Hi folks... I am going to share my expertise in how to run a successful eBay store.
(This post has ZERO to do with promoting my store)
I have created a large online selling business that continues to flourish over the past 4 years.
Now, I do be believe it takes more than just "wanting to make more money" to get into selling on eBay or any kind of e-commerce platform...
There has to be a thrill and joy to it!
Just like anything we do, if we put the idea of money aside and just do something with our time that naturally energizes and inspires us, it is going to become something great and the money will follow.
I feel like ^that's important to say before I get to the point of this because I have helped people get started and ultimately it does come down to...
************ DOES IT INSPIRE YOU? ***********
I could base getting started off of...
"Do you like the idea of being able to have your extra effort pay off
(Seeing more results based off how much you do)?"
WELL DUH! Who doesn't?!
"Are you currently breathing air???!"
Then you've come to the right place! Lol.
As I write this I don't want this to come off like one of those...
"Want to work from home and make 100k/year?!" type of advertisements you see online.
Although, ^this is the potential of where this WILL lead... You just need to feel it out for yourself...
Does the idea of this inspire you?
You will know without me spelling it out too much further.
If I can guide one person to make this shift and better their life, I will be thrilled.
Once you have determined,
"Hey! I do feel inspired right now reading this!"
(Maybe you have even thought about selling on eBay before)
If this is the case...
Then trust me on this one... Keep reading and I will tell you how to start your successful eBay journey...
So you have made it to here... Welcome to a potential that is at your finger tips at this moment...
A lot of this information will be useful as time goes on, so do not be overwhelmed... Use it all as a reference!
SELLING ON EBAY SUCCESSFULLY!
(Hey you! The one that skipped my ^ introduction! Yeah you... Read that first!)
Getting started: Websites, accounts and apps you will need:
PayPal.com ----
eBay.com ----
Your Bank --> Fill in the blank (.com) > (Don't have a bank account? That's ok)
-USPS.com (For Free Priority Shipping Supplies - 'Padded Flat Rate Envelopes' are clutch)
-Gmail.com, Yahoo.com or AOL.com --
(Yahoo or AOL... Really? Yeah I know... eBay likes Yahoo and AOL. Lol. AIM Nostalgia Anyone?)
Bookmark all of these^ sites on your browser AND download the apps on your phone
Create Your Accounts
This part will take about 15-30 minutes - You'll find yourself taking the most time on a name lol
+Open 4 Tabs on your browser
(Steps 1, 2 and 3 below, go hand in hand... Your eBay User ID and email should be similar but can't be exact <eBay Policy)
Step 1: Email Address - Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc. ( A company with a user friendly phone app)
Create an email address that is simple to remember and JUST for stuff related to eBay...
(Your email address can't match your eBay username word for word... but something similar is wise for when you create business cards or expand your store to other platforms)
A new email will be important for just eBay and PayPal related notifications... No clutter and organized.
Step 2: If you don't already have a PayPal account... Start one!
Add the email you just created to your existing account or open a fresh PayPal account with your new email address.
(If you are starting a new account: Link your bank account or debit... Don't have one? That's ok.)
I recommend upgrading it (For Free) to a business account... Then signing up ASAP to receive the Business Debit Card.
STEP 3: If you don't already have an eBay account... (Start one or update with the new email address you just created)
Creating an eBay User ID (If you already have one, Depending on your current user name... Consider editing it.)
It's hard to say before listing anything (for sale) for your name to be relevant to what you are selling but make it fun, professional and easy to remember (IMO preferably without numbers)
Example: Play on words with your name and favorite song lyrics, title, movie quote, etc. - Get creative!
Your name is Gaby and you love The Beatles... GabyRoad if that name is taken.... GabyRoadTreasures, GabyRoadSales, etc.
Better yet if you love Phil Collins and The Beatles too... GabyRoadSussudios
Lol. You are just going to want something that a buyer can remember.
Ultimately, something that isn't going to make potential buyers think twice about buying from you... The idea is to welcome anybody and a User ID and/or Store Name (as small as it seems) can make a big difference.
STEP 4: Create a USPS account with your new email address.
Sign in
-Order a box of 100 padded flat rate envelopes (Flat Rate/ Slightly more $ than Flat Rate Envelope)
(It will show up as 10 packs - Quantity: 10. Limit 100 per order* So you can process your order for the 100 and then go back and add to cart again to process as many as you will need)
Then... (Optional)
- Order 20 Flat Rate Envelopes (Flat Rate = Fixed Fee Anywhere / Slightly Cheaper $ than Padded Envelope)
- Order 10 Medium Flat Rate (Flat Rate Box)
- Order 10 Regional A Boxes (Cost is based on Region of Shipment)
- Order 25 Mailing boxes (Various Sizes 12x12x9 / 16x14x3 / etc) (Cost is based on Weight and Location)
- Order 25 Shoe Boxes (Cost is based on Weight and Location)
You will be able to feel out what you need as your selling evolves. But I do recommend ordering all of this just in case...
Why not? It is free and it will be delivered to you for free.
If you don't use them, your local USPS will always be happy to take them.
+Do not let any shipping details overwhelm you... It will make sense as time goes on.
Bring the body and the mind and habits will follow.
*Note: All free supply can only be used for Priority Mail related shipments... It might be tempting to use them for First Class, Media, SmartPost, FedEx or UPS shipments BUT in order to be successful you will need a worry free mind to allow your ideas and motivation to flow. It is against USPS policy to use them for anything other than Priority Mail.
Within free supplies though... Priority Mail, Anything that is a mailing box
(Not Flat Rate or Regional A and B boxes < These must stay as is when shipped)
Can be cut up or used and taped to together anyway you want. You can use padded envelopes for padding in any priority shipment.
NEXT...
- On eBay.com +
(After having opened your eBay, PayPal and New email account)
Link your PayPal to your eBay account
Sign into your accounts on your Phone Apps
Then! Your First Listings!
Round up items in your home that you do not use... Anything of value but items that will go inside a padded flat rate or other style flat rate box (Flat rate envelopes and boxes have self adhesive seals, so no tape or weight checking will be required). This is so once you have sold items around the house... Then you can use that money to buy an oz/lbs weight scale, bulk shipping tape, bubble wrap, shipping sleeves, self adhesive shipping labels and bubble envelopes for smaller and larger items.
For now, we keep it simple!
Your more valuable and smaller items should be first to be listed because these are the funds that will eventually be reinvested into buying new items and shipping smaller items is less overwhelming.
You will have a selling limit for a short amount of time so eBay can be sure you are legitimate.
$1000 / 10 items is your starting point.
Your limits will increase dramatically after providing successful transactions so be patient.
Listing your own items is a great point to start because eventually these funds will become re-investment funds to roll over into more items and invest in supplies that will create more efficiency (Time and Financially).
Since your first items were just around the house anyway...
there will be no rush or worry to get your money back out of them ASAP.
To create your first listing:
Say you have an old iPad...
'Search' for the exact model on eBay from other sellers
'Filter' your search and check 'Sold' Listings. You will now be able to see all of the same iPads that were sold, what price they were at (It will vary based off condition so make sure your not under or overpricing it) and how often they sell.
With an item like an iPad... No matter the age, it will sell very quickly.After seeing all of the same model iPads, Select a listing that has an easy to read title with proper use of spacing and upper and lower case letters. (With less common items sometimes you will need to update the title and CAPS LOCK because there won't be as many options)
After selecting the best listing, you will comes to a page that says, "This item has been sold. See more items like this below." Below that is the option to "Sell One Like this" < Select that option. This will pre-fill a majority of the listing and the rest is very simple.
Pictures (Very Important): Clean your items, Have good lighting (Indirect sunlight is the best), Clean looking background (Preferably light colored), The more pictures the better (All Angles), Show your item turned on, etc. (Having this all in check will produce faster sales. It's just a very strong recommendation.)
Fill in a good description: You don't need to go overboard but if there are any defects or issues to point out so there are no unpleasant surprises for the buyer, that would be essential.
Choose your method of shipment: (For an iPad, I would be packaging it in multiple Padded Enveloped with cardboard in the first layer and I would use the 'Free Shipping' Option since it will not matter on the location because it is a Padded 'Flat Rate' Envelope.)
Accept Returns on everything: Option of return shipping payment> Buyer pays for shipping (Which only applies to if the buyer changes their mind which all fairness should be a buyers responsibility. If it is returned because it arrives damaged or not as described the return label will still be at your expense) *The reason to accept returns on everything is because that option is a little bit misleading. eBay and PayPal have buyer guarantees to where a buyer can always return something. So this option is just a way of allowing trust and transparency to show as a buyer. Which is why I don't mind that it is an option... it creates an opportunity to stand out in a competitive marketplace.
Create a handling time that you will be able to meet: This is very important. If it is going to take 5 business days for your package supply to arrive then make it '5 days'. You could even add the 5 day handling reason in your description of your listing... Again, buyers like to transparency. Example: "Hi eBay! I am a new seller and at the moment have 5 days handling for my items... This is only because I am waiting on my USPS shipping supplies. I will ship your item ASAP. Let me know if you have any questions or requests. :)"
Price, Payment Option and Type of Listing: Price (Price your item as it is trending based off condition) Payment Option> PayPal. If needed, enter your PayPal email for accepting payments. Your listings after should have this pre-filled if it isn't already. Auction or Buy it Now?
I sell 'Buy it Now' for almost everything... Unless, it is an unusual or rare item.
Once all of that is set... You simply select 'List Your Item'.
Shipping Labels, Supplies and Packaging
(Ideally, you will have a printer to print the labels directly from eBay... Which updates your buyers tracking number automatically, gives a discount and the option to pass the package off to your mailman with standing in lines.)
A scale that measures in oz and lbs is one of the first important purchases to make. They are often quite inexpensive and more than worth it. I started out with a digital scale that only used batteries and quickly found that old fashion spring loaded scales are my preference.
Being Prepared is important but at first you can usually get by on what you have since there isn't going to be hundreds of packages. Also, if you order the free USPS supplies now, you will be all set.
Packaging
Be sure to package everything with care. It's pretty simple but ship items, how you would've likes to receive them.
-Compare shipping rates
(When you go to print your label on eBay you will see this as an option to do. Eventually it becomes second nature.)
Remember that any money to reduce your shipping costs is profit.
(Not the same as overcharging for your shipping. I do mainly no shipping cost and factor that into the buy it now price)
When you are ready to invest in supplies:
Best Value for Shipping Supplies is on eBay. Going to ULine (Sorry ULine) or OfficeMax is going to cost your so much more.
-Scale
-Bulk Shipping Tape
- Self Adhesive Padded Envelopes
-Self Adhesive Shipping Labels
-Rolls of Bubble Wrap
-Shipping Sleeves
(In the long run ^these will be life savers)
At first, I just cut printed paper labels and taped them on packages...
so that can work just fine for the first months starting out.
There are always ways to save on shipping costs too... Picking up bigger boxes when you see them, talking with your local grocery store to come by every couple weeks and pick up boxes.
Think outside the box about shipping supply... Not literally or pun intended. Nevermind.
Now onto what can be one of the most challenging parts of e-commerce...
Customer Service
The buyer is always right.
Now that doesn't mean to let a buyer take advantage of you... But it does mean to be calm and collected.
You will come across some interesting people... And you never know what a person is going through or have going on in their life so give people the benefit of doubt and just offer assistance.
e-commerce is an interesting intersection of emotions... It's fun and exciting for a buyer but it does become personal if a buyer feels like their hard earned money hasn't gone towards what they were expecting. So just be personable, level with buyers and come to compromises that are fair to both of you.
The advantage of using Priority Shipping is that insurance is included. If a buyer claims an item arrived damaged, then kindly request them to take pictures, issue them a label, wait for the package to return, inspect the contents and confirm the claim then issue their refund. Then you go into your USPS.com account you created earlier and file a claim with USPS for your full amount. They will either send you a check or they may request to see the item at first. In that case you would bring the item into your local USPS with the letter of request and they would just take 5 minutes to confirm it is indeed damaged.
POSITIVE FEEDBACK IS VERY IMPORTANT ON EBAY FOR LONG TERM SUCCESS.
Be aware of the fees: 10% for eBay and roughly 2.9% for PayPal. Once your start selling more quantity, you will want to look into maintaining a Top Seller status and upgrading into an eBay store which will lower your fees a lot!
I will probably need to give updates and clarify some of this but it is a full proof and solid start!
$100,000 in sales for your first year is extremely possible.
It's an interesting time to start a store up too because they are looking into implementing their own payment platform and they are talking about accepting crypto. Some big leaps a comin!
In a couple weeks if anybody is interested I can go over sources to find new and used items.
If you've made it this far! Congrats! :)
If you ever need any assistance, I would be more than happy to help!
Best Regards STEEMIT Peeps!
-LikeMinded