How to Automate Your eBay Auction
Why Automating Your eBay Auction is Important
If you truly want to be successful as an eBay Seller you need to find a method for automating your eBay auction 
business. This is the best way to assure that you are providing quality and timely service to your buyer prospects and keeping your quality ratings high. So if you are getting to the sales level, especially a medium or high volume seller, then here are recommendations for automating your online auction that will improve your results:
1. Turbo Lister- creates and uploads your listings in bulk. Provides editing functions and it is free to all members. This can be used by any seller who has multiple items and wants to list them quicker and easier.
2. Selling Manager- targeted for the medium to high volume sellers. Manages and monitors the sales and post sales process. Provides email and feedback templates. Also leaves feedback for multiple buyers at one time. It is free to all members.
3. Selling Manager Pro- targeted for the high volume seller. This is a complete on line sales management tool. It combines the features of Turbo Lister and Selling Manager. Also features inventory management, automatic feedback with buyer payment and restock alerts. Automatically emails buyers when payment has been received and the merchandise has been shipped. Creates and schedules listings in bulk. There is a monthly fee or it is free for Premium and Anchored Store subscribers.
4. Third- Party Apps- They are third party software applications that have been verified by eBay to assist you with the operation of your business. They are to be used for operations for everything ranging from sourcing your product to shipping your product. A detail list of the third party approved software is on the eBay website in the Apps Center. There is a monthly fee for these applications with a free trial period offered for use. Here are examples of some of the more popular software apps used and what they provide:
- Terapeak- provides current reporting for the value of your sale items in the current marketplace. Discover the current hot products and what to sell as well as the chances of your product being sold based upon success rate. Provides information about what shoppers are searching for and when the shopper will be shopping to increase bid rates and the value of your auction listings.
- Auctane Shipping Manager- will generate USPS labels and packing slips. Combines orders into a single shipment and allows for the purchase of discount shipping insurance. You can save up to 20% on priority and express mail and 9% on international mail. It is a completely web-based software system.
- Ship Saver- provides huge discounts over USPS and UPS. Can add insurance for bulk mailings and any claims for damages are done online.
- Froo! Bulk Revision- provides the ability to change your live auctions for bulk. You can revise prices, quantities and descriptions for your auction items.
- Price Spectre- this is a valuable tool especially for a large operation where high volume sales occur. You can change the prices several times during a single day. Likewise, you can import features and codes to your sale items.
eBay Auction- Money Makers
To make money on an eBay Auction takes a commitment of time. It is a real business that if run like a business can be quite rewarding. Don’t over automate when you first start out in eBay. Over automation can end up being wasteful. Of course, if you are only doing a one-time sale or this is just an occasional hobby automation should not be necessary. However, when you feel that your business needs to get automated don’t hesitate to fill out the forms provided by eBay that will guide you as to what software best meets your business needs at your current level of activity. But take action because you don’t want to stand in the way of your own success.