Seller success story: Student graduates debt-free with eBay
Sacramento State Alum Mike Cristofani (user ID: rawkstr) graduated from college without racking up debt, thanks to his eBay selling. Now a successful accountant, he pays for his grown-up toys by listing his childhood collectibles.
Mike worked while he studied at Sacramento State, paying for tuition and books in full, until his senior year, when his workload and job interviews left him no time to hold a job. Just before his final semester, Mike's savings ran out. Instead of accruing credit card debt, he turned to eBay. While working at a storage warehouse the previous summer, Mike salvaged an abandoned piece of obscure ophthalmology equipment... Read more
What's selling this fall
School's almost in session, but kids will still need clothing, shoes, and other accessories or dorm supplies for the fall. Seasoned sellers know this back-to-school stuff is still selling:
List now to put cash in your holiday gift fund for later.
Top tip for you
Differentiate your listings of similar items
Reduce the risk of confusing your buyers. When listing similar items, be sure to clearly differentiate them with different titles and photos so they don't look like duplicates. You'll provide a better shopping experience and clarity about what you're selling.
Huge selling occasions coming up
Make sure your listings are ready to receive some of the biggest spending this fall. Halloween draws buyers in droves to eBay and it's not just about store-bought costumes. In addition to pulling out the kid and adult costumes you have in your attic or garage, grab anything else that could pass as costume accessories—60s tie-dyes, vintage hats, dated sunglasses—and list them.
Think Holidays. Yes now, really. While you're searching your garage, attic and closets, look for items you can list as gifts in October. Consider clothes you never wore or no longer need, electronics, DVDs, and CDs that you'll replace with the latest and greatest. Gently used toys, books, and video games make great gifts too.
By starting now, you pad your wallet and boost your own holiday shopping budget. Take your time, research your prices, snap your pictures and be ready to jump right in when Halloween and Holiday selling heats up.
How to sell
The eBay Sell Your Item form provides you with the current average selling price of items like yours. When you start listing in the form with more choices, you'll see a drop-down menu of similar products. If your item has a match in our catalog, choose it. You'll see the price similar items have sold for in the section where you enter prices. This will help you decide an Auction-style starting price and a Buy It Now price for your item.
Always be clear about your item's condition and add your own photo if you're selling a used item.
Sell from your iPhone in a snap
Selling from your iPhone is easy with the eBay for iPhone app. Research prices, list items, and make sales from anywhere. Scan an item using the barcode scanner to pre-populate your listing and add your own iPhone pics to your listing too. Check out this helpful video that walks you through the steps and sell on the go today.
Shipping tip of the month
eBay's new shipping guide, Shipping Made Easy, is packed with tips and tricks to make shipping a breeze. Learn how to:
- Get free boxes and other supplies
- Calculate your shipping charges
- Select shipping options during the listing process
- Pay for discounted postage and print shipping labels
- And wrap things up with the buyer
Check your tags for treasures
Is your closet a goldmine? Before you give away clothes you no longer wear or need, see if you have brands in demand. Use eBay's handy Fashion Selling Guide to see if you can cash in on your closet. Labels that bring top dollar include Hollister, Lululemon, and Janie and Jack. Others sell all year: women's shoes, children's clothes, and men's outerwear. Give your clothes a closer look and get selling today.
Vote for cars—you could win cash and prizes
On top of weekly prizes, every vote automatically enters you for a chance to win $10,000 in cash, and a trip to the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. Help eBay Motors settle some of the greatest vehicle debates of all time. Vote now through September 30 for your favorite brands, parts and accessories during the 2nd Annual eBay Motors People's Picks. Enter online or via mobile through the eBay Motors iPhone app for your chance to win!
Be our next Seller Success Story
Jim "Griff" GriffithDean of eBay
Education, host of eBay Radio, seller advocate.
Advice from a pro
Answer: There are two great routes for sellers short on time. One is to list with your iPhone. Read more about using an eBay app to sell in this issue. Another is to sell items that are in the eBay catalog—this will automatically fill in the product details including a photo. If your item matches a product in our catalog, you'll see a list of possibilities as you begin to fill out the selling form.
Remember: if you're adding an item that isn't new, be sure to add details and photos that accurately reflect the condition of your item. If you've never done it before, here's an easy guide on how to list with the catalog using the Sell Your Item process.
*Up to 50 items per month. Additional optional Feature fees apply when used. 9% final value fee applied to the total amount of the sale—including the cost of the item, shipping, and any other fees a seller may charge (for example, engraving or gift wrapping), excluding any sales tax. Does not apply to eBay Store subscribers and Vehicle categories on eBay Motors.