How to register on eBay? How to boost your feedback?

    First of all you will need to register in www.ebay.co.uk (For American citizens – www.ebay.com). Do not register as a business at the beginning since you can do it later.  While you are private seller, you have an option to refuse returns if the customer does not like the product or changed his mind. It might be very useful if you decide to sell valuable items.

You will have to fill in your details, accept Ebay terms and conditions and also choose a user name. Username will be an image of your brand so you have to take this step very seriously. I would not recommend you to choose a username with numbers unless it is your brand image. However, you can change your user name later, but it could affect your brand loyalty to the customers (if you have any).   If you still have any problems with registering, there is a step by step guide on eBay http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/account/how-to-register.html#steps

 

   Once you have registered, you have to buy something on eBay to receive feedback. The cheapest option is buying something from China sellers. You can find a bargain on auctions and resell it for profit later. Before buying something, check the seller’s ‘left feedback to others’ to make sure that seller is leaving feedback.  

   After you win the auctions, pay for the items immediately. Usually sellers leave positive feedback straight away for the buyers once they complete the sale.  At the same you can start boosting your feedback as a seller. I will give you some tips how to do that in my next blog.

Summary:

·         Register as a private seller on eBay

·         Choose an eye-catching username, preferably without numbers  

·         Buy about 10-15 items (if small budget – choose auctions from Chinese sellers)

·         Pay immediately to receive positive feedback (sellers cannot leave negative or neutral feedback)

·         Start boosting your feedback as a seller (find out how in my next blog)

Useful tips for selling goods on online platforms. Saving on PayPal fees.

   Before registering to eBay, you will need a new email address and a new PayPal account. Choose your email address wisely since your potential customers will be able to see it. I would recommend you to open a business account on PayPal. You will need PayPal for a safer way to pay and receive payments for your goods or services online. Please note that PayPal will offer additional paid services such as PayPal card and card creader - ignore them. 

   After that, you should call PayPal and ask to join Micropayments plan since your transactions will typically average less than £5 at the beginning. Micropayments plan will help you to save on PayPal fees. You will have to pay 5% + 5p/0.05$ instead of 3.4%+20p/0.20$ for every sale you have. It means that if the average transaction is less than £9.40/9.40$, you will save money. Do not email PayPal regarding Micropayments plan since they rarely respond to emails. 

   PayPal will ask you to verify your address, identity, bank account and debit/credit card. To connect your debit/credit card to PayPal, PayPal will charge you about £1/1$. You will have to check your bank statement and then enter the exact amount on PayPal to verify your bank account and debit/credit card. After the confirmation, the charged funds will appear in your PayPal account. 

   Once these steps are complete, you are ready to move forward and create your own eBay, Amazon, Etsy and Aliexpress accounts. In my next blog you will find out some useful tips when creating eBay account.

Summary:

·         Choose a professional name for your email address.

·         Create PayPal business account.

·         Do not pay for additional services that PayPal is offering you.

·         If your average transaction is less than £9.40/$, change to Micropayments plan.

·         Verify your PayPal account