5 Free Resources for Learning to Sell on eBay

Getting started on eBay can be overwhelming for a beginner. There is a lot to learn including how to navigate on the eBay site, what items are allowed, shipping, returns, eBay policies, Paypal, and photography. Learning to sell on eBay can be a bit of a puzzle - making sure all the pieces fit together properly and that the customer is happy. The best way to learn how to sell on eBay is to spend time studying each part of the process. Here are some free resources that can help the beginner get started.

eBay's Seller Center

eBay is the perfect place to start learning about eBay! Visit their Seller Center to get an overview of each part of the selling process. eBay provides a seller checklist that helps walk newbies through the process. For example, eBay suggests sellers take at least 4 photos of the item from different angles. New sellers can utilize eBay's recommendations on how to price items. Keep in mind, eBay often suggests prices lower than the going market rate so that items will sell quickly. (The best way to determine selling price is to study completed sold listings for the same type of item on eBay.)​

eBay Radio Archives

eBay Radio has been broadcasting since 2003. Hosted by Jim Griffith, aka Griff and Lee Mirabal, eBay Radio broadcasts twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. According to the website:

"On Tuesdays, eBay Radio and eBay Radio’s Top Rated Seller Hour feature interviews with eBay employees, eBay sellers and e-commerce experts along with eBay news and education plus open phones segments.

On Thursdays, listeners are the stars of eBay Radio’s Ask Griff & Lee with their eBay questions and comments, while the hosts cover eBay news and related e-commerce content."

The eBay Radio Archives contain thousands of episodes with valuable information for the new seller. As a learning tool, It is best to listen to these shows from most current to least current, as eBay policies and the site has changed a great deal over the years. Listening to the most current episodes will bring new sellers up to speed on the most current policies, fee structures, and other information. 

eBay Help Index

eBay offers a good old-fashioned A-Z help index. This is a wonderful resource to bookmark on your computer if you are a new seller. Sellers can browse the index by topic, or search by keyword. eBay has its own language so learning the jargon can be intimidating for new sellers. For example, eBay talks about avoiding VERO violations. New sellers may not know what this term means. The help index also includes a list of commonly used eBay acronyms so if a new seller is reading a listing or a tutorial and doesn't understand a cryptic acronym, the answer is at her fingertips.

Facebook Groups

There are hundreds of Facebook Groups dedicated to eBay selling. Some are networking groups while others are a consortium of complainers. Be careful which ones you join. It is best to join a group with a lot of members and a busy feed where members are active. Always read the rules before posting on any of these groups. Not following group policy can result in permanent suspension. Rules usually exist to keep the group on topic and prevent repetitious questions. Some groups are a great place to learn, others have a very negative energy. Keep searching until you find a group that suits your needs.

YouTube

Some eBay sellers have taken the initiative to start a YouTube channel. Like Facebook, YouTube channels vary in depth and delivery of information. Look around and find channels you like that inform and educate. Many YouTubers are simply out to entertain, and that can be useful at times. But if learning how to sell on eBay is the goal, the more educational the better. Look for sellers that provide tutorials, explain the "how-tos" in great detail, and actually teach something. YouTube videos are great to listen to in the background while photographing items or posting listings. 

If you are new to selling on eBay, there are plenty of free resources on the internet to help you learn. The key to learning anything is putting in the time and doing the work. eBay is like anything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it. Make sure to do your due diligence and learn the basics before jumping in to sell.