Online Auction Tips for Sellers
From LoveToKnow Online
Whether you're selling your old clothing or valuable antiques, online auctions can provide a steady source of income.
Prepare Your Online Auction Listing
Description
Good descriptions are key to selling at online auctions. Describe your product fully and carefully. If size matters, measure it, and be exact. All size 10 women’s pants are not created equal. Know your terminology and avoid misleading terms. Don’t call a pair of shoes “Birkenstock-like” in your auction title to try to lure in buyers searching for Birkenstocks.
Be honest about any flaws in the products you’re selling. If there’s a scratch or a stain, describe it. In fact, take a picture of the exact spot so buyers can determine for themselves whether it’s worth worrying about.
Use pictures, taking shots from multiple angles if necessary. A digital camera is indispensable for this. In a pinch, a scanner can create an image of a small, flat object.
Research
You should also research any terminology related to your products. If you’re selling rare books, do you know how to tell the difference between a first and second edition? If you’re selling jewelry, do you know your clasps from your carats? You can search online for related websites or look for books on collectibles and hobbies at your local library or bookstore.
Check for similar online auctions to get an idea of the current selling price for what you would like to sell and to see how the most successful auctions present their products. It's fine to use others' auctions as inspiration for your own, but never copy another seller's descriptions or pictures.
Know Your Shipping Options
You will have to provide shipping information in your auction listing, so the time to think about shipping is before you've made a single sale. Some sellers prefer to ship by UPS, DHL or FedEx, while others swear by the United States Postal Service. It pays to compare rates because the best prices can vary depending on the average weight and size of your packages.
If you’re shipping through the USPS, there are a few special mailing options that auction sellers can take advantage of. If you’re selling books, CDs, computer software or DVDs, these items are eligible for a special media mail rate. It’s cheaper, but it’s also typically much slower, depending on how far the package has to travel.
Priority Mail can be a bit more expensive than parcel post, but free flat-rate shipping boxes are available. In addition to saving you money and trouble when it comes to packing your sales, a flat-rate box may be an economical shipping option for heavy items.
The USPS also offers delivery confirmation and insurance. If there is a dispute over whether your product arrived or not, delivery confirmation can save you from unscrupulous buyers. While insurance can be purchased for any shipment, it's a necessity for expensive products and items that could be easily damaged in transit.
Consider Lots
If you have several smaller items, consider combining them into a “lot,” a single auction that combines several offerings. Clothing can work especially well in these mixed packages of goods.
Provide Good Customer Service
Keep the lines of communication open, and respond to all questions from potential buyers promptly since each question is a potential sale. You may want to set up a separate e-mail account just for your auction sales so that no e-mails slip through the cracks in your personal e-mail address.
Ship all purchases as soon as possible. Pack your items carefully and secure them with strong tape. Write the shipping address neatly and legibly, or for the most professional look, print a shipping label.
Staying organized and on top of your online auctions is vital to providing good customer service. You don’t want to lose a sale or receive negative feedback because you misplaced an e-mail or didn’t drive to the post office on time.
Business or Hobby?
Selling items online can be a good way to get rid of clutter and make a little extra money. Think of it as a virtual garage sale. Just as some garage sale planners go on to open their own secondhand or antique shops, selling at online auctions can be a business in its own right. If your occasional auction sales become a regular event, you’ll need to start thinking of yourself as a business owner, with the taxes, licenses and fees that go along with it. Don’t tempt fate with the IRS. On the plus side, if you’re running a business many of your expenses for inventory and supplies may now be deductible.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 766 times. This page was last modified 07:16, 8 April 2006.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
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