Posting an item to the Marketplace can seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite simple if you follow these steps:
Decide what you want to sell
The first step is to decide what item or service you want to list on the Marketplace. This could be something you’ve made by hand, an old item from around the house you no longer need, a service you can provide, etc. Think about what people might be interested in buying. Make sure whatever you decide to sell is in good shape and ready to be shipped or provided to a buyer.
Take clear photos
You’ll need to take some clear, high-quality photographs of the item you’re selling. Make sure the photos are well-lit and in focus. Take pictures from multiple angles so buyers can get a good sense of what the item looks like. Try photographing the item against a clean, simple background. You’ll want to upload at least one photo with your listing, but can include up to 24 images.
Write an informative title and description
A good title and description are key to getting people’s attention. The title should be short, keyword-rich, and descriptive of the item. The description can go into more detail about what you’re selling, including any flaws, dimensions, materials, etc. Be honest and transparent to avoid issues down the road. Use descriptive keywords that buyers would be searching for.
Decide on a price
Research similar items on the Marketplace to determine a competitive price for your listing. Consider how much you originally paid for the item versus how much use you’ve gotten out of it. Price it accordingly but don’t go so low that you’re losing money. You can always negotiate price with interested buyers.
Specify shipping options
You’ll need to indicate whether you or the buyer will be responsible for shipping costs. If you’re willing to ship the item, research carriers and costs so you can provide accurate shipping prices. If the buyer will pick up the item, specify your preferred meeting location.
Select a category
Marketplace has over 20 top-level categories to choose from when creating a listing. Select the one that most closely aligns with your item. For example, boats would go under “Vehicles,” baking ingredients under “Home & Garden,” etc. This helps buyers browse and find your listing more easily.
Create the listing
Now it’s time to draft the actual Marketplace listing. On the “Sell” page, you’ll fill in all the details including photos, title, description, price, shipping options, and category. Review the listing before publishing to check for errors.
Publish and share
Once your listing looks good, click “Post” to publish it to the Marketplace. Share the listing on social media or other platforms to spread the word. You can always make edits or changes even after it’s live if needed.
Communicate with buyers
As people begin engaging with your listing, be responsive to questions,negotiations, and offers. Communicate professionally as your interactions will be part of your seller rating. Once an agreement has been reached, exchange payment and shipping information to complete the transaction.
Ship the sold item
For tangible items being shipped, carefully package the item to avoid damage and obtain proof of postage. Include any agreed upon extras, a thank you note, and your business card. For local pickup, have the item ready at the agreed meeting time and place. Communicate with the buyer if anything changes on your end.
Get paid
Once the buyer receives the item as described or picks it up, you can request to be paid through the Marketplace payment system. For intangible services, request payment once the service has been completed satisfactorily. You should receive payment within a few business days at most.
Follow up
Check in with the buyer to ensure they are satisfied with the item and transaction. This is also a chance to ask them to provide positive seller feedback or leave a rating. If any issues come up, do your best to address them professionally.
Learn and improve
As you sell more items, look for ways to streamline your process, improve listings, and boost sales. Marketplace selling takes some trial and error so don’t get discouraged. With some perseverance, you can build a successful Marketplace business!
Posting to Marketplace takes a bit of work upfront, but is fairly straightforward once you get the hang of it. Following these key steps will set you up for Marketplace selling success. Take quality photos, write compelling descriptions, price competitively, and provide excellent customer service throughout the process. With some practice, you’ll be a Marketplace pro in no time!
Here are some additional tips to help make the most of selling on Marketplace:
- Stick to categories you know – It’s easier to sell items you’re familiar with and can describe well
- Refresh your listings frequently – Bump them back to the top to get more visibility
- Offer promotions or sales – Special deals can boost interest and sales
- Respond quickly – Fast communication builds trust with buyers
- Seek feedback – This helps you improve and builds your seller reputation
- Provide accurate shipping costs – Underestimating costs eats into your profits
- Consider local pickup – Saves shipping hassles for bulky or heavy items
- Use clear payment terms – Outline payment methods, timelines, and policies
- Check buyer profiles – Avoid issues by vetting buyers before finalizing sales
- Follow up after delivery – Make sure the buyer is satisfied with the purchase
Selling on the Marketplace does take some time investment. But the potential to earn extra income and declutter your home makes it worthwhile. Approach it systematically, provide great service, and learn as you go. Before you know it, you’ll be a thriving Marketplace merchant!
| Step | Key Actions |
|---|---|
| 1. Decide what to sell | Choose an item that is in demand and in good condition |
| 2. Take photos | Capture high-quality images from multiple angles |
| 3. Write title & description | Use keywords related to the item people would search for |
| 4. Price item | Research similar listings to select a competitive price |
| 5. Specify shipping | Outline who pays for shipping and preferred carriers/options |
| 6. Select a category | Choose the most relevant Marketplace category for your item |
| 7. Create listing | Fill in all title, description, price, photos, etc. in the Marketplace form |
| 8. Publish listing | Review listing details and click “Post” to make it live on the Marketplace |
| 9. Communicate with buyers | Respond promptly and professionally to buyer inquiries and negotiations |
| 10. Ship sold item | Carefully package and ship the item once an agreement has been reached |
| 11. Get paid | Request payment once buyer confirms satisfactory receipt of the item |
| 12. Follow up | Check that the buyer is happy and ask for seller feedback or ratings |
Tips for Getting Started Selling on Marketplace
Selling on Marketplace is easy to get started with just a few simple steps. Here are some tips for new sellers:
- Start with just a few items – List some low-risk household items to get the hang of selling
- Price competitively – Check comparable listings to price yours affordably
- Write detailed descriptions – Share colors, sizes, defects, expiration dates, etc.
- Take clear photos – Capture details buyers will want to see up close
- Communicate professionally -Respond to inquiries promptly and helpfully
- Ship carefully – Package items well to avoid damage
- Learn from experience – Improve future listings based on any issues
- Ask for reviews – Positive feedback helps secure more sales
- Be patient – It may take some time to make your first sale
- Have fun with it! – Selling can be a rewarding experience
The most important thing when getting started is to provide a good buyer experience from start to finish. This helps establish a positive seller reputation which is key in boosting sales.
Top-Selling Categories on Marketplace
Certain categories consistently see high sales volume on Marketplace. Here are some top sellers:
- Electronics – Cell phones, laptops, cameras, video games
- Home goods – Furniture, kitchenware, decor, appliances
- Toys & Games – Board games, puzzles, action figures
- Books – Used fiction, non-fiction, textbooks
- Clothing & Shoes – Trendy fashions, luxury brands
- Auto Parts – Replacement parts, accessories
- Collectibles – Coins, trading cards, stamps
- Handmade – Crafts, jewelry, candles, artwork
When deciding what to sell, browsing top categories can reveal items in high demand. Big-ticket items over $100 also attract lots of buyer interest on Marketplace.
Avoiding Common Seller Mistakes
It’s easy for new sellers to make missteps that turn off buyers. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Unclear photos – Use adequate lighting and focus for product details
- Sparse descriptions – Share key product info, defects, dimensions
- Slow shipping – Process orders and ship promptly
- Poor communication – Respond to buyer messages in a timely manner
- Inaccurate details – Double check item conditions, shipping costs
- Weak packaging – Use proper boxes, bubble wrap, packing material
- Hiding flaws – Disclose any defects, damage, stains honestly
- Unrealistic pricing – Research real-world prices before listing
- Rude behavior – Exercise patience and professionalism always
Avoiding these missteps takes conscientious effort but pays off with happy repeat buyers and glowing reviews.
Typical Marketplace Seller Fees
Sellers pay both Marketplace listing fees and transaction fees. Common fees include:
- Listing fee – $0.30 per item listed unless reservation-only
- Optional promoted listing fee – Starts at $5 per month per item
- Final value fee – Varies by category, 10-20% of the total sale
- Shipping label fee – If using Marketplace shipping, costs $2.80+ per label
- Payment processing fee – About 3% plus $0.30 per transaction
There are no fees unless an item sells. Sellers keep their revenue minus Marketplace fees, shipping costs, and any manufacturing expenses. With higher priced items, fees become worthwhile for access to Marketplace’s built-in buyer audience.
Payment Methods Accepted on Marketplace
To provide buyer flexibility, Marketplace offers various payment methods. Common options include:
- Credit/debit card – The most widely used online payment method
- PayPal – Fast, easy payments directly from a PayPal digital wallet
- Facebook Pay – Instant checkout using a Facebook account
- Maaretepaya – Offers monthly installments for larger purchases
- Venmo – Digital wallet and money transfer app
- Western Union – In-person cash payment at Western Union locations
- Money order – Physical check payment sent in the mail
Sellers can specify their preferred payment methods. Marketplace also offers tools to review buyer payment history before finalizing sales.
Shipping Options on Marketplace
For items being physically shipped, Marketplace sellers have several options:
- Seller ships – Seller selects any carrier and ships on their own
- Local pickup – Buyer pickup ups item from seller directly
- Marketplace shipping – Seller prints discounted Marketplace labels
- Shiptan – Low-cost Marketplace consolidated shipping
The buyer or seller can cover shipping costs depending on the listing terms. Carriers like USPS, FedEx, and UPS integrate with Marketplace for streamlined shipping.
How to Be a Top-Rated Seller
Top-rated sellers get perks like lower final value fees. Here are some tips for achieving top-rated status:
- Maintain exceptional 5-star reviews
- Ship orders within 1 business day
- Keep order defect rate lower than 0.5%
- Respond to buyer messages within 24 hours
- Honor return policies promptly and fully
- Provide fast handling and quality packaging
Meeting these criteria consistently demonstrates you are a reliable, professional seller dedicated to excellent service.
Best Practices for Marketplace Customer Service
Stellar customer service is vital for any seller. Here are some proven service tips:
- Respond to inquiries within a few hours
- Communicate kindly and professionally
- Seek to understand issues from the buyer’s perspective
- Resolve problems quickly and fairly
- Leave positive feedback once an issue is resolved
- Follow up to ensure the buyer is satisfied
- Thank buyers for their business
- Ask how you could improve if needed
Providing caring, personalized support wins loyal repeat customers for life.
Conclusion
The key steps for successfully listing items on Marketplace include:
- Select an in-demand item in good condition
- Write an appealing title and description for the listing
- Take high-quality photographs from multiple angles
- Set a competitive price based on similar sold listings
- Specify detailed shipping options for buyers
- Pick the most suitable product category
- Provide complete and accurate listing details
- Publish the listing to go live on the Marketplace
- Promptly address buyer inquiries and offers
- Carefully package and ship sold items
Following these fundamental steps, providing awesome customer service, and continually refining your process will lead to Marketplace retailing success. Happy selling!