Auction Selling Revealed Blog

Ebay UK announces to check computers regularly used by buyers and sellers in order to prevent unauthorized access of ebay account. There have been too many cases where an eBay account is being used by another person. This time, eBay will use some new technology that will link the ebay user ID with the user’s computer. When eBay finds out that the computer does not match with the one regularly used by the seller or buyer, they will require you to provide some more information to confirm that you own such account. The account owner is required to update eBay with his/her personal information otherwise, there may a delay of transaction. It is no problem if you are using more than one computer. EBay will be able to track down all the computers you are regularly using. Account theft has always been a problem in ebay selling and any other auction selling business. Ebay continuously introduces new programs to protect its members.

If you are running a good ebay business the best way to profit on ebay is to start an ebay club in your community. Many people wants to sell on ebay but don’t have any idea how. You can make use of the opportunity by giving free lessons and encouraging people to buy or sell on ebay. Make yourself known in the community as a casual ebay seller. Provide a business opportunity for them on ebay. Share your expertise, your experience and how you get started with your own ebay business. You can also make use of the opportunity of starting a consignment business on ebay or a drop off store. Provide them with your contact number, your ebay store name and encourage further consultation. By sharing your skills to others, you get the chance to open an opportunity for others while promoting your own business.

When you are new to ebay selling, you may wonder if these people ever pay taxes. The answer depends on whether you are having an ebay business where you pay for the items to sell on ebay. Then you are required to pay taxes. Just like any ordinary business, you are require to pay your taxes. But when you are not into ebay business and just selling stuff that you want to get rid of from your own home, then you don’t have to pay taxes since this is not considered as a business but a loss. As an individual, you need to apply for a sole proprietorship using your SSS ID under the self-employed category. For sales tax, get a tax ID from your state for collecting and submitting taxes from buyers who live in your state. Online business requires taxes but you may reduce taxes by stating necessary expenses with your transactions. Some of these include, office supplies, office and equipment, phone charges, car gasoline used for business, online advertising, inventories, shipping fees and even ebay fees. These are tax deductible expenses.

Ebay sellers have been using Dutch auction for multiple items listing.  It is an auction-style that offers multiple identical items for sale.   Unlike ordinary auctions, dutch auction have many winners.  For example there are 10 cellphones displayed for dutch auction. 

1.)    Bidder A bids 3 items at $8

2.)    Bidder B bids 6 items at $7

3.)    Bidder C bids 3 items at $4

4.)    Bidder D bids 2 items at $9

In this case, the lowest successful bid is $7.  What happens is, Bidder D turns out to be the higher bidder and will win 2 items at $7, Bidder A wins 3 items at $7 and since there are only 5 items left, Bidder B wins only 5 items at $7.  If you notice, the lowest successful bid which is $7 becomes the price of each item.  In dutch auction, the winners may refuse partial quantities which usually happens to the lowest successful bidder.  If in this case, bidder Bidder B refuses to take only 5 items as compared to his bid amount which is 6 items, Bidder C has the chance to become the lowest successful bidder. Dutch auction selling, the winners are determined under certain circumstances.  If you play well, you get lucky. 

Skype is going to sell unlimited international calls for $9.95 a month Yahoo Finance announced yesterday, April 20, 2008. This is the 3^rd time that skype offers unlimited international calls. Ebay sellers avail of the skype services on transactions made with customers from computer to landline phone. This is the easiest way to communicate with buyers. There have been news that ebay will give up skype if it does not meet its target profit. This is obviously the reason for lowering of fees which is a great advantage to ebay sellers and those making profit on ebay. In ebay business, sellers need to contact buyers and vice versa. Unlimited calls will help communication more open to both parties. Transactions are done smoothly and processing of payment and other online inquiries may be entertained well.

Ebay sellers need to build a positive feedback before starting an ebay business. But the question is how. You may try first by getting good reputation as a buyer. Shop for some items on ebay, pay promptly and leave good feedback to sellers if possible. Participate in forums and make yourself known in the community will be an advantage. Remember, buyers are less likely to buy from a stranger or sellers with no ebay history at all. You need positive or negative feedback on your ebay transactions whether you are buying or selling. Second, you may also try selling a few items and establish a good DSR (detailed seller ratings). With DSR, buyers are allowed to give sellers ratings from 1 to 5, the score of 5 being the highest. The DSR rating is based in four (4) criteria: item description, communication, shipping time and shipping and handling charges. Having a good feedback rating will not only drive buyers to your ebay store but also you may give a better pricing to your products.

New ebay sellers need as much help in selling their products because to too much competition. This is a great opportunity for more established ebay sellers because they can take advantage of selling other people’s products. Trading Assistants charge fees for their services. To become a trading assistant, you must be an ebay member with a good standing sales and good feedback. You are required to have sold at least ten (10) items on ebay within the last three months. Your feedback rating must be at 100 or higher and and 98% or more of your feedback are positive. As a trading assistant it is your responsibility to display these items and provide description at the same time, ensuring that the listing adheres with ebay’s Listing Policies. The only thing you have to remember is that, ebay charges fees on Trading Assistants and holds you responsible to communicate with your client as to how much you will charge them. If the item don’t sell, it is still your responsibility to inform your clients. Ebay recommends some of the taglines for your trading assistant store:

• • Drop Off Your Stuff and We’ll Sell It on eBay
  • You Drop It Off—We Sell It on eBay
  • We Sell for You on eBay
  • Drop Off Your Items—We Sell Them on eBay

Along with the responsibilities, taking full control in charging clients is how ebay sellers are profiting on ebay as an trading assistants.

There have been many incidents about spam emails sent not only to buyers but to ebay sellers as well. The emails seem to be legit at first glance but remember scammers do their best to make these letters genuine and authentic. These people just master the act of fraud. In some cases, they are using different accounts and different company names. Don’t be a victim of this scam. Be alert and vigilant. Remember these people don’t choose their victims. Be meticulous with the details of your emails. Check if it uses the correct email address. Usually scammers require urgency of transactions. Do not give in to their wishes or respond to their emails. Think three or more times before you take any action. If you think the email seem to be fraudulent, forward the email to spoof@ebay.com . You will get a response from ebay in a few minutes. This is one problem with online business but if you are smart you will be fine.

You have listed an item on ebay and after a few hours, you expect to it to show up with the keyword searches you used for the item. Unfortunately, you cannot find it. If this happens to you, don’t panic! It will take a few hours or more before your listing will be displayed. Generally, your listing is searchable within 24 hours but may take longer. What you need to do is to check your listing format, end time, keywords, categories, price and shipping cost, feedback and detailed ratings. Consider these factors before you make a complaint to ebay. Try finding your item with the following type of searches.

• Search item by typing your item number

If the item number is not in displayed at the Sort By dropdown list, you may click the Customize Display and add Item Number To it. Then you will be able to see the item numbers displayed in your search. If you have no idea of what your item number is you may check you listing’s confirmation email or on your My eBay page.

• Search by Seller

Most common mistakes ebay sellers do when listing an item on ebay is typo error. Remember no special characters ((for example, *, !, /, @) are allowed in the title of your item. Make sure you put space in between words. Combining words together may affect search error. Also, make that you search for the same keywords you typed in when you made your listing. Check for if you have violated ebay rules such as display of offensive materials. Ebay clearly state its rules: “Sellers may not list items that promote or glorify hatred, violence, racial or religious intolerance, or items that promote organizations with such views.” If after doing all these, you still don’t view your item listing, you may now air your complaint to ebay.

Now you have an item to sell but the problem is how much are you going to sell it? Take time to check price of items sold similar to yours. What is the going rate in the market? If your projected price is higher than what is currently ongoing rate of the item, you may hold back the item or lower its price. In ebay, you may find the ongoing rate of items if you search at advance search section. It is at the upper right side corner of the ebay site. The link will bring you to a search bar below where you can type in any item you want to check the price.

Make sure to check the option completed listings only. Analyze and compare these prices with your own item. As expected, there may be prices lower or higher than yours. Check the detailed description and the specifications. Usually electronic gadgets differ in prices because of features. The more features the item has the higher the price. Look for prices with similar features as yours. This will help you decide how much you will sell an item on ebay.