Listing CDs on Ebay

by Maxsamedia

In order for your customers to make informed purchases, you must provide them with the information they need.  Proper listing of a CD will help speed the buying process, minimizing inquiry emails. If you are planning on doing this professionally, then take the time to do it right.
 
I always try to include whatever information I would want when looking for a CD.

I will update this guide as more ideas come to mind.  Enjoy!
 
The Basics

• Ebay Stock Catalog – Take advantage of this information. Use it whenever possible, it can save you a lot of time and energy. Enter the UPC code or artist/title and see what is available. Using this with TurboLister templates can really streamline your listings.
• Title – Your title should include the artist’s name, album title, the word “CD”, year released, and genre, if space allows.  Example: John Smith, Greatest Hits, 2002 CD, Country Rock.  If space allows, you can also add # of tracks, where they’re from, or any other pertinent info.  The more info the better. If there is not enough room, then include artist, title and CD at the very least. Including "CD" in your title allows people to limit their search to only CDs, not LPs or cassettes.
• Track Listing –Though this can be a bit time consuming, you should always include a track listing for each CD.  The ebay catalog often includes this information, so take advantage of it.  If you find a similar CD to yours in the ebay catalog, even if the UPC codes don’t match, you can copy and paste the track listing if it’s the same. Though you should never copy someone else’s original description, a track listing is the same for everyone.
• Genres - Item Specifics in the ebay catalog will ask for a genre. It always helps if you can provide one. If your item is not in the catalog, a genre will help in the Title. If you have a store, and enough CDs to separate into categories, do so. It will definitely help buyers find more items to buy. I often have TurboLister open for bulk listing, and have wikipedia open on the web in another window. As I list, I'll quickly look up the band/artist and see what their type of music is. Very helpful, especially if I've never heard of them. 
• Condition – Be truthful in your listings about condition.  If the CD is New, Like New, Very Good, or Good, say so.  If the CD is open but the disc is perfect, list it as Like New. If there are a few light scratches, list it as Excellent.   If it has a few more scratches list it as Very Good, check it first to see if it plays fine.  Don't bother listing CDs that skip. If the artwork has any specific damage, like wrinkling due to moisture, include that too. Also if the disc or artwork has writing on it, include that too.
• Pictures – You should always include a picture, and spring for the gallery shot. (Now it's free, so go for it!)  I know when I shop on ebay, I always appreciate the gallery shot. That way I know right away if it’s what I want, I don’t have to dig for the picture. In fact, unless it's something I've been searching for forever, I'll often pass by something with no picture.  Invest in a flatbed scanner for items with no stock photo, they’re pretty cheap now, and take great pictures very quickly and easily. A camera can also be used, but the pictures may not be as good.
• Cases – If you can, try to change cracked, broken or overly scuffed or dirty cases for new ones.  This shows you are a professional, and you care about appearances.  I’m sure your customers would much prefer receiving a CD, even a used one, in a nice new case, rather than in a cruddy cracked one. I know I would. Even if the CD is new, I will open it to change the cracked case. Always include in your listing that the CD has a new case, especially if you opened it.  Cases can be purchased in bulk, find a good supplier. I always use LDBMart, right here on Ebay.  They have excellent prices for single CD cases with black or clear trays or slim double CD cases in bulk, and their shipping is quick and reliable. I have yet to get a broken case in a shipment.  You can also check out their website for more media supplies.
• Those clear slim singles cases with no rear art, it's called a J-card case, or just J case. Sleevetown carries these, as well as cassette cases.
• The usual double CD cases, the wide ones, each side can be replaced with a regular cd bottom and tray.  The center pieces will have to be ordered.
• Recycling cases:  I found a company, Greendisk, that can recycle your cases and disks. For a small fee, they give you the box to fill, then do the shipping and processing. Great!
• Pricing – Try to price properly. Many sellers just put in a set price for everything, even for rare items, but that often upsets the pricing levels. Do a bit of research, see what your cd is selling for, and price competitively.  This isn’t always the lowest price.  Is your CD in better condition? New vs. Used? Is it signed, or a limited release? If your CD is not listed on ebay, check out a few other selling sites for an average price. If you have the only copy you can find, then estimate a fair price.
• Shipping – Don’t gouge your buyers.  I hate it when a CD is priced at 1.99, but it’s 8.50 for the shipping. That is very unprofessional. You shouldn’t charge more than 2.99-3.99 for US First Class shipping for CDs.  That will cover even a double or triple CD set, or a few CDs sold as a lot. Set a reasonable standard price for Overseas shipping as well. (FYI: Shipping to Canada and Mexico is about the same as to the US) Also, don’t hide your shipping cost somewhere in your listing, people don’t want to search.  I don't like it myself.
• Consider offering a shipping discount for larger orders. I include a note in all my CD listings to contact me for a shipping discount if buying more than 2 CDs.  I then pack and weigh the entire order, and offer a reasonably discounted price for the shipping. Very professional and effective.
• Shipping overseas. Don't forget the green customs form, keep a stack at your shipping area. Also don't forget to leave room on the front of your bubble envelope for this form, next to the address. I have sometimes forgotten, and had to redo the envelope because there was no room for the form.
• Packaging - Bubble envelopes are the best for shipping, they are so easy to use, label and protect the CD very well.  Purchase in bulk for the best price, size #0 or CD specific fits perfect. CD boxes are also great, these can also be purchased in bulk.  Some other good ideas:  
• It is a nice touch to put a piece of bubble wrap or tissue inside the CD (if it's already open) to prevent it coming loose and getting scratched during shipping. 
• I always include a slim jewel case with any CD that comes in a cardboard sleeve (not a digipack). 
• If you are shipping  2-3 CDs together, bubble wrap is great for extra protection.  Cut a good size length of regular bubble wrap in half lengthwise, wrap and tape going one way, then use the other piece to wrap and tape the other way.  Fits perfect in a #1 size bubble envelope, protects well. If shipping more than 3 CDs, always use a box.
• Find a good bulk envelope supplier. I always use Cutting Edge Products, right here on Ebay.  They have excellent prices for #0 or CD specific size (or any other size) bubble mailers in bulk, and my orders are usually at my house in 2-3 days! You cannot beat them. They also have many other types of packaging and mailing supplies, mostly recycled.
• I do have a supply of boxes specifically for bulk CD lots. Boxes  for CDs measure 7 x 7 x 6.  They will fit about 5-10 of each, plus packing material.
  

Other types of CDs:

• CD Singles – Try to fit the word “single” and number of tracks in your title:  John Smith, Hit Song, 2000 CD Single, 5 tracks. (Tracks can be abbreviated to trax or tr, if necessary.) This makes your listing easier to search and makes it stand out as the specific one people want.
• CD Lots – If some CDs are priced way too low or you don’t want to list separately, try to lot up a few CDs by the same artist, or the same genre.  3 CDs of kids music, or 3 singles or CDs by the same band or artist will probably sell better then if all were listed separately.
• Classical - When listing classical music, always include the orchestra/symphony, the conductor, and any featured soloists.  You may also want to put in any other musicians or singers named on the CD, people do search for these particular people.
• World Music - Include the track listing, even if you can’t include any foreign punctuation.  Do what you can, most people will get it. If your CD is in another language that you can’t transcribe (i.e., Japanese, Chinese, Cyrillic, Arabic), you may want to include a scan of the track listing.  Also include the country it’s from, and/or current genres (JPop, CPop)

What if My CD is Not in the Ebay Stock Catalog – Do a search of other selling sites to see if it is listed there. Then try the Internet. Someone is probably selling this CD somewhere, and you can find the info you need such as genre, track listing, average price. If you can’t find another copy for sale anywhere, then you’ll have to create a listing from scratch (title, track listing, producer, label, year, genre) and estimate a fair price. Include any information you can find, either online or on the inserts. Don’t be shy about charging a decent amount for a CD; if it is rare, then the price should reflect that. I have sold CDs for 49.99 or more if they are very rare and in Like New condition. 

I know this may look like a lot of work, but if you set up TurboLister with some templates for CDs, CD singles, and CD lots which include flat shipping charges, your policies and any other repeating info you need, then you should be able to knock out quite a few listings at a sitting.  Once you get a pattern for listing, it's not too hard. You just get in a groove and go with it.  Good Luck!