Posts Tagged ‘keep stuff clean’

Dear eBay Queen;

I’ve been selling online for about 6 months and I am slowly being inundated with inventory.  I sell books and media items, jewelry, vintage fishing lures and clothing.  My husband told me to tell you I sell everything that isn’t nailed down. I just don’t know how to keep it all organized and neat.

Do you have any good tips on how to organize your inventory? I am overwhelmed with so much stuff here.

C.D.

Dear C.D.;

Inventory management can vex the most experienced seller.   Here are a few things to keep in mind when you organize your inventory.

1. Designate a clean, odor free, pet free place to store your items, whether it’s a spare room, basement or warehouse.  If you or someone smokes or has pets you want to keep them away from your inventory.  A dedicated space helps you locate product faster, and the space is tax deductible.
2. Catalog your merchandise, by keeping like things together. There are some electronic scanning systems that let you scan barcodes, will import the important elements of your item into your listing and inventory it.
3. Labeling your items is a great way to keep track of your inventory. The eZ labelZ application (comes with eBay’s Selling Manager and Selling Manager Pro) uses your eBay item details to create labels with barcodes. If you subscribe to Selling Manager, you can try eZ labelZ free by clicking the “Applications” tab in My eBay.
4. Clean up an item if it’s used. You want to make sure it’s in great condition to sell so you can get top dollar. Iron or steam clothes (follow fabric care instructions), wipe off dusty boxes, and store items so they won’t get damaged. (Be very careful with collectibles—cleaning often reduces their value, so do your research first.)
5. A shelving system with easy-to-navigate shelves makes organizing easier, and finding your items is much quicker. For small items, consider using labeled transparent plastic containers.  I have also seen sellers use plastic totes or tubs (that are labeled), to organize their eBay items.
6. After you list, put the item on a shelf designated as “listed” for listed item only OR back to its correct spot in your cataloged inventoried shelves.

I hope this give you some ideas on how to get organized.

Dear eBay Queen;

This morning, I had an auction end for an electronic book and case.   Up till the last second, the high bidder had a bid of $285.99, which was great for me.  In the last second some jerk from some European country with 0 feedback came in, sniped it and won the auction.  I am positive it will turn out that he won’t pay, and may not even be a real person. Now I have to wait awhile to be sure he won’t pay, then I have to file for a refund on my FVF.

The real problem is, by the time I get back to the next bidder with a second chance offer he will most likely not be interested anymore. I’ll have to start the auction process all over again. This has happened to me off an on over the past years when I sell a relatively expensive item, like a cell phone, camera, etc.  I’ve seen some sellers set up their auctions to not accept any 0 feedback bidders, but always felt this was not right, so  I never did that.

I’m sure you have had similar problems over the years.  How do you handle a situation like this?

Jayhawker

Dear Jayhawker;

I’ve had this happen to me, and it is very frustrating.  The only thing I think that annoys me more is when the item is seasonal and the buyer doesn’t pay for it.  The season comes and goes, and I can’t sell it for as much as I did before the season was over!

I don’t have any really good advice for you.  Like you, I don’t think you should block zero feedback buyers.  The best thing to do is wait for them to pay.   If they don’t file for your final value fees, and relist the item.

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 320494224168 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page): Old advertising stuff sells well on eBay! Check out this Fire King Heinz 57 Soup Bowl SOLD $140.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320494224168

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.