Selling on eBay Tutorial

To become a seller on eBay you must:

1. Provide eBay with a valid credit/debit card or bank account information or become ID verified. You may have to verify your identity via an automated phone call. You will be called at the phone number registered on your account or at another number you specify. If you cannot receive a phone call you have the option to confirm your identity by contacting customer support.

If you want to pay your fees by using PayPal, you will need to confirm your identity before providing your PayPal information.

2. Let eBay know how you will pay your seller fees. You can pay your seller fees using PayPal, credit or debit card or direct pay from your checking account. If you use PayPal to accept credit card and electronic check payments, sign up before you list your first item for sale.

3. Make sure your Feedback Profile is public.

All new sellers must have at least one electronic payment method allowed by eBay. PayPal lets you accept credit card and electronic check payments online.

You must sign up for PayPal to be registered for PayPal.

Research Your Item

You need to research starting price, listing format, and category. Compare your item with active and completed listings.

Make sure you know what eBay considers prohibited and restricted items.

Create Your Listing

Depending on category and which listing form you use, you will get a variety of listing options. You can sell your item “auction-style” or as a “Buy It Now” listing. Highlighting, font, and picture enhancements make your item stand out. If you′d like, you can donate a portion of your sale or all of it to a cause of your choice.

Manage Your Listing

To check on how your bidding is going go to the Sell section in My eBay or:

Set notification preferences to receive alerts or notifications.
Set seller preferences about picture hosting, receiving payments, shipping, and more.
Set member-to-member communication preferences to let buyers know how to communicate with you.
Set general preferences for searches.

Make sure you answer any questions you receive about your listing. It is necessary to establish good rapport with buyers.

Dealing with Your Buyers

Communicate with your buyer – When you use the Checkout service, you will be notified by email when your buyer completes checkout. The buyer can use Checkout to request information if you don′t specify shipping and payment details in your listing. Checkout can also be used to send the buyer an invoice.
- Contact the buyer directly by email or phone if you don′t use Checkout.
- If you haven′t received a Checkout or PayPal notification within three days of your listing′s end contact your buyer directly.
Receive Payment – You′ll receive an email confirming payment if you buyer paid by PayPal. If you haven′t yet registered for PayPal, you′ll be prompted to register so you can accept payment.
Ship the item to the buyer – Use bubble wrap to protect the item from shipping.
Leave the Buyer Feedback – Your feedback about your buyer is important information for other sellers.