eBay is really quite a simple site to get the hang of but there are some unspoken rules regarding selling books that can be useful to know if you want to get the maximum price possible.
1. PhotosIf your listing doesn't have a photo then there is a very high chance your book won't sell.
If you are starting it at 99p then it might but someone could get a great deal.
You can't expect a buyer to bid on something they can't see.
2. Clear photosMake sure that your photos clearly show the book.
Some listings I've seen have someone holding a book at an angle and the photograph just looks shoddy.
Use a white or at least clean surface in a well lit room and make sure the entire book is on show.
3. Relevant photosYou shouldn't be satisfied with just one photo for your listing.
Take several showing off key aspects of the book so that the buyer can see exactly what you are offering.
Make sure you show the covers, title page, publication/ print details and any illustrations.
4. Appropriate title.Try to give the year of the book, the title of the book, the author of the book and any relevant key terms such as 'antique', 'gilt', 'decorative' and war' etc as this improves search possibilities.
Don't just use caps as this can come across as a bit amateur.
5. Subtitle riskIf you are asking for £14.99 plus for your book then a subtitle can be useful as it shows the person searching through eBay a little bit about your listing without having to click on it.
The subtitle also includes searchable words so maximizes your chance of a sale.
6. Description
Make it clear and concise but don't be afraid to sell your book with words.
Make it sound nice and tell the buyer of it's best features.
Give the details of the book also including Title, Author, Publisher, Publication Date (If shown) and number of pages.
This helps the buyer decide if they want the book or not.
7. Price
The most important aspect to selling your book - make sure you know the value.
Don't undersell but more importantly don't try to overcharge.
Generally antique books aren't worth as much as you might think.
Check Abebooks.co.uk for the price of your book or a similar copy and knock a few pounds off to ensure a sale.
It sometimes takes a few times before the book sells as the right buyer has to be searching in the 10 days or so that your item is active.
8. Postage
Arguably one the most important aspects to listing on eBay, the postage cost can determine whether you get a sale or not in some cases.
If a buyer sees a book with £7 postage then they will instantly be wary, especially if the book isn't all that big.
If you do have a heavy book it is sometimes best to still charge a few pounds less than the postage cost purely to entice buyers.
Make sure you know the eight of your book however for you don't want to be caught out.
If your book weighs under 1kg and over 500g then it will most likely cost £2.60 to post second class.
If the book is less than 2cm thick then it should only cost approx £1.20-£1.80.
If the book is over 1kg then it will probably cost £5.60 to post second class but could rise to nearly £9 if especially thick.
And lastly if the book weighs more than 2kg the cheapest option is Parcelforce 48 which is ordered through the Post Office and costs £12.90 approx.
And there you have it!
These are only tips for listing but if you pay attention and put a bit of care into your listing then your book should sell for far more than if you listed it quickly and without thought.
Thanks for reading!
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