| Visual Guide to the Simple Selling Form (cont'd) | |
|
Now that you've categorized your item and opened the simple selling form, it's time to create the listing that shoppers will see when they search for items like the one you're selling. This involves choosing a title or headline for your listing, supplying photos and entering a detailed description, setting your price, and a few other important details.
Simple Form Step 1: Enter a descriptive title for your item
Enter a title for your item in the first box of the simple selling form (item A). This should be a brief but descriptive line of text that gives the most basic make, model, features, condition, and similar basic information about your item. This is the first thing prospective buyers will see when they search for items like yours, so it should clearly summarize what you're selling. You only have 55 characters to work with, so you should also be as succinct as possible. The following are good examples:
- "Used Apple iPod 30GB with all accessories"
- "New men's Wilson's leather jacket, full-length, black, size XL"
- "Brand new 2008 Dunlop hybrid golf clubs set"
Simple Form Step 2: Add photos of the item you're selling
If you haven't already done so, take several digital photos of the item you're selling so that prospective buyers can see what they're bidding on or buying. Without a photo, your item has little chance of selling at a good price-if it sells at all.
Add photos of your item to your listing by clicking on the "Add a photo" buttons one at a time (items marked A) and then selecting the photo file on your computer in the file list that appears. You can add one photo for free; each additional photo adds a small surcharge (the price is shown below each button) to your listing fees. In many cases, it's also a good idea to check the "Gallery Plus" box (item B), which makes it possible for buyers to see a large photo of your item in certain circumstances as they shop; this option also adds a small surcharge to your listing fee.
Simple Form Step 3: Provide a detailed description of your item
Now it's time to enter a detailed description of your item for prospective buyers. Begin by selecting the condition of your item from the "Item condition" drop-down list (item A). Then, use the text editor area (the large empty area marked B) just as you would a word processor and type as much information as you can about your item:
- Make, model, capacity, and specifications (if applicable)
- Condition, size, color, features, and included accessories
- Notes about any flaws or missing components
- Details about whether or not you guarantee the item (or are instead selling it on an AS-IS basis)
- Details about how you plan to ship and/or to whom you're willing to ship
- Any special procedures that you want buyers to follow as they purchase
Simple Form Step 4: Enter pricing, shipping, and handling details
Enter a starting bid for your item (entry box A) and choose how long you want the auction to run before it closes and the winning bid is determined (drop-down list B). In most cases, best results are achieved by setting the lowest minimum bid you're comfortable with (many experienced sellers always begin auctions at $1.00, since nearly every item on eBay gets numerous bids, with items getting more bids the lower their starting price). Allow the auction to run as long as possible to maximize the number of bids you receive.
Check the "But It Now" box (item C) if you'd like to set a price at which you're willing to sell immediately. Any buyer will be able to purchase the item without bidding if they are willing to offer you the Buy It Now price that you set. If you check the box and wish to set a Buy It Now price, tell that price to eBay by entering it in the box on the right (item D).
After entering pricing details, select the shipping method that you plan to use and enter details about how much buyers will be charged for shipping (items marked E). Then, tell eBay how much time you need for handling (the time between buyer payment and the moment at which you ship) by selecting from the "Handling Time" drop-down list (item F).
Finally, if you're willing to accept requests for item returns within the first seven days after the buyer has received the item, check the returns box (item G) to make this clear to shoppers and prospective buyers.
Simple Form Step 5: Enter payment and bidding details
Next, enter the email address that should receive PayPal payments for the item you're selling (item A). This is the email address that you supplied when you joined PayPal. Buyers' payments will automatically be sent to your PayPal account this way, from which they can be transferred into your bank account or used for your own eBay shopping needs.
Then, check the bidder blocking box (item B) to block bidders that are not easy for eBay amateurs to do business with-for example, bidders from difficult-to-ship-to international countries and/or bidders who are themselves new to eBay and have had problems in their early transactions.
Final Step A: Check your fees
Now that you've completely filled out the simple selling form, you can see how much eBay will charge you for the listing by looking at the lower-left corner of the page for a calculation of your listing fee for this item (circled above). Once you submit this listing, this amount will be billed to your eBay seller account, which you will be expected to pay during the next montly billing cycle. Note that failure to pay fees in a timely basis will result in your eBay account being suspended.
If the fees for the listing are more than you're willing to pay, consider doing the following to reduce the total cost that will be billed to you:
- Reducing the minimum bid you've specified
- Removing the Buy It Now option
- Removing one or more photos
- Unchecking the Gallery Plus feature
- Reducing the duration of the listing (if you've opted for a 10-day auction)
Final Step B: Save and preview your listing
Once you've reviewed the selling fees you'll be charged and are satisfied with the information you've entered, click the "Save and preview" button (circled above) to preview your listing for the final time before confirming it as a live item available for sale on the eBay website. If you're not satisfied with the preview, return to the listing form and make any necessary changes before actually posting it.
Welcome to the community of eBay sellers!
Previous page < Begin the Selling Process <t; Page 1, 2
