When listing an item should I...

[dairywyfe]

put more, or less, info in the "item description" area?  Does this help or hurt in searches?  Is it basically like a "tag word"... and it will pull up my listing if someone types it into their search?!  I'm still a big rookie at selling and am trying to figure it all out.  Or, does it hurt me because they HAVE to type in that word in order to pull up my item?!  I see that some sellers have TONS in the "item description" box and some have almost nothing.  Just wondering if there's a strategy here...  🙂

[penguins_dont_fly]

I don't know how we got on the topic of insurance. The OP's question was about tracking

@dairywyfe

Yes, you should be using tracking.

FCP (First Class Package) includes tracking, but not insurance.

PM (Priority Mail) includes tracking and insurance.

For inexpensive lightweight items (under 1 lb and under $20) your best bet is to use FCP with "free" shipping (as somebody else mentioned ^^up there somewhere^^)

Roll the $3 into the item cost. If they buy multiples that end up weighing over 1 lb, upgrade them to Priority ... your items are lightweight enough that by the time they buy enough to go over the pound, you will have enough 🙂

As for insurance, take a small percentage of each sale and put it in a "virtual cookie jar". Build up that small reserve fund to cover any occasional losses you might have to take for an INR or Damaged in Shipment claim (it happens, sorting machines can be brutal).

And ... back to the original question LOL

"Just the facts ma'am".

Give an accurate detailed description of the item. Include size, color, material. New or Used. Exact Condition, point out any flaws. If selling a "lot" include qty of each item and total # of pieces the buyer will be receiving.

Don't assume the buyer "can tell" anything LOL. Spell it out.

Left justify your text. Centered text is difficult to read.

If you go with "free" shipping, the Combined Shipping blurb will be unnecessary.

This last is just my opinion ... the personal blurb about moving your stuff to digital yadayada does not present a professional image.

As sad as it is, personal has gone out the window on eBay ... presenting a professional face to your buyers (even in your jammies) is what eBay wants from their sellers.

Good luck!!

[partial*eclipse]

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

I don't know how we got on the topic of insurance. The OP's question was about tracking... 

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The OP herself brought it up, in post #42.

[zzydny]

Bless your heart, thank you!

Somehow I have a feeling that this is gonna be a very good week.  Hope you sell lots!

[penguins_dont_fly]

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@partial*eclipse wrote:

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@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

I don't know how we got on the topic of insurance. The OP's question was about tracking... 

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The OP herself brought it up, in post #42.

Yes, in response to femme, who answered a question about tracking with a response about insurance

Wyfe: 

because you really have to do it with tracking... as other sellers were telling me

femme:

Cookie Jar Insurance.

Which seemed to confuse the OP 😞 Because tracking ≠ insurance.

Wyfe:

So... if I don't do the insurance thing, then I can't buy my postage on ebay, right? I thought someone said the only way it's sold here, is WITH insurance... is that correct? I wouldn't want to have to go to the post office every time I need postage.

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[dhbookds]

You've gotten some good advice from others......

I would add, beyond description, to fill out as many item specifics on items AND add UPC's whenever you can, especially on new items.

This one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-GYPSIES-METAL-JOURNAL-HINGE-ANTIQUE-SILVER-Scrapbooking-WYFE-/282685391303...

Has the upc showing on the pic of the tag, yet you are using "doesn't apply".....  There may be a good reason you don't use it..........but at some point, sooner rather than later, UPC's may determine the amount of visibility of the product, at least in the product pages.  A bit of time when listing may help the item/s sell faster.......

[castlemagicmemories]

Op, the title is the most critical real estate in the listing as that is what will drive search.

Look at your item and think as a buyer.  If I were searching for this, what terms would I use?  What will give me the most exposure and what is not necessary?

The first four words of the title are the most important.  Use every space allotted, but if that is not working, feel free to revise and cut down the title as that can be successful, too.  These words are called keywords.  Don't put any unrelated or unneeded words here, like NOT DISNEY as an example.  People don't need to know what it is not, and someone searching for Disney is going to find your listing then when that is not what they are looking for.  This is called keyword spamming and is a violation on your account if you do it.

Some list the brief description not only in the description area in the body of the listing, but at the top so phone users will see it as many don't click to see the full description.  Some put, Please click to see and read full description there.

Reading the Boards is a great way to gain knowledge.

[castlemagicmemories]

Dh has a great point here.  Item specifics are very important so don't pass over them and leave them out.  

I would add, though, that it doesn't hurt to repeat that info in your description as some may miss it in item specifics as they expect it to be in the description.

[penguins_dont_fly]

Just to pile on the "me too" regarding Item Specifics ...

Fill in all of the ones that eBay gives you and add your own.

Take the "WYFE" out of your titles and create a custom Item Specific (they are searchable) if you really think you need to. Call it something like "SellerReferenceID".

I don't want to confuse you ... But, it really isn't necessary to use a custom search term like that ...  There is a "See seller's items" link on every listing ... and ... you can add a link to your items in your description ... with a little HTML code. It needs to meet eBay requirements for links though.

<a href="https://www.ebay.com/sch/dairywyfe/m.html?_trksid=p3692 target="_blank">See My Other Items</a>

Will look like this on your listings:

See My Other Items

If you need help with that, just ask ... you can PM me if you need to 🙂

[zzydny]

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@dhbookds wrote:

.....I would add, beyond description, to fill out as many item specifics on items AND add UPC's whenever you can, especially on new items.....

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This is really excellent advice. 

[castlemagicmemories]

@penguins_dont_fly

Great point, adding your own item specifics is a great idea.  While Ebay does have set ones, they do allow you to add your own; this is your chance to highlight anything that might help your listing.

[dairywyfe]

SO great... thanks for the info! BUT... the only reason I wrote the whole blurb about "going digital"... because I really couldn't care less about sharing that info... is because I'm selling a lot of stuff that I bought on here... that was made by OTHER people. I don't ever want anyone... buyer, or the original creator... to think I'm claiming it as my own. Should I say it in a simpler way?!

[dairywyfe]

Did I? Oops... If so, my bad... I definitely meant tracking. sorry! Yeah... insurance... I wouldn't get it on this type of stuff 🙂

[dairywyfe]

Ok... yeah... that got a little confused and off track. Tracking was what I meant 🙂

[dairywyfe]

Absolutely NO reason I'm covering it. lol! I never really thought about it meaning much... maybe I should reconsider... at least moving forward 🙂 Most of my stuff is older... I've had this stashed for a LONG time!!! 🙂

[dairywyfe]

This is SO helpful... thank you!