Online auctions have quickly moved from an interesting attraction and a clearinghouse for used junk to a powerful tool in commerce. Several people have proven that there is room in this world to buy and sell any item imaginable. The most surprising aspect is that many people are turning a profit as well.
Instructions:
1) Set up an account on eBay to begin. Choose either a seller's account or a buyer's account, depending on your intentions. You can also have both if you plan to buy and sell.
2) Go to PayPal and set up an account for buying, selling or both. PayPal is the preferred method to pay and be paid on eBay. It is a safe, secure method that does not allow unwanted parties to have access to your personal information.
3) Search eBay for items you want to bid on. Enter your account information and place a bid. Monitor the item, since most take several days to close. If you are outbid, you can raise the amount you are willing to spend. There is often a flurry of bidding during the final minutes. If you win, the seller will contact you to organize shipping.
4) Find unused items around your house to begin as a seller. The surprise for many people is that there is a buyer for everything out there. Take a digital picture of the item, set up an auction for it and set the minimum amount you want for it. Ideally, people will bid on your item, and eventually someone will win.
5) Contact the winner and request pay payment through your PayPal account. Do not ship the item until payment is received. While most eBay users are honest, there is always the risk of a scam, and not shipping until payment is received is your best defense.
Source - eHow
