Respond
[top]Investigate your buyer - When someone buys your item, you should investigate whether they are a legit buyer. This can be done by looking at their feedback score, feedback rating, and feedback logs. These will help you determine if this buyer is new (which could throw up a caution flag), Or if they are a crook.
[top]Look at past listings - When setting up your auction, always look at past/current listings first. This will help you see the competition, see when to sell, see what descriptions are better, and many other things.
[top]How to Price it - You should price your item slightly below what it's worth, but still high enough to what you are willing to sell it for. This will get you more bids (which will promote buyer competition to drive the price up and promote confidence in your item), an will insure that the item sells.
[top]Build your feedback rating - The higher you feedback rating the more confident buyers will be when purchasing from you. Always give feedback to buyers so that they will do the same to you.
You can also try to sell many small items so that you get more of an opportunity to have feedback given to you.
[top]Customer is always right ? - This is always under your own interpretation. Always try to appease your buyers. This will not only get you better feedback, but will also help you promote return visitors.
[top]Check your spelling - Make sure your item is spelled correctly OR no one will be able to find it. This could cost you between cents to hundreds of dollars, depending on the total cost of the item.
[top]The Look of your auction - Try to spend time to make your auctions look clean, easy to read, and professional.
[top]How to set a shipping price - The easiest way is to look at past auctions. See what they are shipping for and how they are shipping. From there you can set a competitive price OR set it slightly higher to make a couple of extra cents.
[top]How to ship - If it's an inexpensive item then first class is usually the cheapest. Priority mail needs to be used for boxed items and you can purchase a # of shipping options with it (customer signature, insurance, tracking, confirmed delivery etc.)
[top]Easy payment - Paypal is the preferred method of payment. It's safe, it takes credit cards, and many buyers use it. Make it easy for the buyer Or the buy may not bid at all.
[top]Good photo - Make sure that the buyer is able to see the item up for sale. The better the picture, the more confidence the buyer will have, hence more bidding.
[top]Be honest and thorough - Explain your product thoroughly and be sure to mention any defects.
[top]Respond - Always respond to buyers questions, it will make them happier and insure more bids.