Detailed explanation of the characteristics and diversified sales methods of eBay platform
Since its establishment in California in 1995, eBay has evolved from a website focusing on second-hand item auctions to one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms. Its unique market positioning, flexible sales mechanism and diverse customer service support make it a popular platform for sellers and buyers to gather.
Basic features of eBay platform
-
Professional customer service support
eBay provides dedicated customer service support to Chinese sellers, helping sellers solve various problems through phone calls or online sessions. This kind of professional service enhances sellers’ confidence and operational fluency on the platform.
-
Low entry threshold
Compared with other e-commerce platforms, eBay has a lower barrier to entry. Sellers only need to register an account to start selling. This convenient way to settle in has attracted many new sellers to settle in [1]].
-
Diversified pricing methods
eBay provides a variety of product pricing methods including bidding without reserve price, bidding with reserve price, fixed price sale and fixed price transaction. This diversity allows sellers to flexibly choose appropriate sales methods based on their own and market needs.
-
Longer order period
New sellers usually need to accumulate credibility through auctions. Therefore, during the auction process, buyers need to keep bidding, resulting in a longer order period.
How to sell on eBay
eBay’s sales methods include auction, fixed price and comprehensive sales, each of which has its specific applicable scenarios and advantages.
1. Auction
Auction is eBay’s most traditional and commonly used sales method. After the seller sets the starting price and online time of the product, the product is sold based on the buyer’s bidding price. Goods suitable for auction generally have characteristics of uniqueness, market demand or scarce inventory. This method can mobilize the enthusiasm of buyers and make them actively participate in bidding. It is worth noting that the auction displays the goods in a high-visibility position of “Ending Soonest”, which helps to gain the attention of more potential buyers.
2. Fixed price
The fixed-price sales method provides buyers with a clear purchase price and is suitable for goods with abundant inventory or goods that need to be sold online for a long time. It is especially suitable for sellers who hope to have controllable profits. Under this method, once the item is listed, it cannot be converted to an auction, and vice versa.
3. Comprehensive sales
Comprehensive sales combine the advantages of auction and fixed price, allowing sellers to set up an auction while also determining a satisfactory minimum price. This method is conducive to catering to the needs of different types of buyers, attracting consumers who purchase through auctions as well as buyers who want to trade directly.
eBay’s fee structure
The fees on the eBay platform mainly include five types:
- Listing fee: A fixed fee that needs to be paid when a product is published. The fee standard varies depending on the product category.
- Transaction fee: A fee will be charged based on a certain percentage of the total transaction amount after the transaction is completed. No fee will be charged if the transaction is not completed.
- Feature Fee: A fee that sellers pay to add features to their product listings.
- Monthly store rental fee: A variable monthly fee paid by store sellers at different levels.
- PayPal Fees: Fees for using PayPal payment tools.
eBay sellers are divided into non-store sellers and store sellers. The former only lists less than 40 products, while the latter needs to list more than 40 items. The two have different cost responsibilities, and sellers need to reasonably choose a sales path based on their own circumstances.
By understanding the characteristics of the eBay platform and its diverse sales methods, sellers can better adjust their strategies in this huge market to increase sales and competitiveness.