Surviving the eBay Christmas Buying & Selling Season

♫ Here comes Santa Claus, Here comes Santa Claus, right down Santa Claus lane ♫

The eBay Christmas buying and selling season is quickly approaching.

I find that the Christmas season for my store seems to start at the end of September and usually lasts until about the end of January.

Since that’s a hectic time of year anyway, I try to be proactive with my eBay listings so I’m ready for the Christmas season before it hits.

All year long, I stock items that I think will be great for the Christmas season.  Some are new items, others are pre-owned items.  I figure that if they sell in the mean time, that’s a bonus for me.  This way, I don’t have to rush to get things listed once the season hits.

During the Christmas selling season, I find it’s important to stay on top of shipping. I try to ship promptly all year, but it’s very important during this time of year.  Over the weekends when something is paid for, I print the label and have it sitting and ready to go by my front door  Monday morning.  That way when I get up on Monday morning, there may be a few things that need to be shipped out, but I don’t have to spend my morning shipping.  I can list a few things I found over the weekend.   I also try to ship items out 1st class or PRIORITY whenever possible.

I  try to not overwhelm myself with listings.  I push to get as much as I can listed before the end of October, but still list things as I find them during the Christmas season. Sometimes I only have time to list an item or two per day during that time of year.  I tell myself it’s OK.  I’d rather list a few things a day than nothing.

Make sure you keep a close eye on your shipping supplies and printer ink this time of year.  Order them ahead of time so you’re well stocked.  There’s nothing worse than running out of tape or  bubble wrap  in the middle of a huge pile of items you’re trying to ship out.

During the Christmas season, lots of new buyers find eBay and others order at the last minute.  Just expect to get some cranky buyers.  I get people who buy an item and send an email the next morning wondering why they haven’t received it yet.  Don’t let rude or cranky Christmas buyers rattle you, just expect it and be professional with them.

Every year that I sell on eBay, the Christmas season gets more and more hectic, so I figure I must be doing something right……don’t get frustrated that you have so many items to ship out or tons of customer questions, that’s the reason you’re selling online right?  To get items sold.  I love shipping, that’s when I hear CHA-CHING!!!

Keep things in perspective, and most of all, make time for what’s important to you and your family this Holiday season