How to successfully sell on eBay:

1. Do not quit your day job

2. eBay is a supplemental income, not a replacement income

3. there may be a day that you can live on your success at eBay, but that is built with time, money and reputation

Getting started:

Know your product - Do your research - If you plan to sell clothing - what type?  Women's, Men's, Children's?  If Women's - what sizes sell the best?  Maternity?  Yes? In what sizes? Small, Medium

Create some searches on eBay and choose certain auctions with the most bids or most attractive descriptions to watch on your watch list.

How did they do?  What description did the most successful auctions use?  What did the listing look like?  Photos and how many photos were included in the auction? 

What do you want to sell?

How well can you describe what you are selling?

Take lots of pictures in good light.  Choose the best photos to add to your listing.

Name brands sell the best as well as lots for example, when selling children's or maternity clothes - lots sell the best when good descriptions are given.

Pricing:  auctions sell better when the starting bid is low - what are similar auction's starting bids?  Again doing some homework on eBay for a few moments prior to listing is always a good idea.

Shipping charges:  realistic shipping charges will attract more bidders.  Some auctions are for great products at low starting bids, yet yield fewer bids due to the high shipping charges.  When shipping a suit that was worn once or twice and retailed for $300 - realize that you will not recoup your $300.  Check to see winning bids are for similar suits in that size/name brand.  Also, realistic shipping should never be over $10 for shipping a suit within the U.S. via normal shipping methods such as U.S.P.S.

How to ship:  The best and most cost effective is the good 'ol post office. 

1.  It can be shipped from home when an account is established online and packages can be picked up at your front door.

2.  Shipping confirmations/tracking information will help to sell a buyer or your item.  They know that you will email with the tracking information to insure that the package has been shipped and to track when they should expect it, as well as to not only prove that you shipped it but to confirm receipt after shipment is delivered.