How To List On eBay

Listing is one of the easiest things to do on eBay. You click a button, fill in the blanks and click post! Before you start listing your items, make sure you're aware of what you can and can't sell. On eBay, there are many prohibited items. Prohibited items include chance listings, firearms & weapons, offensive material and illegal services. You can check their prohibited list here. It's worth looking into the list, as you may want to sell some of the restricted items. You should also check with your courier. Some couriers won't allow perfumes, liquids and things with batteries.

Attracting buyers can be hard, but if you perfect your listing, you can have a higher chance of selling. I have a process when I list, so I have split this up into the following categories:

Sourcing/Research
Photographing
Listing

Researching To Resell

Sourcing is where you choose what to sell. This could be done either by selling your old things or reselling things you pick up cheaply from a charity shop, for example.

If you decide to sell your old things, you must make sure it works, and it is in good condition. When I sell, I use the rule of "If I haven't used it for a year, sell it" so that I don't keep clutter. It's helped me to clean out my wardrobe and keep things fresh. Remember, you get £1000 tax-free income for self-employment. You may not think what you're doing counts as self-employment. But, if you're selling regularly and making over £1000, you may need to register for tax purposes.

Sometimes, I will find a bargain in a charity shop or a toy massively on sale. I can profit from this as toys sell well around Christmas, and second-hand clothes always do well. It takes time to know what will sell. This is where research comes in. If you search an item on eBay, you can find currently listed items. On the left-hand side, you can see sold items, what they sold for and when. This is handy to determine if you'll get a good return or not! It also helps me to figure out a price to list my items for. I can also see what time of year it will do better.

Photographing

Your photo is something that people will see before they click on your listing. Whether you're using eBay or Depop, you need to get the photo right. People shop with their eyes, and when they're scrolling through listings, they want to see well-presented items.

If you're selling everyday items, make sure the picture is high quality. You want to show off the item as much as possible, so use natural lighting. I used to take my images by a big window, and they came out better than a ring light. If you don't have a window, a white ring light also can benefit your images. Make sure you highlight any defects and show the exact condition of what you're selling. It's better to be honest than misleading! I also use a neutral background. You don't want the image to be distracting. You also shouldn't use too many props as it can confuse the buyer to what they'll actually be receiving.

For clothing, model it or make sure it isn't creased. I usually use a coat hanger, but Depop sellers tend to prefer modelled items. It shows the buyer the fit of the item and how they can style it once purchased. Modelling clothing also makes it more Instagrammable, which is a selling point for younger people. You'll find that teenagers and young adults will be the ones making purchases from your shop. Make sure you take pictures from all angles and show any damages the item may have. It's also a good idea to include measurements in your listing.

Listing Your Item

Packaging eBay Items

What To Do After A Sale

Things You MUST Remember

• Is your item in good condition? - People want items that will work. They won't buy a CD if it is scratched or a shirt with missing buttons. It is your job to check it functions before it is sent out. 
• If not, state this in detail - If you want to still sell a faulty item, detail it. In the description, you must state any issues with the product. Some people actually buy faulty computers for parts or puzzles with missing pieces, so you can still list it, but make sure it is clear. 
• eBay Fees - eBay and Paypal take a commission for listing the item and dealing with the payment. Don't forget this before taking money out of your Paypal account! eBay has recently started using bank transfers, which take the fee before giving it to you. I'd recommend offering bank payments as an option. 
• Reply to messages/offers - Isn't it annoying when customer services ignore your complaint? Well, now you're customer services, and it is your job to answer the questions. Don't ignore them as they could be buyers. The message could also be serious, like a complaint. Respond to offers as well, even if you decline them, as people like to know. Don't leave them waiting.
• You're responsible for EVERYTHING - If you sell a damaged product without checking it over, it is your responsibility to sort it out with the buyer. It is misleading to sell a working item if it doesn't. You're also responsible for the product arriving and on time. 
• People can be annoying - There will always be the person who offers you £1 when you list the item for £30. There will always be people who ask silly questions you've answered. You need to learn to deal with these customers kindly and in the right way.
• Never send without payment - Don't send a product if you haven't received the payment for it. Even if the person "claims" to have sent it. They could be scamming you.