| Online auctions continue to become recognized and | | | | incomplete and unclear product descriptions. I just can't |
| more and more sales over the internet are happening | | | | seem to understand why people make this mistake. |
| every day. People that can't find products in local | | | | You have unlimited text to describe your item and |
| stores are immediately browsing the internet to grasp | | | | aren't restricted on a certain amount of characters. |
| what they desperately want or need. Everything from | | | | Explain everything there is to know about your product |
| unwanted household items to valuable collectibles is | | | | and describe it like your describing it to a first grader. |
| being sold for a hefty penny, and the internet is the | | | | Provide the exact dimensions or specific details about |
| only place for people to get a hold of them. With these | | | | the condition of the item. You have to realize that the |
| motivated buyers browsing through auctions, it is vital, | | | | buyer can not see the item up close, so you have to |
| to avoid making key mistakes that could potentially | | | | sell it by explaining the exact details and putting a |
| keep your auction from selling. I will talk about what I | | | | picture in there head of what they will be receiving. |
| think are the 3 most important mistakes that sellers | | | | Create your listing and then read through it as a |
| could make when listing their auctions for sale. | | | | buyer's perspective and decide if you would bid on |
| The first mistake to avoid is listing your item in the | | | | your item if you were the buyer reading the |
| wrong category. There are 32,000 categories that you | | | | description. If you have any doubt of bidding on the |
| can list your item under on eBay, so it's important to | | | | item, then you know that the description is not good |
| know which category your items should be listed | | | | enough and needs a change. Make the effort to do it |
| under. For example; when listing a Blackberry phone, it's | | | | right and you are likely to have successful auctions. |
| important to list it under the "Cell phones & smart | | | | After you have provided a full description of your item |
| phones" category and not the "Cell phones & | | | | it's important to include the terms and policies. This part |
| PDA accessories". It's important to do your research in | | | | will take up between 60 and 80 percent of your |
| your product to know exactly what you're selling, so | | | | description. You will be explaining the shipping terms, |
| you can receive top value for you product. By making | | | | return policy and warranty program that you provide |
| this mistake, you are trying to sell an item to a bunch | | | | for you product. It's important to explain each one of |
| of unmotivated buyers in a different market. | | | | these so that the buyer understands the policy before |
| Sometimes there are specific categories that eBay | | | | placing a bid, so you limit the problems after the auction |
| asks you to list under when finalizing your auction. Be | | | | has ended. State when the buyer should be expecting |
| sure to check off each category, so it defines your | | | | the item in the mail and by which service the item will |
| item distinctively as possible and you're targeting the | | | | be delivered by. State the return policy if the buyer is |
| right eBay shoppers. Never select 2 categories to list | | | | unsatisfied with the item. I recommend you give them |
| your item under. eBay charges you double for listing in | | | | no more then 3 days from when the item has arrived |
| 2 categories, so spend the time to figure out which | | | | for them to decide if they want a refund. And lastly, |
| category your product should be listed under. | | | | unless you're selling an automobile, then I don't |
| The second mistake that I hope you avoid making is | | | | recommend having a warranty program. |
| providing a blurred or ugly looking image. If it cost you | | | | The important lesson in avoiding all of these mistakes |
| the extra money to invest in a quality digital camera | | | | is to know your product inside and out. Any efficient |
| then I recommend doing so. If you have a blurry or | | | | salesperson is an expert on the product or service |
| unclear image, your potential buyers are going to be | | | | that they are selling. There is nothing about the product |
| skeptical of bidding on your auction. Now, you have | | | | that he does not know. By having confidence in what |
| spent so much time on getting your potential buyers to | | | | you sell, you will be able to sell whatever you have in a |
| your auction, why make them think twice about placing | | | | much more effective manner. They can answer any |
| a bid because they can't see a clear descriptive | | | | question that their potential buyers have and provide |
| picture of the item, or don't know if the items has | | | | immediate responses with a confident tone in their |
| defects or not. This will hurt your eBay auctions and | | | | reply. You may luck out in the beginning but if you are |
| create more and more unsold auctions. The cause of | | | | depending on luck for your entire sales career, you'll be |
| a blurry picture could be because the flash on your | | | | out of business in no time. |
| camera was on. Rule number 1 when taking pictures is, | | | | Providing a mistake free auction will generate more |
| to never have the flash turned on. Have multiple lights | | | | and more sales for your business. You are competing |
| on in the room, but don't try and use the flash to make | | | | against too many other sellers so don't make the |
| up for lighting. Relating to a blurry picture, also make | | | | mistake of buyers not finding your auctions or not |
| sure the buyer doesn't have to download the picture | | | | wanting to place a bid because a poorly developed |
| or wait for it to appear on the screen. Buyers don't | | | | listing that you created. Compare you listings to the |
| have patience and will skip to the next auction that's | | | | other successful eBay sellers and see how your |
| selling the exact same product. | | | | auctions measures up to theirs. |
| The last mistake that I see poor sellers make are | | | | |