Here at Oodle, our support team has recently received an influx of questions from eBay sellers who are posting an online classified for first time. As a result, we’ve developed the following tips to help this group better navigate and leverage the buying and selling process using online classifieds sites:

• Take Advantage of the Free Service(s): Most classifieds sites are free to post. Nor are there any seller or transaction fees. Because the transaction is most often conducted offline, you can also save money by eliminating the shipping fees.
• Post Everywhere: Post listings to as many classifieds sites as possible, including Kijiji, Craigslist and Oodle. On Oodle, your post is automatically syndicated to more than 200 partner sites, including AOL, Walmart, and MySpace.
• Build a Presence via Your Social Network: Facebook Marketplace and MySpace Classifieds allow you to build an identity — and get friends talking about and sharing your listing. In addition, because personal profiles are attached to each listing, users know who they are buying from, selling to or trading with – creating transparency and trust.
• Develop a Local Market: Local classifieds allow you to create your own local market. Buying and selling in your area allows you to eliminate shipping costs, as well as the opportunity to meet customers and develop a client base.

Keep in mind that online classifieds sites do not assist with transactions or guarantee payments or deliveries of items. A general rule of thumb is that buyer and sellers accept or make payment in cash and handle the transaction in the usual way classifieds ads have always been completed: with a meeting; inspection of the item; payment in cash and a handshake.

For more tips on how to conduct the local offline transaction, please see the Oodle Safety Brochure that was developed in conjunction with the Better Business Bureau.