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1. Understand eBay fees in 2026

eBay's fee structure still centres on final value fees and optional listing upgrades. For 2026 expect modest increases in some categories and new rules for high-value items. Always check the eBay UK fee pages when pricing.

• Factor fees into pricing: Add 10–15% to cost when planning margins for most categories.
• Use calculated shipping: Charge real postage costs rather than inflate item price — it helps search relevancy and buyer trust.
• Consider subscription plans: eBay Shop subscriptions can lower insertion and final value fees if you list at volume.

2. Photography — the make-or-break step

Great photos sell. Mobile phones in 2026 shoot excellent images; follow these rules:

1. Use 5–8 images: Main hero shot + close-ups + any flaws.
2. Plain background: White or neutral backgrounds work best for search thumbnails.
3. Show scale: Include a common object (coin, ruler) so buyers know size.
4. Natural light & tripod: Soft daylight and stabilised shots cut blur and show true colour.
5. Edit lightly: Crop, straighten and adjust exposure — don't misrepresent the item.

3. Promoted Listings — when to use them

Promoted Listings increase visibility for a small commission on sale. Use them for:

1. Competitive, high-margin items: Where a few extra sales justify the fee.
2. Slow-moving stock: Test a low ad rate and watch click-to-sale metrics.
3. Seasonal pushes: Promote key SKUs during demand spikes.

Monitor conversion: if clicks don't convert to sales, pause the campaign and rework title, price or photos.

4. Shipping guide — fast, cheap, reliable

Postage remains decisive for UK buyers.

1. Offer tracked services: Tracked 48 or Next Day increases buyer confidence and reduces disputes.
2. Use flat-rate packaging for small items: Keep it simple — many buyers prefer a single low price to a complex calculated quote.
3. Combine listings: If you sell multiple items, offer combined postage discounts to increase basket size.
4. International shipping: Offer worldwide postage where margins allow and clearly list duties and VAT expectations.

5. Seasonal selling — plan ahead

Plan inventory and promotions around UK seasonal peaks: Bank Holidays, Easter, summer holidays, Black Friday and Christmas. Start listings 2–4 weeks before peak demand to build views and let eBay's algorithms pick winners.

6. eBay vs Vinted — which to pick?

For clothes and pre-loved fashion, Vinted often has lower fees and a different buyer demographic. Use both platforms when possible: list the best items on Vinted for quick turnover and move higher-value or collectible pieces to eBay where bidders and collectors pay more.

7. Returns handling — clear, fair policies

Clear returns policies build buyer trust. Offer 14–30 day returns depending on category. Handle returns promptly to avoid negative seller metrics.

Final checklist

1. Title: use keywords buyers search for, avoid filler words.
2. Photos: main hero + 4 close-ups, include scale.
3. Price: factor fees + postage + profit.
4. Shipping: tracked, clear times, combine discounts.
5. Promotions: use promoted listings selectively and monitor performance.