Getting Rid of Stuff Series: Ebay

Since January we have been trying to simplify.  But not just simplify, redirect that attention to God.  One thing we discovered is we have too much stuff, plain and simple.   Stuff shoved in closets. Stuff under beds.  Stuff covering every square inch of our house. So after gathering a bunch that we did not need, we decided to do 4 different things with the stuff…

1. Give it away. 2. Sell it on Ebay. 3. Sell it on online Garage Sale pages on Facebook. 4. Have a garage sale.

Each had its pluses and minuses.  But I think the biggest plus of all is that we don't have so much stuff in our lives to distract us from God :). For the next few weeks I am going to share a post on our experience with each… and I highly encourage you to simplify too, it has been a great experience!

So let's get down to it… pointers for selling on EBAY.  I got many of this from my friend Sarah who is about the best Ebay seller I have ever met!

*If you have never bought or sold on eBay before you may have to build a reputation.  If you buy things and pay on time that is a great way to get some initial positive feedback.  You become more popular as a seller if you have more positive feedback and usually make more per item.  People are just more willing to buy from you if you have a good reputation.  I found that I could buy my favorite makeup on eBay, new, for cheap.  So I bought a little in the beginning to boost my rep. As time goes on and people give you good feedback, your reputation improves as well! *When I started to make piles of junk stuff I barely used, I made a separate pile for things that were name brand.  Buyers almost always search by brand, so on eBay brand is key.  Name brand popular labels.  For the most part that is all I ever try to sell on eBay.
*When eBay shoppers search, it is based on your title line!  The title line is of the utmost importance. Adorable dress means nothing.  Pack that title with as much MEANINGFUL detail as you can muster. Brand,  condition (new with tags-NWT, new with out rage NWOT, etc), size color, type of item.  I often include women's, men's, etc if necessary.  *Take good pictures. This is the biggest pain to me.  You get 12 pictures for free… use them.  Tags, seams, all parts of the item!  As you are taking the pictures think, would these make me want to buy this product?   *Include a brief thank you note and let your buyer know that you really appreciate their business.  This will encourage them to leave you some positive feedback. *Ship fast and ship well.  I try to ship the next day as much as possible.I am obsessed with these shipping bags.  Thanks again Sarah :)  I have them on hand.  You can arrange a carrier pick up too if you don't want to go to the post office! * Be organized.  I keep a box with all of the stuff I am currently selling on Ebay, packing tape and bags ready!

That's all I can think of for now!:) Do you have any other suggestions???