| When you sell on eBay, it's important to know how | | | | The chances are you'll be surprised when the Buy it |
| to take advantage of the kinds of markets you | | | | Now auctions go almost instantly and the auctions |
| encounter in the different seasons. As a rule, the | | | | rack up bids like nobody's business. It is important to |
| summer months are slow and the winter period is | | | | remember, however, that most of these buyers will |
| fast, but there's more to it than that. | | | | only buy from you once. |
| It Depends What You're Selling. | | | | Selling Off-peak. |
| Your sales won't necessarily be slower in the summer | | | | For the rest of the year, the market is far slower. |
| than in winter - they might just be different. If you're | | | | Don't worry though - you can still make money. It's a |
| selling sports equipment, for example, you'll probably | | | | little like being a stockbroker: you can make money |
| find that surfing gear sells in summer while skiing gear | | | | whether the market is good or bad, if you know |
| sells in winter. You should make sure you are aware | | | | what you're doing. |
| of any seasonal variations there will be in your | | | | Remember that your target market is a little more |
| particular market, and plan in advance to take | | | | 'expert': you're mostly selling to people who know |
| advantage of them. | | | | what they're buying, and know what they want to |
| Selling in Peak Season. | | | | pay. Cater to this by providing a service suitable for |
| The holiday season is eBay's peak, and the best time | | | | these customers. Show that you know what you're |
| to be selling on eBay - the December rush is | | | | selling and sell things consistently and you'll have |
| relatively short, but if you play it right then you could | | | | people coming back again and again. |
| make half your year's profit over those few days. | | | | Here's one extra tip that you might try. If you know |
| In the holidays, people are looking for presents, and | | | | of items that have a consistent value, it might be |
| eBay run more advertising than usual targeted | | | | worth buying up as many as you can cheaply in the |
| towards buyers, not sellers. Target your auctions | | | | summer, storing them for half a year, and selling |
| more towards new users than experienced ones, | | | | them during the winter rush. If you're willing to give |
| writing easy-to-understand descriptions. If you have | | | | over a little space for storage, you can make a lot of |
| any items that are in demand, try listing some at | | | | profit for little effort. After all, you don't even have |
| auction and some with high But it Now prices, to see | | | | to take the items out of the packaging the last seller |
| what works best. | | | | put them in. |