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Online Auction Buying & Selling Tips

Buying Tips

Buying from online auctions can be a great way to find quality products at low prices. The types of items available at online auctions are endless; from antiques to DVDs, clothing to toys and games and much more in between.

Tip #1: Observe the rules and terms of the auction set by the seller and the auction site.

Tip #2: Read online auction forums, check news and stay up-to-date on current online auction trends and information. Become familiar with the latest news and familiar with the site at which you will be bidding. Contact the site with questions, check if there is a built-in forum and read feedback from other buyers.

Tip #3: Check the item you are bidding on closely. Make sure the item you plan to bid on is in fact the item you were looking for. Read the description carefully, check the condition of the item; is it listed as NWT (new with tags) or in fair condition? You may want to contact the seller to get a more descriptive explanation of the items condition; check the photo; check for a warranty or guarantee of sorts (if the product is not to the standards described in the listing, will you be able to return it within a certain period of time?); double check all details of the product against what you are looking to buy (brand, size, color, etc.)

Tip #4: Calculate shipping into the total amount you are willing to spend on an item. Several sellers will only ship within the United States, some charge a flat shipping fee and some base it on size and weight of the item. Check that, with shipping calculated into the total cost, the item doesnt surpass retail value or the amount you are willing to spend. Some sellers will offer free shipping on high value items; and some online auction sites offer seller pays shipping deals at all times.

Tip #5: At many online auction sites a seller likely wants to accept the first best offer, so you may want to make your best offer first. Make one bid with the highest amount you are willing to spend on the item and dont hassle with the bidding process until it is determined whether your bid won or not.

Tip #6: If you are looking for something in particular, post a "Want to Buy" ad. They are free at MustSellitToday.com. Your Want to Buy ad may inspire a seller to list something they may not have otherwise.

Selling Tips

Tip #1: To sell fast, price items low. A low minimum encourages more bidding. Set prices at a reasonable price that is desirable to you in order to speed the process up. If something can sell in minutes, why wait days to close the deal? For even faster selling, check out the new online auction website MustSellitToday.com where you can choose a lowball me setting to accept lower bids in order to speed up the process and sell items quickly.

Tip #2: Check wanted or want to buy pages and listings on auction sites; there may be a buyer for something you had not even considered selling.

Tip #3: Understand your legal obligations by selling online. It may be important for you to create your own Terms of Sale that explain what you expect from the buyer and what the buyer should expect from you. Whether you are an occasional online seller or plan to sell often, this may be a document you will have to consult if issues arise with buyers.

Tip #4: When listing items, be very descriptive about the condition of the product, any flaws in the item, and state whether it is used, new or refurbished. Respond promptly and candidly to any questions from buyers regarding the product and be sure not to be misleading. It is important to include an image, whether an original you take or a stock photo from the internet, to adequately show buyers what they would be purchasing. Images and video add great visual supplement to any listing and are sure to increase the likelihood of bidding for any particular item.

Tip #5: Looking to sell items fast? Consider covering shipping payment. Choose to pay shipping, no matter the item and you are sure to sell an item quicker (and most likely at a little bit higher price.) If you choose to pay shipping, keep a close eye on where your buyer is located and determine if it is in fact feasible for you to pay shipping charges and still profit from the sale.

Tip #6: For an easy, fast and hassle-free online selling experience. Try some of the new features at MustSellitToday.com. The Accept Offer Over option available at MSiT automatically accepts the first offer over your set amount and that buyer automatically wins your item; speeding up the process and eliminating back-and-forth hassle for you (the seller.) Here you can also accept any offer at any time from any buyer. Again, if something can sell in minutes why wait days to close the deal? You can also submit a counter-offer to the buyer and arrange for a trade as well. Best of all, a buyer has 4-12 hours to submit payment. If you dont receive payment in the allotted time, your item will go back to auction and offers will resume. Check out frequently asked questions to learn more about MustSellitToday.com and selling online.

With these tips in mind, you can become a smart and savvy online buyer or start a successful online auction business. The opportunity for global online auction dealing has never been greater and now is the time to begin participating!

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