Everyone thus far has brought up some GREAT TIPS! I’ll start off by listing a few key points (most of which are already here):
NOTE: I am an eBay Store Seller. The majority of my listings are Pokemon BIN - that is what I will focus on in this “guide”.
1.) PICTURES - By far the most important piece of information… Personally, I use a Nikon Coolpix L310 Digital Camera. If using a digital camera, make sure your photographs are FOCUSED! Nothing is worse than a seller posting “fuzzy” pictures that are near-impossible to see. Additionally, photograph items on a solid-color surface (recommend black or white). Finally, DO NOT photograph items on a messy table/floor and/or in your hand. Nobody wants to see your dirty laundry or kitchen plates. Personally, I use a black poster-board for all BIN Listings. Regardless, whether you’re using a digital camera or scanner; INCLUDE FRONT AND BACK IMAGES!
As a side note; for sellers with an eBay Store and/or many BIN Listings, remember consistency… If you start-off posting pictures with a black-surface background, continue using that same black-surface background throughout all your BIN Listings - Just my Two-Cents
2.) ITEM TITLE - Second most important piece of information… Like others have mentioned, include keywords within your Item Title: “Pokemon”, “Set Name”, “Card Type”, “Card Name”, “Card Number”… Here is an example from my eBay Store:
Pokemon Gym Challenge Set RARE Brock’s Dugtrio 22/132 - NM/M Condition
The alternating red/blue text are pieces of information that I consider ESSENTIAL for all eBay Listings. It might seem silly to include “HOLO”, “RARE”, “UN-COMMON”, “COMMON”… However, it is not. You couldn’t imagine how many of my eBay Messages read: “Is this card Holo?” Despite the Item Title, Item Description, and Picture all pointing to this fact.
The green text (card condition) is something that I’ve gone back-and-forth with for awhile… On the one hand, a lot of people on eBay base their purchase off the Item Title and Picture almost solely - not even viewing an item without condition in the Item Title. On the other hand, some people may be turned off immediately by a “poor” condition- not even clicking to view your item and eBay Store. I’ve opted to include condition for the simple fact that I have many of the same cards in “MINT”, “NM/M”, and “E.X.” - makes shipping process easier.
3.) Description - Third most important aspect… A “short” vs. “long” Item Description is really up to the seller. I have tried both with little or no effect in terms of final pricing - just my experience. I have opted to use the “short” Item Description, re-emphasizing Item Title. Similar to Pictures, consistency is important and in the case of Description - SAVES TIME. Here is an example from my Store (better with color/fonts):
This “Buy it Now” is for the Following:
Pokemon Set: Unlimited Base Set 1
Card Name & Number: Nidoking 11/102
Condition: Excellent PLUS Condition
*** YOU ARE PURCHASING EXACT CARD PICTURED ***
ANY ?'s PLEASE ASK
!!! VISIT MY eBay STORE FOR MORE GREAT DEALS !!!
Grading Scale:
Mint: Nearly Flawless - Very Slight (If Any) ImperfectionsNear Mint: Some Light Edge-Wear and/or ScuffsExcellent: Scratches and/or Edge-Wear becoming ProminentPlayed: Prominent Scratches and Edge-Wear - May have Bend(s)
Here comes the “controversial” portion… I do not include information such as: “About Me”, “Shipping”, and/or “Refunds” - my Two-Cents. Simply find this information to be “clutter” that nobody reads anyway (you’ll still get questions on: shipping and refunds).
4.) Pricing - Before listing items on eBay, do your research. See what cards are currently listed for on eBay and what they’ve sold for. You don’t have to be the lowest price on eBay; however, don’t be the seller who’s 100x higher than everyone else.
I would also recommend placing a “Best Offer” on EVERYTHING - even if your BIN Price is really your best price - this gets people’s attention. In terms of auto-decline vs. normal; I personally do not like auto-decline. As a second part to this, counter-offer EVERYTHING (unless you’re willing to accept that offer of course). Trust me, I know how annoying people on eBay can be: offering $0.99 on a $10,000.00 item (pretty extreme example - I know haha). In any case, I have found that this can lead to actual sales - some people are just trying to get the best deal possible and “low-balling” you not in hopes to get that item for $0.99, but to see what you’re willing to accept.
Finally, the good-ol’ auto-decline option… This is the WORST PART ABOUT eBay! NEVER, EVER, EVER use this option! The main argument against my philosophy is that you’ll be flooded with “stupid offers” - which I’ll agree to in some extent. However, unless you’re a massive seller on eBay with thousands of items listed, you won’t be overwhelmed. I currently have 400 items listed on eBay (all BIN/OBO). On average, I’m only getting 30-50 messages per day (more than manageable).