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The Top Ten Tips For Auction Success!

If you were to look through eBay, or any other online auction site for that matter, you would find that many people make some very basic mistakes. And, they repeat these mistakes over and over again. As indicated in my book "eBay Marketing Wholesale SourcePak" with a little common sense these mistakes are completely preventable. So to prevent you from making these very same mistakes I have put together the Top Ten Tips For Auction Success.

10. Shipping
Always state what your shipping price will be. And, Do Not try to rip off your buyers by inflating the shipping price to increase your profit. Believe it or not, people do have a fair idea of what shipping costs should be. If they feel you are inflating your shipping price they will not bid on your item and may not look at any of your other auctions either from fear of being ripped off.

9. Customer Support
You must respond to all emails regarding your auctions. Yes, responding to emails is time consuming. But, if you don't, that potential bidder will look else ware for the product and you will have lost yourself a customer.

8. Reserve Price
Do your research on the price for your item. If you must use a reserve price keep it real. If you over price your item you will not get as many bids. And, while all good marketers know there is a time and place for the Reserve Auction, you may actually get more bids using no reserve pricing at all. Do your research to help you make this decision.

7. Item Condition
You must let bidders know what condition your item is in. Is it new and in it's packaging, or used but like new condition. Does it have any imperfections they should be made aware of. A potential bidders will want to know what condition your item is in before making any bids.

6. Terms
This could come under the heading Customer Service. If you have terms on your auction page that read something like this "Not Responsible For Item Once Shipped" or "Item Sold As Is" you will get less bidders for that auction. Be a responsible eBayer, have insurance on the item that your buyer can purchase. And be sure to have some sort of guarantee on your products.

5. Feedback
One of the most important parts of your eBay Business. Feedback is a method eBay uses to allow buyers and sellers to record their experiences with each other. Then, others can check out the feedback of any eBayer they wish to deal with, to see if there has been any negative comments left. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep your feedback rating positive.

4. Auction Start/Close Time
You must plan your auction start/close time around the bidders you wish to attract to your auction. If the product you are selling appeals to the working woman, the best time to start/end your auction would be in the evening or on the weekend. Always create a profile on your product and what group of the population you are selling to.

3. Item Description
Not enough information or too much rambling of information will discourage people from bidding. So too will to many typos. Your item description must be clean and concise. Succinctly provide all the information required to describe the item sufficiently and create buyer interest.

2. Image
You need to use an image on your auction page. Remember a picture is worth a 1000 words! Potential bidders will want to see what the item looks like before they make a bid. With digital cameras, being so affordable these days adding a image to your auction page is easier then ever. But, make sure the image is clear and well lit to show it's detail or any imperfections it may have. Also, keep the image at a reasonable pixel size so your auction page doesn't take to long to load.

1. Headlines
This is the most important issue for getting more bidders to your auction page. You must include words that people will search on eBay. And, you must make your headline enticing, so potential bidders will click it. If you are selling an antique make-up table a headline saying old vanity table would not pull in a lot of bidders. But, if you said something like "Vintage Vanity Table - Mint Condition - Collectors Item" not only would you get more potential bidders to view your auction, you would also be using words people would search eBay for. Your auction title would appear in searches for Vintage, Vanity Tables, Collectors Items. Therefore, allowing even more potential bidders to see your headline.

Happy Selling!
Joe Clare

Joe Clare is an active Netpreneur and eBayer! He is the author of numerous articles on how to make money online and be successful on eBay! Check out his latest Best Selling eBook "eBay Marketing Wholesale SourcePak" Your Passport to Success! at http://www.ebooksnsoftware.com

In The News:


Vuvox Brings Rich Slideshows To eBay Auctions
Washington Post, United States - 16 hours ago
Now, eBay is conducting a pilot program for its automobile auctions, presenting sellers with an option to include the enhanced slideshows for free. ...

Boston Globe

Mass. auctions off abandoned property on eBay
Boston Globe, United States - Dec 1, 2008
Treasurer Timothy Cahill says unclaimed property will be auctioned live from noon Thursday until Dec. 15. Some 100 new lots will be posted on Dec. 4, Dec. ...
Cahill puts 300 items of abandoned property on eBay Politicker MA
State putting unclaimed booty on the Internet auction block Trading Markets (press release)
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Generals to hold two jersey auctions
OurSports Central (press release), WI - 7 hours ago
The auctions will take place in the lobby immediately following the games. The first jersey auction is set for this Friday when the Generals host the Fort ...
Komets add Leo Thomas to roster OurSports Central (press release)
Komets improve to 9-6-1, Thunder rolls in Saturday OurSports Central (press release)
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Business Wire (press release)

Inland Real Estate Auctions, Inc. successfully sells Highland Park ...
MarketWatch - Dec 1, 2008
19, resulting in a successful sale just six weeks after Inland Real Estate Auctions was engaged to sell the property. "This is a great example of why the ...
Robert and Melissa Storment of Real Estate Auction Associates ... Business Wire (press release)
all 12 news articles

WHDH-TV

Town of Stoneham auctions off fire truck
WHDH-TV, MA - Dec 1, 2008
"We have one or two auctions a year, we've sold some front-end loaders. The most we've gotten for a vehicle is $17000," said Bob Grover, the director of the ...
Fire on Forest Street consumes garage; fire truck wouldn’t start Winchester Star
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3 News NZ

Milkpowder prices dive in Fonterra online auctions
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - 6 hours ago
Fonterra says whole milkpowder prices today fell for a fifth time in its internet auctions, taking them to their lowest in more than two years. ...
Fonterra Milk Powder Prices Decline for Fifth Month (Update1) Bloomberg
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Rascal Flatts in Two eBay Auctions
Great American Country, TN - 7 hours ago
2, 2008 — Christmas is a giving season, and Rascal Flatts is hoping their participation will net funds for a couple of worthy charities in online auctions ...

Treasury Auctions $28 Bln. In 26-Week Bills
RTT News, NY - Dec 1, 2008
Most of the auction results last week pointed to waning demand for government-backed debt compared to previous auctions either last week or in October. ...

Abercrombie Auctions International hosting Grand Auction during ...
Auction Central News, NY - 11 hours ago
Search for your desired lots in upcoming auctions worldwide. Or, search for past auction results from the world's largest online results archive. ...

Depardieu, auctions, Copia, Michigan - tasting sized pours
Dr. Vino, IL - 8 hours ago
First time here? Check out the "site highlights," send in a question, subscribe to the latest posts by RSS, daily email, or free monthly updates by email ...
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