THINGS YOU NEED TO START EBAY TRADING

 Access to a computer which can go on the internet
 A camera with a reasonable quality picture
 Reliable access to a post office
 Stock of high quality
 Packing materials (bubble wrap for delicates – tissue and post bags ideal for clothes though bubble envelopes good too as prevents damage in post)
 An Ebay account. A buyer account will start you off in developing an online presence in the Ebay community. It’s best to hold off selling until you have a positive feedback score of 50 or over if possible as those with less than 50 tend not to make as much money. You will need to register your credit card with Ebay in order to start selling (this is to protect them in the event you forget to pay your ebay selling fees!)
 A Paypal account. Although you can offer alternative payment arrangements for people to pick up items or take cheques paypal is the safest way to make and receive payments and it is also compulsory to offer this if you are selling.

FIRST THINGS FIRST –

Start off small! Sell one or two items first to get yourself off to a slow start. That way you wont panic if something goes missing in the post or if you get one of the occasional nutters trying to steal your stuff! Most people are honest enough but there are always tryers!


 Take a good quality picture of the item you are wishing to sell – depending on what it is you may like to take more than one picture but make sure this is worth the outlay as remember each picture over and above the first costs money (not a lot but still worth remembering).
 Research the item – by brand, type and qualities (ie colour or whether new or used) to find out how much they sell for.
 Decide whether you wish to gamble on auction style (where buyers place bids) or fixed price format (where you set the price you want and buyers simply click buy it now)
 Head on over to ebay and click sell (at the top, next to my ebay).
 If you are selling a book or Dvd put in the ean/isbn number to put a stock photo and basic description on your listing. Click quick sell (unless you are selling something unique or exceptionally high quality that needs more information or which you wish to sell at fixed price only – the following still apply but will be on a page by page rather than point by point basis) You may need to sign into the site again, this is normal and is just to maintain site and account security.
 Compose A good headline for your item (point one on the quick sell form) For example trousers is rubbish as it doesn’t grab anyone or give them enough information. Navy Fat Face trousers Size 12 VGC Funky is better as it is succinct yet gives lots of info re brand, size and condition of the item. This is especially important when marketing clothes. With Dvds always mention the region (region 2 is usual for uk dvds)
 Point 2 is finding the correct category for your item. If you browse through the categories to begin with that’s easiest as you get to know them. Ie if selling clothes start in clothes then work out to specific category – CLOTHES, SHOES > MENS CLOTHING>SUITS AND TAILORING.
 Point three – add your picture – remember to rotate and crop the picture to its best advantage, remember your buyer cant pick up the item so its your best chance for them to fall in love with the item. You may have to install ebay picture services – not a big file and very helpful for fixing basic pic issues.
 Point four – the description – most important selling tool! Maximise your profits by talking of the best aspects of your item – condition all important! Also, colour, cut, fit, brand again, sizing (also measurements if the sizing not standard). Very important at this point also to mention any defects – people don’t mind the odd little thing but if you don’t mention it then it’ll bite you in the bum when it arrives and they aren’t happy with it. Also people don’t mind waiting for an item but this is the time to mention if you only post out on Saturdays/Wednesdays or whatever as they need to know how long it will take to arrive. Also invite questions – people don’t trust sellers who don’t offer more information, particularly if they are bidding on higher value items something along the lines of Please contact me with any questions is perfect. Don’t forget to fill in the recommended info at the top of this section, this all helps to market your item in the correct places.
 Point five- setting your minimum selling costs. This is where you make some big decisions. How much is the smallest amount you are willing to let the item go for? Place this amount in the start bidding at section. You can also add a buy it now option if you like at this item although this disappears if someone bids. Remember if you start the bidding over 99p this costs extra, also a buy it now costs money too (don’t worry – a total cost pops up before you finalise the listing so you can go back and change it if it is too much! All the info on how much fees are can be found here http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/sell/fees.html ) Then postage costs – remember to factor in costs of packing material as well as actual postage but keep it fair. Ebay have recently standardised postage rates in several categories and so may limit the amount you wish to charge. If your item is going to cost more to post then you can offer collection only to avoid losing out. Make sure you are realistic about dispatch time as people hate it when things don’t arrive when they should.
 Point six – payment options – as I said before Paypal must be one of these options but you can also put cheque etc if you are happy to accept those – personal choice. – click save and preview once all this is done.
 This is where they tell you how much your listing costs – with a single picture and 99p start it should be free in most categories! You can also preview your listing. It’s worth casting an eye over to make sure there are no spelling mistakes or obvious errors.
 Click place listing and that’s your item live!
 You’re not finished there though 
 Once the item has sold and been paid for ensure it is clean and packed securely and that you post it out as quickly as you can to make sure your customer is happy with the transaction. Customers like you to let them know when it has been posted – I usually send this in a message from my ebay


Hi there, just to let you know that your item has been posted and should arrive shortly. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the event of any problems. I will leave feedback when your item has arrived safely as I do not consider a transaction to be complete until you have your item safely.
Happy ebaying!
Hazel :)

 Hopefully once the item arrives the buyer shall leave you feedback so you know all is well. This is when you can withdraw/spend/fritter all the lovely ebay profits, not forgetting first to settle your ebay account (you can set this up when you set up the seller account to take payment automatically from your paypal account if you chose or do it yourself following the links from your ebay summary)


Key points
1. Always describe items accurately and post quickly
2. Always pack well and get proof of posting from post office to cover you in the event of royal mail losing/damaging the item. If you don’t get proof you will be held liable for the item by ebay/paypal!
3. Remember your fees from ebay/paypal and postage costs add up so selling lots of 99p stuff wont make you a profit – quality and descriptions mean everything!

Happy ebaying!