• Cash In on Computers & Networking

• Find Out What's Hot in Computers & Networking

• Get Top Dollar for Your Computers & Networking

• Ship Your Computers & Networking

• Build Your Reputation

Cash In on Computers & Networking

Cash In on Computers & Networking

Itching for that new iMac? Processing speed slowing you down? Many Computers & Networking enthusiasts successfully use eBay not only as a place to find new equipment, but as a way to help fund their next purchases. Whether you are saving up for that new Apple laptop or a new flat-panel LCD monitor, selling on eBay is the perfect way to earn extra money. Swap out your unused pieces—that desktop you’re about to get rid of or your extra wireless router—and buy yourself some new hi-tech gear. Selling your unused computer equipment and accessories on eBay not only lets you earn some extra cash to put towards your next purchase, but it also helps prevent you from contributing to e-waste, a mounting challenge for Mother Earth.

What's It Worth?

Already have an item in mind? Visit Computers & Networking Seller Central to find out the average selling price for similar pieces on eBay. You can also search completed listings to see how others are selling similar items.

Find Out What's Hot in Computers & Networking

Find Out What's Hot in Computers & Networking

Buyers are on the lookout for all sorts of Computers & Networking equipment—from makers such Apple, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Linksys, Belkin and many more. The following provides just a small sampling of the myriad of Computers & Networking equipment that you could sell on eBay. To get a real-time view of what’s in demand, what buyers are searching for, and what items are selling the most, visit Computers & Networking Seller Central.

• Desktop computers: Thousands of buyers come to eBay in search of their dream desktop system—whether it’s a Mac or a PC, a gamers’ dream or a businessman’s sidekick, or running on Windows Vista or Windows 98. Desktops designed for the home, home office, business, or multi-media design studio are in demand.

• Laptops and notebooks: Like desktop computers, all brands of laptops and notebooks are popular on eBay. Whether your machine is perfect for editing home movies, has enhanced gaming capabilities, or is ultraslim for easy carrying while traveling—buyers are on the lookout for their dream machines. Replacement parts and enhancing accessories such as webcams, game controllers, wireless mice and keyboards, and speaker systems are also in demand on eBay.

• Ultra Mobile PC: Do you have a smaller machine which allows you to surf the Web, take notes, or stay in touch with friends? The Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) combines a tablet-sized form factor, a touch screen, and an array of wireless technologies for connectivity. Buyers of all ages are itching to get their own Ultra Mobile PC.

• Drives, burners, and memory: Hard drives, flash drives, CD burners, DVD burners—both external and internal—are popular with buyers looking for ways to back up data or get more out of their computers. Extendable memory is also in demand on eBay in all formats—from Random Access Memory (RAM) to Secure Digital (SD) to Jump Drives and Compact Flash (CF) cards.

• Monitors: Both flat-panel LCD monitor and larger CRT monitors are popular on eBay. LCD monitors give users greater productivity, great graphics, and sharp images, with minimal required desk space—and are very popular with buyers looking to get the latest technology. Larger CRT monitors are still popular, and are preferred to LCDs by some gamers for their better color rendering. Also popular are home theater projectors and multimedia projectors.

• Networking equipment: Basic home networks allow computers in a home or office share a printer, Internet connection, and files. Buyers are looking for a wide range of networking equipment, including networking cables, wired routers, wireless routers, print servers, and uninterruptible power supplies.

• Printers: Printers are a popular product on eBay, and thousands in every make and model have been sold. Buyers are looking for ink-jet printers, photo printers, laser printers, multifunction printers, and more.

• Scanners: Scanners are great for getting photo prints, photo negatives, and important documents into a computer. Try selling your flatbed scanner, slide or film negative adapter, sheetfed scanner, handheld scanner, business card scanner, portable scanner, or drum scanner.

• Software: Millions of buyers use eBay to shop for software, from business productivity software and Apple, Macintosh software to games, entertainment, and kids software.

Get Top Dollar for Your Computers & Networking

Get Top Dollar for Your Computers & Networking

Once you have an idea of what you’re going to sell, it’s time to think about how to attract Computers & Networking buyers. Here are the top tips from eBay’s most successful sellers.

Help Buyers Find Your Items with Keywords

Keywords are a great way to attract buyers to your listing, especially when used correctly in your Listing Title. Listing titles are used by eBay’s search engine to pull up listings during a search. Use your 55 characters wisely, and try to anticipate what buyers will be searching for. Find out what is being searched right now with our list of Top Computers & Networking Searches. Be sure to include common search terms like “laptop” and “desktop,” when appropriate. State important characteristics of your item—what it is, brand, size for laptops (usually measure by screen size), compatibility for accessories, processor, and memory or hard drive size. Of course, you should only include keywords that are relevant to the item you are selling. You can also search current and completed eBay listings to see what other sellers include in their titles.

In your Listing Description, make sure to include both basic information and details about your item. A good description is concise, well organized, and easy to read. Create bold section headlines, bulleted lists, and be sure to restate the information featured in your title plus more details such as dimensions, upgrades, included software, estimated value and any other interesting features. Always clearly state what is included in the listing—what’s “in the box”—such as batteries, memory cards, cases, cables, and instruction manuals. Think about your listing from the buyer's perspective. The more information you provide, the more likely the buyer will be to place a bid on your item.

Here are some terms commonly used by other sellers to describe their Computers & Networking equipment.

• No Longer Available (NLA): Computers and equipment that are no longer available cannot be found in stores or bought from the manufacturer.

• New In Box (NIB): A computer or equipment is new in box if it remains in the original packaging from the time of purchase and has not been opened.

• Gently Used (GU): A product is gently used if it shows slight signs of wear such as scratches. Wear should be superficial, and should have no effect on the item's capabilities.

• Poor: A computer or equipment in poor condition may no longer be working and has considerable signs of wear. However, poor equipment may have valuable parts or usable components. Make sure when you list a poor item that your description accurately describes the item and its condition.

Do Your Research

When selling Computers & Networking equipment, try to research features and specifications. If you don’t know much about your computer, a little research can help you understand what you are selling which can lead to a higher return. Find out what features your computer has—some good things to know are processor, processor speed, hard drive size, amount of RAM, operating system, included software, battery size, warranty, and any cool features such as a built in camera or microphone, Bluetooth sync capabilities, or fingerprint reader. Look for the brand and model number on your computer (such as Compaq Presario V2000) and try searching it online or looking through the instruction manual for more specifications. For accessories, try looking at original packaging or searching online for compatibility. All of these details will give you a better estimate of your Computer’s value, and educating your buyers can increase the attraction of your item.

Showcase Your Computers & Networking Equipment with Great Photos

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words! Photos are the closest you can get to putting your Computers & Networking equipment in the hands of potential buyers. Here are some tips on how to best represent your item:

• Choose the Right Background: Use a contrasting, solid backdrop. By placing your computer on a solid black or white backdrop, you draw a buyer’s immediate attention onto the item. This is easily achieved by hanging a bed sheet or placing poster board behind the item. Use a plain, colored fabric backdrop to make your item stand out. Most importantly, avoid background clutter that can distract buyers or confuse them regarding what you are selling.

• Cover All Angles: Take pictures from multiple angles and distances, zooming in on important details. Take a picture of the front, back and sides of your computer. Make sure you photograph any scratches or flaws to give buyers a clear idea of what they are bidding on. If you’re selling more than one item in your listing (such as a laptop with a charger, installation CDs, instruction manual, and carrying case), take photos of all the items together and individually.

• Use Proper Lighting: Natural light tends to give the best representation of color—however direct sunlight can have the nasty effect of unwanted shadows. Find an area that receives indirect sunlight. Try taking your item out on a sunny day and photograph it in a shady area. If you can't seem to find an area like this, or would prefer to use indoor lighting, try surrounding your item with desk, overhead, or floor lamps. Above all, avoid using your camera's flash which causes distortion and shadows.

• Add Gallery: Including a Gallery photo with your listing is extremely important for success. You can attract attention to your item with a photo next to your listings in search results. In addition, when a buyer uses “Picture Gallery” to look at search results, your listing will be shown. Your Gallery picture should be a very clear, uncluttered view of your item. Since it is the only photo visible on search pages, make sure it provides a good representation of your item.

Maximize Profits with Low Priced, No Reserve Listings

Auction style listings are a great way to create excitement around your Computers & Networking gear, which in turn can develop into a bidding frenzy among buyers—which could result in a higher selling price for you. The keys to a successful auction style listing are to get your first bid and encourage bidders to continue bidding.

• Low Starting Price: Getting that first bid is critical, as other buyers are generally more likely to jump in if they see there are already bids on an item. To do this, many sellers prefer to set an opening bid below what the item is actually worth. Try beginning with a low starting price—such as 99 cents—to jumpstart bidding activity.

• No Reserve: Be careful when setting a reserve price. Buyers may lose interest in an item if they place a bid and find it doesn't meet the reserve. Because they do not know the reserve price, they may assume the seller is simply asking too much for the item. To prevent this from happening, try listing your item with "No Reserve." Items sold with "No Reserve" typically attract more buyer interest, as buyers know that they will actually win the item if they are the high bidder.

• Accept PayPal: Buyers want to know that they can pay securely when making a purchase on eBay. By accepting PayPal payments, you can build buyer confidence and help protect yourself. PayPal transfers payments to a bank account of your choice and notifies you when a payment has been received. Best of all, PayPal offers free online tools to make managing your payments easier. You can even print shipping labels and track your shipments.

Ship Your Computers & Networking

Ship Your Computers & Networking

Specifying reasonable shipping and handling costs in your listing is essential for smart selling—and it improves your search ranking when buyers sort by total cost. Never leave a buyer wondering how much shipping will cost.

Calculate Shipping Costs

Often times, shipping costs will vary by distance. To make sure your shipping charges reflect this, incorporate a shipping calculator into your listing. With the shipping calculator, eBay can automatically calculate the shipping cost for your buyers based on the size and weight of your item and the buyer’s location. You can also program the calculator to add in the cost of packaging materials and your handling fee, if any.

Select a Service Option

To protect both you and your buyer against loss or damage during shipping, consider purchasing shipping insurance for your package—especially for higher priced computers and equipment. Shipping insurance is available through most shipping companies, and can be purchased while you pay for shipping. You can factor in the cost of shipping insurance into your shipping cost—but make sure you state in your description that you are doing so. Buyers want to know that they are paying extra for shipping for a good reason.

Package Your Equipment Securely

After your item sells, you are ready to ship it off to its new home. Make sure you package your item safely and securely. Use bubble wrap, foam, or other packaging materials to make sure your item is not damaged during its move. If you take an item apart to ship it, include a list of pieces and instructions on how to put it back together. Here are a few steps to think about:

• Wrap It: Individually wrap items and provide lots of cushioning (bubble wrap, peanuts, foam, corrugated dividers, or crumpled paper). Be careful if you choose to reuse newspaper—the ink can rub off and damage your items. Bundle any wires, fasten them with a twisty-tie, and place them into Ziploc bags. Try to wrap any LCD screens in plastic to avoid scratches, then wrap tightly in packaging material in case your item shifts in transit. If you use foam peanuts, be aware that they shift easily, so overfill your box. If any pieces could be damaged by water, make sure you wrap them with a layer of sealed plastic. Remember, wrap and pack firmly—you don’t want to hear any rattling!

• Box It: If the item is on the smaller side, you can order free USPS Priority Mail box right here on eBay—the United States Postal Service will even deliver them right to your door for free! For larger items, use a corrugated box with rigid sides, intact flaps, and plenty of room for cushioning on all sides. Don't exceed the maximum gross weight of the box (usually printed on bottom flap).

• Seal It: Use strong tape designed for shipping, rather than masking tape, cellophane tape, string or paper over-wrap. Once you’ve sealed up your package, you can pay for shipping and print shipping labels right from your PayPal account. You can even request a pickup from USPS or UPS, saving you a trip to the Post Office or UPS location.

Build Your Reputation

Build Your Reputation

Communication is the key to a successful transaction. Make sure you’re available before, during, and after the sale. Answer any questions about your item promptly. Include a thank you note in your package—it’s a great way to surprise and delight your buyer and encourage them to leave you positive feedback.

Always Leave Feedback

Feedback is extremely important for all eBay users. Consistent positive feedback lets buyers know that you manage transactions well and that you care about your reputation. One way to help ensure good feedback is to communicate well, represent your item truthfully in your listing, and be polite. Also remember your buyer’s feedback score is as important to them as yours is to you—so be courteous, thoughtful, and truthful when leaving feedback.

Express Yourself

Be more than just a username to your buyers. Introduce yourself through your About Me page and MyWorld. Add pictures, keep track of your favorite buyers, and tell the community about your interests and collections. Show your expertise by writing Reviews & Guides. Connect with other Computers & Networking enthusiasts on the Computers, Networking, & I.T. Discussion Board. Remember, be yourself—and have fun!

Sell for a Cause

Support your favorite cause and enhance buyer trust and loyalty at the same time. eBay Giving Works listings tend to sell at higher final prices, because buyers are more willing to purchase, and often pay more for, items that benefit a nonprofit. Get more exposure and receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donations!