en route either...

Well, that's some basic tips; I'm sure other sellers do things differently, so take it for what it's worth and use whatever works best.

I'm a teacher, and as most already know, teachers don't get paid shit, so I've augmented my income with eBay. It has become like a seciond job, but I really enjoy it and have done pretty well at it. In fact, my mug collection, everything in the Castaway Lounge and all of my traveling has been funded soley on eBay sales!

Good luck and have fun!