Any advice for a first time Ebay seller?

[wufners]

Now, I've boughten from eBay many times, but never before have I tried to sell anything. But my duplicate Atari games and my extra 2600s are taking up precious space that could be used for new stuff, so I'm taking the plunge!

Before I do, I just thought I'd mine the experts for any advice or thoughts you may have.

Somethings I know. I found all the fee information on eBay's site, so I'm down with that. I also know from experience things that buyers appreciate, such as accurate descriptions, clear pictures, confirmation that the system and games have been tested and work, and shipping costs.

So what am I looking for? Beats me, that's why I'm asking. What are the things that I should know that I just don't know to ask?

I know that sometimes eBay offers "free listing days." How do I find out when those are? I know it's only like $0.65 to list an opening $9.99 bid, but what can I say? I'm cheap.

I'll be selling a 4-switch wood grain with all the fixin's plus 30 unique games. Does $9.99 sound like a good opening bid? I figure it will probably go for $30+, but what do I know? I also have 7 dups that I'm not including in the package because they are of slightly more value (the top being a $10 Entombed.) Would I be better off including them and upping the opening bid? I figure I could get bether value for those games through trading since they could get lost in an auction for a large lot.

And speaking of trading, how does everyone feel about eBay vs. trade? I decided to eBay simply 'cuz I've never traded online before. It'd be nice to get a little cash, but I'm not really hurting for it. Besides, I'd probably just throw it right back into more video game stuff, so trading would be kind of like dropping out the middle man. Is there an official place to sniff out trades on this site? Or am I in the right place already?

I know this post is kind of rambling, but I just wanted to throw it out there to pick your brains.

Thanks everyone!

[sisko]

Wait until Christmas time starts, and you'll usually get more bids. If you can't wait then:

1) Use a good picture(s)
2) List EVERY item. If you have 30 games, list them. If you have 300 games list them.
3) Keyword spam, with out looking like you are spamming. eg Title: Atari Six Switch Woodgrain console. Descripction: Up for sale is an Atari 6 switch woody system. These Wood grain units were sold back in blah blah

Sure you said the same thing 3 times, but search engines don't know that.


Trading is usually alright. I've completed dozens of trades (and just recently, a very high dollar trade) on this board, and have no problems. Often, its hard to trade for exactly what you want though, so selling may be a better option.

Now I'm rambling :)

Oh, and welcome to the boards!

[wufners]

Good stuff, sisko, thanks.

I hadn't thought about waiting for the holidays--that's not a bad idea. Originally my motivation to sell was twofold: 1) to make some space by moving duplicate games. And 2) the fact that I picked up a complete 2600 and Video Pinball that I didn't for only $2 (how could I pass it up!?)

But hey, I'm as human as the next guy (and gal) and am not opposed to maximizing my profits. A little extra spending money is always handy during the holidays. Perhaps I'll just pack everything up all nice and neat and keep it in waiting for a few months.

Ah yes, the art of description writing . . I hadn't thought about that much. Thanks for the tips. And listing all the games is definitely a must--will do.

And no worries about rambling . . . as you can read, I am a fan of it. ;)

Oh, and thanks for the welcome. I've been lurking around for a couple of months, but haven't done much posting.

[briguy578]

I've got a three tips:

1) sometimes it pays to beef up the number of games you have. People don't pay extra if you have, say, 10 copies of combat with your system though. If you are willing to wait a week or two, watch any auctions where atari games are going cheap [1.00 each or less] and bid on them if they have a lot of games you don't have. Tossing these extra games in can double the money you get for it.
2) Split off any "rare" games. By "rare" I mean any game that the DP guide says is worth more then 10 or 12 bucks. Sell these games individually.
3) Cross list your auction in wholesale lots. You'll get a lot more page views and a lot more bids.

Four, FOUR tips -

4) Use a gallery photo. Also, spend the extra 10 cents and have your pictures shown on the left or right hand side of the text. Having the pictures with the text, instead of pushed down to the bottom, really helps drive bids.

Those are the four hints I can give you that haven't been said already. Including lots of good pictures, using proper page formatting and listing the games in alphabetical order all help, too.

This is the method I've used on my last two colecovision auctions. Both went above $300. I wouldn't expect that kind of money on an atari, but it really will help. Now I just have to hope that everyone else doesn't copy me, too :)


PS - I hope people got the spanish inquisition reference.

[Flack]

As a general rule of thumb, if you're selling "commons", you will do better to package them with a system. If you're selling harder to find games, you will make more money listing them individually.

Like Sisko said, take pictures of your items, and make sure all items are listed in your auction. At the end of every auction I run, I always say "be sure to ask questions!" but I rarely get any because I try to answer them all in my auction! Make sure you mention what type of payments you accept and how you will be shipping the item. If the items are open, be sure to test them and tell people they are working. On eBay, "untested" means "not working".

Try to make your auctions look neat. That means spell checking, not using clip art all over the place, and for God's sake don't use 10 different fonts in 10 different colors. It's fine to be creative, but if people can't easily read your auction they'll skip right over it, good deal or not.

[briguy578]

follow all of flack's advice as well as mine - his is all very sound, and fortunately our advice isn't mutually exclusive.

[wufners]

10-4, good buddies, great stuff. This is exactly what I was hoping for. I may have to print this thread out for reference ;)


1) sometimes it pays to beef up the number of games you have. People don't pay extra if you have, say, 10 copies of combat with your system though.

Yeah, t'is my plan. I have 30 unique titles (all 1-3s) to go along with the system.


3) Cross list your auction in wholesale lots. You'll get a lot more page views and a lot more bids.

Awesome, just the kind of stuff I wanted to know. I dont' know anything about listing my auction in wholesale lots. I assume I can dig around on eBay and to learn more about it?


4) Use a gallery photo. Also, spend the extra 10 cents and have your pictures shown on the left or right hand side of the text. Having the pictures with the text, instead of pushed down to the bottom, really helps drive bids.

It pains my cheap heart, but this is sound advice. I shall do.


This is the method I've used on my last two colecovision auctions. Both went above $300.

$300 for a Colecovision?!! :eek 2:

Wow, I got an extra one of those too. Of course, I only have one extra game and both controllers need to be fixed (which I'll do as soon as I get my hands on a soldering iron.) But I do have expansion module 1 to go along with it--hey, it's better nothing. None the less, I'll hold on to that bad boy until I have a little more to sweeten the deal.

As an aside, are the Colecovisions controllers the worst ever? If not the worst, than certainly amongst the worst.


Now I just have to hope that everyone else doesn't copy me, too

Your secrets are safe with me (and however many other people read this thread.) ;)


On eBay, "untested" means "not working".

Sage advice.


Try to make your auctions look neat. That means spell checking, not using clip art all over the place, and for God's sake don't use 10 different fonts in 10 different colors. It's fine to be creative, but if people can't easily read your auction they'll skip right over it, good deal or not.

Very true.


Make sure you mention what type of payments you accept and how you will be shipping the item.

Man, does anybody else hate UPS as much as I do? USPS all the way for me.