I don't know if this is the right format, but the moderators will move it if it isn't. I have bought mega things on Ebay and have that system down pat, but I don't know how to sell items. Do you use your Ebay name, do you have to have pictures, how do you control the times, reserves, etc. I have some frags that I dearly need to clear out and would like to try this system on Ebay, any help would be appreciated.

Hi! I have sold mega items on eBay. You do use your eBay name. Just click at the top of the home page on "Sell", and it literally takes you step by step throught he entire process. (You don't have to use pictures if you don't want to.)

As you go through the process of setting up your auction, it's basically like filling out a form. All the questions will be there about pricing, reserves, length of your auction, how much postage you are charging, etc. You only have to "fill in the blanks." Also, they give you many chances along the way to edit or change your mind. Even after posting the auction, it's very easy to back and make changes if you so desire.

Just give it a try. You CAN do it !!!

And if you should want to sell under a different name, you can create another id as well, but I don't know why you would want to do it.....other than to keep selling and buying id's separate.

You can also create a Paypal *business* account, (perhaps for sales, or where you might be willing to accept credit cards & debit cards), and another account where you accept no credit cards.

The *business* account will charge you a fee for almost every transaction, whereas the personal account will not, however, you will have a limit on the personal account.

I have both.....on one I accept cc's and on the other I don't.

Since you have experience buying, try to make your auction look like someone you'd buy from. You don't have to have the fancy fonts and pretty layouts, but details are essential. Serious buyer are all about details. Pictures are a must, and good quality pics are best. Write your text honestly and accurately, and provide as much detail as possible. Think about what your potential buyer is looking for and present your product in the best light.

The reserve is part of the "form", but think hard about setting a reserve unless you have something really valuable. The ebay market is very efficient in determining value. I've sold 2 cars on ebay and started with $.99 with no reserve. Of course that's risky, but I knew the price they would bring, and they did.

I've had good results with 5 or 7 day auctions, always trying to end on a weekend when a lot of people have the time to follow the auction in the closing minutes. Ending the auction on a Sunday evening works great. You have to time your listing time to work this out. Anything longer than 5-7 days and potential buyers may lose interest and stop following the auction, unless of course you have something special. Serious ebayers will find your auction quickly and track it for a week, much longer and other interests will capture their attention.

Ebay is not unlike a live auction, attention span and excitement are in your favor if you play it right. Capture their imagination and their attention and you'll sell very well in a week.

Hope this helps

PS Its best to use your existing ebay name, your positive feedback as a buyer will give you credibility.

All you say makes sense - I'm still not game to sell on ebay. I purchase easily enough, selling is something I don't do well. I tend to give things away.

Always include the postage in your auction. Do not make the buyer write to you and ask! This is a total turn off and you lose people who just come across your auction at the last minute. Weigh your item and work it out. If something turns out to cost 50 cents more than what you charged don't worry about it. I never charge for packaging but that's because I swap and buy online so much that I rarely if ever have to buy packaging. I like to keep the postage on the low side and will often add a dollar to my starting price and take a dollar off the postage--people like this because there are so many folk who overcharge on postage. Cheap postage attracts people.

Just try selling one or two things at first. If you are selling fragrances please pack them in a box!! I am so sick of getting bottles of perfume with one layer of bubble wrap around them dropped in a regular envelope. Okay, so nothing has ever been broken but I don't know how the seller sends them like that, I'd be a nervous wreck.

Regarding paypal the personal account only allows you to receive 5 payments a year. It is worthless as a seller. You can upgrade to a premier account, they charge a bit for each sale but it's a good service. With the premier account you can receive as many payments as you like.