Get Ready for the eBay Holiday Season

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It’s that time of the year again!

The holidays are fast approaching, and eBay sellers are gearing up, and getting ready forthe busy eBay selling season. So, what should you sell this timeof the year? Hungry eBay shoppers are searching for just abouteverything and anything on eBay… so the skies the limit!

Moms are busy enough during the holidays… so if you plan to make atidy profit selling on eBay while still staying sane this season… you must first be organized and prepared.

o avoid stress, give yourself plenty of time in advance to prepareyour items for sale. Whether you sell unwanted household items, thrift shop/flea market items, or wholesale items, begin byorganizing your items accordingly. We like to use large tupperware-type tubs to sort our items. For example, sort children’s winter clothing, toys, books, collectibles, video tapes, miscellaneous items in separate tubs, and then label each tub appropriately.

If you are selling used items, go through each plastic tub, andinspect the items for any defects such as rips, tears, stains, scratches, dents, missing pieces, missing buttons, broken parts,dirt marks, etc. Sometimes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure, but sometimes junk… is just plain junk! Repair any items that can be salvaged and discard items that are not.

To avoid becoming overwhelmed, focus on one tub of items at a time. Take notes on the specifics of each item by writing down important information such as, the Brand name, make, model number, size, color, author, age, measurements, etc. Then do an eBay search and a completed items search to determine the popularity, and final bidding price on an item that is similar to yours. Also, takenotes on the popular keywords used, the specific category used, the photo, and the description of the item. This information will be helpful when creating your own listing.

Once you have researched all of your items, and taken notes on eachitem, schedule a photo day, and create a mini photo studio. Arrange your items in an appealing manner, and take digital photos of each item to transfer and save to your computer files.

During the holidays you will most likely have plenty of competition. In order to effectively compete, create an eye-catching listing that grabs the shoppers attention. Start byusing the most effective keywords in your title and description to attract the maximum amount of buyers. Create a professional, yet inviting listing by using high quality templates. Offer a quality photograph, an informative description to answer all of your shoppers questions, and a comprehensive sales policy.

Encourage your customers to view your other items through cross-promotion. Always end with a “Call To Action,” such as “Place Your Bid Now!” or “Don’t Miss This Opportunity…Bid Now!” to excite and entice your customers.

Make sure to have plenty of shipping boxes, bubble wrap, and othershipping supplies on hand. Add a friendly holiday greeting card with a nice little note of thanks to include inside your packages,and ship packages during the holidays as quickly as possible toavoid possible delays.

If you are selling winter clothing, coats, hats, accessories, etc.,try to sell as early in the fall as possible for the best profits. Christmas clothing and accessories are very popular throughout the season… especially children’s holiday christmas dresses, but since many parents take holiday photos early in the season to send out with Christmas cards, they want the clothing as soon as possible. So, start selling those gently used Holiday outfits soon.

One of the most popular items to sell on eBay before the Christmas Holidays is… what else but TOYS!

Toys sell like hotcakes on eBay this time of year. Do your children have toys, board games, puzzles, videos, books, stuffed animals, dolls, bears, electronic games, etc. in good condition that they have outgrown, and no longer play with? Then do your eBay research and see which items can make you money during the upcoming holidays.

For example, last year my daughter begged for Santa to bring her Bella Dancerella, after playing with the toy a few times, it ended up back in the original box, laying in the toy closet the rest of the year collecting dust. So, since it appears that Bella Dancerella will also be popular this year, I plan to dust it off, sell it on eBay, make a nice little profit, and get it out of the toy closet once and for all.

Do you ever see those crazy shoppers on the first day of the mad holiday rush, otherwise known as “Black Friday?” Are you one ofthem?

We have watched in amazement as some shoppers practically break down the toy store doors to be the first to grab up the hottest toys of the season. Many popular toys are off the shelves and out of stock in no time at all. Some eBay buyers are desperateto find these special toys for their little darlings, and are willing to pay top dollar in an eBay bidding war to get what they want. Whether you decide to sell toys or other items on eBay, keep trackof the trends, and which items are exceptionally HOT. Then make a profit, while helping someone who desperately wants that special item for the holidays, and can’t find it anywhere else.

Toys-r-Us has just announced their annual list of the Hottest NewToys for the 2005 Holiday Season. Here is just a small sample of the toys that Toys-r-Us predicts will be on the kiddies 2005 Holiday Wish List: Bratz Rock Angelz Tour Bus from MGA Entertainment Dora’s Talking Kitchen from Fisher-Price FLY Pentop Computer from Leap Frog Fly Wheels Rapid Fire Launcher from Jakks PacificFurby from Hasbro GBA Micro from NintendoGiggles and Coos Baby Doll from You & MeiZ from Zizzle Laugh and Learn Musical Learning Chair from Fisher-Price LEGO Vikings Fortress from LEGO Pixel Chix from Mattel Roll-A-Rounds Drop & Roar Dinosaur from Fisher-PriceThomas & Friends Aquadoodle from Spin MasterTumble Time Tigger from Fisher-Price Check out the Toy-r-Us web site for the expanded version of Hottest New Toys 2005.

Get ready for some insane buying and selling on eBay this holidayseason, it’s sure to be a very busy and exciting time of year! Get organized, be prepared, do your research, follow the holiday trends, get those auctions listed, and Happy eBaying!

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