SolveYourProblem eBusiness Series:
Online Auction Site Tips, Hints & Strategies
You Need To Know
(includes eBay® and Yahoo®)
( 10 pages )

81.
Online Auction Users Association

If you want to establish quick credibility, you can join the Online Auction Users Association, which requires you to agree to a code of ethics and display the membership logo on all of your auctions. This adds yet one more peace of mind to buyers.

82.
Featured Articles

eBay offers both buyers and sellers featured articles that can be helpful. These articles offer diversity and can guide you through some difficult or discouraging challenges.

83.
E-Mail Accounts

In addition to your eBay contact and primary e-mail address, you should also consider adding an alternate e-mail address. Just in case something happens to one, you have a backup option for buyers to reach you with a question or problem. The more accessible you are to your buyers, the better.

84.
Bid Cancellation

If you discover a bogus bidder has bid on your auction, be sure to cancel their bid before the auction ends, which saves you from losing an honest, paying buyer. Some of these bogus buyers will be discovered from your own experiences and others you can research through eBay.

85.
Alternate Spellings

The “search” option is precise so you need to try breaking words up, creating a better chance for your auction to be found. As an example, if you are selling a lawnmower, list it as “Lawnmower” and “Lawn Mower.” Another example would be selling a television. You might list it as “television” and “TV.”

86.
Summer vs. Winter

Online auctions tend to be a little slower during the summer months when people are outside, on vacation, and just enjoying life. The winter months when people are cooped up in the house tend to be much busier. For this reason, many items difficult to sell or higher priced items should be listed during the winter.

87.
Collectibles

When selling antiques or collectibles, you should provide a history of the item(s). If you have artwork for sale in your auction, provide the buyer with its origin. People love to have history, especially when it comes to collectibles, which is part of what adds to its value. Without embellishing, make the story a good one.

88.
Reserve Pricing

Reserve pricing cannot be seen by the buyer, leaving them to question how much you are really asking. For example, if you had an office printer for sale, you might list a reserve price, or a “hidden” base figure of $100. However, to the buyers, in their opinion, this printer is not worth more than $60 since this is the average price from other sellers for similar equipment. As the buyers start bidding close to $60 and they see that the reserve has still not yet been met, they will quickly stop bidding, unsure of what your “hidden” base is. When you use reserve pricing, it does not help to build buyer/seller confidence and should be avoided.

89.
Professional Ads

Keeping with the importance of a professional looking auction, if you need assistance, use the Instant Ad Creator, which will walk you through the process to a great looking ad.

90.
Integrity

Regardless of whom the buyer, work with integrity and run your auctions accordingly. More than likely, you will run into some difficult buyers, although not often. Keep in mind that every buyer provides the best form of advertisement - word of mouth. Integrity is what will draw customers in and keep them coming back along with friends and family.

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