There is more to running successful eBay auctions than simply posting an item and waiting for the bids to roll in. Many first-time sellers fail time and time again, never understanding what is going wrong. They research for hours to find the perfect item to sell, get the auction set up, and wait for the bidding to begin. Hours go by, but no one places a bid. Days pass with no interest or very low bids. Finally the auction ends, and it turns out to be a total failure. Sellers need to remember that they are up against thousands of auctions for similar items. In order for an auction item to really stand out, there are some very specific "dos" and "donts" to realizing successful eBay auctions.

The most common reason that eBay auctions fail is that the item is simply not in great demand. This is why it's so important to research before placing your item up for bid. Determine which items sell quickly, which items make money, and which items should be avoided. This research can take a great deal of time--but in the end, you will find that it is time well spent.

Pricing is another reason for eBay failure. Regardless of your reserve price, your opening bid should never be set at anything higher than fifty dollars. Posting a low opening bid is the best way to attract potential bidders to your auction. If you set the opening bid too high, most people will pass over your auction without even reading the item description. Lack of research brings about pricing problems as well. Before you set your reserve price, you must determine what the item is really worth, and see what similar items have sold for in past eBay auctions.

Successful eBay auctions begin with well-written descriptions. Poor grammar and misspelled words drive people away. Posting a description without a picture of the item will also deter buyers. People are much more comfortable in buying an item if they can actually see what they are bidding on, and know a little more about the item. Treat the description as advertising copy, and use it to the item's full advantage.

Potentials buyers will be deterred by high shipping prices. Don't sell the item for a low price, and then hike up the shipping cost to an unreasonable level. Find the lowest shipping prices available, and consider paying for the shipping yourself if it won't cut into your profits too much. Do not charge handling fees.

The most successful eBay auctions are those that bring about good buyer feedback and happy return customers, so keep your auction fair and your customer service above par. Give each and every customer great personal service and ask your buyers for their positive feedback. If the items you sell and the service you provide meet or exceed your customers' expectations, you will be sure to receive the good feedback that is vital to successful eBay auctions.

Do your research, be fair and above all, be honest. eBay is a great tool that, when used properly, can help you make a lot of money.