| Almost everyone - even those without internet | | | | start looking for items to put up for auction. You |
| access - will have heard of the online auction site, | | | | may want to start off selling unwanted items from |
| eBay. A majority of these people will also be aware | | | | around your home first, until you have a 'feel' for |
| that eBay has the potential for sellers to earn a good | | | | how eBay works. Once your confidence has |
| living from it and will have heard anecdotes about | | | | increased and you are familiar with the service, you |
| some eBay-a-holics resigning from their 9 to 5 jobs | | | | can start scouring charity shops and boot sales for |
| to earn money from online auctions. But how can | | | | items, or maybe even producing your own craft |
| you take step towards that kind of earning potential? | | | | products to sell online. |
| Before you even start looking around your house for | | | | The following pointers can help your chances of |
| items to sell, spend some time getting to know the | | | | turning your eBay hobby into a fully fledged business: |
| website. Look at the 'Want It Now' page to see | | | | - Don't expect to start making good money right |
| what sort of quirky and unusual items people are | | | | from the start. Like any business, it takes time to |
| searching for on eBay. It may inspire you to find your | | | | flourish. |
| niche. | | | | - Not every item you list will sell. Do not be too |
| Browse the different categories to discover what | | | | disheartened when it happens, unfortunately it is part |
| sort of items attracts a lot of bids, or see what | | | | of the nature of the 'business'. |
| items sell for good money. The latter is particularly | | | | - Treat your buyers professionally. Be quick to |
| important as it is a myth that you can sell any old | | | | answer their queries, be polite and be efficient in |
| junk on eBay and make a great profit. People | | | | sending out their items and dealing with any problems |
| primarily search eBay for bargains, which mean unless | | | | which may arise. A good feedback score encourages |
| you have researched the market well you could be | | | | more bids and people are often more willing to bid |
| putting a lot of effort into selling items for small | | | | more if the seller has a reputation for being reliable. |
| profit margins, or maybe even for less then they are | | | | - Take advantage of the 'About Me' page. Putting a |
| worth. | | | | 'friendly face' to your profile will further raise the |
| Once you have decided on the sort of items you | | | | trust of any potential bidders. |
| may potentially sell over eBay, take a look at your | | | | - Look at the payment options you offer. PayPal is, |
| 'competitors' and their listings. Look for how they | | | | of course, extremely popular and some sellers will |
| grab the buyer's attention and encourage people to | | | | accept no other payment methods. But not every |
| put in a bid. See what sort of time limit they put on | | | | potential customer uses PayPal so by offering a |
| the bidding, as different time scales work best for | | | | range of payment options you are less likely to put |
| different items. Most importantly, see how they list | | | | people off from bidding on your listed item. |
| their terms and conditions, for instance terms of | | | | If you follow these guidelines and do your research |
| payment, shipping and refund policies, to get an idea | | | | properly, you can achieve your ambition of working |
| of what information is essential in your own listings. | | | | from home and making eBay your career. |
| Once you have researched eBay thoroughly you can | | | | |