Selecting the Right Auction Length

The first option we'll examine is one that, in most configurations, doesn't cost you a thing. eBay lets you choose from five different lengths for your auctions: 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days. The first four options come at the standard listing price; 10-day auctions cost you an additional 40 cents.

Note

A 3- or 5-day auction is also a good option if you have to start your auction mid-week but still want it to end on the weekend.

The defaultand most commonauction length is seven days. Choose anything shorter, and you miss any potential buyers who check in only one day a week. Choose the longer option, and it's probably overkill. (Plus, you have to wait an extra three days to collect your money.)

Know, however, that some sellers like a 10-day auction that starts on a Friday or Saturday so that they get two weekends in their bidding schedule. Others prefer a shorter auction (as long as it runs over a weekend), recognizing that most bidding happens during the last few hours, anyway.

My recommendation is to go with the standard seven-day auction, with some exceptions. If you really need your money quickly, go with a three- or five-day auction, but try to time the listing so that you get in a bidding weekend. Also know that some buyers expect and plan on seven-day auctions, so you might not get as much last-minute sniping if you opt for the shorter length.