Tips for Listing on eBay - 1Earth Antiques and Appraisals Magazine

You've finally cleaned your attic and found boxes of old collectibles — simply collecting dust. What do you do? Go to eBay, of course, where your family treasures might just boost the family income.

Since 1995, eBay has provided an easy way to trade your trinkets and cash in on your collections. Whatever you're selling, odds are you'll find a willing bidder among eBay's 18.9 million registered users. On the downside, an auction marketplace that lists more than 5 million items is bound to create heavy competition among sellers. Capturing bidders' attention — and dollars — requires some simple yet strategic planning.

We asked Marcus Webb, director of 1Earth Antiques, how to create an effective eBay listing. Whether you're a new user or a power seller on the online auction scene, Mr Webb offers these tips:

Find out exactly what you have. If you're not sure, ask a specialist in your area or get an Appraisal.
Make sure every word in your listing is spelled correctly — a misspelled word can prevent bidders from finding your item in eBay's search engine. It helps to have a good dictionary nearby, and possibly a second one that includes specialty terms.
Choose the best possible category or categories for your item. Search the completed auctions for a similar item that sold well, and list your item the same way.
Set an attractive reserve price (the minimum bid you're willing to accept). Your reserve price should be high enough to give you an acceptable profit — but not so high it scares bidders away.
Take clear photos and be honest about your item's condition. If you're on the market for a camera, look for one with a close-up feature.