What are the top 5 things a new Ebay seller should know?

[lightingedit]

Looking for tips on how to achieve success on Ebay. What are the top 5 things a new Ebay seller should know?

[kenneth686321]

1. Read the Ebay Terms and Conditions as well as the MBG Carefully then read it again

2. No Returns does not mean no refunds 

3. Understand that fees are charged on item price + shipping + tax and plan accordingly 

4. Know that there are many items that are not profitable to sell on Ebay. Know what these items are and avoid them. (items with too much competition, high shipping cost, hard to ship)

5. Keep an an eye on your seller level and service metrics and understand what they mean and why they are important. 

Bonus: Failure to understand 1-5 will result in a quick end to your Ebay selling journey. Either you leave Ebay or Ebay kicks you out. 

Good luck! 

[janet9988]

Dont be dishonest.

Dont mislead ebay.

Dont mislead a buyer.

Read the user agreement in full.

 Understand the MBG and payment terms.

[klhmdg]

Never sell anything you dont have access to - dont dropship from other companies.

Never sell items you cant afford to give away.

Dont list and sell high scam items.

[1786davycrockett]

@lightingedit 

Know what you sell, and sell what you know.

[janet9988]

@lightingedit 

You are not new so why are you asking?

[fab_finds4u]

1. Take pictures like there's  no description.

2. Write descriptions like there's no pictures.

3. Leave feedback as soon as the buyer pays because they expect it and eBay says it gets the transaction off to a good start.

4. Package so the item will survive if the box is thrown down a flight of stairs.

5. Never ask eBay for help if a buyer files a not as described case. Accept the return and provide a return label if you want the item back before you refund, or refund and let them keep it.

Good luck selling. You're going to need it.

[sapphire_studio · Accepted solution]

1. Buy a thermal printer and look into free UPS labels

2. Make a pirate ship account and integrate it to eBay and put items over 1 lb in the smallest box you can and look at their ground Advantage cubic price

3. No matter how angry you get at customers act cheerful. If you ever get a negative feedback and can't get it removed use it as an opportunity to show future buyers how professional you are with a great response to the feedback.

4. If you sell smaller items buy large quantities of bubble mailers on eBay for much bigger of a discount. Always save bubble wrap and small shipping boxes that you received from your own orders.

5. When you Source don't just pay attention to If an item has sold once or twice for a certain price. Really keep in mind how often a item sells to give you an idea of how long you'll have to hold on to the item. Less profit at a much higher rate of sell through can keep you more liquid.

[sumsum70]

Best eBay advice comes from WOPR:

"The only winning move is not to play."

[lightingedit]

Hi Janet, I've sold here and there over the past, but now I plan to take it serious and build an actual business on Ebay. 

[lightingedit]

Thanks everyone for the great advice!

[tobaccocardyahoo]

1. When buying to sell on Ebay, the first question you should ask is "does anybody care about this item?"

Your guess on this question will need to be followed up by other questions, which reflect on pricing and how long to plan for holding the item in inventory before it will sell.

2. You need to understand the market before you buy.

You need to understand the competition, and all of your costs before you buy. That includes Ebay fees.

That also includes assessing how much fraud you will encounter selling what you choose.

3. You need to understand the customer service requirements of selling on Ebay. That includes learning to pack.

4. After that you need a plan to actually meet your cash flow needs and profit goals.

5. You need to plan for and meet your tax requirements. Federal and State.

[dbfolks166mt]

     A bit more than you asked for but this is one of my canned responses. 

1. NEVER list anything on eBay you are not prepared to take the financial loss on. 

2. As a new seller avoid listing high value and high target items that scammers love. 

3. If you are wanting to make a profit build a cost model so you know what price to list items at to do so.

    Factor in ALL costs: what you paid for it, supplies, income taxes, fees, POV........... 

4. Diversify across multiple venues not everything is for or can even be sold on eBay and in some 

     cases there are better options that will net you a bigger return and save the buyers some costs. 

5. Read through this forum and learn to identify common scams before you are a victim.

6. Establish a separate bank account to handle your eBay transactions. It keeps things easy from 

     an accounting perspective and you probably really don't want eBay having access to your personal

     bank account. 

7. Make sure you setup the shipping correctly on the listing with regards to the size and weight of the item

    you will be shipping. 

8. While auctions and BIN both have their pro's and con's as a new seller I would recommend you use 

     BIN with immediate payment required and avoid using OBO. 

9. Avoid using promoted listings until you see how things go. PL can become an added and unnecessary 

    expense that provides little to no benefit depending on what you are selling. 

10. EBay customer support is useless these days and they will give out incorrect information simply to get

       you off the phone. 

11.  Utilize this forum to ask questions BEFORE you have a problem, there are a LOT of experienced sellers

      on this forum that can provide sound advice. 

12. Fully read and understand the MBG, when you list items advise that you accept returns. Too many new 

      sellers believe no returns equates to no refunds and that is NOT the case. 

13. While most transactions go smoothly be prepared to deal with issues like returns, NAD's, INR's..... Factor

      the cost of those into your cost model. 

14. Make sure you do everything you can possibly do to keep your feedback and performance metrics in 

      good standing. You do not want to have your account suspended. 

15. DO NOT drop ship. It is a poor business model and in some cases a violation of eBay policy. 

[melmurdock]

1. Communicate with your buyers and potential buyers in a friendly/professional manner.

2. Buy low. You'll make your money on the front end.

3. Read and understand ebay T&C and policies.

4. Sell what you love
5. Save for a rainy day

The definition of success is different for everyone. If you know what YOUR definition is, I have no doubt that you will be successful.

Good luck and have fun!

[soh.maryl]

And be aware that any seller can follow all of this advice to the letter and there will still be bumps in the road.