Trademe.co.nz is a big success in New Zealand, but there a quite a few tips and tricks that a new buyer or sell needs to learn before they can take full command of auctions and get the best price.

The first three rules are:

Always give feedback

Feedback is a key feature in figuring out who to deal with. The better feedback you give, the more likely your feedback will be good.

Admit Mistakes

If you make a mistake, say so. Don't just try and cover it up.

Be Polite

It you a nice mannered, it can help your dealings with the buyers and sellers.

These will just help you get along with other people and you might find they are also a a bit more co-operative.

Buying

Wait until the last possible moment before submitting a bid

This gives other competitors less time to submit a higher bid.

Research what you are buying

See what other owns of similar items say

Know what the item is worth

Research and ask enough questions to know what the item is worth and what your maximum bid should be.

Do you need it

It may be a simple question, but do you really need to buy your selected item?

Badly listed actions

Look out for auctions that no not have a photo and that are likely not to succeed due to a mistake by the seller (like wrong category).

Page counter

When buying, view the page as few number of times as possible. This makes it look like no one else is interested.

Selling

Have a good finish time

Not many people are on the net at 3am in New Zealand so it would be better to finish auctions at a time when most people are available. For example a good time is in the evening, but not when the All Blacks are playing and Sundays are also a good day to close.

Choose the right category

Try to pick a popular category that applies to your item.

Use a picture

Show a photo that displays your item well, as many people will not buy without seeing a photo . Make sure that the picture is taken in an environment that looks clean, looked after and no other items are in sight. If you can get away without a flash and use natural light, it would be better. Also make sure that your reflection is not in the photos.

Descriptive Title

Give your auction a descriptive title. Tell the buyers what your item has over every other item like it.

Good Grammar and Spelling

Make sure you use proper English to make yourself look more educated and trustworthy.

Answer Questions

If you don't answer questions, people will assume that you are trying to hide something. Always be polite no matter how annoying or stupid a question is.

Good Feedback

The more bad feedback a seller has, the less people will trust them. Make sure you have good feedback, but we all understand if an occasionally buyer has something against you.

Use Auto Extend

Its a great feature that should always be used. Most auctions get their bids in the last couple of minutes, if your auction doesn't auto extend then you won't get as good a price.

Always state postage costs

You do not want to have the buyer unable to pay the postage costs of large items after they have spent all their money on your auction.

Have a low reserve on popular items

A low reserve attracts bargain hunters and when they are finished you be getting a better price.

Start your auction at the price you want on unpopular items

If your item is not popular, make sure that the first bid will clear the reserve price. You might find that only one person is willing to buy your item.

Pack sold items well

Items have have a rough ride on the way to the buyer and might even be drop-kicked along the way. Do your best to keep items in one piece.

Use a buy now price

Unless your auction is going to go through the roof, have a buy now price for items that the buyer might want now. It might save your time.

Research a selling price

Know what your item is worth. An old car of the right type might fetch a very good price for a demolition derby for instance.

Item description in bullet points

When it comes to the actual listing, remember that people usually skim. Put all of the main points as bullets. Don't waste time on narrative. Most people use the pictures more than the listing.