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| New Selling Guidelines for Stamp Sellers | September 2003 |
eBay and the American Philatelic Society (APS) have joined forces to make the Stamps category an even safer and more rewarding venue for both buyers and sellers.
Together, eBay and the APS, the world's largest nonprofit stamp society, have developed a valuable Code of Conduct for selling philatelic material on eBay.
Drawn from the APS's Code of Ethics and its Standing Resolutions, as well as generally accepted trade practices, the Code of Conduct supplements eBay's general seller rules, providing stamp dealers specific guidelines for their eBay businesses.
To review the complete code, click here. Also, see eBay's guidelines for stamps sellers.
The APS also is working with eBay to identify fraudulent listings on the site. Questionable items are forward to the APS for verification.
- Stamps deemed fraudulent by the APS may, at eBay's discretion, be removed from the site.
- Sellers with a pattern of deceptive listing practices may be suspended from all eBay buying and selling activity.
With the help of its members and groups like APS, eBay continues to make eBay Stamps the best destination on the Web for philatelic collectors and dealers.
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| Ten Tips Every Stamp Seller Should Know |
August 2003 |
Here they are-tips no serious eBay stamp seller can live with out.
#1. Guarantee Your Products and Services
Develop a sensible, well-articulated sales policy that covers all the bases and delivers real peace of mind. Then deliver on your promises. The result: you'll become a trusted favorite. Ideally, offer unconditional money-back guarantees. The risk-reward ratio is in your favor: increased business versus a few returns. Also, consider offering shipping rebates on multiple purchases. This incentive works.
#2. Automate Listing and Shipping
Upgrade to eBay's suite of auction management tools as soon as possible, including Selling Manager, Turbo Lister, and Seller's Assistant. These tools release your potential, enabling you to list, track, and complete your eBay sales more quickly and professionally. List items with ready-made templates, schedule your listings, bulk-upload inventory, automate buyer emails, and more.
Invest in a postage scale and print your postage online or pay for a pickup/delivery service, such as Fed Ex Ground. In short, there's no point wasting time at the post office. Acquire free shipping supplies from USPS (Priority Mail) or via arrangements with local businesses. Fast, professional shipping generates repeat business.
#3 Develop Discount Supply Relationships
Competition can be fierce in every category. Secure a resale license from your state and make volume purchases from wholesale dealers, suppliers, and manufactures. You'll garner crucial discounts you can pass along to your customers, making you more competitive. For wholesale deals, visit eBay's Wholesale category. Also, increase supply by becoming a Trading Assistant.
#4 Look Like a Pro: Photos, Listing Template
Don't underestimate the importance of high-quality photos in your listings. For many items, the better the photo, the more likely the sale. Consider building a photo stage and hiring a college student or local amateur, part-time or by the hour, to shoot your items.
Spend time developing a graphical (HTML) listing template, specific to your merchandise. Experiment with different layouts, colors, and text treatments. Look like an expert and a professional, not a lazy amateur. In a competitive marketplace, that makes all the difference. Looking good is easy with eBay's Seller's Assistant and Listing Designer.
#5 Include Keywords in Your Listing Titles & Descriptions
Most eBay buyers use eBay Search-80%, in fact. To capture these bidders and buyers, include the words they search with in your listing titles and descriptions. Bookmark your category's eBay Seller Newsflash and Hot Item list to keep abreast of popular search terms.
#6 Properly Positioning & Merchandising Your Listings
Consider your starting prices carefully. This will dramatically affect your item positioning. If possible, start auctions low in relation to their fair-market value. You'll increase bids and there's no better billing than that. Use reserves sparingly. Improperly applied, they can damage your credibility.
Also, discover the optimum times to start and end your auctions to increase bidding. Then, schedule and automate their launch with Seller's Assistant. Consider ten-day listings that cover two weekends. Time auctions to capture bidders in multiple time zones.
Each item you sell deserves the right listing format. Develop a strategy that leverage's eBay entire family of formats: Auction, Buy It Now, Fixed Price, Second Chance Offer, and more. Also, open an eBay Store to brand your eBay business, economically expand your inventory, and cross-merchandise your items.
Take advantage of eBay listing upgrades: Gallery, Bold, Featured Plus, List in 2 Categories, and more. Also, consider advertising on targeted eBay search result pages. If you qualify for eBay's PowerSeller program, take advantage!
#7 Make PayPal a Payment Option
Enable your customers to pay immediately online with PayPal. Buyers prefer it. Don't risk sales by not offering it. Faster payment also means greater cash flow and operating capital to handle the unforeseen.
#8 Track the Market with your my eBay Page
Your "my eBay" page is a powerful tool for tracking the market. With the Favorites tab, create Completed Item searches for the items you sell. This will give you a daily read on current prices for your inventory. Also, be sure to follow your category's Hot Items list.
#9 Make Positive Feedback a Priority
Live up to your promises and ensure positive feedback. This is your ticket to attracting new customers, which handled correctly, become regular customers. To encourage positive feedback, describe your items accurately (including damage), manage expectations, offer online payment (PayPal, preferably), package professionally, and ship ASAP.
#10. Listen to the Experts-Your eBay Community
Get involved in your eBay community. It'll make you a better eBay seller and citizen. Become active in eBay's discussion boards. You will find the answers you seek. Attend special eBay events, such as eBay Live. Consider attending an eBay University class.
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| Boosting Summer Stamp Sales |
July 2003 |
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Those dog days of summer are here, but don't let your sales slow down. eBay Stamp buyers are on the hunt for quality items at competitive prices all year around.
Try these tips to heat up your sales this summer season:
- Partner Up: Consider outsourcing items to a successful eBay Trading Assistant. For a percentage of the sale, they'll sell your items for you, so can boost your volume and spend more time sourcing product for the fall season.
- Join In: Participate in eBay promotions that attract buyers and merchandise your listings to qualified customers. List smart to leverage increased traffic to popular promotional pages.
Example: Dads and Grads Gift Guide
- No Reserve: Attract new customers with $1, no-reserve auctions, which work very well for thousands of sellers each day. Drive interest in your auctions and increased sales. Make sure you put $1NR or $1 No Reserve in title.
Example: Large Old France Cover Hoard. No Reserve!
- Free Ship: Offer this no-lose service, which has been proven to increase sell through. Moreover, most sellers recoup their cost in the final price.
Example: Sweden Unsorted Stamp Mix 1250+ Free Ship
- Discount It: Offer creative discounts to make your listings more attractive and fun. Example: Award 5% to 10% discounts to first bidders that win your auctions.
Don't let your sales go soft this summer. Make the right moves and see your bottom line climb.
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| Enhance Your Stamps Presence—5 Strategies! |
June 2003 |
Don't let your Stamps sales dip. Extend the reach of your business and acquire new customers.
Follow these proven strategies for increasing your antique business's visibility and establishing a recognizable presence on eBay.
#1 Include Search Terms in Your Titles and Descriptions
Make it easy for your buyers to search for your items and buy more frequently.
- Include words in your titles that buyers use in their searches, such as "Hong Kong," "Proof," "No Reserve," and "Free Ship."
- Make intelligent use of your title space. Bidders don't search for "Wow" or "L@@k."
To review the most popular Stamps search terms, click here.
#2 Use Listing Upgrades
Give your high-demand items greater exposure with one of eBay's proven listing upgrades.
- Bold increases final prices an average of 25%* and bids by 23%*.
- Featured Plus! increases bids 65%*.
- Gallery increases final prices an average of 11%*.
#3 Select the Right Category
Make sure the right people see your antiques listings—categorize them correctly.
- Select the proper category to reach the most qualified audience. Additionally, increase credibility with knowledgeable collectors.
- Use the "Other " categories sparingly. eBay research indicates that items in targeted categories experience higher conversion rates.
#4 Try "List in 2 Categories"
If your items appeal to buyers in two different categories, list in both and double your exposure.
- List in 2 Categories increases final prices an average of 18%* and bids by 15%.*
- This upgrade also increases conversion rates by an average of 13%.*
#5 Maximize Your Store
Take full advantage of your eBay Store's promotional benefits.
- List accessories at a fixed price in your eBay Store. Your Store enables you to increase your volume and eBay presence economically.
- Highlight your Store in all of your listings using one of the Store graphics. Underscore its value: "Great products for immediate purchase at my eBay Store."
- Invest in the success of your Store. Upgrade to a Featured Store for promotion on the Stores homepage and eBay search-result pages in the "Related Stores" box.
Have a suggestion for a future Stamps article -- let us know!
*This represents an average based on data from Feb 2002 transactions. No representation is made that a seller's specific item's final price and conversion rate will increase by the average percentages noted above.
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| Listing Tool Comparison for Stamps Sellers |
May 2003 |
eBay wants your Stamps business to thrive. That's why it has developed a cutting-edge
suite of sales management tools to increase your efficiency and profitability.
It may be time to revisit how you currently list and manage your sales on eBay to make sure you are getting the most from your selling tool. For example, if you are currently using eBay's Sell Your Item form to list tens of items a day, you may be ready to upgrade to one of eBay's advanced selling platforms.
Big or small, eBay has the right solution for your seller profile! Review our listing tool overview below to determine which one is best for you.
| 1. | Turbo Lister | | FREE |
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Overview: Free downloadable bulk-listing application for Windows
Top Features:
Bulk upload hundreds of items instantly. Schedule listings in advance.
Design and save branded listing templates with the easy-to-use editor.
Create multiple user profiles and preferences. Save items in organized folders.
Best For: Sellers who list more than 10 items per month and already have a basic understanding of eBay.
TIP: Pair Turbo Lister with Selling Manager, eBay's post-sale tool, to efficiently manage the listing process from start to finish!
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| 2. |
Selling Manager |
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$4.99/month |
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Overview: Online post-sale management application integrated into my eBay.
Try it free for 30 days!
Top Features:
Use buyer email templates for increased post-sale efficiency.
Track payment and shipment effortlessly. Print shipping labels and invoices instantly.
Relist additional units or unsold items in bulk.
Best For: Sellers who list more than 10 items per month and who want an easy and affordable way to track the status of your sales online.
TIP: Use Selling Manager with your favorite listing tool, including the Sell Your Item form and Turbo Lister, to increase listing volume and sell more–faster.
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| 3. |
Seller's Assistant Pro |
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$15.99/month |
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Overview: Complete, professional-grade listing and sales management application for Windows desktops.
Try it free for 30 days!
Top Features:
Create and upload professional listings in bulk. Schedule listings in advance. Bulk relist.
Bulk process buyer email, payments, shipments, and feedback.
Sort and filter critical sales data. Create, print, and export sales reports. Manage inventory.
Best For: Higher volume sellers and small businesses that want an automated process throughout the sales cycle - from bulk listing through completing the transaction
TIP: With Seller's Assistant Pro, you can view and print Profit and Loss as well as Tax Collected reports – key to understanding your business!
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Manage your time and business more efficiently with eBay's family of sales management tools!
Have a suggestion for a future Stamps article -- let us know!
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| Selling High-End Stamps |
April 2003 |
Provide your customers the confidence they need to invest in your high-dollar philatelic items. Position your stamps business for the high end using the following strategies.
- Independent Verification: Verify the authenticity of your stamps with the help of a certified grading service or professional appraiser. Include a scan of your certificate of authenticity or appraisal report in your listing.Example: William Lang's Stampstore.
- Visual Proof: Include a gallery of images in your listing to show the stamp's overall condition, centering, color, and more. If an Error, provide a close-up of the mistake.
- Provenance: Provide a history of ownership for the item, which can increase its value. Also, consider including reference texts in your description, particularly those that feature the item or focus on its category. Help bidders conduct their own research.
- Guarantee: Stand behind your sales. Offer a money-back guarantee, minus shipping and third-party fees.Suggest an escrow service for the safe transfer of funds and property.
- Marketing: Invest in promotion, particularly eBay listing upgrades. They work -- learn more. Establish your credibility. List degrees, professional affiliations, and honors on your About Me page. Then, link to the page from your listings. Example: NobleSpirit.
- Pre-Qualify: Use eBay's Pre-approved Bidder service and Private Auctions format to hold private sales with pre-qualified participants.
- Feedback: Maintain a high positive feedback rating. Offer PayPal and ship the day payment clears for increased feedback.
Develop trust and credibility with your high-end stamp buyers from the start.
Have a suggestion for a future Stamps article -- let us know!
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| Grading and Certifying Stamps |
March 2003 |
Don't leave your stamp sales to chance. Have them professionally graded and certified by a reputable grading service.
Why is grading critical for your stamp sales:
- Stamp grading is complicated and time consuming for novices and experts.
- Novices and investors bid more confidently and frequently on certified stamps.
Professional grading services rate the overall condition and appearance of your stamps. Here are the factors they consider when grading:
- Overall Stamp Preservation (PSE scale up to 100)
- Used (note creases, other distractions/damage, cancellation issues)
- Unused (judge overall preservation of stamp)
- Centering
- Alpha grading scale (poor to gem/perfect)
- Numeric grading scale (PSE scale up to 100)
- Gum Condition (only a consideration for unused stamps)
- Hinged or Unhinged
- Original Gum amount remaining (from "no gum remaining" to "full original Gum remaining")
- Regummed (not original)
- Color/Eye Appeal
For more information on stamp grading and certification, visit:
http://www.psestamp.com/components.chtml
http://www.mcphilatelics.com/education/stampterms/stampterms.html
http://www.atoyholic.com/features/feat62.htm
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| Quality Stamp Photos Get Results |
Feb. 2003 |
Whether you're selling stamps, coins, or paper money, quality photos are a must. Crisp obverse and reverse photos increase confidence and reduce misunderstandings.
For fast, quality photos every time, invest in a flatbed scanner. There's no more effective and efficient way to image flat objects, such as coins, stamps, or currency. Quality manufacturers include ADF, MicorTek, UMAX.
Use these tips for high-quality stamp scans:
- Do not scan stamps loose. Scan each stamp in a clear cover to prevent any damage. (Clear covers will not reduce the scan's clarity or sharpness.)
- For dark items, use a black back cover (not white) to create contrast.
- Affix an adhesive label to each cover. Write the stamp's stock number on the label. We recommend Avery label #18167.
- Use the inventory number for the scan file name.
If you are considering a purchase of new equipment, make sure your computer is compatible, expect some learning curve, and weigh the saving of time verses cost. Also, don't forget to get recommendations from your friends.
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Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.
