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How to eBay
A step-by-step guide to buying and selling on eBay.co.uk
December 2006
eBay.co.uk Specific
How to buy
Step one - register!
- Simply click on the Register link at the top of any page and complete the registration form. You'll need to select a User ID and password and provide a valid email address and a credit or debit card for verification purposes only. Registering is free.
- Once you've completed the form you will receive a confirmation email from eBay. Simply follow the instructions to complete your registration.
Step two - find what you're looking for
- You can Browse for an item simply by clicking on the categories listed on the homepage, or by selecting the Browse button on the navigation bar.
- If you are looking for something specific there is a Search button located on the top of every page which allows you to key in exactly what you're looking for, or you can select the search link on the navigation bar for more advanced search options.
Step three - review the item and seller
- Once you find a listing that interests you, click on it to find out as much as you can. Note the item description, accepted payment methods, postage costs and any returns policy.
- eBay makes it easy to see how reputable a seller is through its feedback system. Check the seller by clicking on the Feedback rating beside the seller's User ID (this is a number in brackets). At a glance you can see the percentage of positive feedback the seller has and a click on the number will provide a detailed view of the Member Profile. Have a look at the other items the seller has sold and read what other buyers have said about the seller's reliability, product quality and level of service and decide for yourself whether or not this seller is trustworthy.
- If you want to ask a question, now's the time to do so - simply email the seller through the 'Ask Seller a Question' link before you place a bid.
Step four - place a bid or buy instantly!
There are two ways to buy:
- Firstly you can place a bid via the famous eBay auction format. eBay operates a 'proxy bidding' system which means all you have to do is enter the maximum amount you are prepared to pay and eBay does the bidding for you. eBay will only bid on your behalf as much as is needed for you to stay the highest bidder. You must only bid if you are serious about buying as bids are binding (non-paying bidders will earn negative feedback and can be suspended from eBay).
- Secondly there is Buy It Now. If you see Buy It Now on a listing, you can instantly buy the item at the price stated by the seller. There is no bidding involved!
Step five - paying for your item
- If you win or purchase an item, either contact the seller or check the seller's listing or emailed invoice to find out what the preferred payment method is, and where you should send your payment. The seller will only send the item to you once they have received payment, so ensure that you pay quickly.
- If the seller offers PayPal then simply click on the Pay Now button and complete eBay's Checkout process. PayPal is free for buyers, your card details are never shared with the seller and it allows you to send payment immediately, meaning the faster the seller receives payment, the faster you'll receive your item!
- Once the item arrives, check it thoroughly to make sure it fits the item description and has arrived in good condition. If you are pleased with your purchase, leave the seller Feedback and encourage them to do the same for you.
What if I get stuck?
How do I sell an item on eBay.co.uk?
Step one - open a seller's account
- To begin selling on eBay, you need to register and then create a seller's account. To open a Seller's Account, click on the Sell link on the top of every eBay page and then select the Create a Seller's Account link.
- You will be asked to provide credit or debit card details and bank account information for verification purposes only.
- You will also be charged a small fee to sell your items on eBay. These can include basic listing fees as well as fees to enhance your listings to make them more attractive to buyers. As you begin to complete the seller account form you will be asked to choose how you want to pay your eBay fees
Step two - preparing your item
- Preparation is key! Make sure you do your research and be realistic.
- To get an idea of what to expect to sell your item for and to find out how other sellers have sold similar items, check our eBay's Completed Items search. You can gain great insight into how to write a successful listing in order to get the best price possible by understanding why one listing got more bids than another.
- There are a number of items that are prohibited from sale on eBay. Check the prohibited items policies if you are unsure whether your item is permitted.
Step three - listing your item
- You're now ready to submit your listing to eBay. The easy to follow Sell Your Item Form guides you through the steps to a successful item listing.
- Decide what format you want to sell in, auction-style or at a fixed price with Buy It Now where you will need feedback of at least 10 in order to list.
- Write a descriptive title using all relevant keywords that will grab the buyer's attention. Your description needs to provide buyers with all the information they need. Include information such as brand, age, condition etc and be honest - don't withhold information that may be an issue later.
- Decide the duration of your listing. You can list items from 1, 3, 5, 7 or 10 days. Many sellers list items for 7 days and include a weekend to capture weekend shoppers.
- Always include a picture of your item. Buyers like to see what they are buying. Using eBay's Gallery feature will ensure your listings stand out in a crowd.
Step four - pricing, payment and postage
- Pricing: If you are using an auction-style format to sell, consider starting your item at a low price and without a reserve. If buyers believe they could be in for a bargain, it will encourage them to start bidding on your item and could lead to a higher final sale price.
- Payments: you choose how you would like to accept payment e.g. cheque, credit card, money order. Buyers want a safe and easy way to pay so consider accepting an online payment system such as PayPal. It's free for buyers and will speed up the payment of your item.
- Postage: Make sure you include all postage and packaging costs in the listing.
Step 5 - Managing and completing your sales
- Use My eBay to track all of your activity, especially useful if you have more than one item for sale or if you are both selling and bidding on several items.
- Once the listing ends, it's time to collect payment from the buyer and send the item. Simply contact the buyer to arrange payment and delivery details.
- Remember to only post the item once you have received payment.
- Once the sale is complete, leave feedback for your buyer and encourage them to do the same for you.
- You can re-list your item for free if for some reason it has not sold.
Buy it. Sell it. Love it.
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Basket
Basket
Must use Buy It Now and PayPal.