More and more people are finding that they can make a little extra income by selling their unwanted items on eBay. How do you maximise your income and increase the chances of your goods selling? I've compiled my top ten tips for eBay sellers — these are the things that I've discovered work for me.

Build your positive feedback — you can do this quickly by buying and selling several small value items. This will give potential buyers confidence in you.

Be honest — if your item is less than perfect, say so. This is more likely to generate a sale as potential buyers are more likely to trust you. Being honest should also help to protect your valuable positive feedback. I once made a tidy profit on some items that were originally free; I made it clear in the copy; the buyer was pleased and so was I.

Be realistic about shipping costs — if you charge too little, you risk your profit. It is possible to make a small profit from shipping, but if you charge too much, you will put off potential buyers.

Let potential buyers know that you are prepared to ship overseas. This will greatly increase potential sales.

Don't set a high starting price. This will cost you more, and could put off potential buyers. Your item will find its correct value if you have listed it properly — but it may not reach its value until the last few minutes of the auction.

If you are selling items such as DVDs, software and designer labels, make it clear that your items are genuine and not pirate copies or fakes.

Pay the extra to include a picture of your product. Make sure that it is a good quality image, with no background distractions.

Time your auction to end on a weekend — this is when most potential customers will be available to buy your items, and should increase the final price you get.

Take advantage of eBay promotional offers — look out for special days when you can advertise your items at a reduced cost.

Check your spelling. Items won't sell if potential buyers can't find them because you've misspelled the item's name.

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