If you are at this point you should have

• Signed up up for the helper tools like The Gator!
• Setup your  Auction e-Mail account
• Set up your Auction Payment Accounts
• Picked out the Auction Management Service you like from the List
• Arranged for the storage of your Photos
• And decided on which Auction you are going to list with.

Lets Begin

1. Take Pics of your item and upload to your on-line storage.  If your service provider does not supply space,choose one of the free places that we have listed.
2. Go to the auction sites listing format,enter your description and photo info, include your payment options and what your return policy is. Spell everything out, you want your potential buyer to feel at ease buying from you.
   If you want a neat looking ad use the Free auction ad template service that we have listed Here you simply fill in the blanks and it generates the code you need to add in the auction description box.



3. Post your auction and set the length of the auction, I generally set auction length of 3-5 days for cheap items under $20.00 and at least a week for more expensive items giving them more exposure.
   I have found that start and end times are best in the evening hours when more people are likely to be on-line surfing around, 7 PM PST so that I catch them on both coasts.
   Statistics I have kept also show that Fridays are the worst day of the week to try and sell something, I guess people go out Fri night because the counters I use on my listings show very little activity on Fridays.
   
   
4. After your auction is posted, go take a look at it and make sure it is OK, Are your photos showing up? Does the ad look attractive and is your description OK? With all auctions you will have a chance to review your auction prior to posting but its a good idea to double check.
   Now for the hardest part....You Wait!
   
   
5. After the auction ends notify the buyer that they have won,( if you have an auction management service they will do it automatically), request their address so that you can figure shipping costs using our links to shipping providers.
   You can eliminate this step by including shipping costs in the auction listing.



6. After receiving their address,figure the shipping costs and e-mail the buyer with the total, your mailing address, and what your payment options are. Spell it out for them, Do you hold checks until they clear?  Do you ship right away if they send a money order? 
   Do you accept payment on-line? What is your mailing address in case they want to send a check by mail?
   I simplify things by sending them to a page with all my payment options on it, take a look Auction Winners ( A new window will open so just close it out when you are thru and you will be right back here)



7. OK, you have received the buyers payment, now CAREFULLY wrap the item and send it out,make sure you comply with the shippers regulations,i.e. UPS wants everything double boxed with 3" of space between boxes.  Get your Free shipping supplies from the postal service or whoever your shipper of choice is. The U.S. Postal service provides Free Boxes, tape and shipping labels. You can order them on our Shipping Page
   
   You can even print your own postage using your printer. This is a real time saver as you don't have to stand in line at the post office. Simply print your postage, affix it to your package and drop it off at the postoffice loading dock. I use Stamps com when you sign up with them they will give you $25.00 in free postage to start you off and occasionally they offer a Free Postage Scale.
   Include a "Thank you" note in each package requesting that they notify you when they receive the package. This will remind you to add feedback on them if they are happy with the transaction.  Adding feedback is important to both buyer and seller.



8. Notify the buyer that you have shipped and to please let you know when the package arrives.



9. Package is received,buyer is happy,you can now enter feedback,

Congratulations,you are an Official Auction Merchant!


You should also read over my tips concerning "Auction Safety"
Learn how to avoid problems BEFORE thay occur!

Wondering What to Sell?


Still Have a Question?
See Our FAQ