2008 Holiday Best Practices

We're making big investments to bring shoppers your way, giving them hard cash reasons to buy on eBay. Here are tips and strategies to help you ring in this holiday season with more sales and higher profits.

Check the USPS suggested mail dates for International holiday deliveries.

Top 10 Ways to Boost Your Holiday Success

1. Get ready for Live Cashback and eBay's holiday coupon blitz
   • We've teamed up with Microsoft to give buyers up to 30% cash back on items they find on eBay through a Microsoft Live search. Plus, eBay will be hitting millions of buyers with coupons—wherever they're searching. And now buyers see the discounted price with their coupon right on the item page! Many sellers are already scrambling to keep up with increased sales--so make sure you're ready.
     
     
   • Note - some third-party checkout systems with PayPal Express Checkout may or may not be able to accept coupons. Check with your provider for compatibility.
   • NEWS FLASH! Cashback now works with third party check out systems! Note the program only applies to Fixed Price and Buy It Now items when paid with PayPal. Get details here.
2. Make sure buyers find your items
   • Find out the top six ways to improve the position of your Fixed Price and Auction-style listings.
3. Offer competitive prices
   • This year more than ever buyers are watching their budgets. Deliver the deals they want. Price your items competitively to maximize sales.
4. Offer free shipping
   • Buyers are on the lookout for free shipping. It can make them pick your listing over others.
   • Free shipping gives you an automatic boost in search results and a free subtitle.
   • Plus we'll double PowerSeller discounts for items sold with free shipping through December 31, 2008.
5. Grab last-minute shoppers
   • Offer overnight and One Business Day shipping.
   • Get those listings to show up in more searches from buyers wanting items in a hurry-add Get It Fast to your listings.
6. Engage buyers--invite their Best Offer
   • Shake things up--tell buyer's to make their Best Offer.
   • Set up your listing to auto-accept offers above the price you want and auto decline low-ball offers.
   • Make a counter-offer to get the price you want and move more inventory.
7. Stores sellers--highlight your great deals
   • Use Email Marketing to send targeted offers and holiday updates to your customers.
   • Use Markdown Manager to offer discounts and reinforce the great deal with "strikethrough" pricing.
   • Both tools are included with your Stores subscription.
8. Spotlight your item as a perfect gift
   • Offer Gift Services, including gift wrapping and card, and get your listing highlighted with an eye-catching gift icon.
   • Encourage and inspire shoppers in your descriptions: "The perfect gift for the dad who has everything!"
9. Include an insert in your package
   • Thank your buyer for their business and recap your return policy.
   • Don't be shy—ask for great feedback. If you offered free shipping, remind them to leave a 5 DSR for shipping and handling charges.
   • Cross-sell and up-sell with your other merchandise. Stores sellers--pre-made Promotional Flyers come with your subscription.
10. Show buyers you care-sell for charity
    • Sign up for eBay Giving Works, a program dedicated to listings for charity. You get rewarded too. Giving Works listings on average tend to sell more often with more bids at higher final prices.
    • Get higher visibility with a non-profit icon next to your listing.
    • Surface in more searches from buyers looking to support charitable causes.

As always, deliver great service and keep your detailed seller ratings (DSRs) on top. Follow these best practices for getting high ratings from your buyers.

United States Postal Service recommended dates for international holiday mail



1/ GXG is available to over 190 countries via an alliance with Federal Express. See a retail associate at participating locations for a complete list of countries and money-back guarantee details, or go to pe.usps.com and click on International Rates and Fees, then Country Listing. Some restrictions apply. Purchase postage online and get 10 percent savings.
2/ Express Mail International is available to over 190 countries with delivery in an average of three to five business days. Guaranteed, money-back service available to Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Republic of South Korea. Flat-rate shipping options are available with free packaging. Purchase postage online and get 8 percent savings.
3/ Priority Mail International is available to over 190 countries with delivery in an average of six to 10 business days. Flat-rate shipping options are available with free packaging. Purchase postage online and get 5 percent savings.