Online Auctions

Welcome to the 'Online Auctions' section of SellMyStuff.info where we try to give you a few tips and pointers for disposing of your unwanted items at Online Auction.

There are a host of online auction sites on the internet today, including qxl.com and the ubiquitous ebay.com with its many regional variants.

Advert : UK sellers - or if you haven't used eBay before . If you are a non UK visitor to this site you may prefer to .

A few of the popular features of online auctions include the ability to present your item(s) before a truly global audience of potential bidders and commission fees that are lower than traditional physical auction houses. Auctions can typically be scheduled to run from between 1 and 10 days and without any restiictions on when an auction may be started this can make it a relatively swift way to realise funds. One major difference between an online auction and a physical auction is that the actual seller is responsible for listing, collection of payment and delivery of the item and this goes some way towards explaining the substantially lower commission fees charged by online auction platforms. If you are considering listing your items online then there are a few things to consider in order to maximise your chances of getting the best winning bid possible..

Preparing, Listing and Winning Bids for your Lots

Photography : It seemss obvious but half a dozen good quality digital photographs of your item will show potential bidders exactly what it is that you are selling. In focus, detailed, of good size and with adequate lighting or flash are the prerequisites.

Title and Description of Lot : An accurate, correctly spelt title is essential for your listing. The item description should be comprehensive, well presented and including all relevant details in coherent sentences or specification info. You can normally upload photos to the auction site or call them via HTML in your ad from your own webspace.

Choosing a Category : Do not forget to choose the category in which you are listing your item with care. Many users browse their favourite categories instead of searching for particular items.

Starting Bid / Reserve : For items where you will not sell below a certain bid it is possible to set a Starting Bid or Reserve. Using one of these may incur more costly listing fees but ensure that you do not have to sell for less than you are prepared to accept.

Payment, Packaging and Delivery : Offering more payment options may increase the number of potential bidders for your item(s) but it is always prudent to remember that some methods may incur higher processing fees or take longer for payment to clear. Protection against fraudulent purchasers should also be an issue that the seller bears in mind. The logistics and costs of packaging and delivery should also be taken into consideration. Some items may be suitable for cash on collection only, some may be far better suited to PayPal and small packets delivered via standard postal services.

Returns Policy : A self explanatory and fair returns policy is often a sign to potential bidders that a seller is serious about buyer satisfaction. Business sellers may have distance selling obligations. Private sellers are obliged to detail faulty or damaged items as such. Any costs incurred through inaccurate descriptions or incorrectly dispatched items should always be borne by the seller.