Still wondering how to make your photos stand out? Try having someone model the products you are selling..

If you are selling a piece of clothing, you might consider having someone model the product.  When I shoot a picture of someone modeling clothing, I don't shoot the person's face.  If hair is showing, I crop it out of the photo. When writing the description, I usually include the height of the person modeling the piece so that people get an idea of how it might look on them.

Check out this red leather jacket!

(I'm marketing this leather jacket as a Michael Jackson costume to get more interest. I had 3 watchers last week, but it didn't sell. I relisted it. It will sell eventually.)

If anyone else would like to submit a photo, send it to Bluefrogshoes@live.com.  I'd love to get some new ideas!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Take a picture that will get their attention!

I'm going to start posting photos that I think make certain listings stand out from the crowd. 

I'm selling a pair of Charter Club capris.  My assistant photographed them, and the picture turned out so-so.  It certainly didn't highlight the fact that the pants are made of a cool black and white fabric. I decided to have her take a close-up picture of the fabric.  When buyers look at this listing, they see this picture first.

I think it gets people's attention, don't you?

And here's another photo I took that highlights the pattern on a sports-themed tie:

Sometimes closeups are the way to go!

 

eBay Selling Tip of the day: Got Gaudy? Take advantage of the Halloween season!

I have a few gaudy items listed in my store.  One of these items is a 1980's Dolly Parton-esque rhinestone jumpsuit.  A few years back, Paris Hilton and friends were wearing this type of thing to parties, but I think the fad has passed.

Halloween, however, is still around.  Since we now get 25 more characters in our titles, I changed the title of the listing to try and attract Halloween shoppers.  It is currently listed as a Dolly Parton Halloween costume for $49.99 or best offer.  Check it out:

Let you know how it goes!

Important eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Sometimes apostrophes matter!

Last spring, I purchased three vintage ashtrays at Salvation Army for a total of $4.00.  These ashtrays were from a San Francisco restaurant that's no longer in existence.  I didn't want to make competition for myself, so I only listed one.

The first ashtray went for $50. Last week I sold the second one for $24.99.  A few days ago, I listed the third one.

After the second one sold, I searched for this product on eBay.  I noticed that two other sellers were offering it for only $9.99.  Why did mine sell?


Well, I think I figured it out.  The title of my listing included the name of the restaurant with and without an apostrophe.  Someone searching for the ashtray without the apostrophe would only have seen mine.  

Sometimes apostrophes don't matter.  For example, if you search for "mens shoes" and then search for "men's shoes" the search results are almost the same.

Obviously, this is not always the case!  Good to know!   

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Shopping at yard sales? Pay with PayPal!

I did it again!  I went to a yard sale and paid for my purchases with PayPal!

Today we were out and about and ended up spending a whole lot more than we thought we would at the last sale of the day.  We had two options -- drive into town and find a supermarket with an ATM or ask to pay with PayPal.  Well, the seller let us send her money using PayPal.  I whipped out the old iPhone and completed the transaction.  What a time saver!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Learn to Love QVC and HSN

I love multitasking, and my newest multitasking routine involves folding laundry while watching QVC and / or HSN -- the home shopping channels.  QVC and HSN products can be hot sellers on eBay, and professional eBay sellers should be familiar with the products sold on these networks.

A while back, I was at the annual Elks Club yard sale, and a lady was selling a box full of Joan Rivers watches in excellent condition.  Joan is a QVC star, and I knew that ....but I didn't buy them.


When I got home, I looked them up.  I was quite disappointed to discover that they were definitely worth some cash.

Watching HSN and QVC has also made me aware of the fact some high-end designers have sold out and regularly hawk their fashions on television.  When I see clothing by these fashion icons at thrift shops and yard sales, I know not to spend too much since these designers have gone mainstream with some of their lines and are no longer selling their fashions exclusively at Niemans.

If you list in the clothing, shoes, and accessories category, watching a bit of QVC and HSN can definitely be good for business!

The eBay Life Blog Selling tip of the Day: Beware of Beanies!

This weekend we listed about 100+ items.  Among the items I was planning to list was a small bucket of Beanie Babies given to me by a friend.  I'd heard that they were worthless, but the ones I had in my possession were so cute!  I mean...there was even an Alabama one!

Well, I was wrong.  Beanie babies are a dime a dozen.  

Lesson learned. 

Note:  If any of you out there have had luck with any specific beanies that are still collectible, please leave a comment.  But in general, do not buy them!  (I'm so glad the ones I had were given to me for free.)  I will never be sucked in by their cuteness again! 

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Research products for free!

Selling a new product?  Increase your sales by following this tip....

And don't forget to check out this blog each and every day for eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go:Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers!

M

eBay Selling Tip of the Day! Use video to promote expensive products!

I am selling an iPhone.  There are a million iPhones on eBay.  How do I prove to buyers that my iPhone listing is legit?  I don't know much about this product, but I do know how to create a short video!
   
Check out my video listing for the iPhone 3GS!  Someone is already watching it!

iPhone Listing

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Pick up packs of new shoe laces at the 99 cent store!

Just got back from Portland, and our car is packed.  We picked up a ton of high-end merchandise including a pair of Donald Pliner shoes.  The laces were a bit worn.  They looked dirty and old.  When I got home, I got out the Saddle Soap and a package of brand new laces I had purchased at the 99 cent store -- a big pack of laces in different lengths for 99 cents!

Thanks to a new pair of 15 cent shoe laces, the Pliners look almost new! 

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Use the "Save Search" feature on eBay!

Interested in keeping tabs on the competition?  Looking for a hard-to-find item?  Use eBay's saved search feature!  After completing a search, eBay gives you the opportunity to save the search.  Click on this option, and you will be notified if an item you are looking for with the same keywords pops up on eBay.


I have used this feature to keep tabs on the competition as well. Let's say you list a rare Starbucks coffee mug that no other seller is offering.  After listing it, search for the item.  Then save the search.  If someone else lists a similar mug, eBay will notify you.

I also use saved searches to snatch up merchandise for resale.  I currently have a saved search related to an item I  regularly offer in my store.  Most people list it for under $10 at auction not realizing it's worth quite a bit of money if listed at a fixed price for an extended amount of time. 

And that's my tip for the day!!!!

And don't forget to check out this blog each and every day for eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go:Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers!

M

Are you going on vacation this summer? eBay Selling Tip of the Day!

The eBay Life has moved.  Please go to www.theebaylife.com 

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Write the style name in the title of shoe listings!

If you're listing a pair of expensive shoes, do some research.  If possible, list the style name in the title of all shoes -- especially if they're pricey. 

Mephisto shoes run about $400 in the stores.  I listed a pair last night.  I couldn't find the name of the style on the Mephisto website, so I went to the Zappos site.  Sure enough, they run $400, and they're called the "Marlon."  I purchased them for $8.  Here's a pic:

This morning I took an offer of......

$120!!!

Don't forget to check out this blog each and every day for eBay selling tips and tricks! If you need shoes, you know where to go:Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers. Have a great day!

eBay Selling Tip of the Day: Sell Clinique "Free Gift with Purchase" Products

My aunt loves shopping at Macy's.  She often brings me her leftover "gift with purchase" Clinique products. I cherry pick the pieces I want and sell the rest.  People often go on eBay to search for their favorite lipsticks and eye shadow colors. I like "Heather Moon" lipstick, and those are the two words I write into the search box when I'm ready to buy a new tube.  Lipsticks usually go for around $8-$10!  

Ralph Lauren Clothing Tip of the Day -- Great information for eBay Sellers!

Just talked to a customer about Ralph Lauren.  I am selling a Ralph Lauren vintage jacket, and she wanted me to take a picture of the inside label.  I guess Ralph Lauren has various labels / lines.  Each line fits differently.  Here's the email:


"His various brands all fit different. In his green label I wear a 4, his older vintage clothing runs small. You need a score card with his stuff sometimes. I love finding his real vintage stuff from the 90's, that was some of his best stuff. Thanks for taking the pic!"


So the moral of this story is as follows:  If you list Ralph Lauren items, be sure to take a picture of the inside labels!

Attention, eBay Sellers! Time to stock up on sweaters!

Today's eBay selling tip: Stock up on sweaters!!


My favorite thrift shop had a dollar sale on sweaters today.  I picked up this unique sweater designed in Amsterdam.  Since I'd never come across a men's sweater designed in Amsterdam, I figured it was a score.  The brand is called Scotch & Soda. 


I found a few websites selling Scotch & Soda products.  One of the websites was Zappos, but Zappos didn't offer anything that resembled the piece I had purchased.


Well, I did some research on Terapeak and ended up listing it for $49.99 -- no best offer.  We will see what happens.  These sweaters are pricey when purchased new!


Check out this funky and stylish Scotch and Soda "score of the day":

I've got to go now!  I need to hurry up and list the rest of my $1 purchases! (Update 5.18.11 -- It sold for $40 as I took a best offer.)

If you need shoes, you know where to go: Bluefrogshoes.com. Interested in being notified when I post something new? Sign up for email updates (upper right-hand corner of this page). And for even more eBay selling tips and tricks, check out Skip McGrath's newsletter. It's an amazing and free newsletter filled with tons of information. He even provides his readers with lists of wholesalers. Have a great Sunday!