Selling on eBay has become one of the easiest ways for Australians to turn unwanted items into quick cash or even build a thriving online business. But while it might look simple—list an item, wait for a buyer, then post it—many new sellers run into common pitfalls that cost them time, money, and credibility.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to sell on eBay and avoid rookie mistakes, covering everything from setting up your account properly to writing listings that attract buyers, shipping without stress, and understanding the fees involved. If you’re looking to start strong and sidestep costly errors, read on.
Why Selling on eBay Can Work for You
eBay Australia attracts millions of buyers every month. That means there’s a market for just about anything, from second-hand clothes and books to electronics, collectibles, and homewares. Unlike selling at garage sales or on social media groups, eBay gives you access to a far larger audience.
Some of the benefits of selling on eBay include:
- Reach: You can sell to buyers nationwide and even overseas.
- Flexibility: Sell casually as a declutter project or scale up into a proper side hustle.
- Ease of use: eBay’s interface is beginner-friendly once you learn the basics.
- Trust factor: Buyers are often more confident purchasing through eBay than unknown marketplaces.
The key is to avoid the common mistakes that hold back new sellers and make your store look unprofessional.
What Do You Need to Start Selling on eBay?
Before listing your first item, you’ll need:
- An eBay account (personal or business, depending on your goals).
- A PayPal account or bank account linked to eBay for receiving payments.
- Accurate product details including photos, measurements, and descriptions.
- Packaging supplies such as boxes, bubble wrap, satchels, and tape.
While it may be tempting to jump straight in, taking the time to set things up correctly can save headaches later.
What Are the Rookie Mistakes New Sellers Make?
When you’re just starting out on eBay, it’s easy to think selling is as simple as snapping a quick photo, writing a few words, and waiting for the bids to roll in. But the reality is that many new sellers fall into traps that either cost them money or damage their reputation.
Here are the rookie mistakes you’ll want to avoid from the beginning:
- Poor or misleading product photos: Blurry images, poor lighting, or using stock photos instead of the actual item make buyers suspicious.
- Vague descriptions that confuse buyers: A short, unclear description leads to endless buyer questions and increases the risk of returns.
- Incorrect pricing, either too high or too low: Overpricing drives buyers away, while underpricing means you’re giving away profit.
- Ignoring shipping costs or underestimating postage: Many sellers lose money because they didn’t check actual postage rates before listing.
- Not researching eBay fees: Beginners often forget that eBay takes a cut, leaving them with less than expected.
- Failing to communicate with buyers: Buyers expect timely answers and updates—silence often leads to poor feedback.
- Forgetting to check sold listings for demand: Listing an item no one wants or pricing without research results in items sitting unsold.
Let’s look at these in detail and how to fix them.
How to Take Photos That Sell
Product photos can make or break a sale. On eBay, buyers can’t touch or feel your item—so your photos need to do all the convincing.
Common mistakes new sellers make with photos include:
- Shooting in dim light, making items look dull or unappealing.
- Photographing on cluttered surfaces where the item gets lost.
- Using stock images from the internet, which makes buyers question whether you really have the item.
- Taking only one photo, leaving buyers unsure of condition.
Tips for better product photos:
- Use natural daylight when possible—avoid harsh overhead lights.
- Keep the background clean and neutral (a white wall or sheet works well).
- Show multiple angles, including front, back, sides, and close-ups of details.
- Photograph flaws like scratches or wear marks—this builds trust.
- If size is important, include something for scale (like a ruler or coin).
Professional-looking photos make your listing stand out and reduce disputes over condition.
Why Detailed Descriptions Matter
A weak description can leave buyers confused and hesitant. Worse, it increases the risk of complaints when the item arrives and doesn’t match expectations.
Mistakes rookies make in descriptions include:
- Writing only a line or two with no details.
- Forgetting to mention important measurements.
- Using vague terms like “good condition” without explaining further.
- Overhyping the item instead of being honest about flaws.
What to include in your eBay description:
- Brand, model, and size details.
- Exact measurements for clothing, furniture, and accessories.
- Honest condition notes—mention scratches, fading, or damage upfront.
- Unique selling points like “limited edition”, “vintage”, or “still in original packaging”.
- Any extras included, such as manuals, accessories, or spare parts.
Think of your description as a conversation with the buyer: you’re answering their questions before they even ask.
How to Price Your Items Correctly
One of the biggest rookie errors is slapping on a price without checking what the market is paying.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Pricing emotionally because the item “feels” valuable.
- Guessing instead of researching.
- Setting the price too low without factoring in shipping and fees.
How to research prices properly:
- Search for the same item on eBay and filter by “sold items” to see what people actually paid.
- Compare condition—new items sell differently from used ones.
- If unsure, start with an auction at a fair minimum and let the market decide.
- For common items, “Buy It Now” with a competitive price is often the fastest way to sell.
Smart pricing balances quick sales with fair profit.
Understanding eBay Fees and Costs
New sellers are often shocked at how much fees can eat into their profit.
In Australia, eBay charges:
- Final value fees: A percentage of the total sale price, including postage.
- Insertion (listing) fees: If you list more than your free monthly allowance.
- Optional extras: Such as promoted listings, subtitle text, or bold titles.
Example:
If you sell an item for $50 with $10 postage, eBay calculates its final value fee on the full $60. After that, you still need to cover your postage and packaging costs.
Rookie mistake: forgetting these deductions and ending up making little to no profit. Always calculate fees into your pricing before you list.
How to Handle Shipping Without Losing Money
Shipping errors are one of the most common rookie mistakes on eBay.
Mistakes to avoid:
- Guessing postage costs instead of checking.
- Offering “free shipping” without building the cost into the sale price.
- Taking too long to post, leaving buyers frustrated.
- Skipping tracking to save a few dollars—only to have disputes when buyers claim the item never arrived.
Tips for shipping smartly:
- Use Australia Post’s online postage calculator to get accurate costs.
- Weigh and measure your parcel before listing so you can charge correctly.
- Reuse boxes, padded envelopes, and bubble wrap to save on materials.
- Offer combined shipping for buyers purchasing multiple items.
- Always add tracking for items over $30—it’s worth the small extra cost.
Reliable shipping helps build your reputation and encourages repeat buyers.
Auctions vs Buy It Now: Which Is Better?
eBay gives you flexibility in how you sell, but many beginners default to one method without thinking strategically.
- Auction mistakes: Setting the starting price too high, scaring off bidders, or too low, leaving you disappointed.
- Buy It Now mistakes: Pricing unreasonably high and letting items sit unsold for months.
Best practice:
- Use auctions for rare, collectible, or in-demand items that could spark bidding wars.
- Use Buy It Now for common items where buyers just want a fair, fixed price.
- Try both methods and see what works best for your category.
Should You Offer Returns?
New sellers often think “no returns” protects them. In reality, it can cost you sales. Buyers are far more likely to purchase when they know they can send an item back if it’s not right.
Rookie mistake: refusing returns and losing buyer trust.
Tips for offering returns wisely:
- Be clear about return conditions (e.g., within 30 days, buyer pays postage).
- Build possible return costs into your pricing.
- Remember: even if you don’t offer returns, eBay’s Money Back Guarantee still protects buyers in some cases.
Offering returns shows professionalism and reassures buyers.
Building Your Reputation on eBay
Feedback is everything on eBay. Buyers read your ratings before trusting you with their money.
Common mistakes:
- Ignoring buyer messages.
- Taking too long to ship.
- Leaving buyers in the dark about order progress.
- Arguing aggressively when disputes arise.
How to improve your feedback:
- Communicate promptly and politely.
- Ship fast and provide tracking.
- Leave honest feedback for buyers—it encourages them to do the same.
- Resolve disputes calmly, even if you feel the buyer is wrong.
A strong reputation makes selling easier because buyers will choose your listings over others.
How to Avoid Scams and Problem Buyers
Scams are rare, but they happen often enough that new sellers should be aware.
Common issues include:
- Buyers claiming items didn’t arrive.
- Returning a different or damaged item in place of what you sent.
- Asking to take transactions off eBay to avoid fees (a major red flag).
Protect yourself by:
- Always using tracked postage and keeping receipts.
- Photographing items before shipping.
- Never shipping before payment clears.
- Keeping all communication on eBay’s platform.
eBay often sides with buyers in disputes, so evidence is crucial. Document everything to protect yourself.
What Sells Best on eBay Australia?
If you’re not sure where to start, look at the categories that consistently perform well:
- Electronics and gadgets.
- Branded clothing and shoes.
- Collectibles (toys, coins, vintage items).
- Homewares and appliances.
- Books, DVDs, and games.
Use eBay’s “completed listings” filter to see what’s hot in real time.
How to Scale Up Your eBay Selling
Once you’ve mastered the basics, you may want to grow beyond selling spare household items. That might mean:
- Sourcing stock from wholesalers or clearance sales.
- Specialising in a niche, such as vintage clothing or gaming gear.
- Using promoted listings to boost visibility.
- Considering a business account for higher-volume sales.
Scaling takes effort, but eBay can become a reliable side income or even a full-time business with the right approach.
Final Thoughts: How to Sell on eBay Without the Mistakes
Learning how to sell on eBay and avoid rookie mistakes is really about preparation. Don’t rush into listing items without research, don’t cut corners with photos or descriptions, and don’t ignore the real costs of selling.
If you start with the basics—clear images, honest details, fair pricing, and reliable shipping—you’ll quickly build a reputation that keeps buyers coming back. With millions of Australians browsing eBay every month, there’s plenty of opportunity to turn your unwanted stuff into cash or even grow into a small online business.
The sellers who succeed are not necessarily the ones with the fanciest products, but the ones who treat their buyers well and avoid the rookie errors. Get those foundations right, and your eBay journey will be far smoother and far more profitable.
