Plenty of eBay experts will tell you that you need to write an "energizing" and "motivating" description that will compel bidders to buy your item. I disagree. Writing "fluff" into your auction description places you in the category of the used car salesman. Write a factual listing with a thorough description of your item’s condition and maintain a good service record and you'll build confidence in your buyers that will result in lots of bids.

When describing your item, think like a potential buyer. Try to anticipate the questions that a buyer might ask about the item you are selling and build the answers into your listing.

A positive tone - Overall, the tone of your auction listing and your answers to even the most obvious of questions that you may receive should be a positive one and not negative. We've noticed that many sellers, even experienced eBay sellers, just don't understand the basics of selling in the marketplace. In their eBay auctions they place a list of demands and the buyer must either comply, or not bid. The buyer gets the feeling that the seller believes that they are doing the world a favor by listing their item. This is an extremely poor eBay selling strategy and very unprofessional. The seller should be providing bidders with plenty of reasons that they SHOULD bid and NOT why they SHOULDN'T. Although these "negative" sellers may not know it, they've driven away lots of bidders by listing such demands. Your goal is to attract as many bidders as possible, not drive them away. More bidders result in higher eBay selling prices. First thing I do once I read a negative or demanding statement inside of an auction description is click on the back button and go on to the next sellers items !!

DO NOT PLACE NEGATIVE STATEMENTS OR DEMANDS IN YOUR AUCTION LISTINGS!

Describing defects - Unless your book or item is absolutely in "mint" condition, ensure that you completely describe all defects. Even if the flaw is almost unrecognizable, it is best to list it in the description. Close-up photographs of flaws help too. Most collectors are very sensitive about the condition of the items that they collect so accurate descriptions are a must when describing collectibles.

Listing at least one flaw, no matter how minor, is a confidence builder for buyers. It's one way of saying "I have nothing to hide". Unless the item is new or "mint", If no flaws are listed, some buyers tend to think that something is being intentionally left out. We've seen lots of sellers on eBay provide a scanty description for an item with obvious wear and then include a statement like "please write us with any questions" expecting the buyer to ask specific questions about the item's condition. This practice does not give the buyer any confidence in the item description, will turn away many bidders, and eventually will garner negative feedback. An e-mail exchange takes time, time that the buyer may not want to invest in your auction.

"Exceed the customer's expectations" - If in doubt about whether to list a defect, list it. That's our policy when we sell. Plenty of our customers over the years have given us eBay feedback with comments like "Better than described". These are the types of feedback comments that give buyers confidence and will ultimately help your auctions command a premium and drive your sales prices higher.

Some experts say that you should not go into detail about the flaws of your item and that doing so gives buyers a reason not to buy your item. They are apparently not long-term eBay sellers. Remember, your buyers can not examine your items in person. Selling on eBay is different than selling from a brick and mortar shop where buyers can examine your goods and see flaws for themselves. You have a obligation as a eBay seller to describe ALL flaws fully. Failure to do so will inevitably lead to negative feedback.

Well, hope some of these tips are helpful ! You can find my user id and e-Store info, along with my feedback and POWERSELLER status in the upper right hand corner of this review. By clicking on my e-Store you will go straight to my homepage with easy to search categories of over 2,700+ great items along with 1,000+ on e-Bay EXPRESS !  :0)

Thank You,

Scott

thedugout

THANK YOU FOR OUR FIRST 10-YEARS OF E-BAY SALES !!!!!