July 2011

When winter arrives, the eBay selling activity of retirees Irene and Regis Huschak mgdj67, heats up. Their wintertime hobby helps raise funds for their favorite nonprofits—plus extra cash for family vacations.

Having raised four children, Irene and Regis Huschak were enjoying a retirement filled with social events and activities like gardening and traveling. But when fall turned into a frigid Pennsylvania winter, they were eager for an indoor hobby. On the suggestion of their daughter, the husband-and-wife team tried selling on eBay. They discovered it was not only fun, but a great way to support their favorite nonprofits and help fund family vacations... Read more

It's the heart of summer, but kids will be headed to class again in just weeks, so now's the time to think about back to school gear. List school clothes and supplies or buy some gear for your own A-student to tap into the class of 2012:

• Backpacks and bookbags
• Children's clothes - sweatshirts and sweatpants, hoodies, tees, jeans, sweaters, outerwear
• School uniforms
• School supplies and educational tools - flash cards, arts and crafts, bulletin board items
• Electronics - calculators, laptops, desktops, monitors, printers, cell phones
• Textbooks, combination locks and even musical instruments!

Try out the Fixed Price format. Unlike Auction-style there is no bidding, only a Buy It Now price. When you list select DVDs and video games, the usual up front Insertion Fees will be FREE. Plus, when it sells, you'll pay less because you'll get 50% off the Final Value Fees.

Though Auction-style is usually the best choice, sometimes Fixed Price is useful, like with DVDs and video games. Learn more about differences and benefits of Auction-style and Fixed Price right here in How to sell.

When should I try Fixed Price format?

Auction-style listing fees are usually free*. These listings get high buyer visibility and can generate bidding excitement to drive your price up. So Auction-style is a great place to start, especially when you add a Buy It Now option, for buyers who don't want to wait.

Sometimes, though, it's worth trying a pure Fixed Price format. (This means there's no bidding—only Buy It Now.) Here are three times to consider Fixed Price:

1. If your price research shows one clear market price
2. Or if it shows that most similar items sold at a Fixed Price (as in some categories like cell phones, computers, DVDs or books)
3. If you've listed your item Auction-style but it didn't sell—try Fixed Price or Fixed Price with Best Offer.

The right price is critical, but it's even more important in Fixed Price, so do your research. See how in this 3-minute demo.

To price for a quick, top-dollar sale, research prices before you list. Learn which items sold at what prices, which didn't, and why, by researching completed listings of similar items on eBay. With this easy-to-follow demo, learn what it takes to list successfully, from picking up best practices to assessing market value.

See how successful sellers list their items—price, listing format (Auction-style, Fixed Price, Auction-style with Buy It Now), winning titles, and detailed descriptions—so you can repeat that success when you list. With this knowledge, you can list with confidence every time.

For even more tips, check out How to Sell in the Seller Information Center and start selling today!

Listing in Consumer Electronics, Computers & Networking and Cell Phones & PDAs has never been easier. When you start listing a tech item in those categories, you'll see a dropdown menu of item choices. If your item has a match in our catalog, it practically lists itself! Just be clear about the condition and add your own photo if you're selling a used item.

Your own postage scale at home will help you list with an accurate shipping cost and save you a trip to the post office. Today's digital scales can cost less than $20 and can be very compact and light. Stock up on boxes and packing materials, buy your postage online with eBay labels, and you can ship your package without ever leaving home.

Now you can shop as well as sell items from anywhere with the eBay for iPad app. Bid, buy and sell without ever clicking away from your search. Access to My eBay is fully integrated on the iPad app. Quickly check your activity and status, plus search and shop internationally.

Download the FREE eBay for iPad app and start selling today.

Answer: Always check starting price and shipping cost first when a listing doesn't sell the first time. Not doing your research can lead to the most common reason an item doesn't sell—how it's priced. This time, the item start price and shipping cost were competitive, and she was smart to add a fair Buy It Now price, too. These other factors could have held this listing back:

• No return policy—having one is important for all purchases, but especially shoes and clothing.
• Skimpy title—use all the characters available. It's key to having your item appear in the many ways buyers search. Titles for similar items included the word "shoes" (not everyone searches for "pump") the color, and the word "size"
• Only one photo—when an item is pre-owned, buyers want to see the details of soles, heels, and amount of wear.
• Short description—details and the reason for selling, along with photos, help buyers decide
• Too few item specifics—fill in every option available, especially for clothing and shoes. Buyers filter their searches this way, so the more options, the better. This seller could have also specified: Material-Leather, Heel Height-Medium, Brand-Clarks Artisan.
• Only one shipping option—we recommend an economical one plus a fast one, or free and fast.