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 Sense TradingJane Williams, the Online Retail Manager at Sense Trading could see collector's items being donated to shops that weren't getting all the money they were worth. So she decided to sell through the eBay for Charity programme. By working closely with local shops and carefully organising all the logistics, Jane has turned Sense_Antiques and dress*sense into thriving online operations. Selling on eBay for Charity "The challenge was to educate local shops on what would sell best in our shops and what would sell best on eBay," Jane says. Jane has encouraged shops to get involved by organising training days with shop managers and attending local area meetings. Attending these meetings has allowed Jane to highlight the eBay for Charity online shop. All 68 shops are now actively engaging with this new method of fundraising, each one advertising Sense online trading through posters in their shop. "Our biggest key to success is that individual shops get back the money from the items they send us," Jane points out. All proceeds raised through a successful sale on eBay for Charity go directly back to the shop that originally received the item, meaning they can ring the amount through their tills like a regular transaction. The sale of items is all organised centrally by Jane and a team of four part-time volunteers who help with administration, shipment and the packing of goods. Jane and her team pride themselves on excellent customer service, which is reflected in their high positive feedback rating. Results to date Selling through eBay for charity has allowed Sense Trading to increase the profits on selected items with minimal expense: "It's like having extra shops but without the overheads!" Sense_Antiques and dress*sense approach to centrally managing their online trading, whilst allowing individual shops to benefit, has been a key to the their success. So far, the highest value sale on eBay was a Vivienne Westwood corset, which was auctioned for £416 through dress*sense! Sense online is here to stay and is part of Sense Trading, "the charity ribbon that highlights our listings and the eBay fee donations make trading online invaluable." Some Tips from Sense
 Iain Rennie Hospice at HomeThe Iain Rennie Hospice (eBay ID iain_rennie_hospice) has been trading on eBay for Charity since its launch in 2005. Their sales on eBay for Charity are now similar to that of one of their physical shops, and they make an 85% net profit on these sales. Selling on eBay for Charity Five of the Iain Rennie Hospice shops now regularly select items to send to Lesley Gorton and her dedicated team of three volunteers who manage the online shop from their central office. Lesley explains this has taken some time and education to achieve. Initially shops assumed that if they sent items to her, they would have less money for the shop. This issue has been overcome by re-crediting the individual shops for the money generated from the sale of the items they sent. "This way it is fair to the shop managers." All items start at 99p to encourage the bidding. Lesley points out that it is important not to get too worried about the perceived value of an item, "it is worth what anyone will pay for it". And if someone gets a good deal they will feel good and are more likely to come back and spend again. Iain Rennie now has a regular clientele, including a lady in the States who is always buying cards from them. Results to date eBay reaches a global market and this has allowed the Iain Rennie Hospice to sell items that might not be bought in the traditional shops. Recently a Toby Jug went for £250 on their site to a man who had been looking for that specific jug for his collection! "The chances of him walking past one of our shops is minute, this is why eBay is much better" explains Lesley's assistant. As well as these financial benefits, selling on eBay means that the hospice gets their charity work know outside their regular supporter base and this is invaluable publicity for them. Some Tips from Iain Rennie
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