Ebay selling tips.

We have done a fair bit on ebay - not all good - but best times for us seem to be for one week finishing on a weekend - Sat night or Sunday. That gave us enough time to address pack and post on Monday.
We have sold all sorts of things including boats , ornaments, horsey stuff and clothes. Had quite a few nail biting moments when we started off 99p and no reserve, especially when not enough interest and we had to sell for 99p ! (nothing too drastic though).Listings are free if you start 99p in Household . I sold some bits there , but for decoration only. I think the best we had was an old hunting coat 99p no reserve and we had £153 for it
Best of Luck Faracat
Teg :)
 
Nice clear photos with a plain background (white or dark depending on the item colour!) and more than 1 photo so there's some of the sides/back/front and close up photos if there's any significant damage. If a plain background isn't possible, a clear image with a background that doesn't distract/make the thing you're selling hard to see. For bits, you could include a photo lined up with a ruler/tape measure that shows the size clearly.

I use the simple, no nonsense approach with item descriptions. What it is, size, brand, wear and tear, how much it's been used, age, product name etc. (and I'd also include 'unsure of brand' if I didn't know and if the original box is lost, that it's gone)

Make sure your title outlines what you're selling. I like to keep it simple, no need for the 'lovely/fashion/beautiful' you see in some adverts.

So, an advert for say a pair of Ariat tall riding boots, I would take a photo of both sides, front and back and any damage/wear and tear (in this case a scuff)
The title would say 'Size 6 Black Leather Ariat Tall Riding Boots'
The item description would say
'Black leather Ariat tall riding boots. Size 6, wide calf. Worn a few times as competition boots, broken in. Roughly 4 years old. A few marks/scratches and a big scuff on right boot. Original box is lost however will be sent in a replacement'

Price wise, if it's an item that is worth a lot in it's condition, I set a reserve. If not, start the bidding at a price you would take for the item. So for a pair of worn black 4 year old Ariat leather boots, you could set a starting price of £20. If it was an old pair of well worn but still have life breeches, say 99p.

Check how much your postage costs as well, so you can put in an accurate quote and make sure you've read and you're covered with their refunds policies etc.
 
I always have stuff ending at about 8-9 as I figure most people have sat down by then but not gone to bed!! I don't end on weekends if I can help it as people go out (perhaps I've put too much thought into this?)
If it's something I just want rid of I do 3 days if I want a decent price I list for longer to get more views.
 
Sunday night around 8.30 - 9 is the best time to end stuff. Clear photos, straightforward description and answer any questions promptly!
 
teddypops said:
Sunday night around 8.30 - 9 is the best time to end stuff. Clear photos, straightforward description and answer any questions promptly!
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I have been told this too, whether it's true or not I dont know. When pricing your postage make sure you get a price rather than guess, I have lost out a couple of times underestimating the weight of things
 
I'm sure that everyone will have a different view but I always seem to do well by having things end on a Monday at about 7-8pm. My theory is that people are able to browse more at the weekend and will see your listing . If it's ending a day or two after it will still be fresh in their mind so they will hopefully remember to bid!
 
webble said:
I have lost out a couple of times underestimating the weight of things
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Yep, me too! I once LOST money selling because I didn't realise how bloody expensive rugs are to post.

I always put 'Free postage' too, even if it means bumping up the starting price a bit. I think it's far more enticing to people if there's just one whole price to look at.
 
Clear crisp photo or more if the item needs it. Describe the item accurately & honestly. Think about what you would want to know if you were buying it & include that in the description. Give consideration to how much it costs to send an item to the winning purchaser before you enter the P+P price. Larger items can be sent cheaper via various couriers rather than Royal Mail/Parcelforce. Don't have things finish on a Saturday evening, people go out & you will miss purchasers who like to put bids in at the last minute. Finish them on a Sunday evening.
 
I have sold and still sell all sorts of stuff on ebay. Make sure that you calculate ALL your expenses.. accurate postage / courier cost, bought wrapping ( if used ), paypal commission ( about 3.5% plus 20p ), ebay commission ( 10% on EVERYTHING including postage ), even fuel if you have to drive far to post stuff. I sell with ' free postage' and add it in to starting price. Never start lower than the lowest you want to sell for, there are no guarantees that there will be more than one bidder. Photograph and list every thing, especially the slightest mark or damage. The old 99p free listings are obsolete. There are usually 20 free listings a month now. Occasionally there are special offers, ATM there is one for 5 days with free listing and some discount on final value fees. Ebay can be good but it takes some research, thought and time. Best of Luck
 
Only tip I can give and I have been giving it to everybody I encounter.
Do not use Myhermes!
They damaged and then lost a brand new saddle I sent. Avoid like the plague.
 
Just remember that eBay take 13.5% of the total sales value INCLUDING postage. So if you are selling heavier items like books, rugs, saddles, etc you could end up out of pocket.

I'd try your local FB horse selling pages, preloved and Gumtree first.

Good Luck
 
I'd second the suggestion of local pages - stuff gets snapped up on ours. I've used gumtree & preloved (sold a saddle) and use facebook for pretty much the rest of it - got a decent amount for my hoofboots on there, and okish amounts for stuff in used but okish condition - some people take the mick, but you can just say no. Bonus is I always say collection only so no driving to the post office etc!
 
Thanks everyone. I'll have a think about using Preloved too. Where I live isn't easy to find though - if you use sat nav, you won't get here, but I could meet potential purchasers in the village. Would that put anyone off who was paying cash on collection?
 
I've been thinking of listing some stuff on EBay as it seems everyone's trying to sell the same thing on my local pages or people comment wanting to buy so you message them and then they never get back to you 😐 Thanks for the tips and I might have a look at gumtree and preloved aswell 😊
 
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