As with everything else, the more you know, the more you can benefit, so here are a few strategies to help you get the most benefit from using sidila.com.
Buying Strategies
Selling Strategies
Trading Strategies
Buying Strategies
- Carefully Research Prices Before Buying
It seems obvious but sometimes our emotions get the better of us, so check out prices before buying an item.
You should be able to determine whether the price for an item is great, good or no bargain at all.
- Make Sure an Item Price Matches its Condition
While it's perfectly ok for a new microwave oven to cost $175, it wouldn't be wise to pay that price if it has been used for the last two years.
- Consider the Source of the Item When Choosing
Suppose there are two listings for a GE microwave oven. Both are priced at $65 and have been owned for two years.
One has been used in a college dorm for the past two years and the other was a wedding gift two years ago that rarely got used.
Which one is the better bargain? Obviously the two year old wedding gift.
- Got Questions? Email the Seller and Ask Them
Unlike other web sites, Sidila.com encourages communication between members. It's the best way to get to know all the details about an item and its source. The more informed you are about an item, the more likely you are to get exactly what you want, at the best price, so ask away!
- Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate!
See an item you like but don't like the price? Email the member and negotiate a new price! That's the idea behind Sidila.com. You do not have to accept the posted price as being the final price.
- Never be too anxious
Never be too anxious to strike a deal. Take your time, do your research, be patient and negotiate the best price.
Ask yourself these questions:
Are there other members with the same item?
What are their prices?
Can I get this at a better price?
- Consider using Escrow
Rather than paying for an item directly to a seller, you can choose to put the payment in escrow. Escrow is an account where payment is deposited and held until you receive the item, then the funds are released to the seller.
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Selling Strategies
- Choose the Listing Priority that is Best for Your Item
Three listing priorities are available when creating a listing (Regular, Medium and Top Priority). Regular priority listings are free, but there's a fee for medium and top priority listings.
Listings are displayed in the following order:
1. Top Priority Listings with free shipping
2. Top Priority Listings with shipping charge
3. Medium Priority Listings with free shipping
4. Medium Priority Listings with shipping charge
5. Regular Priority Listings with free shipping
6. Regular Priority Listings with shipping charge
- Set up Store Policies
If you're listing multiple items for sale or trade, it becomes tedious to type your shipping, handling, insurance, delivery, return, refund and payment policies in each listing.
Instead, set up your policies once, by clicking the My Listings tab and choosing the Define Store Policies option.
- Attract Buyers by Offering Free Shipping
If buyers can purchase an item from multiple sellers, they will frequently choose the one that offers free shipping. Consider offering free shipping (even on a temporary basis) to entice buyers to purchase from you.
You can offer free shipping for an item when creating your listing. If you want to offer free shipping on ALL your items or you want to offer free shipping for a specific date range, click the My Listings tab and choose the Define Store Policies option.
NOTE: Items with free shipping are always displayed before items with a shipping and handling charge.
- Carefully Research Prices Before Setting a Selling Price
Carefully check out the prices other places are charging for your item, before setting a price. By setting a fair price for your item, you are more likely to attract buyers and get it sold.
- When Pricing Your Item, Consider the Age and Condition of Your Item
Take into consideration the age and condition of your item when setting a price. The older an item is, the less buyers will be willing to pay for it. Also, the better the condition of the item, the more you will get for it.
- Also Consider the Season
Some items have more value at particular seasons so check to see if your item is seasonally affected before setting a price. For example, easter egg coloring kits sell better in April than in December while Christmas tree lights and ornaments sell better in December than in April.
- Include All Details in Your Listings
As stated in our Trading Rules ALL item listings must be complete and accurate. As such:
- Items must do what descriptions say they will do
- Items must be in the exact condition as listed
- Item features and capabilities must be EXACTLY as listed
- Any defects, damages or shortcomings must be clearly listed in the item description
- ALL Shipping details that apply to an item, must be clearly listed in the Shipping & Handling Policy section of the listing. Details not listed are non-existent and non-enforceable.
- ALL details regarding returns that apply to an item, must be clearly listed in the Returns Policy section of the listing. Details not listed are non-existent and non-enforceable.
- ALL details regarding payment that apply to an item, must be clearly listed in the Payment Policy section of the listing. Details not listed are non-existent and non-enforceable.
- Be Willing to Negotiate
Sidila.com encourages members to communicate with sellers to negotiate the price at which they will buy an item. As a seller, you should expect to receive such emails and be willing to negotiate.
As a result, it's a better strategy to build a negotiating cushion in your prices, rather than setting them at minimum with no room to negotiate.
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Trading Strategies
- Carefully Read the Selling Strategies
All the tips and strategies outlined above in the Selling Strategies section are applicable to Traders as well.
- Avoid Uneven Trade Matches
Avoid getting uneven trade matches, by closely matching the value of the items in your trade listings, with the value of the items on your wish list. For example:
Trade Listings
1 GE 4.1 Cu.Ft. 23-cycle, large capacity washer, white, great condition $347
1 Garmin Nuvi 149T GPS Navigation $352
Wish List
1 Whirlpool 7.0 Cu.Ft. 10-cycle, large capacity gas dryer, great condition $349
1 Compaq Presario 15.6 laptop computer, 2.0 GHz, 3GB DDR2 RAM $350
1 Harman Kardon, BDP1 Blu-ray disc player $351
Notice that the items in the trade listings and the wish list are around $350. If there is a big difference in value between the items in your trade listings and those on your wish list, a trader may request additional items or cash to make up the difference.
It's not realistic to expect someone to trade a $4,000 diamond ring for a $29 toaster.
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