Going once! Going twice! Sold! Problem? It’s the noise of a conventional live auction but, because of the technology nowadays, you can buy then sell Twenty-four hours a day, 7 days per week. Lots of people have chosen eBay as a work-at-home career and several are quite successful at it. Gone are the days of getting to wake up early and get out to the auction before all of the treasures are gone. These days, an enormous amount of treasures are no beyond the press of a mouse.
Because lots of people list auctions each and every day, eBay offers PowerSeller recognition to qualified sellers. In order to be selected, you have to generate typically $1,000.00 in sales for 3 consecutive months. This will bring you listed being an entry level PowerSeller and, as revenue increases same goes with your membership.
There are wonderful opportunities for that casual seller but, for those who want to earn some serious cash, listed here are 10 tips to keep.
1. Look for a niche and stick with it. If you want to sell collectibles, sell only collectibles. Buyers will recognize you like a specialized seller and respect your presence as a knowledgeable expert.
2. Sell what you know. If you are an expert in jewelry, allow it to be your company. When people inquire about your merchandise, they will feel comfortable dealing with someone who is really well-educated regarding their products.
3. Be competitive. Auctions start as low as $0.01, but avoid this process if you don't make use of a reserve or are able to afford to accept chance. To be competitive, you have to offer one of the best opening prices, reasonable shipping rates and provide a terrific description. Additionally, you will have to list your shipping and payment policies clearly.
4. Buy in quantity. If you're in a position to achieve this, buy in big amounts and enjoy the discounted cost for bulk buyers. By purchasing large quantities of one item, it can save you a lot of money and pass those savings onto your customers. Whenever you list a bidding, sell at a fixed price and provide all of the items under one listing fee. For instance, if you have 30 rings that you want to market for $9.99, select the Fixed Price listing option. When prompted, enter a quantity of 30 along with a cost of $9.99. With this particular one auction, you will find the potential to sell all 30 rings in support of pay one listing fee. If you sell the best product, and also the right price to complement, this process works wonders.
5. Offer customer incentives. If your budget allows it, send your buyers a 10% off coupon with every order. Print off some coupons on your computer and allow your customers realize that they can apply them to their next purchase. This will entice these phones return to your auctions and, the greater bids that everybody sees on your items, the more appealing your product or service become.
6. When shipping your items, pay close attention to the presentation. If you are selling jewelry, purchase gift boxes in large quantities and put one bit of jewelry per box. Place the jewelry inside of a small jewelry ziploc before fitting it within the gift box. Your customers will appreciate having their jewelry delivered inside a completely new gift box and, if it’s a gift, it will likely be prepared to present to the recipient.
7. Customer service is essential. Answer questions promptly and try to be courteous. Not every question will make sense, but have patience as new people register and try to adjust to online auctions. You might get questions regarding everything from how to bid and pay to questions regarding your product. Buyers will appreciate for the time to walk them through the process, particularly if they're new. People need just a little help occasionally.
8. As the business becomes more established, search for more wholesale and distributor companies to order from. The bigger companies, which offer a few of the lowest prices, also need a minimum order. This can be inconvenient when you’re just getting started this will let you tight budget, but if you will find the cash to spare - take a look at some of the large wholesalers and take advantage of their minimum orders. Dollar for dollar, they've the best deals for the lowest prices, however, you have to agree to purchase a fair amount from them.
9. Let the creativity flow. If you have an idea that nobody else has tried yet, go for it. If you want autographs, turn it into a business. Take the autographs and turn them into a quilt by having quilt squares signed, sewing them together and presenting a rare autographed quilt. You're limited only because of your own imagination.
10. The final and final tip to increasing your eBay business into a PowerSeller status is to stay positive. It takes awhile to obtain there, but you makes it. Being a serious presence on such a large auction site will take lots of hard work, dedication and customer support skills. You'll want patience and you cannot give up. There will be other businesses competing against you at every turn. If you sell for $9.99, someone else may offer a similar product for $8.99. But, don’t worry - you will develop loyal customers and they will return to buy from you. Your final thought - never tell anyone about your wholesale source. You might get questions suggesting that you disclose where you got the items, but don’t reply. They are likely other sellers searching for where you got the truly amazing deals.
