TIPS: 1-Day or Shorter Handling

Print your item listing and tape it to the outside of the box to keep track of what's inside. Then, when it sells, just put your invoice inside, tape it up, and add your shipping label. Prepackaging is especially important for fragile items—do your double-boxing ahead of time.

Keep a well-stocked supply of shipping boxes, padding, tape, and any other materials you need to get your package on its way. You'll find great prices on packing materials on eBay—and you can get FREE eBay co-branded USPS boxes delivered to your door.

When you offer free shipping, you increase your chances of qualifying for the Fast 'N Free logo AND you can earn an automatic 5-stars for shipping cost if the buyer selects your free shipping service.

Always upload tracking—this lets your buyer know when to expect shipment, helps you maintain Top Rated seller status, verifies "item received" (protecting you from a buyer's "item not received" claim) and keeps eBay informed should a problem arise.

Take advantage of pick-up services from USPS, FedEx, and UPS so you can spend your time getting shipments ready, not driving back and forth and standing in line.

One-business day handling means you have to ship the item before the end of the next business day after the buyer payment clears—holidays and weekends don't count. For example: if your buyer pays on Friday, Saturday or Sunday (before midnight Pacific Standard Time), you have until Monday midnight PST. If Monday is a holiday, you have until Tuesday before midnight PST. Freight transactions are not required to offer a 1-day or shorter handling time to be eligible for the final value fee discount or greatest, on average, advantage in Best Match.

Out-of-stock items can be costly and cause buyer disappointment, so make sure your listings always reflect inventory on-hand.