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If you've ever been a buyer or seller on ebay, you have probably noticed that the winning auctions share some similar traits: they are easy to read, they have photos of the items being sold, and they accept a variety of payment methods. To increase the success of your own auctions, take those same tips to heart and use them in your own listings. In addition to those simple rules, here are a few other pointers to help you make the most of your ebay sales.

Some experts recommend starting every bid at $1.00. This makes sense, when you think about it. Buyers will want to cash in on a good deal, so they'll be tempted to bid on a product that costs so little. In fact, if your listing is eye-catching, you will likely have several bidders on dollar items. This strategy helps ensure that bidders will buy your item the first time it's listed, which saves you money on listing fees as well.

Speaking of listing, be sure to give your items enough time on the auction block. Listing an item for three days probably isn't sufficient. The longer an item is listed, the better the chance that someone will see it and bid on it. Try for seven or even ten days for most items.

Keep in mind that most bids take place in the final hours of the listing as ebay buyers who have been watching the item scramble to place the winning bid. Don't be disheartened if your item doesn't get bids until its last day. It's just the nature of the ebay marketplace.

PayPal is the preferred payment method on ebay, and you'll have noticed that the top sellers accept it. On top of PayPal, accept credit cards and other methods of payment such as personal checks and money orders. That way, the most people will have the chance to buy your items.

You don't want to lose out on a home business ebay sale just because someone didn't have access to a certain payment method at the time. Make transactions easier on your buyers by being flexible about methods of payment.

Shipping is another factor that's important to ebay buyers. Most of us have, at some point, placed a winning bid on an inexpensive item only to find that we were getting gouged on the shipping costs. Overcharging on shipping will do nothing for your reputation.

Instead, charge at or only slightly above the rate you're actually paying to ship the goods. ebay has a nice shipping calculator that buyers can use to see how much their shipping will cost, by zip code. Incorporating this tool makes you seem like an honest merchant and also helps prevent any unpleasant shipping surprises for the buyer.

After your home business product has been sold, jump right in and get it shipped. Shipping speed is very important to ebay buyers. Nobody wants to still be waiting for their ebay items weeks after the auction has ended. Slow shipping can lead to negative ebay home business feedback and complaints, which can, in turn, lead to decreased sales.

Be prompt about your shipping. A reputation as a fast, accurate shipper is an asset for ebay sellers. If you do anticipate a shipping delay, let the customer know as soon as possible. Most buyers will be understanding if you just keep them informed.

These tips from the home business ebay pros will go a long way toward increasing your sales on ebay. Put them into play and you'll soon reap the rewards of a dedicated ebay seller = more winning bids.

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