The first step to ensuring the correct pricing for your item is to do some research. Search for your item, and similar items on EBay. By getting a better understanding of how other people have priced their items, you can also charge the same price, keeping your item competitive, don't think that you can charge a bit extra and make some more money because most likely buyers will go for other items and not yours. Don't go onto EBay thinking that you will be able to ask for the full price of your item, or even half the price. If you are selling a used item, you will be lucky to get three quarters of the price you bought it for. Try setting your reserve price, or the lowest bid that you will sell for, at least half of the price you bought the item for. Of course if you are offering a rare or collectible item, you will be able to charge higher price. Also remember that you need to take into account shipping costs. If your item is selling for $70 but shipping will cost the buyer an additional $30, they may be turned down by the fact that the item costs $100.

Have you ever considered opening up your own eBay store? You may have seen people with there own stores and have wondered what the benefits of having an eBay Store. Like any business, opening up a store on eBay needs to be though out and the pros and cons need to be thoroughly considered.

The main advantage of your own eBay store is the increased exposure. EBay reports that eBay store operators have an average increase of over 25% in sales after they open up there own store. You can appeal to thousands of potential customers when you open up your own eBay Store.

Stores also increase the number of repeat customers you have. When selling as an individual member, other members won't remember you or the service you provide. By operating a store, people will remember your store name and will refer their friends and family to your store. EBay stores also offer some special features not available to regular users. One of these features is automatic relisting of your unsold items. And unlike a normal posting, you can choose to list your items for 30, 60, 90, or 120 days at a time, compared to the usual 10 days for normal users. You will also increase your credibility by running an eBay Store. People are more likely to purchase goods from a professional looking seller, than just some user posting their items. People will see that you are not going to scam them and that you are reliable and honest.

Ahh, now we get to the final part of any EBay transaction, shipping. Without shipping your transaction can't be completed. The right shipping practices will help to ensure that your customer receives their item in perfect condition. This will make the difference between a happy and unhappy customer, as well as negative or positive feedback.

Remember to use proper packaging. If you are shipping multiple items or pieces, wrap each item individually to ensure proper protection. Pack your package with bubble warp or packing peanuts. Because packing peanuts may move while being shipped, it is a good idea to pack the peanuts in tightly so that you can hear no rattling. You can also use new rigid side boxes. These boxed have corrugated sides, offering maximum stability and strength, and will ensure that your box does not get crushed in transit. Remember not to exceed the maximum gross weight of the box you are using. It is important that you package and tape your shipment up right. Cellophane tape, masking tape, string, or paper tape will not be sufficient when packaging your item and most postal services won't accept a package that has been taped using these methods. Try using water activated paper tape, nylon reinforced tape, or pressure sensitive plastic tape to ensure your package stays safe in transit.