How do I start selling?
Selling on eBay really is as easy as 1-2-3. Read our starter's guide and you'll be up and running in no time.
Start selling now.



What should I sell?
It's true that you can sell (or buy) almost anything on eBay, and we're willing to bet that most houses have literally dozens of items lying around unused. If you're stuck for ideas, visit our eBay House and see what you think will sell.



How long will it take to sell?
How long it takes to sell very much depends on how long you set your auction for - one, three, five, seven or ten days. Some items and categories attract bidders straight away - to be honest, it's the age-old rule of supply and demand. However, what you can do is make sure your item stands out from the crowds - have a great descriptive title that will work well in search results, make sure you take a good, clear picture and consider using the gallery feature - this means a photograph will appear next to your listing in search results, making it even more eye-catching. Write a comprehensive item description, and above all be honest - make sure you describe the condition accurately.



How much will I get?
The million dollar question! Again, how much you get for an item depends on the quality, age, and condition of the item, as well as to some extent, supply and demand - the desirability of the item, plus how many other similar items are available in the marketplace at the same time. You can search our completed listings to get an idea of how much similar items have been fetching in recent auctions. This is also a good idea when you are thinking of setting your starting price.



What starting price should I set?
This is obviously up to you, but experience has shown that items with lower starting prices tend to attract more bids. This is because buyers find the auction more attractive as they are tempted by the possibility of a bargain. £0.99 (€0.99) is a common starting price, even for higher priced items, and what you will usually find is that the market sets a fair price. However, in order to avoid disappointment you obviously need to be sure that you are willing to part with the item if it does not reach your desired price and if it is of very high value, you could consider setting a reserve.



What is a reserve?
Reserves, as in the normal auction world, set a fee under which the item will not sell. Buyers do not know how much the reserve is, but they will know that you have set one, and bear in mind that in many lower price and non-collectable categories, this can put buyers off. Reserves are probably best used in high-value, collectable categories, as they are in the normal auction world. Please note that there are fees associated with setting a reserve. Find out more.



Can I revise my listing once it has started?
Yes, so don't worry if your listing isn't 100% right at the start. There are some parts of your listing that are fixed, but up until 12 hours before the listing ends you can change most things. So if you think of something that's especially relevant after the listing has started (perhaps because an interested bidder sends you a question), you can make revisions by accessing the listing through your my eBay page. We've put together a page explaining exactly what can and can't change and how to revise your listing.



How do I know my buyer will pay?
Hundreds of millions of people buy and sell on eBay every day, and the vast majority of them are honest, just like you! You can check out a buyer's reputation, just as you can a seller's - remember to read the comments as well as looking at the % score. In addition, you can set your preferences to exclude certain types of buyers - those with negative scores, for example, or less than 10 feedback. We advise you to think very carefully before you do this, however, as it does limit the number of buyers who will bid on your items. Also, everyone has to start somewhere, just as you did, and inexperience isn't an indication that a buyer won't pay.



Is it safe to sell on eBay?
As we said, the vast majority of eBayers are honest, decent people who are enjoying the unique marketplace eBay has to offer. However, it doesn't hurt to be aware of potential pitfalls before you start. So we've pulled together a Selling Safely guide to support you as you start your journey as an eBay seller.



How much will it cost to sell on eBay?
You pay to list an item on eBay, and if it sells, you pay a percentage of the final price. Together, these fees are called selling fees. How much they are depends on many factors, including what the item is, which and how many categories you list in, and how much it sells for.

In addition, you can use additional features such as gallery and bold to make the listing stand out, and these features have varying fees.

Visit our fees pages to check the prices.



How does Paypal Work?
PayPal is a payments system that most sellers and buyers on eBay prefer. It uses the latest in safety technology, and allows buyers to pay you instantly. Buyers love it because it is free for them to use and they can send money anywhere in the world. Sellers love it because there are no set-up costs, it makes international trading simple, and it is a quick, safe and traceable way of receiving funds from anywhere in the world.

It is free to set up a PayPal account, and you pay a small fee each time you receive funds. Find out more, or sign up now.



What is a seller's Account?
You need to create a seller's account before you can sell on eBay. First you need to register, then upgrade to a seller's account. If you already have an eBay account as a buyer, you just need to upgrade.

We will ask you for some more information, which may include credit or debit card details, for verification purposes, and a payment method for paying your seller fees*. If you do provide credit or debit card details for either verification or as a payment method, the details will not be used for any other purpose. * (Note: Only Credit Cards can be used in ROI)



Where can I get help?
There are some great sources of help around the eBay sites. The Help Centre is a good one-stop shop for all your general questions. You can get there by clicking the Help button at the top of every eBay page.

The Safety Centre is a great source of information if you want advice on selling safely, and if you want advice straight from the horse's mouth, try the Answer Centre or the New to Selling Help Board - both are great places to get quick answers on your most burning questions from selling experts.

Happy Selling!

Start selling now.