Selling expensive items on eBay is no different in many ways to selling low-cost items. Basically, no matter what you're selling, it all comes down to how you market the item.

This does not mean that you have to surf the Internet and place adverts all over the place.

When it comes to eBay auctions, all the marketing is done at eBay's own website. Essentially, when you set up your auction you are setting up an automated marketing campaign.

First, you must ascertain the value of your item. This is done in three different ways and will help you determine what your reserve price is going to be.

On eBay, the reserve price is the lowest price that you are willing to accept for your item. First, have your high-priced item evaluated to determine what the actual market value is. Next, research similar items from past auctions on eBay to see what price those items sold for. Finally, determine what the value of the item is to you.

With this information, you should be able to determine what the lowest amount is that you are willing to sell the item.

Set your reserve price, and then set your opening bid price lower than $50, no matter how high your reserve price is. It will be hard to attract potential buyers to an auction for an item selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars, although getting them to an auction where the opening bid is only $50 is a lot easier. Bear in mind that you don't have to sell the item to anyone who bids less than your reserve price, unless you choose to do so at the close of the auction.

Work hard on the description for your listing and use words that describe your item well. Provide as many details as possible, including details that prove the authenticity of any collectible items you are selling.

Include pictures, but make sure that you take a photograph of the actual item and not a photograph that you downloaded from the internet.

Do not try to deceive potential buyers! If the item has marks or scratches, be honest about it and make sure that any pictures you use convey this.

State in your listing how the item will be packed and shipped. Also, let potential buyers know that shipping insurance must be purchased in case the item is lost or damaged once it leaves your possession.

For higher-priced items, most eBay buyers feel more comfortable using an escrow service. Offer this as an option in your auction, with the understanding that the buyer must pay for the service. This protects both parties from fraud, and it makes many buyers more open to buying the item from you. eBay has partnered with an escrow service that is commonly used for high-ticket items.

Following these few simple rules should help you get the most out of selling higher-priced items on eBay. As a final point, please don't dispatch the item to the buyer until they have paid for it. This is especially important when the products you are selling are expensive.