eBay Guide - Top 10 Of How To Sell GUIDE

How To Sell

eBay is a topic that I have written several posts on already but I thought that a brief little post was needed regarding tips on selling.
I have even written a similar article as this but I realized recently that this advice can be relevant for any item to be sold on eBay and so might be of use to more people.

I have over 900 feedback on eBay and have gained experience along the way so you can (mostly!) trust what I write.

Here is a top ten for selling on eBay:

1. Make sure the item you are selling is well photographed!
Photography is key on eBay, with some items selling for half of what they should just because they are poorly photographed.
If you don't have any white walls to take the photo against try the bath or for larger items against the largest wall in your home.
Make sure the photo is bright with the lights on and a lamp if needed.

Show areas of detail or interest and an overall photo.

2. Title!
The title is how people will locate your listing so include all the key words you can think of relating to your item.
If it's a make put that first or if it's antique then put the year or period too.
Material and colour can be useful in the search too.

3. Subtitle if valuable
If your item is particularly valuable or you are setting a high start price (£50+) then you might want to put a subtitle.
This is searchable like the listing title so put a useful description here.

4. Fill in all categories
On the eBay listing page try to fill in as many categories as you can - buyers can search and sort by categories so you want your item as visible as possible.

5. Choose the best photo for the cover photo
This might not always be the overall shot - sometimes a pretty detail, a brand label or a descriptive image can be more useful.
This is especially true if the item isn't in the best of condition - show the best bit on the cover photo so buyers click on your listing.

6. Describe accurately and sell your item
No one else is going to sell your item for you so you need to make sure you do.
Describe as accurately as possible with material, age, colour and dimensions (H, W, L).
The more accurate you are the more likely a buyer will trust your listing.
Also describe the item and sell it's best points.
EG: 'The plate has an especially pretty design with lovely pink flowers and gilt detailing. It is of very fine quality and ideal for a collector due to it's excellent condition'.

7. Set a reasonable price
Don't start too low or too high.
This bit is important as people will rarely bother to click on your listing if the price is too high.
See what else is for sale on eBay and set the price accordingly.
Sometimes undercutting by a few pounds can help and in cases of valuable or collected items a low starting price is ideal if you know they sell well eg Coins
Often auction is the way forward as Buy I Now requires you to know the exact value of your item - you don't want to undersell!

8. Set a wise listing time
Schedule the time at a cost of 6p - it's worth it especially if you are listing a few things.
Times around 7-8 o'clock often work best with buyers.

9. Duration
Always choose the longest possible
This means more exposure for your item. Remember that people looking for your item may not necessarily be browsing every day for it so by giving ten days for example you offer a better chance for the buyer to see your listing.

10. Proof read
Make sure your listing is accurate, honest and without error.
You don't want negative feedback from an angry seller!

And there we have it!
Sorry for the lack of photos but this one was just useful information this time.

I hope this guide helps and let me know if you have any queries by emailing me at vaugc002@gmail.com
A like, comment, share or =1 is always appreciated too!

TOP 10 - How To Sell On eBay (PHOTO GUIDE)

eBay - How To Sell

eBay is a topic that I have written several posts on already but I thought that a brief little post was needed regarding tips on selling.
I have even written a similar article as this but I realized recently that this advice can be relevant for any item to be sold on eBay and so might be of use to more people.

I have over 900 feedback on eBay and have gained experience along the way so you can (mostly!) trust what I write.

Here is a top ten for selling on eBay:

1. Make sure the item you are selling is well photographed!
Photography is key on eBay, with some items selling for half of what they should just because they are poorly photographed.
If you don't have any white walls to take the photo against try the bath or for larger items against the largest wall in your home.
Make sure the photo is bright with the lights on and a lamp if needed.

Show areas of detail or interest and an overall photo.

2. Title!
The title is how people will locate your listing so include all the key words you can think of relating to your item.
If it's a make put that first or if it's antique then put the year or period too.
Material and colour can be useful in the search too.

3. Subtitle if valuableIf your item is particularly valuable or you are setting a high start price (£50+) then you might want to put a subtitle.
This is searchable like the listing title so put a useful description here.

4. Fill in all categoriesOn the eBay listing page try to fill in as many categories as you can - buyers can search and sort by categories so you want your item as visible as possible.

5. Choose the best photo for the cover photoThis might not always be the overall shot - sometimes a pretty detail, a brand label or a descriptive image can be more useful.
This is especially true if the item isn't in the best of condition - show the ebst bit on the cover photo so buyers click on your listing.

6. Describe accurately and sell your itemNo one else is going to sell your item for you so you need to make sure you do.
Describe as accurately as possible with material, age, colour and dimensions (H, W, L).
The more accurate you are the more likely a buyer will trust your listing.
Also describe the item and sell it's best points.
EG: 'The plate has an especially pretty design with lovely pink flowers and gilt detailing. It is of very fine quality and ideal for a collector due to it's excellent condition'.

7. Set a reasonable priceDon't start too low or too high.
This bit is important as people will rarely bother to click on your listing if the price is too high.
See what else is for sale on eBay and set the price accordingly.
Sometimes undercutting by a few pounds can help and in cases of valuable or collected items a low starting price is ideal if you know they sell well eg Coins
Often auction is the way forward as Buy I Now requires you to know the exact value of your item - you don't want to undersell!

8. Set a wise listing timeSchedule the time at a cost of 6p - it's worth it especially if you are listing a few things.
Times around 7-8 o'clock often work best with buyers.

9. DurationAlways choose the longest possible
This means more exposure for your item. Remember that people looking for your item may not necessarily be browsing every day for it so by giving ten days for example you offer a better chance for the buyer to see your listing.

10. Proof readMake sure your listing is accurate, honest and without error.
You don't want negative feedback from an angry seller!

And there we have it!
Sorry for the lack of photos but this one was just useful information this time.

I hope this guide helps and let me know if you have any queries by emailing me at vaugc002@gmail.com
A like, comment, share or =1 is always appreciated too!

eBay selling advice - TOP TEN GUIDE How to sell / list

eBay - How To Sell

eBay is a topic that I have written several posts on already but I thought that a brief little post was needed regarding tips on selling.
I have even written a similar article as this but I realized recently that this advice can be relevant for any item to be sold on eBay and so might be of use to more people.

I have over 900 feedback on eBay and have gained experience along the way so you can (mostly!) trust what I write.

Here is a top ten for selling on eBay:

1. Make sure the item you are selling is well photographed!
Photography is key on eBay, with some items selling for half of what they should just because they are poorly photographed.
If you don't have any white walls to take the photo against try the bath or for larger items against the largest wall in your home.
Make sure the photo is bright with the lights on and a lamp if needed.

Show areas of detail or interest and an overall photo.

2. Title!
The title is how people will locate your listing so include all the key words you can think of relating to your item.
If it's a make put that first or if it's antique then put the year or period too.
Material and colour can be useful in the search too.

3. Subtitle if valuableIf your item is particularly valuable or you are setting a high start price (£50+) then you might want to put a subtitle.
This is searchable like the listing title so put a useful description here.

4. Fill in all categoriesOn the eBay listing page try to fill in as many categories as you can - buyers can search and sort by categories so you want your item as visible as possible.

5. Choose the best photo for the cover photoThis might not always be the overall shot - sometimes a pretty detail, a brand label or a descriptive image can be more useful.
This is especially true if the item isn't in the best of condition - show the ebst bit on the cover photo so buyers click on your listing.

6. Describe accurately and sell your itemNo one else is going to sell your item for you so you need to make sure you do.
Describe as accurately as possible with material, age, colour and dimensions (H, W, L).
The more accurate you are the more likely a buyer will trust your listing.
Also describe the item and sell it's best points.
EG: 'The plate has an especially pretty design with lovely pink flowers and gilt detailing. It is of very fine quality and ideal for a collector due to it's excellent condition'.

7. Set a reasonable priceDon't start too low or too high.
This bit is important as people will rarely bother to click on your listing if the price is too high.
See what else is for sale on eBay and set the price accordingly.
Sometimes undercutting by a few pounds can help and in cases of valuable or collected items a low starting price is ideal if you know they sell well eg Coins
Often auction is the way forward as Buy I Now requires you to know the exact value of your item - you don't want to undersell!

8. Set a wise listing timeSchedule the time at a cost of 6p - it's worth it especially if you are listing a few things.
Times around 7-8 o'clock often work best with buyers.

9. DurationAlways choose the longest possible
This means more exposure for your item. Remember that people looking for your item may not necessarily be browsing every day for it so by giving ten days for example you offer a better chance for the buyer to see your listing.

10. Proof readMake sure your listing is accurate, honest and without error.
You don't want negative feedback from an angry seller!

And there we have it!
Sorry for the lack of photos but this one was just useful information this time.

I hope this guide helps and let me know if you have any queries by emailing me at vaugc002@gmail.com
A like, comment, share or =1 is always appreciated too!

How to value books PHOTO GUIDE (AbeBooks.co.uk and eBay.co.uk)

Here is a guide for ways to simply and effectively find the value of your book(s). It was meant to have been published a lot earlier but work commitments have meant the listing was delayed. Now it is finally here, I hope the guide helps!

Throughout my blog I've written much about a website named 'AbeBooks.co.uk' and I shall show how to use this one first in finding the value of nearly all books ever published!

Firstly, type in the address for AbeBooks - the home page will appear as seen below

Now click 'More Search Options' and the screen below will appear for you.

Type in any details you have about the book although sometimes being too specific can be a bad thing here.
Remember that there can still be different editions printed within the same year/ by the same published.
It is also important to note that the search is rather unforgiving so make sure you enter your search correctly.

I often put the publication date in the keyword search for ease.

Click 'Find Book' and a list as seen below will appear

Rememember that there are many different editions/ impressions and it sometimes takes some detective work to find your exact copy. Look for publisher, number of pages, the publication date and sometimes even appearance.

One you find your copy click on the book title and you be brought to it's specific page.

One thing to bear in mind is that AbeBooks prices are often idealistic. On occasion there will be reasonable prices at the lower end of the price range but people will always seek to get the highest price for their book and some of the higher priced copies may be either rarer editions or just idealistic pricing.

Now onto eBay.
Go to the home page as seen below and search for you book. Again don't be too specific.

The search will come up in the usual way but what you need to do is scroll down...

And click 'Completed Listings' in the left had side filter bar.

Now you will be shown a series of listings that have already run their course. If the price shown is green it means that the books sold for that price.
If the price is red it means ti didn't sell for that price.

If you exact edition isn't shown then don't worry - eBay listings are sporadic and it may be some time before your exact book come for sale.
The completed listings however should give you a fair estimate (alongside AbeBooks.co.uk) and help you choose a price to start your item at should you choose to sell it.

For some books the high risk way f starting the book at 99p is often the ebst way as people grow more competitive and are thus willing to pay more than they originally thought in order to win the item.
But it is a high risk strategy and can result in the book going for less that it is worth.

As usual the choice is yours!

If you eed any advice please email me at vaugc002@gmail.com - it really is the readers that keeps me writing.
A +1, share or comment is also much appreciated.

Thanks for reading

Antique Book Problems and Flaws GUIDE (Repost)

Antique Problems

Old and collectable books can suffer from a whole host of problems that may reduce the value significantly.
When a collector buys a book they often search for the best condition book; the copy that is closest to how it would have been when first published.

Listed below are a few of the more common problems affecting old books - look out for these and remember that some books can still hold value despite such flaws but many will suffer drops in value because of it.

Separation of Boards

Some older books have separated into two or three parts - here the front and back boards (or covers) come away completely from the text block. In this case books are rarely worth much unless rare or pre 1800

No Dust Jacket

A book without a Dust Jacket is not always worthless - in most cases the D/J just adds considerable value to a book that may already hold some value.
In 40's to 50's books having a D/J generally makes your book saleable and pre 1930's books with dust jackets are often collectable.

Remember that the D/J can in fact protect the covers of the book as per it's original use and as such books with them are likely to be in better condition than those without.

Missing Front Paper

Some books have had the first few blank pages removed - often due to an inscription or book plate. It is always wise to leave the book complete however.
Books missing such pages do not usually drop too much of their value.

Disbound

A disbound book is separate from the covers - the text block no longer stays attached to the boards. These books are often valueless unless extremely rare or if you are willing to pay a professional to repair the book.

Stamps

Books with stamps are often less desirable due to the fact that they have been in a library or institution of some sort.

In some cases they can hold a little interest/ bring provenance to the book.

Ex - Libris

Ex- Library books are often  ones to stay clear of. With stamps, stickers, writing and other damage these copies are only worth buying or collecting if they are particularly rare or old or sought after.

Browning

A book with browning is usually just an antique book.
Browning in the pages is sometimes due to paper quality and other times down to tobacco staining or other environmental situations.

Inscription

Inscriptions are common and usually not a problem UNLESS they cover text or feature on an important page. The example below shows a name written on the Title Page - arguably the most important page of the book. This decreases the value a fair amount.

Creasing

Usually irreversible, creasing can lower the value of a book to an extent.

Self Repair

When a book is damaged and someone has attempted to repair it in an amateur way as seen below, the effect is often worse than had they left the book alone!
Leave it to the experts if the book is valuable enough. Otherwise stay clear or keep for personal reading.

Cracking hinges

The front and rear inner
In many old copies, the binding can be seen due to cracking of the hinge. Whilst this is not always a problem it can lead to more serious weakness in the book and so often is wise to stay clear of.

hinge is often a place that can suffer wear and tear.

Foxing

Foxing is the bane of any book collector's life.

Mny books have it - it is simply an age and storage related problem resulting in brown spots appearing throughout the book. Sometimes this is only in the first few pages, sometimes it is only on the edges of the pages but it always lowers the value by a small amount at least

And there we have it!
I have tried to include as many problems as I can think of and to show them accurately in the hope that this guide may once again help you, the reader.

Top 10 eBay Book Selling Tips (Repost)

The eBay Guide

Selling on eBay can be a simple and successful process, resulting in good prices for your books.
However, it is important to list the book correctly and so I have compiled a list of the ten most important things to remember when listing.
(For a full guide with pictures please follow this link:
http://theantiquebooksguide.blogspot.com/2013/08/ebay-book-selling-guide_4.html)

1. Photograph the book well
Make sure it is photographed in a well lit location - if you have a white background anywhere in your house that would be ideal.
A bath can be perfect for this.

2. Title the book successfully
Use up the word limit for the title with thematic terms as well as the author, book title and date where possible

3. Define the book accurately
In the listing make sure you fill in all available section including the era - these catagories help book searcher's find your book

4. Describe the book effectively
The description section is best to start with a short detail based sentence about your book.
I often follow:
Author, Book Title, Publisher, Publication date, Number of Pages

5. Sell the book through description
Describe what is especially nice or impressive about your book - is it in excellent condition?
Does it have decorative covers? Gilt (gold) edging to the pages?
Illustrations inside? etc

6. Don't overprice or underprice
Set the price that is fairest to you and the buyer
Compare with other titles available on eBay or abebooks.co.uk and make sure you are not overcharging or undercharging for your book.
A slight lowering will undercut competition

7. Make sure your postage is correct
Weigh the book if possible (if you don't have scales compare with a tin of beans or a bag of sugar to see if the wight feels approximately close).
Remember to check insurance coverage also for if your book sells for over £30 you may need to consider a more expensive form of postage to cover the insurance. Always get proof of postage also.
Royal Mail Price Finder:

http://www.royalmail.com/price-finder

8. Check for errors in the listing before finalizing it 

- it is easy to misspell the title, leave typos in the description or use blurry photo's without realizing - all of which can reduce the value or interest in your item.

9. Choose the longest possible time for your item to be listed 

- this means that more people will have the opportunity to search for and bid on your book.
Remember that the value of your book may be reliant on who is looking on eBay when you are listing.

10. Post the book quickly
This gives you the ebst possible feedback and completes the transaction.
Make sure their payment has gone through before sending.

Lastly, if you are offered or asked for Buy It Now prices through your Messages go careful - this may mean your book is quite valuable and you don't want to undersell it.

As usual I hope this guide helped.
It would be great if you could share, comment or view my other posts!

eBay - Starting Out GUIDE

Many believe that to register and set up an account on eBay is enough to begin buying and selling.
This is not strictly the case.

Feedback is an incredibly important aspect of eBay and one that can ensure you the right level of sales and purchases.

Put simply, when you start out on eBay you are undesirable.
Your account has no feedback (i.e no registered sales or purchases) and thus will be given little trust.

It is common for users to put a ban on buyers with less than ten feedback on high value items.
Furthermore if you are hoping to sell an item, especially a high value one, then having feedback is essential in getting a high price. Low feedback rating and you will not achieve the value you could potentially achieve.

Your feedback can be seen at the top of your 'My eBay, alongside your eBay username:

If you click on your feedback you will be taken to the feedback page, showing your sales and purchases and feedback for all.

 My advice for those starting out on eBay would be to buy at least ten different items of low value (few will suffice but over ten is generally accepted as preferred). Cheap books, DVD's etc are the best to buy. Look for a big company (seen through the feedback associated with that account - the higher the better).

That way, once you have bought the item you will receive immediate feedback in most cases.
This feedback may look like below:

Feedback is calculated via the following formula:

What is important to know is that one negative feedback can equal a considerable amount on your account. At one point a negative feedback accounted for a 5% loss in your feedback rating, meaning you would drop to 95%.

Low feedback means less chance of high sales.

To regain feedback is time expensive - each feedback brings your rating up 0.1% so 50 positive feedback is required to achieve 100% once more!

Confused by the statistics?

Don't worry - they aren't too important.
What is important is that you establish some feedback (through buying) in order to achieve the best possible sales.

If you found this useful please share away!

As usual if you need any advice please just contact me though this blog or via vaugc002@gmail.com