Listing DVDs/VHS Movies 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 DVD or VHS 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 DVD or VHS.

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 title and see what is available. Using this with TurboLister templates can really streamline your listings.
• Title – Your title should include the movie name, star, the word “DVD” or “VHS”, year released, genre, and aspect if space allows.  Example: Zombie Movie, John Smith, 2000 DVD, Horror WS.  If space allows, you can also add director, or any other pertinent info.  The more info the better. If there is not enough room, then include movie title, year released, and DVD or VHS at the very least.
• Aspect - Most buyers are interested in how the movie shows on the screen.  If it's Widescreen or Fullscreen, or both, it pays to note this, especially in the title.  The abbreviation FS or WS will suffice.  Also include if it is Letterbox or Pan and Scan. (Letterbox means it's widescreen and you'll get the black bars on top and bottom of your regular TV screen to see the full image.  Pan and scan means that the image is fullscreen, but it will move if something important has moved out of the visual area. I personally do not like Pan and Scan, it can be very distracting.) Here's a very abridged list of DVD aspect ratios: 
• 4:3 - older TVs (fullscreen)
• 16:9 - today's TVs (fullscreen/wider screen)
• 1.33:1 or 1.37:1 - Most older movies, such as The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind.  (fullscreen)
• 1.85:1 - General Widescreen
• 2.35:1 - Anamorphic Widescreen
• Description –Though this can be a bit time consuming, you should always include a description for each movie, especially if it is an unusual or obscure title. (If the movie is recent or very well known, you can probably skip this; everyone knows what Star Wars and Gone with the Wind are about.) The ebay catalog often includes this information, so take advantage of it.  If you find a similar movie to yours in the ebay catalog, even if the UPC codes don’t match, you can copy and paste the description if it’s the same. Though you should never copy someone else’s original description, a stock description is the same for everyone.
• Special Features - If your movie is the Unrated, Uncut, or Director's Cut version, it is in your best interest to note this.  Many people only watch the uncut versions of movies, especially horror films. Also, note any extra discs or other material. I sold a horror DVD that came with the original "Shock Insurance" certificate inside.
• Other Titles, AKA – Very often, movies are released under different titles, especially foreign films.  What you know as “Death in the Shadows”, someone else knows as “De Prooi”. Try to include these other titles in your description, it will increase you chances of getting them noticed.
• Condition – Be truthful in your listings about condition.  If the movie is New, Like New, Very Good, Good, say so.  If the DVD is open but the disc is perfect, list is as Like New. If there are a few light scratches, list it as Very Good.  If it has a few more scratches, check it first to see if it plays fine.  If the artwork has any specific damage, like moisture damage, include that too. Also if the disc or artwork has writing on it, include that too. 
• For VHS: open VHS should be checked before listing to see how they play.  Any problems, such as tracking lines, should be noted.
• Pictures – You should always include a picture, and spring for the gallery shot.  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.  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 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 DVD, even a used one, in a nice new case, rather than in a cruddy broken one. I know I would. Even if the DVD is new, I will open it to change the damaged case. Always include in your listing that the DVD has a new case, especially if you opened it. Cases can be purchased in bulk, find a good supplier. Please note if the DVD comes in a slimline case as well. 
• For VHS: Note if the VHS is in a cardboard slipcase or plastic clamshell and note its condition. Also note if it is an ex-rental or from a private collection.
• 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 movie is selling for, and price competitively.  This isn’t always the lowest price.  Is your movie in better condition? New vs. Used? Is it a limited release? If your movie 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 DVD 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 DVDs.  That will cover even a double or triple DVD set. 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. 
• Consider offering a shipping discount for larger orders. I include a note in all my DVD listings to contact me for a shipping discount if buying more than 2 DVDs.  I then pack and weigh the entire order, and offer a reasonably discounted price for the shipping. Very professional and effective.
• Packaging - Bubble envelopes are the best for shipping, they are so easy to use, label and protect the DVD very well.  Purchase in bulk for the best price, size #0 fits perfect.  Single DVD boxes are also great, these can also be purchased in bulk. Find a good supplier.  I always use Cutting Edge Products, right here on Ebay.  They have excellent prices for #0 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.
• For VHS: I ship videos that come in cardboard slipcases in an additional clear hubless plastic case for extra protection, as they tend to get cracked.  Increase your shipping a bit to offset the extra weight and cost of the case, 3.99 or so should cover it.
• It is also a nice touch to use a piece of bubble wrap or tissue inside an opened DVD to prevent it from coming loose and getting scratched during shipping. 
• If you are shipping a few DVDs together, bubble wrap is great for extra protection.  Cut a usual piece of bubble wrap in half lengthwise, wrap going one way, then use the other piece to wrap the other way.  Fits perfect in a #1 size envelope, protects well.
• I do have a supply of boxes for bulk DVD sales.  Boxes for DVDs measure 9 x 6 x 6, and they fit about 5-10 plus packing material.

What if My Movie 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 and imdb.com. Someone is probably selling this movie somewhere, and you can find the info you need such as genre, description, average price. If you can’t find another copy for sale, then you’ll have to create a listing from scratch (title, actors, director, year, genre) and estimate a fair price. Don’t be shy about charging a decent amount for a movie; if it is rare and it great condition, then the price should reflect that. I have sold movies for 49.99 or more if they are Like New, and very rare. 

I know this may look like a lot of work, but if you set up TurboLister with some templates for DVDs and VHS 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!