In this post, I will share with you 3 Ebay tips that I learned by trial and error.

Over the years, I have sold many items on Ebay.

And I have made plenty of mistakes. Maybe these eBay tips that I learned through trial and error, will save you a few problems in your own Ebay transactions.

I have sold odds and ends from around the house that I no longer wanted, jewelry, shoes, home school curriculum, cloth diapers, even a large, stainless steel water distiller!

These three tips

pretty much apply to any type of item you are selling. Small or large, cheap or pricey.

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3 eBay tips I learned by trial and error

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3 eBay Tips Video:

3 Ebay Tips that I Learned by Trial and Error:

1.

Research your item. Check what similar items actually sold for.

Look into what the item is worth, by doing a general internet search and gleaning any info that might come in handy in the listing description.

Then, go into eBay and search for your item there or anything comparable.

My trick is to then use the “filter” option and select “sold” items. This will pull up what that item actually sold for in the past.

You can’t trust what items are simply listed for, because some people list their items very low to start an auction, and on the other side of the coin, some items are very overpriced and never sell for that high listing.

Always go check the “sold” box in the filter and see the actual sold for price. Then you will have an idea of what you can ask for it.

2.

Examine your item in DETAIL. Make note of any and all flaws or problems with item in your eBay listing.

Look at it very closely all over for flaws or anything notable. Always give plenty of written description of items and especially ANY flaws or irregularities on your eBay listing.

Make sure to examine your items in daylight near a window. Many problems, stains, scratches, chips, what have you, I have missed when going over my items in the evening after the kids go to bed. It’s amazing what you can see in the light of day.

I have missed small flaws on a few listings in the past… Say a small stain, scratch or tiny dent… You betcha your customer will pitch a fit and rightly so. Make sure to treat your buyer how you would want to be treated when purchasing something online.

Along this same vein, include as many pictures as you can of the item. Show it from all angles, underneath, inside, etc. Make sure the buyer knows exactly what they are getting.

3.

For the casual or occasional eBay seller such as myself, I recommend using Flat Rate Priority shipping (USPS), or something comparable.

Here are 2 reasons why I prefer to do that:

A. You know what to charge for shipping and you’re not guessing.

You won’t go to shop the item and realize you way over or undercharged the buyer. If you overcharge, some customers get irritated and mention it in your review and if you undercharge, you have to take that out of your profits.

B. Priority shipping comes with a tracking number and insurance.

Tracking is absolutely vital, as soon as you send the item, list it as shipped and enter the tracking number so the buyer can track it.

Insurance I highly recommend on anything you wouldn’t want to lose money on. If it’s less than $40 item, I’m usually not as worried about it… But anything more, I definitely want the insurance.

You can get on the Post Office website and check rates and box sizes. You can also go to your local PO and request to take the boxes home to pack them up and then come back with them to ship when you’re ready. Priority shipping boxes are included in the cost of shipping.