eBay Basics

Learn the basics on how to use and resell on eBay.

Reduced selling fees on eBay

eBay's current selling fees include a 12.8% final sold price + 30p per sale you make. We do not pay this here at MstvGroup. On average eBay holds a seller fee promotional weekend twice a month, every account is eligible for either 70%, 80%, or a £1.00 max seller fee. We notify you every time this happens over at our 'Seller News' channel. How do you take advantage of this offer and use it for the whole month? Once the promotional weekend is officially live all you need to do is create multiple 'Placeholder listings'. These are dummy listings of random items, for example, a can of beans, and put a ridiculous price no one will pay. This will allow you to have active listings that once sold will give you the fee promotion even after the weekend ends, all you need to do is simply edit the placeholder listing with an item you want to sell when you want. Just remember once that listing ends you will not be eligible for the promotion if it gets relisted. Just rinse and repeat this every 2 weeks and you will never need to worry about paying high fees. Make all listings unique otherwise, they will be removed by eBay, also you cannot increase the quantity on your listing it's only 1 item per listing. Be sure to create multiple placeholder listings so you don't need to worry about waiting for the next promotion, and always check when your listing ends you don't want to accidentally sell an item at full-priced fees.

eBay's GSP (Global Shipping Program)

The eBay Global Shipping Program, or eBay’s GSP, is a service providing eBay sellers with international shipping services. Under the Global Shipping Program, all you need to do is to ship your item to the UK shipping centre once you sell it. Then eBay will do the rest and handle the actual delivery to the buyer. We recommend turning this on since it's very easy to do, you just ship to eBay and they will ship to the buyer. You will not need to worry about the package being lost or damaged in transit, the best thing is it increases your chance of a sale since your listing is international! Turn it on here; https://www.ebay.co.uk/ship/prf.

Checking eBay sold history

If you would like to check sold history on eBay for a particular product it's super easy. Mobile app Simply searches for the product, click 'Filter', then 'Show more', and click 'Sold items'. Desktop Search for the product, click 'Advanced', and 'Sold listings', then click search. Alternatively, you can use this website http://www.watchcount.com/completed.php?cc=UK, just be sure to click the 'Sold items only' option.

Calculating eBay profit margins

It is super easy to find out your profit margins when you sell an item on eBay. https://www.ebayfeescalculator.com/uk-ebay-calculator/ allows you to input your item cost, shipping cost and sold cost and it will tell you how much profit you are left with. Remember to add your fee promotion which is under 'FVF promotion', and include any promoted ad rates you may have for an accurate figure.

eBay listing promotions

eBay allows you to promote your listing in exchange for a percentage of your final sale. This allows your listing to be seen by more people which is helpful when the market is over-saturated. You can use Promoted Listings Standard to give greater exposure to the items you're selling. You can get your listing in front of more buyers, and you're only charged for the ad if it's helped your item sell. The minimum percentage you can promote is 2%. Remember, this eats your profits. Do not use this option unless you're desperate for a sale. More information on ad rates; https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/selling/listings/listing-tips/promoted-listings?id=4164.

eBay buyer preferences

eBay gives you the ability to block certain people from purchasing from you based on requirements you set, this is good to stop potential scammers and minimise risk. Buyer management options: -Block specific buyers by username. (If you had previous or they are known for trouble) -Block buyers who have more than a certain amount of unpaid purchases within a time period. -Block buyers whose primary address is not located in the UK -Block buyers who are winning or have won a certain amount of items from you personally -Block people who have feedback less than a certain amount you set. To amend these buyer requirements visit https://www.ebay.co.uk/bmgt/buyerrequirements.