Increase Buyer Confidence on eBay

One of the most important things an eBay seller or affiliate can do is build and maintain the trust of current and future buyers. Below are some helpful tips on how you as a seller can earn a buyer interest in your eBay auction item and then how you can “close the sale” and get a happy and hopefully repeat customer.

The first thing many eBay buyers look for, after looking at all the pictures you’ve included, is details about the item being auctioned, and then they look at the shipping terms. Many sellers inflate the shipping cost to increase their income. I once saw a DVD player that sold for $20. Sounds like a great deal… right? Mistaken. The shipping charge, in a misleading and incorrect place at the bottom of the page, was $120! Today’s eBay buyers have become aware of this practice and will not bid on an item that is low in price but has high shipping costs.

Auction details must also include the type of payment that will be accepted. Approximately 75 percent of eBay buyers prefer to pay through PayPal, which, by the way, is owned and operated by eBay Inc. An additional advantage of using PayPal, statistically speaking, is that it reduces the chance that the buyer leaves town and does not pay the winning bid. Buyers can also take full advantage of PayPal’s Buyer Protection program where the buyer is protected up to $1000.00. Don’t have a PayPal account yet? Ought! If you don’t, be sure to clearly state that you don’t and explain alternative payment methods.

Let’s talk about shipping again. Terms must be specified in the auction details. This includes shipping time, costs, and all other applicable policies. An easy way to attract buyers is to offer free shipping. Include it in the price of your item and watch your sales increase. Another option is to offer a flat delivery fee for specific areas. It is not uncommon for sellers to have a flat shipping fee and then list a secondary international shipping fee.

Auction details must clearly state return policies along with cancellation fees where applicable. The terms of the return policy should always be clear and direct. It is estimated that approximately 20 percent of current auctions lack a return policy. These sellers could be losing sales on auctions that do have a listed policy. Would you buy an electronic item on eBay if you couldn’t return it to the seller if it turned up at your house DOA (dead on delivery)?

If a seller describes the item correctly, follows up on questions, and ships items promptly, there’s no reason the buyer shouldn’t give a 5-star rating (5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest). Strive to maintain positive feedback and you will increase buyer confidence and have a beneficial impact on your bottom line.