by Kathy Terrill | Nov 11, 2024 | eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
This post is sponsored by Seller Ledger; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
As an eBay seller, the Q4 holiday season is your busiest time of the year.
But it doesn’t have to be overwhelmingly hectic! Here are three time-saving eBay tips to streamline your holiday selling. With these tools in your seasonal toolkit, you’ll be set for successful sales while enjoying more time with loved ones and focusing on what matters most during this profitable quarter.
Time-saving eBay Tip #1: Schedule What Matters Most!
Start by pulling out your calendar, whether it’s digital, paper, or both. Mark down any personal holiday activities that are important to you: caroling, cookie baking, tree-lighting events, taking grandkids to see Santa, or that annual office potluck. Make sure to add alerts so nothing slips through the cracks!
Personally, I prefer a digital calendar like Google, while my husband loves the classic paper kind with big daily squares. I make sure our holiday plans are noted in both, keeping us on the same page. For a little extra convenience, consider sharing your digital calendar with family members. This way, everyone’s in sync, and you can focus on enjoying the festivities!
Time-Saving eBay Tip #2: Use a Virtual Accountant to Save Time!
Give yourself a huge time-saving gift this season by automating your bookkeeping. If you’re still doing manual data entry, now’s the time to streamline! Many online sales platforms, including eBay, Amazon, and Etsy, integrate easily with accounting software like Seller Ledger. This software links directly to your seller account(s), handling sales and expenses for you — and it keeps getting smarter as you use it!
Just link your accounts to Seller Ledger, and let it classify your online sales, bank transactions, and even credit card statements. This software can also complete your IRS Schedule C form, so when tax season arrives, most of the work will already be done. And if you’re behind on your 2024 finances, Seller Ledger’s annual plan (with a two-month discount) can retrieve all your transactions for the year. Use THIS LINK and try it for free for 30 days, no credit card required!
Seller Ledger: Stress Free Bookkeeping for Sellers
Time Saving eBay Tip #3: Track What’s Selling Best Right Now
Check your sales every few days to stay on top of what’s moving fastest. Are Pink Floyd T-shirts trending? Maybe purple Christmas ornaments, kids’ snowsuits, or women’s sequined tops? Adjust your keywords and prices based on recent sold items. Want a free list of Holiday keywords for your listings and social? It’s included in my, “Top eBay Holiday Sales & Social Media Tips!” Click HERE to grab yours now.
Grab your free PDF, “Top eBay Holiday Sales & Social Media Tips!”
Got extra stock that matches these hot sellers? Get those listed quickly! Share links on social media to increase exposure. Maximize your profits by focusing on what’s in demand right now.
And speaking of the Holidays, it will be Tax Time soon enough. Thinking ahead to your 2024 taxes as an eBay seller? TurboTax can be a valuable resource. Even before filing, their site can answer simple questions and provide a preview of your refund with their income tax tools. It’s worth checking out!
With these three easy tips, you’re ready to make the most of your holiday sales season. Here’s to a smoother, more profitable Q4!
by Kathy Terrill | Sep 11, 2024 | eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
The long and colorful history of eBay’s seller conferences continues this year with eBay Open 2024!
eBay Open 2024 is the latest in a long and vibrant series of eBay seller conferences. It all began with eBay Live! in Anaheim back in 2002, then moved to Orlando in 2003 with Weird Al Yankovic performing his eBay Song.
eBay Live! was in New Orleans in 2004, and then in San Jose in 2005 for eBay’s 10th birthday. eBay Live! Las Vegas, Chicago, and Boston followed. Highlights over the years included serenades from the E-Notes, clapping tunnels, an actual wedding, and celebrity performances by the B-52s and The Monkees’ Davy Jones.
When eBay ended its big eBay Live! events as of 2008, eBay Radio stepped in and hosted the eBay Radio Party & Conference in Las Vegas from 2009-2015.
Meanwhile, from 2010 through 2012, eBay held a series of smaller regional events called eBay: On Location.
Their tagline was,” You’re in Business.” On Location took place in Atlanta, Chicago, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and Orlando. In 2010, San Jose was included in honor of eBay’s 15th anniversary.
In 2015, eBay leadership wisely returned to hosting live seller events.
eBay marked its 20th anniversary in San Jose with “We Are Twenty.” Sellers cheered; live mega-conferences were back! During that seller celebration, eBay founder Pierre Omidyar was regifted with the infamous broken laser pointer. It was the very first item ever sold on eBay, back when it debuted as AuctionWeb.
eBay Open conferences ran from 2015-2019.
Executive keynotes, workshops conducted by various eBay teams, and seller panels and third-party vendors anchored these events. Hundreds of eBay employees were on hand to answer seller questions in the Expo Hall. eBay Radio broadcasted live from the event, and there was even a clapping tunnel
Then the pandemic shifted these popular seller events online.
With eBay Open now online, the eBay Community and Seller Events team stepped up their game. They took on the challenge of delivering an informative high energy virtual event. And every year, they knock the ball out of the park,, wowing attendees!
This year, eBay Open takes place on Wednesday-Thursday, September 25-26.
For details and to register, go to ebay.com/open. The night before —on Tuesday, September 24— 35 locations across the country will host eBay Open kickoff parties hosted by local seller groups. To see if there’s one near you, go to https://sellerevents.ebay.com/ebay-open-2024-kickoff-parties/.
Think of attending eBay Open as you would any other business conference.
eBay is picking up the tab, so there is no cost to attend eBay Open 2024! And since it’s online, it’s hassle free, no travel delays, no need to even pack a suitcase. In addition, you don’t have pay for a plane ticket or hotel . To help you get the most out of this online event, I’ve created The eBay Open Seller Success Planner. It’s your road map to optimize your eBay Open experience. Download your complimentary copy HERE.
With the eBay Open Seller Success Planner, you’ll be guided through each day of eBay Open. Stay informed about all the events and options to maximize your experience!
Now get ready to have the time of your eBay life!
by Kathy Terrill | Jun 13, 2024 | Selling on eBay
If you’ve been told that there is an inevitable eBay summer sales slow down, don’t believe everything you hear.
Retail sales were reported as flat in April 2024, which could forecast a slow summer for selling. However, with the information I’ll be sharing, there’s no need for you to experience an eBay summer sales slowdown. Sure, people are on vacation, out of town, or outdoors enjoying summer activities, but they’re still shopping!
Remember, the majority of eBay shoppers are on mobile, and one thing people typically have nearby, no matter where they are, is their phone! Here are three ways to get summer shoppers to purchase from your eBay listings and keep your sales from slumping.
First, eBay seller, think seasonal!
Want to avoid slow eBay summer sales? Christmas in particular sells year round, furthermore Christmas in July is definitely a thing. So, consider this as a reminder to get your Christmas items listed! Got that done, good!
Now, look around you as you’re out and about. Furthermore, go on social media. What are people doing? Are they cooking on the grill, eating on the patio, gardening, traveling? Or are they playing sports, attending family reunions, or hanging out at the pool, lake, or ocean
Now think about what you sell, what you haven’t yet listed, and what you could source that would be useful for people doing those things. Think seasonal clothing, barbecue sets, pet accessories to keep Fido cool, travel goodies, bathing suits, pool toys…you get the drift.
Second, to avoid slow eBay summertime sales, think limited edition and discontinued.
For example, lots of eBay buyers rely on the site to keep them stocked with their favorite shade of lipstick, especially if it’s no longer available in their area. Scented soaps are popular, too. Sometimes they’re offered for a limited time only or sold as a limited edition. Discontinued and/or sold-out health and beauty products live on, thanks to eBay!
Check your unlisted inventory. Do you have any health and beauty items to list? Be sure to take a look at the shelves of your favorite drugstore. Check clearance and sale items. You can look them up easily on your cell phone, now that Product Research is on the eBay app! Just be sure items are new and unopened, and be sure to note the expiration date, if there is one. Some discontinued beauty products sell for a pretty penny. Hint: be sure to check bars of soap.
Third, while you’re thinking seasonal, limited edition, and discontinued, consider your closets, dresser drawers, and kitchen cabinets.
You might just find some in-demand items that have been retired from the retail market. If you’re not using something, now is the perfect time to declutter and list it. Win-win!
More strategies to avoid the dreaded summer sales slump!
Now, grab your complimentary copy of my newly updated, Top 10 Tips to Ignite eBay Summer Sales. It’s your FREE guide to successfully sailing through the dog days of summer. Download it now HERE.
With the information in this blog post and my free tips sheet, Top 10 Tips to Ignite eBay Summer Sales, you are on your way to selling, selling, selling all summer long! And with the eBay app on your phone, enjoy cha-chings wherever summer takes you.
by Kathy Terrill | Mar 2, 2024 | Selling on eBay
It’s just out! The eBay Winter Seller Update 2024 was announced on February 21, 2024.
Unlike some previous seller updates, the eBay Winter Seller Update of 2024 has nothing in it that will set your hair on fire. The bottom line is that it’s basically all about the bottom line — that is, driving conversion, i.e., sales.
That said, there’s one thing you need to bear in mind while reviewing the initiatives and changes contained in this update: namely, how they’re going to affect YOUR bottom line. eBay only cares about our sales, not about our profits. It’s up to you to keep a sharp eye on your profit margins.
eBay Winter Seller Update 2024: Reach More Buyers!
eBay is rolling out new and improved tools to help you grow your business. For starters, sellers with a Basic or higher eBay Store subscription will now be able to create markdown sale events directly from the Active Listings page in Seller Hub. Previously, this could only be done from the Seller Hub Marketing tab. This functionality is also coming soon to the eBay Mobile app. Want more tips for your eBay store? Grab our valuable eBay Master Store Tips. They’re free!
Also rolling out are new “Sell it faster” recommendations. These data-backed suggestions will appear on your Active Listings page. For example, eBay already shows recommendations to Send Offer to Buyers for eligible listings. Now you’ll be able to automate offers based on considerations such as category, price, and condition. This is where it pays to know your cost of goods sold (COGS), so you don’t undercut yourself and lose money.
Don’t like eBay’s recommendations? Click “Remind me later” to snooze them.
Sell More Efficiently!
Sellers asked, and eBay listened: Drafts will now stay available longer. In the past, a draft would be saved for 75 days after its creation, even if you revised it. Now making revisions will restart the clock; you’ll have 75 days from when changes are made.
You can save up to 250 drafts through the quick listing tool on eBay.com and the eBay Mobile app, and you can save up to 5,000 drafts via the single and bulk business listing tools in Seller Hub.
Protect Your Business!
The Winter Seller Update announced that over the past few months, eBay has taken steps toward reducing unpaid item cases for Buy It Now and Best Offer items by requiring would-be buyers to first provide a payment method before they can send their offer.
Based on favorable feedback, the company is now taking the same tactic with seller-initiated offers. Before potential buyers can accept your offer, they will first be taken directly to checkout to make payment. Only then can they complete their purchase. If they abandon the checkout page, the item will remain available to other buyers.
Delegate More Tasks with MUAA!
eBay has enhanced Multi-User Account Access (MUAA). Now you can authorize someone else to handle My Messages as well as to create, modify, and manage advertising campaigns and promotions. The company also has introduced two-step verification with authenticator apps to maximize account security.
Improvements to Shipping and Listing Management!
eBay Standard Envelope has been expanded into more categories; tracking has been upgraded; and the Free Shipping prompt now appears on your main listing draft, making it easier to offer this option.
Another change: As of this update, when you switch categories while listing, the most relevant item specifics will follow you over to the new category.
Running Your Business on the Go!
Now you can sort orders by Custom SKU or by buyer when using eBay Mobile.
Updates to Fees and Financials!
This is the only bad news in the Winter Seller Update, and it’s not terrible: Starting March 15, 2024, the per-order fee on orders over $10 will increase to $0.40 across all categories. For orders $10 and under, you’ll still be charged the current rate of $0.30.
Despite fee increases, the eBay Winter Seller Update 2024 is mostly good news for sellers!
eBay Winter Seller Update 2024: What’s the Bottom Line?
All in all, there’s not much to worry about in this year’s eBay Winter Seller Update. It’s mostly about eBay helping you to sell more quickly and efficiently — so you can sell more, quickly and efficiently. Be sure you know your numbers, and don’t shortchange yourself when it comes to staying profitable!
by Kathy Terrill | Jul 16, 2023 | eBay
Are you ready eBay sellers?
Here’s what you need to know about eBay’s 2023 Summer Seller Update.
For eBay sellers, the most highly anticipated days in any given year are those when eBay releases a seller update — especially since specific dates are never announced in advance!
These updates inform the seller community about upcoming changes (and sometimes explain recent changes as well). They impact all aspects of selling on eBay, from categories and fees to listing and shipping to seller protections and more. For this reason, sellers often tend to view updates with great trepidation.
eBay’s 2023 Summer Seller Update!
- Better tools for fighting chargeback
- A crackdown on abusive buyers
- The site-wide rollout of eBay International Shipping (EIS)
- New solutions to the perennial problem of unpaid items (UPIs)
- Also announced in this Summer Seller Update is eBay’s dynamic ad rate for Promoted Listings Standard (PLS). This is something you might want to consider trying.
Of course, no seller update is all sunshine and lollipops.
The most challenging (and confusing) part of this particular update is the section that explains the complicated new regulations around selling and shipping to buyers in Europe. I’ve gotten some clarification from various eBay executives and team leaders, which I’ll pass along to you.
eBay’s 2023 Summer Seller Update: Payment Disputes
When a buyer asks their bank or credit card company to reimburse the amount they paid for something, it’s called a chargeback. eBay has listened to seller feedback and made significant changes to their payment dispute process.
‘Now sellers can provide detailed information documenting a transaction’s validity, enabling them to more effectively challenge a charge-back (and hopefully get to keep the money). The info they provide may also help them qualify for seller protections. Get details and FAQs at https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/resources/seller-updates/2023-summer/business.
Reporting Inappropriate Buyer Messages
eBay was founded on the premise that people are basically good. Which for the most part, they are. But not all of them. Some unscrupulous buyers try to coerce the seller into taking their transaction offline; others attempt to bully their way to a full or partial refund.
New sellers are especially vulnerable to such ploys and may even be specifically targeted. Now eBay is giving sellers the power to report these bad buyers right from My Messages. Sellers can also block unwelcome buyers.
On your smartphone, Just click on “the kebab” button (three vertical dots) in the upper right-hand corner of the conversation to see the drop-down menu options for doing so. On a desktop or laptop computer, click the Action button above the message, then choose “Report message” (you’ll be asked to provide a reason) or “Block this member”.
Unpaid Items: a Never-Ending Story
Unpaid items following a successful auction or accepted Best Offer are a perpetual thorn in the side for sellers. But according to the Summer Seller Update, eBay is testing a new feature that requires buyers to add a payment method before sending a Best Offer. If their offer is accepted, eBay will automatically collect payment from the buyer.
In the coming weeks, this feature will be rolled out to most Best Offer listings. Get details and FAQs at https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/resources/seller-updates/2023-summer/financials.
New Rules for Selling to European Buyers
Thanks to recently implemented and very complex legislation, selling and shipping to buyers in Europe — especially France and Germany — is currently somewhat of a hot mess.
Basically, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws makes manufacturers, importers, and eBay sellers responsible for the entire life cycle of the products they sell. It’s all part of a well-intentioned initiative aimed at protecting the environment by preventing, reducing, and managing waste.
For more details plus specific information on selling to France go HERE.
As for Germany, EPR laws there are especially convoluted when it comes to the Electronics category. In addition, the German Packaging Act (Verpack G) regulates packing materials. Get the full scoop HERE.
Meanwhile, rest assured that in most cases, EIS can fulfill your order while complying with applicable regulations.
If it’s an item that EIS can’t (yet) handle, the listing will be blocked for buyers in those countries. That makes using EIS a no-brainer for sure!
Dynamic Ad Rate for Promoted Listings Standard
Promoted Listings (PL) is a major moneymaker for eBay — especially the pay-per-sale version, Promoted Listings Standard (PLS.) As of the 2023 Summer Seller Update, eBay has added a Dynamic Ad Rate (DAR).
DAR is a system whereby you let eBay automatically adjust your PLS percentage. You can cap this percentage it at any desired amount, which is why you think about testing DAR to see if it works for you. Check out the details and DAR FAQs at https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/resources/seller-updates/2023-summer/listing.
Summing Up eBay’s 2023 Summer Seller Update
eBay’s 2023 Summer Seller Update includes an interesting gamut of changes, most of which should benefit you and your business on eBay. Read the entire update to get the best sense of what’s what.
Furthermore, summer isn’t just known for its annual seller update. It’s also notorious for its seasonal sales slump. Stay out of the ecommerce doldrums with I Love to Be Selling’s free guide Top 10 Tips to Ignite eBay Summer Sales! Download your complimentary copy at https://ilovetobeselling.com/webinars-and-workshops/top-10-tips-to-ignite-ebay-summer-sales/.
Top 10 Tips to Ignite eBay Summer Sales
by Kathy Terrill | Jun 10, 2023 | eBay
Summertime on eBay often means a slowdown in sales.
Buyers spend more time outdoors and they go on vacation. They’re busy taking kids to and from camp. In short, they’re is lots to do besides shop on eBay. So what’s a seller to do to beat the eBay summer sales slump? Plenty!
You don’t have to spend the dog days of summer mired in the eBay doldrums.
Facing an eBay summer sales slump? This could be the perfect time to catch up on projects, be they personal or business related.
Summertime projects could include prioritizing more time for yourself or with your family and friends. Maybe it’s your chance to finally tackle those home repairs you keep putting off or do some fashion-forward redecorating. If so, more power to you! Recently, I recently joined Jim “Griff” Griffith, host and editor in chief of the eBay for Business podcast, to share strategies for beating the eBay summer sales slump. Listen to our discussion in here.
On the business front, you might consider the following:
- Reorganizing your home office
- Fine-tuning your photography station
- Streamlining your shipping process
- Revamping your inventory management system
- Taking a physical inventory of your listed items
- Sorting unlisted inventory into batches for easier listing
Of course, if you’re a yard/garage/estate sale aficionado, summer is your best season for sourcing.
Making the most of it should keep you plenty busy! Then when you’re snowed in next winter, you’ll have lots of items to list. Start planning for Q4 and the holidays, too — always the year’s most hectic retail moment.
As for sales-boosting strategies, put on your eBay thinking cap.
What types of products are in demand for summer? Look for items that buyers are shopping for right now:
- Patio and/or yard décor
- Garden accessories and supplies
- Pool toys
- Beach gear
- Summer clothing (e.g., bathing suits and cover-ups)
- Home furnishings with summertime appeal
Just remember the #1 rule of buying inventory: The profit is in the purchase.
For even more ideas to help cure eBay Summer Sales Slump, check out my free guide Top 10 Tips to Ignite eBay Summer Sales! Download your complimentary copy HERE.
Top 10 Tips to Ignite eBay Summer Sales
If you’re facing an eBay summer sales slump, you have lots of options from which to choose. What’s your choice?
by Kathy Terrill | May 26, 2023 | eCommerce Tips, Selling on eBay
By virtually any standard of measurement, women-owned businesses thrive on eBay. In fact the company’s first CEO was a woman, Meg Whitman. She oversaw eBay’s rocket-ride transformation from quirky startup to multi-billion-dollar pioneering ecommerce powerhouse. Along the way, she empowered millions of fledgling businesswomen.
Although subsequent CEOs have been male, 34% of eBay’s global leadership positions are currently filled by women.
Three of the top nine executives on eBayInc.com’s Leaders page are women They’re all senior vice presidents in key positions. They are: Marie Oh Huber, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel & Secretary; Stefanie Jay, Chief Business and Strategy Officer; and Julie Loeger, Chief Growth Officer.
Who are some of the top female sellers running businesses on eBay?
From 2016-2019, eBay’s seller recognition SHINE Awards celebrated the platform’s small and medium-size businesses. Laurie Ann Wong was the first seller Grand Prize winner. Her Reflections of Trinity was named eBay’s 2016 Small Business of the Year.
The following year, in 2017, Angie Cardona-Nelson took home the Grand Prize. She was followed by Cori O’Steen in 2018 and Jodie Rosenbaum in 2019 — all woman entrepreneurs.
eBay is attractive to many women starting an online small business because it costs very little or nothing to begin.
Furthermore, sellers can list things they already have on hand. A wide array of items sell well on eBay. Saleable inventory ranges from all kinds of apparel to plush toys to trading cards, TV remotes as well as collectible trading cards. And don’t forget products for pets! In short, by selling on eBay, women can create a business on a shoestring, with minimal start-up costs
By contrast, financial hindrances stymie many women entrepreneurs who want to launch a business of their own. Female billionaire Kendra Scott frequently talks about the gender gap in attracting angel investors for female-owned enterprises. She says, “Getting funding and getting taken seriously were significant roadblocks.” On eBay, there are no such gender roadblocks.
eBay is a natural fit for women-owned businesses.
Whether full-time or part-time selling, eBay allows women flexibility, freedom and a low cost way to start a full time or part time hustle. eBay sellers work at their own pace, control their own schedule, and maintain their preferred work/life balance.
Want to find out how to turn your clutter into cash by selling it on eBay and keeping it out of landfills? You’re on your way with the help of my free guide, ” How to Start Selling on eBay.” Download your complimentary copy HERE.
How to Start Selling on eBay!
In eBay Inc.’s 2022 Small Business Report states that women are 13% more likely than men to say that eBay is essential to their business. And they are 7% more likely to say that eBay played a big role in starting their business.
Women in Small Business-eBay Small Business Report! (Photo: Courtesy of eBay)
According to eBay Main Street, “[On eBay,] small businesses owned by women are not just trade equals; as a group, they generally outperform the rate of eBay small businesses overall.”
Further the study reports, “Women entrepreneurs on eBay are building successful business enterprises for the long haul.”
They’re pretty happy about that, too. In fact, a survey by Inc. magazine found that female entrepreneurs in the US rank their happiness three times higher than that of women who are neither entrepreneurs nor business owners.
And with all that happiness, once up and running on eBay, women step right into exporting around the globe. Here are some of those detailed in eBay Main Street’s 2022 US Women-Owned Small Online Business Export Report:
US Women-Owned Small Online Business Export Report (Photo: Courtesy of eBay)
97% of eBay’s female sellers export to an average of 15 countries, compared to 96% of male sellers.
By contrast, less than 1% of small businesses nationwide export, and then only to an average of 4 countries
55% of women-owned small businesses on eBay export to 10 or more countries, vs 51% of small businesses on eBay overall and 8% of businesses in the USA
“eBay is reducing everyday barriers that have traditionally locked small businesses, including women-owned small businesses, into their local market,” explains Cathy Foster, VP of eBay Government Relations.
“Shoppers across the country and around the world are now available to small women-owned enterprises regardless of where they call home,” she continues. “We are committed to providing women-owned small businesses with the means and opportunities to grow their operations and create wealth in their own communities.”
Kendra Scott shared, “In our world today, there are still so many barriers that women face—whether cultural, financial or self-imposed. My mission as a woman, a founder, and an entrepreneur, is to break down those barriers and clear the path for other female leaders to follow—to empower women to achieve their dreams, whatever that may be, and pass on the wisdom I’ve learned through my own journey.”
eBay welcomes and nurtures its women owned businesses. In short, women owned businesses thrive on eBay!
So, now is the time to get busy listing and selling on eBay!
by Kathy Terrill | Apr 25, 2023 | eCommerce Tips
Spring is springing from coast to coast, and that means it’s time for spring cleaning for eBay sellers!
So grab your virtual feather duster, and let’s get busy brushing up, and spring cleaning your eBay listings!
For spring cleaning for eBay sellers, we start with your listings.
It’s time for clearing cobwebs away from keywords, dusting off descriptions, and polishing up your pictures.
Go your Active Listings page in Seller Hub, and sort by date, oldest first. If an item has been listed for more than six months, ask yourself one simple question: Is it rare, collectible, and/or unusual?
If so, then click REVISE, and cast a critical eye over the entire listing: Did you overlook any juicy keywords when crafting your title? Do your pictures do justice to this wonderful item, showcasing it from all angles against a clean (preferably white) background? Does your description include all of the necessary details? Did you fill out the appropriate item specifics? Is your item listed in the right category?
If an item is NOT rare/collectible/unusual, end the listing.
Then relist it using SELL SIMILAR, reviewing and revising it as needed to improve the title, item specifics, description, and/or photos. This will make eBay’s search engine see your listing as brand new, not that same tired item that sat for six months with nary a nibble.
My YouTube video eBay Listing Smackdown: Relist vs Sell Similar? explains the difference between the two options. Check it out HERE.
While you’re sweeping your shelves clear of stale listings, it’s a good idea to do a little housekeeping around your inventory management as well.
Can you actually put your hands on every single item you’ve got listed? It can’t sell if it isn’t listed. But it can’t ship if you can’t find it! And are your listed items staying pristine while they’re stored and waiting to sell?
While Spring Cleaning for eBay sellers, it’s wise to use the SYI (Sell Your Item) form’s handy Custom Label (SKU) field!
It’s the perfect spot to record the item’s location.
It’s the perfect place for that information. Use it rather than putting it in the title or description. It saves that valuable real estate for keywords and relevant details about the item itself. The Custom Label field is for your eyes only.
You can include other key details in the SKU field, too.
I note the month and year I bought the item, where I bought it (“SA” for Salvation Army, “GW” for Goodwill, etc.), and the price. This way I can tell at a glance how long I’ve had the item and how much it cost. This is essential information if I receive an offer or when I’m marking down items for a sale.
Once you’re got your listings squared away, it’s time to refresh yourself as well.
Selling online can be a lonely endeavor. Furthermore, the daily grind of listing, selling, and shipping can wear us down. You know what they say about all work and no play!
Why not treat yourself to a day at eBay Seller Camp?
It’s 90 minutes of fun and info-packed minutes with me as your Head Counselor. It’s absolutely FREE. In Camp, learn the swim of what’s scoring sales on eBay right now. Come hike through the latest social selling tactics. And explore the art of crafting listings that get your items sold fast, for top dollar; and leave you wanting s’more.
It’s all happening LIVE in the eBay Seller Camp pop-up Facebook group on Monday, May 1, at 2:30pm ET (1:30pm CT; 12:30pm MT; 11:30am PT).
I’ll be recording the entire hour and a half, so you can watch the replay for several days afterwards and soak up all the Seller Camp goodness and camaraderie.
Catch the camp bus by signing up HERE.
Once you’re on the bus, you’ll get your Welcome to Seller Camp workbook. You’ll also receive a link to join the private Facebook group, and even a nifty eBay Seller Camp badge. I can’t wait to see you around the campfire!
Yes to signing up for the free eBay Seller Summer Camp!
by Kathy Terrill | Mar 11, 2023 | Selling on eBay
Do you have to spend money on Promoted Listings to
succeed on eBay?
In short, yes. Here’s why. As eBay CEO Jamie Iannone acknowledged during eBay’s recent Q4 earnings call, eBay’s active buyer base has declined by 9% year over year.
Ecommerce sites across all platforms are in the same buyer-leaking boat. With COVID mostly in the rear view mirror at long last, shoppers are flocking back to newly reopened brick-and-mortar stores.
Meanwhile, Promoted Listings (PL for short) is bringing in big bucks for eBay.
It’s the primary driver among the company’s first-party advertising programs, which collectively brought in an impressive $276 million in revenue during Q4. Most of that is thanks to Promoted Listings Standard (PLS), eBay’s pay- per-sale ad program for eBay sellers. Those numbers tell the story: Nowadays, most sellers promote their listings.
So what does mean for you and your business on eBay?
It boils down to this: Use PLS (if you aren’t already). But be sure you use it wisely and well. Here’s what you need to know in order to do so.
Using eBay’s Promoted Listings costs money, but you need it to stay competitive.
Because you can bet that your competition is promoting their listings! As ecommerce marketing guru Neal Patel states in his excellent article The Keys to Success with Amazon Advertising , “People don’t have the time to search through pages two, three, and four of Amazon’s results. They expect to find the best results at the top of page one, and, if your product isn’t there, then your sales are going to suffer.” The same is true on eBay. So how can you get the maximum bang for your PLS buck?
First, create a great listing.
Start by knowing and following eBay best practices for crafting an effective title: eBay gives you 80 characters for your title; use at least 75-80 of them. Make your title keyword rich (don’t waste characters on punctuation, emojis, or unnecessary verbiage) and be sure to front-load “the noun” — i.e., what your item is, be it a shirt, a vase, or a hubcap
eBay’s search engine, Cassini, uses those keywords to rank your listing in search results. Furthermore, your title is what gets buyers to click on your listing; it’s what they see first and foremost, especially in the eBay Mobile app. And more than 80% of all eBay buyers shop via their mobile device!
For more details on optimizing your listings for PLS, read my blog post eBay Promoted Listings: Your Holiday Superpower!
Second, remember that PLS is PPS (pay per sale), not PPC (pay per click).
Set your ad rate (the percentage of the sale price that you’re willing to pay eBay when your item sells), and then review the data in your Advertising Dashboard. It’s located under the Marketing tab on your Seller Hub Overview page. Starting on March 30, 2023, eBay is changing the way your PLS fees are calculated by expanding their definition of what counts as a sale via PLS. In addition to direct clicks — where the buyer clicks on a promoted listing, then buys that item within 30 days — eBay will now also include what it calls “halo sales”, wherein a buyer clicks on your promoted listing, then buys any of your promoted items within 30 days.
Thanks to this redefinition, you’re probably going to pay more in PLS fees.
So keep a keen eye on your dashboard to keep up with how much PLS is costing you! Bear in mind, too, that eBay’s recommended ad rates for various categories and items go up and down. It pays to be aware of these fluctuations so that you can adjust your own rates accordingly.
What are your Promoted Listings costs adding up to?
Check your sales, then crunch the numbers. Is spending, say, $120 in PL fees (in addition to your FVFs — final values fees) worth $3000 in sales?
How can you pay for PLS and still make money?
My free guide Winning with Promoted Listings spells out the smartest strategies to stay profitable despite these escalating fees. In my free guide, discover a bonus 4 pageaddendum on how best to deal with these upcoming March 2023 changes to PLS.
Download your free guide Winning with Promoted Listings!
The Bottom Line for You and Your Business
eBay sellers have reached a tipping point with regard to Promoted Listings. They’re no longer just a good idea; they’ve become standard operating procedure. So factor in ad rates as part of your COGS (cost of goods sold) and sell, sell, sell!
by Kathy Terrill | Feb 18, 2023 | eBay
eBay’s Winter Seller Update of 2023, as with anything involving change, is greeted with great trepidation.
Relax, dear seller! eBay’s Winter Seller Update 2023 is live, and eBay’s sky is not falling.
Winter 2023 Seller Update, a Mixed Bag!
Like most updates, the Q1 release is a mixed bag of good and not so good news. So, the bad news is that as of February 15, Final Value Fees (FVFs) are going up in numerous categories. Fortunately, the good news far outweighs the relatively minor fee increases. Let’s look at the facts.
Got No Store or a Starter Store?
For non-store subscribes and Starter Store subscribers, FVFs in most categories will increase from 12.9% to 13.25%. This is an increase of .35%.
In some categories — namely Books & Magazines, Movies & TV, and Music (except Vinyl Records) — FVFs will jump from 14.6% to 14.95%. Again, this an increase of .35%). To see the complete list of fee changes by category, go to https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/resources/seller-updates/2023-winter/financials.
Don’t be caught off guard by these fee increases! If you decide to raise your prices by a dollar amount or percentage so the higher fees don’t cut into your profit margin, you can do so using Bulk Edit.
Fees are Up!
Store subscribers from Basic through Anchor also face an average FVF (Final value fee) increase of .35%. Fees in Books & Magazines, Movies & TV , and Music (except Vinyl Records) will likewise go up from 14.6% to 14.95%. Categories with no changes include Heavy Equipment, Cameras & Photography, Cell Phones, and Computers, Tablets & Networking.
Again, take a close look at the entire list of fee changes by category at https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/resources/seller-updates/2023-winter/financials.
In addition, keep a sharp eye on your cost of goods and shipping expenses. An FVF increase of .35% may sound small, but it adds up fast.
eBay Seller Fees are up!
eBay’s Winter Seller Update: Good News!
As it is now, eBay only gives you back the 30¢ transaction fee when a buyer asks to cancel an order before the item is shipped. However, eBay is now going to also credit sellers for that 30¢ fee if an item is returned and you voluntarily refund the buyer’s payment. That applies to returns for the following reasons:
- Ordered by mistake
- Don’t like it
- Changed my mind
- Doesn’t fit
- Found a better price
n other words, you’ll get the 30¢ back as long as the return is not due to seller error (INAD). You must refund the buyer through eBay in order to receive this fee credit. Like the FVF increases, this new policy kicks in on February 15.
Like higher FVFs, those 30¢ transaction fees add up faster than you might think, so this is excellent news for sellers.
No More Best Offer UPIs!
Ever accepted a Best Offer only to have the buyer then fail to pay for their purchase? eBay feels your pain. Both eBay sellers and eBay lose money on unpaid items (UPI.)
The eBay powers that be have also heard sellers’ frustration with this ongoing issue, and in this update, they announced the rollout of a long-awaited solution: Buyers will have to supply payment information prior to making a Best Offer. Read up on all the details at https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/resources/seller-updates/2023-winter/business.
More Changes for the Better: Listing Upgrades and Scheduling!
eBay Seller Good News in the eBay Winter Seller Update 2023!
The Winter 2023 Seller Update also impacts listing upgrades and scheduling for sellers’ benefit. Two especially positive changes expand perks that non-store subscribers have enjoyed for years:
eBay Store subscribers can list auctions and offer a Buy It Now option for no additional fee.
Store subscribers also can schedule the start date of both auction and fixed price listings for free.
This is terrific, especially if you list in batches. You can create a bunch of listings at one time, then strategically spread out their start dates and time.
EIS eBay International Shipping!
eBay continues to roll out its new eBay International Shipping program, demonstrating their commitment to facilitating cross-border trade.
List More, Sell More!
In this post-pandemic world, ecommerce sites are losing buyers to brick-and-mortar stores. eBay’s answer to this problem is to increase inventory on the platform. That’s why they’re working to improve the listing flow, especially via the eBay Mobile app.
Furthermore, eBay also has invested in marketplace research tool Terapeak, making it even more useful.
What Does It All Mean?
The Winter 2023 Seller Update reflects eBay’s emphasis on increasing conversion (sell-through) rates. In other words, it’s geared toward helping sellers sell more and better, thereby making more money for themselves and eBay. So what’s in it for you?
That remains to be seen. Add up your last few invoices. How much did you pay in FVFs last month? Last year? Do you want or need to make any changes at this point in order to absorb the soon-to-be-additional costs? Or would you rather wait to see what future invoices look like?
eBay invests heavily in Google ads that bring us buyers. We also have robust seller protections. It’s a profitable platform on which to sell. So do the math as it applies to your business, then decide how to respond to the changes announced in the Winter 2023 Seller Update, and keep on selling!
by Kathy Terrill | Jan 21, 2023 | Selling on eBay
As an eBay seller, you’re always looking for ways to save on the costs of selling on eBay!
Here are three very simple and easy ways to reduce your eBay selling fees — and for two out of three, you don’t even need to have an eBay store!
First way to save on eBay selling fees is become a Top Rated Seller (eTRS).
There are many benefits to achieving and maintaining Top Rated Seller status, including enhanced visibility in eBay search results and increased seller protections. You can read up on the details in eBay’s Seller Center as well as in eBay’s Help pages.
Best of all, once you’re Top Rated, your listings become eligible for the Top Rated Plus seal.
This coveted seal earns you a 10% discount on Final Value Fees (FVFs). Here’s what it takes to become a Top Rated Seller: An eBay account that’s been active for at least 90 days 100 or more transactions and $1,000 in sales with US buyers during the last 12 months
A defect rate less than or equal to 0.5%, with 3 or less defects from transactions with unique buyers. Cases closed without seller resolution less than or equal to 0.3% and 2 or fewer cases. A late shipment rate less than or equal to 3% and no more than 5 late shipments. Tracking uploaded within your stated handling time and carrier validation for 95% of transactions with US buyers.
It’s really not all that difficult to meet these requirements.
If you follow eBay’s recommended best practices and provide top-notch customer service, than you’re probably already almost there. You can view a detailed breakdown of your seller performance in your Seller Dashboard.
Once you’re eTRS, in order to qualify for the Top Rated Plus seal, you must offer same- or one-day handling. Also you’ll need a 30-day or longer free return period with a money-back option. You can choose to offer these services on a listing-by-listing basis. You don’t have to do so for every listing. However, only listings that include them will get the Top Rated Plus seal and 10% FVF discount.
But wait, there’s more!
Here’s how to maximize your eTR+ savings: Consider free shipping. Why? Because an item’s FVF is based on the item’s price. If you charge for shipping, then the discount doesn’t apply to the shipping charge. But if you offer free shipping — meaning that the shipping cost is rolled into the price of your item — then your eTR+ discount will score you 10% off the whole shebang! Furthermore, eBay’s search algorithm LOVES free shipping.
Remember: You don’t have to offer free shipping and/or free returns on every item you list. But consider at least testing either or both for certain items. I talk more about the considerations involved in my recent video This Lowers Your eBay Selling Fees! Check the video for more useful information on this topic.
Second, join the eBay Partner Network and use EPN links.
The eBay Partner Network (EPN) is eBay’s own affiliate marketing program. Affiliate marketing is a time-tested way to make money online. Again, you don’t need an eBay store. You just have to become a member of EPN. Once you join, share eBay listings using links generated via the EPN Link Generator.
Sharing your own listing can score you a free FVF, while sharing another seller’s listing can earn you a commission. All it takes is for a buyer to purchase the item on eBay within 24 hours of clicking on your EPN link.
This can add up to a significant additional revenue stream.
Learn more about this eBay seller moneymaker in my recent blog post, eBay Seller Moneymaker eBay Partner Network EPN!
Also my YouTube video,” Improve Your eBay Profits Using These Powerful Links!”, offers you more great ideas on using the eBay Affiliate Marketing EPN program.
Then when you’re ready to take the plunge and give EPN a try, invest in a copy of my EPN guide.
Third, open an eBay store with a Basic or higher level subscription.
Without an eBay store, you get 250 free listings per month, after which you pay a nonrefundable insertion fee of 30¢ per listing. But when you have an eBay store, you also get access to a robust suite of free marketing and promotional tools, including Promotions Manager and a store newsletter, plus a storefront that enables you to brand and promote your business.
And that’s just for starters, literally: that is, when you sign up for a Starter store.
However, with a Basic or higher level store subscription, you also get more free listings, lower insertion fees, lower FVFs, and a quarterly coupon for eBay-branded shipping supplies. For a Basic store owner, that means 1000 free listings, 25¢ insertion fees, and a $25 coupon as well as lower FVFs — up to 50% lower in some categories!
In addition, insertion fees for auction-style listings that end in a sale will be credited back to your account.
With so much value added along with the savings you’ll realize, there’s practically no reason not to have an eBay store.
Get all of the details and fee comparisons on eBay’s Store Selling Fees Help page. Also go to Store Subscriptions & Benefits in eBay’s Seller Center and do the math.
So there you have it: three ways to lower your eBay selling fees.
Lower selling fees = higher profit margins = more money for you. Put these tips to work for you in your business on eBay, and those cha-chings will sound sweeter than ever!
by Kathy Terrill | Dec 25, 2022 | eCommerce Tips
In a world where bad weather strikes somewhere every day, your business on eBay needs to be prepared to ride out any storms that may come your way.
It pays to plan ahead. Here are five tips for battening down the hatches. Read on for your eBay seller’s bad weather preparedness checklist!
Your first action for your eBay seller’s extreme weather preparedness is to use Time Away.
Put your business on Time Away, and set up an autoresponder message as well. You can opt to allow sales for up to 15 days or shut down your store altogether, putting purchasing on pause for up to 30 days. If you’re facing uncertain times, you don’t need the stress of having to ship sold items.
Time Away is available to all eBay sellers, whether or not you have a store.
It’s also included in the eBay Mobile app. If you have an eBay store, go to Time Away under the Store tab on your Seller Hub Overview Page. Or you can go to My Messages and click “Change settings” in the upper right-hand corner. Either way, you’ll end up at Time Away. here’s what eBay says about this tool.
It’s better to overestimate how much Time Away you’ll need. You can always end it early. It may take a few hours for your Fixed Price listings to be hidden when Time Away starts and to reappear when it ends. I’ve used Time Away with great success. HERE is my video reporting my results and sharing some bonus tips.
Note that Time Away does not adjust delivery dates for accepted Best Offers, Second Chance Offers, accepted seller-initiated offers, athletic shoes eligible for eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, or items with local pickup or GSP set as shipping options. You’ll need to change the handling time and/or shipping option for those listings.
Next, protect your inventory.
How is it stored? Cardboard boxes don’t provide much protection at the best of times. Consider upgrading to plastic bins ASAP, before disaster strikes. Get your items up off the floor, too, preferably onto sturdy metal shelves. Raise the bottom shelf if you’re worried about flooding.
Step three is back up your data to the cloud.
That way you can access it from wherever you happen to be, and nothing will be lost. You might also want to give your most essential passwords to a trusted family member, employee, or friend so that they can check customer messages for you if you’re unable to do so.
Step four is visit the ATM so you have ample cash on hand.
Make sure you’ve refilled any prescriptions for necessary medications. Fill up the gas tank of your vehicle (or vehicles). Charge up your devices along with whatever you have in the way of power bars or other portable chargers. If the electricity goes out in your area, your smartphone will become an essential lifeline.
Be ready when bad weather strikes eBay seller with this 5 point check list!
And finally, stay safe!
Your personal safety — and your family’s safety — are more important than any sale. The Red Cross has an abundance of emergency tips for different weather situations that can be helpful. Keep up with news bulletins (including eBay announcements, if possible), follow the authorities’ recommendations, execute your business preparedness plan, and focus on safety first.
Once the weather changes for the better, you can reopen your store, welcome shoppers, and get back to business as usual.
