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Event: How to successfully sell on eBay

SBOCTeam — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:49:32 GMT

Want to get your products in front of 84 million potential online customers? Learn how with eBay, the world's largest online emarketplace! Take your hobby or existing business to the next level by learning the best techniques of how to sell and market your products on eBay. Join us for this special event with eBay's Jim Griffith, aka "Griff" the Dean of eBay Education!

About eBay:
eBay was born over Labor Day weekend in 1995, when Pierre Omidyar, a computer programmer, wrote the code for an auction website that he ran from his home computer. With a presence in 39 markets, including the U.S., and approximately 84 million active users worldwide, eBay has changed the face of Internet commerce!

About Jim:
Jim Griffith, has been an enthusiastic eBay buyer and selling since Monday, May 20th, 1996, at 10:18 am PST when he bid on his first eBay item, a PS/2 memory chip for his old IBM computer.

Currently serving as Dean of eBay Education, roving ambassador, eBay spokesperson, the host of eBay Radio and as the author of The Official eBay Bible, Griff spends nearly all his waking hours teaching others how to use eBay effectively, safely and profitably; leading classes at eBay University in order to help new eBay users learn the nuances of the site and its history; responding to customer e-mail; managing and hosting the popular weekly "eBay Radio" and "Ask Griff" radio shows, and spreading the word about eBay across print, radio and TV.

The SBOC Team is pooling questions in advance for Griff. Join us from 1-2:30PM EST for Griff's response. You may also ask Griff a question at any time during the event, just remember, you MUST be a member to participate. If you haven't joined yet, it's easy and free, just follow this link - http://smallbusinessonlinecommunity.bankofamerica.com/create-account.jspa

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

HireMe — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:18:55 GMT

interesting thread - good tips!

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

SBOCTeam — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:37:26 GMT

Griff,

On behalf of the SBOC Team and the members of the Small Business Online Community, we wanted to say we truly appreciated your time today and your professional responses to user questions.

Community members, while our session with Griff has now concluded, please feel free to discuss today's session and the questions answered. Again, if you'd like more information about Griff and eBay, visit:

http://pages.ebay.com/university/index.html

Thanks again,

The SBOC Team

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

Jim_Griffith — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:34:24 GMT

Official Griff Tip #7

After Listing: Once you have listed the item, you need to be available for email from potential buyers. Make sure you answer any all questions (no matter how "stupid" they might appear) professionally and completely. Don't rule out any reasonable requests for services beyond what is stated your Terms of Service.

If the item sells, contact the winning buyer with an invoice (If you use PayPal ... and you should... you can set up automatic invoices for free:

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_auction-outside

Once payment has been recieved, ship the item out. Follow up with the buyer to let them know the item has shipped. Remember that sellers are rated on eBay by buyers and your status as a seller depends on maintaining good customer ratings. It is no crime to ask buyers for good ratings and the best place to do so is in the item package. Create (or buy on eBay!) professional glossy stock cards that contain a simple explanation of the eBay ratings and feedback system, how it works and why it is important for your business.

Oh, and leave the buyer a positive feedback once their payment has cleared!

I guess that's all the time we have today. There are so many more tips to running a successful business on eBay. If you ever run into an issue or a need for advice or assistance, feel free to email me at griff@ebay.com

Thank you for your participation and Happy eBaying!

regards,

Griff

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

Jim_Griffith — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:27:38 GMT

"...I'm a private trainer and have access to a ton (no pun intended) of unused/unwanted gym equipment. How do I position it so that shipping costs aren't seen as such a burden and a turnoff?..."

First, don't assume that the higher price for shipping heavy or large equipment will be a turn off. Anyone shopping online for gym equipment knows that shipping will be a factor. What many sellers resort to in this situation is "Local Pickup Only" which preempts the need to provide shipping but definitely excludes an enormous potential customer base.

Many sellers of heavy equipment work with a freigh company to obtain reasonable estimates to various points within the USA. The seller can then provide these estimates in their listing. In addition, the eBay Shipping Calculator has a tab for Freight which works for most every location in the US.

Check out the eBay Shipping Center for more information:

http://pages.ebay.com/services/buyandsell/shipping.html

specifically, the Freight Resource Center:

http://ebay.freightquote.com/

Griff

One more tip.... coming right up!

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

flex_00 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:58:27 GMT

I'm a private trainer and have access to a ton (no pun intended) of unused/unwanted gym equipment. How do I position it so that shipping costs aren't seen as such a burden and a turnoff?

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

Jim_Griffith — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:21:23 GMT

Official Griff Tip #6 (they are neverending!)

List the Item! This is the point where you actually post the item on eBay. Click the Sell link on the top of any eBay page and follow the instructions. There are two options: Keep it Simple and Customize Your Listing. I suggest anyone who is considering continual selling on eBay to opt for the Customize Your Listing so you see every option that is available to you.

The process is broken down into sections. Pay close attention to the Shipping section. This is where you provide either a calculated rate (based on your and the potential buyer's zip codes) or a flat rate. One important bit of advice. Keep your shipping costs as low as possible! One of the single biggest reasons for seller failure on eBay is too high shipping (buyers HATE this). By providing the lowest costs possible, you will make your item much more compelling a value proposition, especially when compared to your competition on eBay.

More to come (but we are nearly at the end... so stay tuned)

Griff

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

Jim_Griffith — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:16:20 GMT

"...Have you seen anyone sell a service on eBay? How do the techniques differ from selling a tangible product? Thank you, Interpreter..."

Yes I have. In fact, there is a specific category just for listing services:

http://services.ebay.com/_W0QQ_trksidZp3907Q2em21

Coincidentally, I just recently purchased a service on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=110048308774

The actual listing of a service is no different that listing an item with one important consideration: The seller of a service needs to package the service in a way that is consistent with the listing process for physical items, specially when it comes to pricing. For example, the seller above offers a set service at a set price. This is one "unit" of service. That way, the buyer can purchase as many units as they need. I had two reel to reel tapes that needed to be transferred to CD so I bought 2 units from the seller @ $40 each.

For this particular service, I had to ship the tapes to them and wait for them to be transferred. It went pretty quickly and I am extremely happy with the results. If you peruse the Specialty Services category, you can pick up other ideas on how to list various types of services (or maybe even come up with one of your own!)

More to come...

Griff

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

Interpreter — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:50:09 GMT

Griff,

Have you seen anyone sell a service on eBay? How do the techniques differ from selling a tangible product?

Thank you,
Interpreter

Re: Live Event at 1:00 PM ET - How to successfully sell on eBay

Jim_Griffith — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 18:07:59 GMT

Official Griff Tip #5

Writing a description and creating a Terms of Service. This is an area where so many otherwise well intentioned sellers fall flat. Don't let that be you! Remember, your eBay item description is where you actually "pitch" the sale to buyers. One line descriptions just won't work. When it comes to the item, describe it in exhaustive detail.

Start with a Word doc or a new Text Editor file. Begin by typing the item's title, size, color, make, condition, history, etc. Include every possible detail. This is absolutely crucial. Call out condition! If there are flaws, make a clear list of them (and include photos of the flaws close up).

After (never before) your description, include a concise and easy-to-read list of your Terms. This should include the types of payment you accept, the time frame for the buyer to provide payment, your shipping terms (what classes of service and carriers you provide as options) and most important, your return policy. The best return policy is one that states "100% satisfaction guaranteed or your money back" Don't hedge! If your return policy isn't reasonable and customer-centric, you will loose potential buyers.

More to come....