Secrets for Any eBay Seller


We'll end this chapter with some general selling secrets that any eBay seller can use. Read and learn!

Secret #35: Document Everything

In case something goes south, it helps to have good records of all aspects of your transaction. Print copies of the confirmation email, plus all email between you and the buyer. Be sure to write down the buyer's user ID, email address, and physical address. If the transaction is ever disputed, you'll have all the backup you need to plead your case.

Secret #36: The Customer Is Always Right…

Although many sellers take a hardball attitude and refuse any discussion of refunds, I recommend a more customer-friendly approach. When I have a dissatisfied buyer, I offer a full refund. Yeah, some buyers might try to take advantage of you, but most are honest. So if you have a buyer with a complaint, you can generally assume that it's a legitimate beef. You'll get better feedbackand sleep easier at nightif you have the customer return the item and refund the purchase price. It's the right thing to do!

Caution

If you do offer a refund, don't send the money until you've received and examined the item in dispute. Some smarmy buyers might try to dupe you by sending back a different item than the one you shipped!


Secret #37: …Or All Sales Are Final

If you choose not to offer a "satisfaction guaranteed" policy, be sure to state that "all sales are final" in your item listing. (Alternatively, you can say that your item is "sold as-is" or that there are "no returns.")

Note

Learn more about running a full-fledged eBay business (and paying taxes!)in my companion book, Making a Living from Your eBay Business (Que, 2005).


Secret #38: If It's a Business, You Pay Taxes

This book isn't meant to offer tax advice (and you'd be foolish to consult me for such!), but larger eBay sellers need to be aware of the tax issue. In general, if you're an individual who classifies as a casual eBay seller, you probably don't have to worry about collecting sales taxes or reporting taxable income. However, if you're a business or an individual at the power seller level, the Internal Revenue Service will want their share. The best advice here is that no matter what level your eBay sales, you should consult your accountant or a similar tax expertand never, never try to fool Uncle Sam.

Caution

As helpful as the board members are, they probably can't answer all the questions you might have. In particular, don't expect these users to reveal their personal buying/selling secrets, merchandise suppliers, or other proprietary information. So be realistic about the help you can getand make sure you thank those who answer your questions!


Secret #39: Join the eBay Community

Here's a tip of value to both sellers and buyers. When you have questions or problems with your eBay auctions, you can get tons of help from other eBay users, via eBay's community discussion boards. Just click the Community link on the eBay Navigation Bar (or go directly to hub.ebay.com/community), and you'll see eBay's Community hub, as shown in Figure 26.1. Click the Discussion Boards link to see all the different boards available.

Figure 26.1. Get help and support from other members of the eBay community.


eBay offers discussion boards for individual product categories, as well as more general boards for buying, selling, and creating auction listings. The users who frequent these boards are extraordinarily helpful, and can answer just about any question you pose.

Secret #40: Be Nice

Whenever you're communicating with a buyer, remember that you're dealing with another human being, someone who has feelings that can be hurt. A little bit of common courtesy goes a long way. Say please and thank you, be understanding and tolerant, and treat your trading partner in the same way you'd like to be treated. Follow the golden rule; do unto other auction traders as you would have them do unto you.

Tip

Want even more advice? Then check out my companion book, Tricks of the eBay Masters, 2nd Edition (Que, 2006). It's filled with 600 tricks and tips that any eBay seller can use!


The Absolute Minimum

Here are the key points to remember from this chapter:

  • Research your listing beforehand.

  • Take the time and effort to create an attractive and descriptive auction listing.

  • For best results, time your auction to end on a Sunday evening in prime time.

  • Never end an auction on a Friday or Saturday night, or on a holiday.

  • When the auction's over, communicate with the buyerthe more often, the better.

  • Get help and support from other eBay users, in eBay's discussion boards.

  • Treat your auction sales as a business, and your buyers as customers; and remember, the customer is always right!





Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay
Absolute Beginners Guide to eBay (4th Edition)
ISBN: 078973561X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2004
Pages: 204

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