📦Tips for Selling Items Online
Using the eBay tools above are a great way to get more traffic to your listings and increase your product’s ranking in search results. It is also key that you make your listing stand out from other listings, especially when you do not have items in hand.
Keys to Listings Items Successfully Key Words - Check sold listings and select an item similar to yours that has sold, you can then click “Sell one like this” and a listing will be created with the attributes from that listing, you’ll just add your photos and description.
Photos (Online orders not in Hand Yet)- If you are selling an item that is not in hand you will likely use stock photos from the site, but so will other sellers, so all the listings will look the same. You should use a photo editing app to spice up the stock photos with keywords such as “Ships Double Boxed”, “Ships with Pop Protector”, “Order 100% Confirmed”, “Free Priority Shipping”, “100% Buyer Feedback”, something to make your stock photo more likely to get that click.
Protecting Yourself when Selling Online
Pictures - You should document all aspects of your items when selling online to provide evidence in the event a buyer says they received it differently. If you're dealing with a new buyer (zero, non-recent, or low feedback) I recommend taking pictures with the shipping label in view prior to shipping, make sure a date is visible, just so there is no doubt about the state of the product prior to shipping.
Drop off for Shipping in-Person - This isn't required for all items, but especially cards or high-value items you should drop the item off at the postal courier in-person, ensure that it is weighed and scanned, and that you receive a receipt documenting the weight of the product at drop-off so the buyer can't say they received an empty package.
Receipts - You should ALWAYS keep all receipts of your item. This INCLUDES your receipt of what you paid for the item, your shipping label receipt, AND your drop off label from dropping the item off with the carrier. Insurance - You should always purchase ample insurance for your item to protect it during transit. In my experience, insured items are treated better throughout shipping as well. Why? - Receipts and insurance will allow you to PROTECT yourself in the event your item isn't delivered, or is delivered to a dishonest buyer who says they didn't receive the item or received the wrong item. Accidents Happen - Not every buyer is dishonest. Sometimes packages get lost in transit or stolen from a buyer's porch. eBay and other selling platforms offer buyer and seller protection to protect both parties. It is important you keep all receipts and photo-evidence to protect yourself in the event something happens. Buyer Says item Wasn't Received - DON'T PANIC! Check your tracking, if the item is delivered, you're good. If the item isn't delivered, call the carrier and get them to check on the item, and have them open an internal case, if you purchased insurance, you will be refunded the insured amount. Handling Cases: If the item was delivered, ask the buyer to open a case with the platform on the order, NEVER REFUND THE BUYER BEFORE DOING THIS! If they are being dishonest, they may disappear and not message you again. If they didn't receive the order honestly, they are just as unsettled as you are. The platform will ask you to provide ALL RECEIPTS of the transaction, this is why it's important to keep all shipping label information, receipts, as well as the drop-off receipt. Additional Safety: Take a picture of the item you are shipping out with the tracking label shown in the picture. This is just an extra safety measure to show you shipped the indicated item. Keep this picture as well as all documentation mentioned prior to protect you when transacting online.
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