eBay Tips - Shipping and Copyright Rules (Part 3 of 3)

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(Image by MelonyVaughan)

Shipping Cost NOT Specified

Is it FREE?!?
It is not helpful to a potential buyer to come across a listing they are interested in if it does not contain the shipping cost. The potential buyer now has to contact the seller in order to get the details. Some buyers will not go this far and will simply ignore the listing.

Proper posting example

Shipping cost is clearly specified as $25.84

A complete listing has the greatest chance of attracting potential buyers. It is especially true when the cost of shipping is included.

(Images courtesy of eBay)

(Image courtesy of www.freedigitalphotos.net)

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High Shipping Cost

Shipping cost is VERY expensive $$$
What will a potential buyer think of a listing that specifies an over-inflated shipping cost? That it's a rip-off! Not to mention that it's against eBay's policies to inflate shipping prices. Sellers should always list an accurate shipping cost or as close an estimate as possible. Shipping for this particular watch should not cost more than about $25 with insurance and tracking.

Proper Posting Example
Shipping cost is accurate

This particular listing specifies a true and accurate shipping cost. This shipping cost will include insurance and tracking, which is an added benefit for both the seller and the buyer. Remember, you want to please the buyers so that they will become return customers.

(Images courtesy of eBay)

Copyrighted Pictures

It is against eBay's policies to post copyrighted images within eBay listings. If a seller is reported for using copyrighted images in their listings, eBay will remove those listings and will send a warning to the seller. If this violation is repeated within 3 months of the initial violation, a more serious punishment will be imposed by eBay. Copyright violations are usually reported by employees of corporations who are hired to ensure that copyrighted images of their products are not used without permission by eBay members. Yes, that's right, some companies actually have employees who search and uphold their copyrights!
That's right, these images are copyrighted! Even though they have been cropped by the seller, that does not make it any less of an infraction. You can't just take them off the manufacturer's website without permission, unless stated on their website. It's obvious that these were professionally taken in a studio, so don't try to pull one over.


(Photos courtesy of www.bebe.com)

Proper Posting Example

Non-copyrighted images

This is a perfect example of what an eBay listing should look like. In order to avoid facing eBay's sanctions with respect to copyrighted material, why not take the pictures yourself? Ensure that you have the following: good lighting, good angles, crisp and sharp images, accurate colors and a few good close-ups. A good image should be at least a 1000 pixels along the short end. Pretty much any camera or even smartphone can pull that off these days.

(Image courtesy of eBay)

When it comes down to it, don't try to pull one over on a buyer or other site owners. Shipping costs are not where you should make your profit, that is only the transport cost of your product. And copyright images, lets play fair with others. At the very least, you can ask permission to use that image on your posting, it couldn't hurt to ask.

This concludes my series on eBay Tips. I hope that it has been helpful and informative!