Whether you’re looking for a new sales avenue for your company or just trying to make a couple extra bucks getting rid of stuff around the house, the holiday season is a great time to become a seller on eBay. But of course, it doesn’t come without its troubles, and understanding the best practices can help you to turn a profit.
Beware of promising delivery by Christmas. Unless it’s really far out, there may be things out of your control, such as delays at the post office, that mean it doesn’t arrive in time. But of course, timing is important to people around this time of year, so instead you can promise when you will get their item shipped out. For example, you can offer to ship on the day of payment as long as you receive it by 3 pm. It’s also a good idea to offer faster shipping options, such as 2-day and overnight, especially as we get closer to the holidays. To protect your reputation, you may want to spend a little extra and get tracking or a certificate of mailing, so you can offer proof that you followed through.
Offer “Buy It Now.” Encourage people to make an impulse buy and cross one more gift off their list. For many, the satisfaction of just having it done is well worth a little extra money during this season. Even if you don’t have much success with the Buy It Now option during the rest of the year, you will likely find more takers now.
Accept Paypal. Time is of the essence during the holidays, and the easiest way to pay and get paid on eBay is through Paypal. Many buyers won’t even consider items that don’t offer the option.
Understand the fees. Before you set a price, make sure you understand how much you will be paying to list the item on eBay, such as the listing fee, final value fee, and Paypal fees. You want to make sure that you will make a profit in the end.
Consider providing free shipping. It’s another way to set your item apart from the competition, and it’s easier than ever to calculate your expenses with USPS Priority Flat Rate boxes. You don’t have to worry about the price difference between shipping inside your own state and shipping to Alaska. But be sure to take this into account when deciding how much to list your item for.
Pay attention to when your listing will end. If it’s the middle of the work day on a Monday or a crazy hour of the night, there may not be very many people on eBay to get enticed at the last second. You want to make it as convenient as possible for people to find it as the bidding starts to heat up at the end. Sunday night is often a good time to schedule your listings to end.
When listing your items during the holidays, don’t be afraid to make the template a little festive. Include a fun border or offer wrapping. Make it easy for people to see that your item would make a great gift for their loved one!
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