Wednesday, September 10, 2008

How to Sell Expensive Items on eBay Using Cool Tricks

By Christopher Stigson


Selling expensive items on eBay is really no different than selling low cost items. Essentially, no matter what you are selling, it all comes down to how you market the item. This doesn't mean you have to surf around the Internet placing ads here and there - when it comes to eBay auctions, the marketing is all done at the eBay website. Basically, when you set up your auction, you are setting up an automated marketing campaign.

The first thing you must do is recognize the value of your item that you will be selling using three methods. This will help you determine your reserve price. The reserve price is the price that you would be willing to sell your item for on the low end. So first just find out how much the item is worth on the actual market. Then you need to find what other items similar to the one you are selling have been sold for previously. And the final step is to determine what the value of your item is for yourself. Using this you can determine the lowest price you'd be willing to accept for it.

Set your reserve price, and then set your opening bid price lower than $50 - no matter how high your reserve price is. This is a marketing tactic. It will be hard to attract potential buyers to an auction for an item selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars - but getting them to an auction where the opening bid is only $50 is quite simple. Did you remember that you do not have to sell the item for any less than the price you placed in your reserve price, unless you decide to sell it for less. This is a marketing tactic used by a majority of ebay players, and gimmicks the offline businesses who use similar methods to 'get you in the door'.

You should spend some time on your description for your listing. You should describe your item well. Be descriptive and detailed, such as proving authenticity and reciepts of collectibles and expensive products. Include pictures as well. Do not trick buyers, they can spot it from a mile away. If the item has marks or scratches, simply be honest about it, and make sure that the pictures convey this as well. State how the item will be packed and shipped. Also let potential buyers know that shipping insurance must be purchased as well - in case the item is damaged once it leaves your possession.

For higher priced items, most eBay buyers feel more comfortable using an escrow service. Offer this as an option in your auction, with the understanding that the buyer must pay for the service. This protects both seller and buyer from fraud and it makes customers more comfortable to buy an item. eBay has partnered with an escrow service that is commonly used for high ticket items.

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