Auction Tips - Listing Items

Auction Listing Items Tips

• Be sure to choose an appropriate category for your listing.
  
  "Appropriate" does not necessarily mean the same as "obvious" - sometimes you may be able to think of an inventive use for your item, and sell it a category which has less competitors selling similar items, or perhaps even sell it for more.
  
  
• Use an appropriate and enticing title for your item, preferably one that stands out from the competition and contains lots of relevant search keywords (so your item will come up in lots of searches).
  
  
• Describe your item in a positive light (remember your description is a sales pitch!), but accurately and truthfully.
  
  You may find these Copywriting Resources helpful when preparing your text.
  
  
• You can use HTML in your item description, but don't go overboard.
  
  If you do use HTML:
  
  
  • Check your HTML in several web browsers to make sure it displays properly.
    
    
  • Be particularly careful of HTML tables. If slightly incorrectly coded, they may display properly in some web browser versions and not in others.
  
  
• If your item is damaged in some way, or in less than perfect condition, it doesn't mean that you can't sell it - but you should disclose whatever the flaw is in your item description.
  
  Not only is this the honest thing to do, but it's also in your own interest - if you sell damaged/flawed items without warning the buyer of the imperfection, they may post negative feedback.
  
  
• For most items (except for things like Domain Names), you should include a photograph.
  
  We have prepared a separate tip sheet on preparing photographs for your auctions.
  
  
• Before listing your item think carefully about what methods of payment you are prepared to accept, as well as any shipping fees and conditions (etc.) - then include that information in your item description.
  
  If you are selling valuable items which can easily be damaged during shipping, you may wish to specify that Insured Shipping is required, and state that in your description.
  
  
• If there is a price below which you are not prepared to sell your item, don't forget to set the reserve price!
  
  
• If you are regularly selling identical or similar items, you could keep records of the different titles, descriptions, categories, starting price, and sales price for each of your items. Over time, you may be able to build a pretty good picture of the most effective way to list your items for sale.