This is written from being rather a veteran of two major online auction websites, which I use to shift things no longer want.. I have been doing online auctions since 2004, and am writing this as a guide for people, as many often tell me that they are scared of, or dont know how to go about, doing online auctions.
Ebid.
This is a fast growing international online auction site, that is less known, but getting busier all the time. Both private and business people use ebid. Sellers and buyers are protected, and the best thing about ebid, is that you are able to list unlimited amounts of items for sale with NO listings fees, (unless you go for every fancy listings options) and only 3% final value fees if and when something sells. The downside to ebid, is that it is less known and so the sales percentages are lower. Weighed against that, you can list as much as you want at no cost, and your final value fees are a fraction of ebays! I sell around 30 items a month on ebid, so I can guarantee it works!
You also have a fast support system (live support, via email) for any queries, your listings are also uploaded to Google Shopping (as long as you include the items barcode or ISBN, in the listing, and list a "buy now" price as well as an auction price, but then, all these things are free options!), friendly helpful user forums, and you are able to leave honest feedback (good or bad) for both buyers and sellers. Overall, I have found a vastly lower percentage of scams on ebid than on its bigger cousins, so its safer as well.
Because it is a less known site, it is reccomended that you use your own social network links to help promote your listings.
Good practice selling online
- When listing an item for sale, include as much information as you can, and do NOT use "stock" pictures. Instead, take your own photo of the actual item you are selling. Include edition/ measurements/ condition/ etc, as relevant, and much as possible.
- Answer any queries or enquiries as quickly as possible - ideally within 24 hours.
- Post items sold within a set amount of time, stated clearly on the listings. I state I post items within three days, but in practice always aim to post next day. I simply state three days to over my back if ill, or very busy. Always try to exceed expectations!
Staying safe selling online.
Whichever site you use for online auctions, you need to observe a few rules to keep yourself safe as a seller.
The most common scams are false payment notifications, claims that items have not been recieved in the post, or that they are not as described. In those cases, especially if the buyer has used Paypal, the rules are weighted towards believing the buyer and not the seller, so you have to be careful to stop yourself being taken for a ride. Nothing protects you 100%, but this will cover most of it. The majority of the scams, I find, happen on ebay, but this is safe practice for either site.
Be absolutly clear in your auction description, make sure that the item you are selling is the exact item shown in the photo, and if second-hand, mention any blemishes or signs of wear.
- Accept payment via Paypal as well as any other payment facilities that you are able to, and login to your paypal account to make sure the payment is there, it is not unknown for sellers to recieve very convincing looking fake payment notification emails! Paypal takes expensive fees, but again allows instant payment. Like it or hate it, a lot of buyers prefer to use paypal, as it is safer for them, and you will loose out on a lot of sales if you do not accept payment via paypal. On ebid you can also offer Google Checkout, PPpay, and many other online payment options as well. I know little of these but I would reccomend the same strategies to keep safe.
- Post as soon as you are able. Make sure you post it to the buyers address as registered with Paypal, unless they have specifically messaged you and asked for postage to a different address.
- Respond to all queries as soon as you can, even if they might seem a bit bizarre.
- ALWAYS, and I cannot say this enough, always send items via a tracked postage service, at least one that requires a signature on delivery. Because this is your protection against the most common scam of all. "I didnt recieve my item". I have had this scam attempted on me countless times, and this is when people claim they have not recieved parcels I have sent, then I have checked the tracking, found that they - or someone of the same name and address!!!!!! - had indeed signed for it, and they have backed down very fast, are uncountable. In the event of such a claim, especially via Paypal, it is up to you, the seller, to prove delivery to the buyers address registered with paypal , which you can only do with a delivery signature. If you cannot prove this, then Paypal will automatically side with the buyer, and you will loose both your item and your money. The only exceptions, when I agree to use cheaper untracked postage, I make, are for a couple of very regular buyers whom I have via Ebid, and who I deal with for months on end, on a regular basis, and know to be legit. If you make a habit of sending un-tracked, you can and WILL be diddled on a fairly regular basis.
(of course, always answer item not recieved claims - if an item has genuinly gone missing and is not showing as delivered then you need to communicate with your buyer, agree a refund or replacement, and then kick postie arse. This also happens, but is a lot less common than the scams, so always have that tracking you can check!)
- Do not give into blackmail - I have had "buyers" try to blackmail/ threaten me for my bank card number and PIN, demand extra "gifts" not in original item listings, etc. Report any such actions to the relevant site, and the Police if need be.
However aggravating someone is, dont descend into a slanging match, abuse or threats. If they are trying to initiate the same, then calmly state that you will be reporting the issue to site admins, and save all messages - both sites will review the private message correspondance exchanged with the other person as part of thier investigation.
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