Saturday, January 27, 2007

12 Tips To Make Your Ebay Business More Profitable

Sometimes it's the simple things that can make your eBay business more profitable and run smoother. Here are twelve things you can do that will lead to more sales and increased profits on eBay.
1. Use auction management tools or services
Using an auction management tool or service allows you to automate most of your day-to-day auction business and frees up time for other activities. There are numerous ones available and the majority of them offer a free 30-day trial period. Find one that fits your needs and budget, learn how to use all of it's features, and then stick with it. Make certain the one you choose supports eBay's Item Specifics and Pre-Filled features.
2. Target all your items toward the same market
There's nothing wrong with offering several different items on eBay, but try to sell things that target the same general market or 2-3 markets. You will find this makes it much easier for satisfied customers to buy from you again. The majority of my customers have returned to buy five or more items from me in the past year. You should strive for this also.
3. End all your auctions on the same day and during the same general time frame
Whatever you are selling, test different days and times of the day to determine what works best for you. Once you determine what day and time works best for you, stick to that time. Your customers will come to know your auctions always end on a certain day at a certain time and know that they can go on the computer on Sunday night at 10 PM, for example, and be able to bid.
4. Fast shipping equates to repeat sales
We live in an instant gratification world. Once an item is paid for, get it in the mail as quickly as possible. This will lead to higher customer feedback and repeat sales. If you aren't seeing comments about how fast a customer received their item in 60 to 70 percent of your feedback, it's taking you too long to get things in the mail and it's hurting your business.
5. Give your product a vacation once in a while
It pays to stop listing an item, or type of item, every once in a while so that potential customers don't begin to take it for granted that it will always be available. You will find that if you don't list an item for two or three weeks, when you do it again, it will almost always result in increased bidding and higher bids.
6. Make use of eBay's "Second Chance" offers
If you have multiples of the same item and more than one person has bid on it, make a "Second Chance" offer to the next one or two unsuccessful bidders. You will find the response rate to these offers is quite high. If you simply choose to re list, there's a good chance that many of the under-bidders will never see your item when it is re-listed.
7. Use a template to create a recognizable identity
Every auction you run should have a similar layout, graphics, and style that your customers can quickly associate with you. When one of your customers clicks on an item link and first arrives at your auction, they should instantly be able to say, "This is one of Bill's auctions." They will instantly feel at home and be more ready to bid.
8. Make use of eBay's Keyword program
Most people associate eBay's Keyword program with eBay stores, but it can be used very successfully in conjunction with your auctions too. The Keyword program is usually running some kind of free trial. Take advantage of it and see how it can increase both the number of bids and the ending price for your auctions.
9. Use Google's Adwords program to attract buyers
Used correctly, Google's Adwords program is an excellent way to attract potential bidders who would otherwise never see your auctions. As long as you use search words or phrases that are tightly targeted to the item you are selling, this can be a cheap and effective promotional tool.
10. Sell only one item per auction
There are exceptions, but bundling similar products into one auction almost always leads to fewer bids and decreased sales. While there may be times you do this to get rid of inventory that hasn't sold, it's normally not a good way to do business.
11. Sell internationally
The simple truth is that if you don't allow international buyers to bid on your auctions you are throwing money out the door. This is a lucrative market with lots of money to spend. Since many sellers exclude these buyers, it only makes sense that you give them the opportunity to spend their money with you.
12. Accept PayPal
If you're not accepting payment by PayPal, you may be loosing a lot of bidders and money. Buyers love the convenience of using this service and many won't bid on an item if the seller doesn't offer it as a payment option. If you're not doing it, you are throwing money away.
Gary Hendrickson has been making his living selling on eBay for more than six years. He's the author of two eBay related ebooks, has a blog for eBay sellers, and is the owner of ColdItems.Com.
ColdItems.ComThe Auction Rebel Blog

Friday, January 26, 2007

12 Items You Cant Sell On Ebay

Millions of would-be entrepreneurs want to sell things on ebay. eBay is the #1 home-business opportunity in the world right now, so it's natural that many are eager to find highly profitable items for re-sale on eBay. However, it's important to know that there are certain items that can't be sold. Here are a dozen of them ...
Some items are copyright infringement and can actually land a seller in federal prison:
1. Knock offs of music, TV shows or movies. The "bootleg" movies, for example, are often made by guys who sneak a movie camera into a newly-released movie where presumably, they crouch behind a seat and make a crummy copy. There is a large production of these counterfeit items in Asia where US laws have no power.
2. Software and computer games can likewise be copied and their sale is illegal by all US laws.
Naturally, the items above may be sold if you have a copy that you purchased legitimately and no longer want.
3. The so-called "replica" market for handbags, designer sunglasses and clothing is definitely forbidden although these items are often sold in physical stores around the US. Ironically, when attending eBay Live In New Orleans in 2004, we found a store in one of their famous markets selling replica purses that were not allowed on eBay.
4. Lazy and less-than-honest sellers often steal copyrighted material from other sellers. This has happened to me many times and eBay has a program called VERO (Verified Rights Owner) that will remove offending auctions, although there seems to be no penalty attached to the seller, which is unfortunate.
5. Alcoholic beverage sales are not allowed although a beverage "container', especially those of wine, may be sold for its value.
6. Cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco or coupons for such items are not permitted on eBay.com.
The Ebay rules for collectible tobacco and alcohol containers are the same:
* The value of the item is in the collectible packaging, not in the wine/tobacco itself.
* The listing description should state that the package has not been opened, but that the twine/tobacco within is not for consumption.
* The collectible tobacco packaging must not be available at any retail outlet, and packaging must have a value that substantially exceeds the current retail price of that wine/tobacco product in the package.
* Sellers must take steps to ensure that the buyer of these collectibles is at least 18 years of age
7. Firearms are strictly regulated by US law and may not be sold on eBay.
8. Satellite and cable TV descramblers are forbidden by the Federal Trade Commission.
9. Animals and wildlife products may not be sold, which includes stuffed birds and pelts from endangered species. There are limited sales of ivory, tortoise shell, marine products and other items relating to animals. This area is quite complex and any would-be seller needs to thoroughly understand the various laws before getting involved in these sales.
10. Event tickets have state-by-state laws that make their sale complex. Some states, for instance, forbid anyone to make more than a few dollars in profit (or no profit at all) on the resale of tickets. For instance, Florida law states that tickets can be resold at no more than face value plus $1. In such states, these regulations apply only to buyers and sellers located in the same state as the actual event, meaning if a seller lives in Florida, he can't profit from ticket sales to Florida events. However, if he lives in any of the other 39 states, this restriction doesn't apply.
11. Listing a catalog of items that a seller offers for sale is forbidden. The only catalogs legally sold on eBay are collectible kinds, such as an old Sears Roebuck or Montgomery Wards catalog that is memorabilia and doesn't offer current merchandise for sale.
12. Raffles and prizes are 100% prohibited. According to eBay, such promotions are highly regulated and may be unlawful in many states.
There are other kinds of merchandise that a seller may not sell on eBay, so carefully check eBay rules before listing anything. It's much better to know the rules in advance of spending money that can't be recouped.
Learn how to sell on eBay with 16 hours of online instruction taught by a 10 year eBay veteran. Own an eBay business instead of an eBay hobby.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

10 Tips To Starting A Financially Successful Ebay Business Startting Right Now

Ebay is Perhaps the easiest and fastest way to start a home based online business. Here are 10 Tips to starting a Successful Ebay Business
1 - Become an Ebay Shopper
Buy a Few things on Ebay. Learn your way around. Pay for your winning Bids Promptly and get positive Feedback
2 - Register as a Reseller
Go to the EBay Web Page and Register as a Reseller
3 - Take a Class
Ebay Offers online Classes starting at $19.95 and uphttp://pages.ebay.com/education/ebayuniversityonline/
Ebay also Offers Classes in a Live Seminar Formathttp://pages.ebay.com/university/
4 - Practice
Find something around the house you no longer want. Some Old Jewelery, a Game your child outgrew, that Gown you bought on sale and never wore, the Special addition Rubik's Cube. One man's junk is another man's Treasure.
5 - What to Sell
Sell something you enjoy. If you enjoy what you are doing you more then likely will be more successful. Sell what you know. If you couldn't spot a Rolex from a Timex you don't want to be selling watches.
6 - Create Your Ad
Use Keyword rich text in your ads so they will be picked up by search engines. Make sure your text is people Friendly and People Readable
7 - Picture
You need a Picture with your ad. If you are serious about selling on Ebay you will need a good Digital Camera, Don't skimp. A 4 Mega Pixal camera is Good a 5 Mega Pixal Camera is Better. All things being Equal between 2 Ads the one with the best pictures will get the Best Bids.
8 - Payment Options
It is always best to have lot's of Payment Options, Paypal, Credit Cards, Money Orders. If 2 Auctions are the same the one with the most flexible payment options will get the best bids
9 - Shipping
Make sure you pack your items well. Research shipping options and pricing and list them in your Auction, Offer insurance as an Option and charge the actual cost.
10 - Feedback
Always give your Buyers Feedback especially if it is positive. After you give positive feedback request positive feedback in return.
Good Luck and Happy Ebaying
About The Author:
Mike Makler has been Marketing Online Since 2001 When he Builtan Organization of over 100,000 Members

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Wednesday, January 24, 2007

3 Unusual Formats For Auctions On Ebay

eBay users are accustomed to only two "standard" formats forsales on eBay: either the 'regular' auction which involvesbidding and waiting; and the Buy It Now, which is an instantpurchase.

But there are three other formats that are less well known.

1. Live Auctions

Before eBay, the traditional auction included live bodies inchairs and an auctioneer up front (talking so fast he wasfrequently unintelligible). Any buyer can still participatein these live auctions via eBay. Live auctions are a hybrid- a buyer is 'sort of' present in a live setting yet is athome using an Internet connection.

The products for sale are usually expensive and unusual.There are such items as expensive and unique coins, Asianart, native American artifacts, incredible jewelry, costlyfurniture, memorabilia from major sports stars and evenhistory. Today, for instance, there are documents signed byJohn Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, James Madison and UlyssesGrant (he confides that he was strenuously opposed to the"wicked" war with Mexico).

If you choose to participate in a live auction, be certainthat you register first because you can't just drop in on awhim.

You can find all the details here:http://www.ebayliveauctions.com

2. Private Auctions

Private auctions are similar to the typical auction thatwe're all familiar with except for one detail - theidentities of the bidders are kept secret. Only the sellerhas access to the names.

Why would anyone create a private auction? It's usually forone of three reasons:

* The item is quite expensive and buyers might beuncomfortable having others know they can afford suchmerchandise. Their concern about their financial status ismost likely misplaced because it is quite possible todistance yourself from eBay contact information, but much ofselling is about perception.

* The buyers might be embarrassed by the nature of themerchandise.

* Some sellers habitually use private auctions to make itharder for their competition to snoop on them.

3. Restricted Access Auctions

This is usually for sales of "adult" items. The main purposeis to prevent children from seeing this kind of merchandise,and is similar to having covers on racy magazines at storecheckouts.

To bid on these items, the buyer must:

* Be 18 years old

* Must have supplied credit card information to eBay.Thetheory is that no one under 18 can get a credit card andtherefore cannot get into these sections.

* Agree that he is voluntarily accessing restricted accessauctions

In addition, restricted auctions are excluded from theFeatured pages. So if you are a seller using this format,your listing will be harder to find.

Even though they are less well known, these three formatsfor auctions on eBay still account for tens of millions ofdollars in sales each year. If they suit your businessmodel, you might consider them.

Sydney Johnston has been an eBay seller since 1996 and is the originator and teacher of the famous 'Auction Genius Course'. She is the author of the best-selling auction book on the Internet, 'Make Your Net Auction Sell' and offers an 11 Day Course that teaches how to sell on ebay:http://www.auction-genius-course.com/11days.shtml

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

2 Step Secret Reveals How You Can Find Wholesale Suppliers

Have you spent hours on the internet searching for a viable wholesale source? I did. I spent money on self-professed in-depth Wholesale Supplier directories and membership sites. All a waste of time and money.
So how can you find a real wholesale supplier? A supplier that will give you a fair price which you can actually make a profit from?
What I learned is that the best suppliers for your online sales or auctions do not advertise their services and often cannot be found online. Those you can find online tend to be middle-men. It is often difficult to get a good enough price to make any real profit online.
Let me tell you about my simple 2 step system to find an untapped source for wholesale suppliers. This is so simple that it's often overlooked as a source for product. This system involves thinking outside the box and not letting policy stop you.
The First Step to finding a supplier is to find someone that already sells or has access to what you want to sell. This could be a website, an eBay seller, a manufacturer, a wholesale outlet, or a regular store in your city.
This is the easy step. You know what you are looking for and you can search on the internet, not for a wholesale source, but for anyone already selling what you want to sell.
Another valuable source for a local supplier is your local phone book. The yellow pages are the best way to find local sources. This should be the first place you look. Doing business locally with someone that you can meet face to face is a big plus.
The Second and Key Step is to convince the source you found to become your supplier.
How can you do that? This is wehre you get creative!
Manufacturers and wholesale sources often have minimum orders that might be beyond your reach if you are just starting out. Online retailers, eBay merchants, and retail stores may be your best bet.
The key to remember is that you will be dealing with a human being and they can be convinced to do business with you. Just be sure to sweeten the deal for them.
One way is to offer the person you are dealing with at your new found source, a percentage of your profits from the products he supplies you.
Be sure to project it out for him. If he can see the benefit of working with you, even though it causes extra work for him, you can be successful in making a deal.
You could offer him 20% of the profit from sales of his products. For example you could show him that you project to make at least $100 profit from each product, and you expect to sell 40 of them per month. The $4000 a month means an extra $800 per month in his pocket. You still make a nice $3200 profit for the month in this example.
On top of that, he will be ordering more products from his supplier and may be eligible for a higher price break from them. This way, his reward for the effort to work with you, is making money on both sides.
There are many benefits you can offer your potential supplier, but no matter how you look at it, the main thing it comes down to is MONEY. What's in it for your potential supplier to do business with you? If can you show him that, you have a better chance of making a deal with him and starting your online sales.
So now you see that by thinking outside the box, you open the door to many possibilities and increase your ability to make money online with your products.
Now all you need to focus on is - How you will sell yourproducts!
Copyright (c) 2005, Melanie Burns -- All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Melanie Burns has passion and dedication to assistingothers to make Your Internet Business a Success!Join the weekly "Abundant Success Online" newsletter,mailto:aso-subscribe@internet-business-how-to.com
(Permission to reprint this article in its entirety including byines is expressly granted.)