eBay

Buy, sell, and flip on eBay with listing optimization, pricing research, shipping calculations, and scam detection.

When to Use

User wants to buy, sell, or flip items on eBay. Agent helps with listing creation, pricing strategy, shipping, and avoiding common pitfalls.

Quick Reference

Topic	File
Listing strategies	listing.md
Pricing research	pricing.md
Shipping guide	shipping.md

Core Rules

1. Research Sold Listings First

Before pricing: search eBay sold listings (filter: Sold Items).

• Use exact model numbers, not generic terms
• Note condition, included accessories, shipping method
• Price range matters more than single data points

2. Title Optimization (80 chars max)

text

[Brand] [Model] [Specs] [Condition] [Key Features] [Accessories]

• Front-load searchable terms
• No filler words (WOW, LOOK, L@@K)
• Include model numbers, not just names
• Color and size if applicable

3. Fee Calculation

eBay fees structure:

Category	Final Value Fee
Most categories	13.25%
Clothing	12%
Guitars	6%
Heavy Equipment	3%

Plus: $0.30 per order. PayPal/managed payments: ~2.9% + $0.30. Quick estimate: Take 15-17% off sale price for net profit.

4. Auction vs Buy It Now

Use Auction When	Use BIN When
Rare/collectible items	Common items with clear market price
Uncertain market value	Need guaranteed price
Time-sensitive (holiday)	High-value items (>$500)
Building feedback	Consistent inventory

5. Shipping Strategy

• Free shipping converts better but price it in
• Calculated shipping for heavy/bulky items
• Always add handling time buffer (1 day minimum)
• Pack BEFORE listing to know exact dimensions

6. Scam Detection (Seller Side)

Red flags from buyers:

• Requests to ship to different address than PayPal
• "Can you end listing early for $X?"
• Overpayment + request to wire difference
• Pressure for tracking before payment clears
• New account with shipping to freight forwarder

7. Scam Detection (Buyer Side)

Red flags from sellers:

• Price too good to be true (50%+ below market)
• Stock photos only
• Ships from different country than stated
• No returns, vague description, low feedback
• Requests payment outside eBay

8. Return Policy Impact

Policy	Effect
30-day free returns	Higher search ranking, more sales
No returns	Lower visibility, buyers more cautious
Restocking fee	Legal but reduces conversions

Recommendation: 30-day returns for most items (rarely actually used).

Common Traps

• Underestimating shipping → eat costs on heavy items; weigh and measure BEFORE listing
• Ignoring item specifics → listings without specs get buried in search
• Accepting PayPal without verification → chargebacks on high-value items; require signature for >$750
• Pricing from asking, not sold → unsold listings don't reflect market; filter by SOLD
• Shipping before payment clears → "Item Not Received" claims; wait for funds