Auction Power Guide

I have quite alot to sell. How do i know what a wise purchase of bubblewrap, rolls of brown paper and alsortment of envelopes i would clearly need, without running out during a sale?

If you start off with a few rolls of brown tape, a couple of rolls of clear sellotape, some grey wrapping bags in medium size (cut them down when they arereally to big and stick them with sellotape), a roll of bubble wrap and also start saving boxes for the bigger things. If using padded enveloppes calculate the shipping accordingly and buy them as you sell.
It all depends on what you are selling. Clothes can be put in a grey post bag but breakable will need proper cardboard boxes and padding. I use foam personally. It costs me an arm and a leg but i recoup it through shipping charges. if you sell books beware of the corners and sometimes it pays to reinforce paperback with sturdy cardboard to prevent them bending.
FRAGILE and DO NOT BEND stickers might come in handy too.
Go to the post office and get ‘proof of delivery’ cards, airmail stickers and also custom stickers for outside the EU.

Oh and thumbs up to the person that mentioned scales. get an electronic set that goes up to about 2 kg. They are not cheap but worth every penny if you sell regularly. Anything heavier than 2kg I weigh on my bathroom scales.

No false advertisements, please, just tips from real people on how to sell your stuff. I know the basics and have been doing it for a while, but I was wondering if anyone has any "tricks of the trade" so to speak.

Give really good descriptions, measurements, and details on your product.

Always have a photo on the listing page.

Don’t have a false low price then a huge handling fee on the shipping. Do actual shipping costs, and ship fast, within a day of the auction ending.

Always leave feedback and ask for it too.

If you ever have a problem customer, do your best to solve it and make them happy. The feedback in the long run will make a difference in your sales credibility.

Combine shipping. When you are doing your listings, do a bunch that would appeal to the same customer at once, and mention in your description that you have other similar items, and you can combine shipping, and give a really good deal. I offer small or lightweight items for just $1.00 more per auction when combined with the large or heavy ones, and ship them in the same box.

Get free packaging materials. The post office has free priority mail packaging, and your local recycling center would be thrilled to give you shredded paper, styrofoam pellets, cardboard boxes and anything else they have that you could use.

Research a little before pricing your items, and see what they are selling for. List yours slightly below the average, and you will probably get more action on it and end up with a better price overall than if you price it too high to begin with.

Use brand names, model numbers or other hot keywords in your title. For example, we just sold a bunch of Corvette parts and accesories, and one of the descriptive phrases was C3, which referred to the era of the body style or something. They all sold. For antiques, use both descriptive phrases on the general look and style, as well as specifics that are imprinted on the item. For example, Haviland Limoges Pink Roses White China Teapot with gold. That says what it is for the collectors, as well as coming up for someone in general looking for pink rose china or haviland teapot or Limoges gold.

If you are buying stuff to sell on Ebay, always look for brand names, and try to keep your merchandise in a certain catagory. To see what is really selling now, Ebay has a "hot selling item" list that is updated monthly. Some things are obvious in seasons, you will get a better price on a winter coat in January than you will in July. Christmas items should be listed so the ending gives plenty of time for shipping in time for the holiday.

Good luck, and happy selling. ITs fun!