Ebay Methods and Success

I want to start a thread about specific Ebay methods. Share yours here or your success stories. Anything that is related to the process of selling is welcome!

Couple of thing's I've discovered.

Buy it Now with no additional quantity entices buying, especially from items typically purchased by female consumers. I sell high priced items this way. I feel that I can create increased value by selling only one at a time. With many listed, the value of the item actually decreases. I find this common in things such as Purses and Shoes. Multiple quantity, such as "12 Sold" on listing increase business to consumer confidence. It shows a consumer that "People want this, and I should want this too." I find this common with Pants, Dresses, Shirts, Electronics, Sex Toys, etc. A blackhat method that would increase sales this way would be to buy your own items from different accounts. "1 Sold" can become "132 Sold" and although I can not confirm this, but I feel that this increases your items ranking in eBay's "Best Match" algorithm.

When you sell plain ol' items you pick up at a yard sale or something, I have had better conversions from items that didn't have elaborate item descriptions and templates and stuff. A couple good pictures is all you need, not an overly drawn out description of the item. People hate reading, and cutesy colors, pictures, and logos distract from possible sales.

Make as FEW links as possible. Buyers now a days have an ADHD mindset, and click around. After several clicks, they will move on to something else. Either completely different items, or off eBay totally to check their e-mail or something. Gallery image scroll bars commonly seen by Auctiva are the worst.

Be either the cheapest or the most expensive. You either want to be a Walmart brand, or a high end Name Brand. eBay makes it WAY too easy for people to compare prices side by side. Being cheap (and sometimes undercutting) increases your number of sales, but usually does not increase your profit. Being the most expensive can sometimes increase value. You make one sale, but it would probably be very profitable.

Don't think small all the damn time. Don't let a shitty buyer leave you negative feedback. Either cough up the money and bribe them, or try to legally scare them.

=eBayMafia;2010865 A blackhat method that would increase sales this way would be to buy your own items from different accounts. "1 Sold" can become "132 Sold" and although I can not confirm this, but I feel that this increases your items ranking in eBay's "Best Match" algorithm.

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So this would mean you must haver 132 ebay accounts and then pay insertion fees for 132 auctions and as you have sold to yourself you do not get any money but also have to pay final value fee for 132 "sales". Definitely a method for people having too much money

I think that topic is still up for debate. Some people say that fancy listings with high quantities are better than listings that are simple and poignant. I myself have always used simple, informative listings instead of elaborate listings. I think, at times, it can seem tacky and over-the-top.

Also I know there are schools of thought that say buy-it-now decreases customer interest and auction style is the way to go... but also at the same time I was using terapeak the other day to examine a seller and their highest selling items were through "fixed-price".

Multiple yourself. 20 accounts, sell $30 on each and you should gross $600 per day. I'm going to go this route. But I'm going to start off with 10 accounts x $20 daily. Where to find wholesale products? Take a walk down Downtown LA you'll find thousands of imports to resell.

I definetly agree with this

Now this is a great thread, I agree with DIAPORDIA and Ebaymafia (to a limit) I wouldn't create 132 accounts or maybe it's worth a try to see.

anatho said:

So this would mean you must haver 132 ebay accounts and then pay insertion fees for 132 auctions and as you have sold to yourself you do not get any money but also have to pay final value fee for 132 "sales". Definitely a method for people having too much money

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Make it so that when someone buys your item on a multiple listing, they don't have to pay with PayPal immediately.

Make an eBay account, and make sure the information doesn't cross reference. Buy your own items in low amounts, 5 or 6. If you keep doing it, your eBay listing will say "32 sold" or whatever.

After a couple days, have your sellers account file an unpaid item dispute against your fake accounts. You will get your FVF's back once you request a refund, which usually takes 30 days. I just take the credit since I sell on eBay so much and its quicker. (A credit and a refund is different)

I do this in Womens Shoes categories a lot, because the competition sucks and because women are more likely to make a purchase once they see that others want the item or have purchased the item.

eBayMafia said:

Make it so that when someone buys your item on a multiple listing, they don't have to pay with PayPal immediately.

Make an eBay account, and make sure the information doesn't cross reference. Buy your own items in low amounts, 5 or 6. If you keep doing it, your eBay listing will say "32 sold" or whatever.

After a couple days, have your sellers account file an unpaid item dispute against your fake accounts. You will get your FVF's back once you request a refund, which usually takes 30 days. I just take the credit since I sell on eBay so much and its quicker. (A credit and a refund is different)

I do this in Womens Shoes categories a lot, because the competition sucks and because women are more likely to make a purchase once they see that others want the item or have purchased the item.

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THERE IS NO NEED TO OPEN UNPAID BUYER CASE.

INSTEAD OF OPENING CASE, CHOOSE THE OPTION:

"I SOLD AN ITEM AND WANT TO CANCEL THIS TRANSACTION"

That way you get the FVF back and there are no recently open cases on your account. Saves a lot of time, and your ratings stay the same.

I also use this system for raking up feedbacks. Always turn off immediate payment and accept all payment methods. That way your "pretend buyers" don't need a CC, DC, or PP account on file.

eBayMafia said:

Make as FEW links as possible. Buyers now a days have an ADHD mindset, and click around. After several clicks, they will move on to something else. Either completely different items, or off eBay totally to check their e-mail or something. Gallery image scroll bars commonly seen by Auctiva are the worst.

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This is very true, I also do something similar. Buyers nowadays don't want to read and read. Yea, you may think you are describing every little detail so they don't open a case. But, most people don't want to read a wall of text.

Keep it simple, to the point, yet informative. Leave out everything but the basics.

There is no need for: "If you re-sell this, you will make double your profit". Or: "sell this and make $$$".

The don't want to read that, they want a simple description but informative, yet properly describes the item and components. While keeping them interested and still thinking you are a professional seller and not some guy selling his old garage stuff.


Also, if you have the extra $15 a month. I highly recommend opening the basic store. It may seem like a waste, but I notice an increase of sales on my account with a store, than the one without.

Both are same items at same price. Account with store has lower feedback.

Doesn't matter, when people see the store, they automatically think this person must be professional. Or they are legitimate since they have a store in eBay. Or whatever goes through their head. You gotta make them think they are getting the best possible deal, while your are still making a profit off it.


I will add more to this thread later.

Wow. Thanks for this guys! I'm new to selling on ebay and looking to get into it more professionally.

But, would ebay detects and suspend our account because of doing that?