12 Tips to Make Your eBay Business More Profitable
by Robbin K. Tungett
Sometimes it's the simple things that can make your eBay business more profitable and
run smoother. Here are twelve things you can do that will lead to more sales and increased
profits on eBay.
1. Use auction management tools or services
Using an auction management tool or service allows you to automate most of your
day-to-day auction business and frees up time for other activities. There are numerous
ones available and the majority of them offer a free 30-day trial period. Find one that
fits your needs and budget, learn how to use all of its' features, and then stick with it.
Make certain the one you choose supports eBay's Item Specifics and Pre-Filled features.
2. Target all your items toward the same market
There's nothing wrong with offering several different items on eBay, but try to sell
things that target the same general market or 2-3 markets. You will find this makes it
much easier for satisfied customers to buy from you again. The majority of my customers
have returned to buy five or more items from me in the past year. You should strive for
this also.
3. End all your auctions on the same day and during the same general time frame
Whatever you are selling, test different days and times of the day to determine what
works best for you. Once you determine what day and time works best for you, stick to that
time. Your customers will come to know your auctions always end on a certain day at a
certain time and know that they can go on the computer on Sunday night at 10 PM, for
example, and be able to bid.
4. Fast shipping equates to repeat sales
We live in an instant gratification world. Once an item is paid for, get it in the mail
as quickly as possible. This will lead to higher customer feedback and repeat sales. If
you aren't seeing comments about how fast a customer received their item in 60 to 70
percent of your feedback, it's taking you too long to get things in the mail and it's
hurting your business.
5. Give your product a vacation once in a while
It pays to stop listing an item, or type of item, every once in a while so that
potential customers don't begin to take it for granted that it will always be available.
You will find that if you don't list an item for two or three weeks, when you do it again,
it will almost always result in increased bidding and higher bids.
6. Make use of eBay's "Second Chance" offers
If you have multiples of the same item and more than one person has bid on it, make a
"Second Chance" offer to the next one or two unsuccessful bidders. You will find the
response rate to these offers is quite high. If you simply choose to re list, there's a
good chance that many of the under-bidders will never see your item when it is re-listed.
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