Setting Up Auction Templates
From GarageSaleWiki
Upon the first program start, a blank auction called New Auction Template is created. You can create a blank auction template at any time by pressing the New Template button in the toolbar. Auctions appear automatically in the Templates list on the left-hand side of the GarageSale window.
To begin, we will lead you step-by-step through the process of filling in an auction template.
To create an auction, complete the following entries. Some entries are required for your auction. Other entries that are listed in this user guide incur an additional cost with eBay. Additionally, options are highlighted red on the screenshots used in this user guide and in the default configuration of GarageSale itself.
Editor Mode vs. Preview Mode
You have two possibilities of setting up your auction. In addition to the familiar Editor Mode in previous versions, GarageSale 4.0 introduces the Preview Mode which allows you to modify the description directly inside the preview.
To choose the mode you prefer, click on the appropriate button in the middle of the bar. Here you see the preview mode.
Item Description - Editor Mode
Subtitle
An optional title for your auction, providing more detail about your item (additional ebay fee).
Images
You may include one image in the auction without additional fees if you are using eBay's Picture Service (EPS) for image storage (this is GarageSale's default setting). Additional images stored on EPS imply extra charges.
You may use a Web server (via FTP or WebDAV) for auction image storage, or you may upload images to your MobileMe account. You can set up the necessary configuration for your server in the Preferences window. If you are planning to use MobileMe, make sure you have entered your MobileMe account details. If you want to use a Web server via FTP, you will need to enter your user ID and password in GarageSale's setup pane, along with the exact path to your image storage directory on the server. You will also enter the HTTP URL path to that directory, which will allow GarageSale to perform a test upload and then display the test image in your browser as confirmation that the FTP path is correct.
GarageSale allows you to import auction images directly from iPhoto, from your digital camera, from your iSight camera or from image files on your Mac. If you already have images uploaded to your Web server, GarageSale can include these in your auction template by referencing the URL for these images. Use the '+' button below the image table to add images from one of these sources.
A picture may be chosen as the gallery image. This image will appear in the eBay category listing next to your item when the "All Items including Gallery Preview" tab is chosen by a customer. Use the button with the stylized image frame on the left to mark an image as gallery image. You can also simply drag and drop the chosen picture into the gallery image area to the right:
See the section Editing Images for more information.
Image Drop Zone
In the preview mode you will always find a drop zone inside the templates. You can easily drag and drop the images you want to add to your auction.
Media Browser
While in preview mode, you can open the Media Browser and select the pictures to drop into the drop zone.
You can browse your computer, directly in iPhoto or simply inside GarageSale...
If you are adding pictures to your iPhoto library while GS is running, click the little refresh arrow for the Media Browser to refresh.
Description
Enter your product’s description in the text field below the image area.
This wonderful piece of railroad history is called The Santa Fe Magazine The Railway Exchange, Chicago Volume XXIII November 1929 Number 12.....it is in good condition considering its age...full of wonderful advertising from the era and there are 160 pages of great information...articles on everything about Los Angeles just before the Great Depression....would be a great gift for the collector of railroad memorabilia...
You can format your item description in two ways:
1. By default, enter your description in text form, controlling the formatting with the standard Mac OS font menu items, such as bold or italic. When using this method, be sure the checkbox convert description to HTML is checked.
2. You may also enter your description as HTML tagged text. In this case, make sure that the checkbox Convert description to HTML is NOT checked. No further conversion is required for HTML.
(GarageSale 3 only: Clicking on the pencil icon in the toolbar the text field opens a separate editing window. Edit your text in the top pane of the window. Preview your description text in the lower pane.)
Listing Design
GarageSale can apply a listing design to your item's description:
You can also pick a Listing Design through the Choose Listing Design Command in the Template Menu:
Use the preview mode to get an idea on how your auction would look when using a certain design. While in preview mode, use the Listing Design command's submenu in the Template Menu to cycle through the available designs.
See the section Creating Own Listing Design Templates for a guide on how to create new listings or customize existing ones.
Layout
In addition to the numerous listing designs you can modify the layout, i.e. you can choose the arrangement of the pictures and the auction text.
Within seconds you can easily modify the layout of your auction. Here are some examples:
The last two layouts above contain a hover gallery:
The most convenient way to decide about the layout is to check out the possibilities in the preview mode:
Simply control-click on the chosen design (on the right) or somewhere within the html-view (on the left):
As you can see, there are 3 images on top (as selected). You could, for example, choose "thumbnail images right"...
... and you can instantly see the new layout:
This new layout option gives you 1155 different design possibilites for a single auction!
Remember, with GarageSale's Free Picture Service it is all for free (for up to 10 pictures)!!! And you do not need any configuration like FTP etc. Simply select and enjoy...
CoverFlow for Auction Designs
GarageSale 3.2 offers you with CoverFlow a new convenient way to choose your listing design:
Select the designs category at the top of the CoverFlow window ...
You can limit your choice by activating the bottoms of certain design category (one or more). You will then only see the chosen selection. To see all design possibilities select all.
Then at the bottom of the CoverFlow window, choose the appropriate layout...
By selecting a layout you can for example decide on where to place the images within the chosen design.
You can immediately check out the result in the preview window and start your auction right away.
Auction Options
In GarageSale 4.0 the distinct modes for auctions and template have been unified into a single view where each item is accessible with a single click. In addition, the new Inspector makes life easier...
Inspector
The new Inspector allows you to quickly access and change the auction options.
The remaining auction options - regardless of the GarageSale version, and whether or not you are using the Inspector - have been split in three sections. In older versions, you can use the switch control at the lower right of the window to switch between these sections. Within the Inspector, click on the buttons at the top.
The basic auction options themselves remain the same, no matter which version you are using. However, to profit from all options - such as those for skype or charity donations - and to set up your auction as carefully as possible, you should use the latest version. GarageSale 4, for example, is the most extensive update in GarageSale history, with crucial modifications.
First Category, Second Category
eBay provides a large number of categories to make your item easier to find. Click the magnifying glass button to select a category. (required)
Optionally, list your item in more than one category to make it more visible (additional category fee). Listing in more than one category may result in double fees for other options, e.g. bold title / highlighted title.
Attribute Sets
Many categories on eBay offer so-called item attribute sets. These are an optional and free-of-charge opportunity to further describe your item in a standardized way, thus making them easier to find for potential buyers. Click magnifying glass to specify attributes for your item. See the Item Attributes section for more information.
Border, Bold, Highlighted Title, Gallery, (Homepage) Featured
You can choose several enhancements for your auction:
The options will make your auction's title appear in bold or highlighted in the eBay category listing or search result. You can also add a border or the featured gallery effect (additional fees).
Duration
Set the duration of your auction. eBay provides standard auctions lengths that you can choose here. The contents of this popup menu might change if you have configured GarageSale to upload your auction to your eBay store.
Starting Bid and Buy It Now Price
Choose at least one of these entries. If you plan to offer a fixed-price auction, use buy it now only. If you only want a bidding auction, choose starting bid.
Starting Bid: This is the starting bid at which you would like to offer your item. Remember: it is always possible that you will have to sell your item for this price. So choose wisely!
Buy It Now Price: The price at which you are willing to sell your item immediately. If you don't select a “starting bid” for your auction, the auction will be a 'fixed price auction' (different listing fee).
Best Offer
This auction is only available on selected eBay sites and in certain categories, and only if you are starting your auction as a 'fixed price auction' (no starting bid, only 'buy it now'). With this option enabled potential buyers can ask you whether you are willing to sell your item at a lower price than the given fixed price.
Reserve Price
The reserve price is not available for all eBay sites. This is the price below which you do not want to sell the item. Your reserve price will not be shown on eBay, but the fact that there is a reserve price is visible to bidders (additional fee).
Counter Type
Select the desired access counter type for your auction.
Shipping
Specify what shipping services you offer here. If you want to offer more than a single shipping service for your buyers to choose from, click the magnifying glass to see the options. For more information on how to specify several domestic and international shipping services see Shipping Options. Be aware that the names of the actual options you choose (UPS Ground, UPS 2nd Day Air, etc.) might not show up in the Preview of your template. You might see only the prices you entered for the services. The names of the services will appear in your eBay listing. Don't worry. This minor aberration in the Preview is a deliberate safeguard to prevent GarageSale from stumbling over many frequent changes eBay makes in this portion of its interface.
Payment Options & Instructions
Options: Choose the payment methods you are willing to accept by clicking on the magnifying glass. This will present you with a list of available payment methods.
Instructions: Payment to be made within 10 days of auction close. I accept Paypal, checks or money orders (need to clear bank before shipment). Destinations outside USA will require different shipping cost.
Deposit Settings for eBay Motors US
When selling cars or trucks on eBay Motors US, sellers can specify their deposit settings in this section:
Deposit: The required deposit amount.
Time to Deposit: The period of time your are expecting the buyer to send you the deposit.
Full Payment: The period of time your are expecting the buyer to send you remaining amount.
Advanced Auction Options
Additional auction properties can be specified in the Advanced section.
Use eBay Store
If this checkbox is enabled, GarageSale will associate your listing with your eBay store. The item will show up in your eBay Store as well in the regular eBay categories you selected. You have to be an eBay store owner at eBay to use this option. Please go to the Preferences panel and download the list of your store categories before using this option.
List as a Store Item
This checkbox is only available when you enabled the above option Use eBay Store. If you activate this setting, the item will be listed as a store item. It will only appear in your store, not in the regular categories. eBay also allows longer durations for store items and the listing fee for store items is greatly reduced compared to regular listed items.
Store Category & 2. Store Category
eBay allows you to create custom categories in your store. Once you downloaded the list of your custom categories in the categories section of the GarageSale Preferences window you can choose two categories for your item to appear in.
eBay Express (no longer available)
eBay Express features fixed-price items sold on eBay by experienced sellers. Shoppers on eBay Express can buy from multiple sellers in a single session. Sellers who meet a few basic requirements will automatically have their items appear on both eBay and eBay Express at no additional cost (U.S. or Canadian sellers, shipping from the U.S. only). Please check the ebay site for further seller requirements.
You can validate eligibility. eBay will evaluate your seller profile and the item you want to sell.
Digital Delivery (no longer available)
If you are selling digital files (such as Adobe PDF files) or information (such as a “Word of the Day”) that buyers can access online or have delivered electronically, you can choose digital delivery. However, to sell a digital item on eBay, you must meet certain requirements. We recommend that you check eBay’s policies before listing such items.
Quantity
If you want to auction several items of the same kind all at once, enter the quantity of items in this box.
SKU
SKU stands for "stock keeping unit." It is a term for a unique numeric identifier, used mostly to refer to a specific product in inventory or in a catalog. If you are selling several items of the same kind you can in this way differentiate between them (rather useful for professional sellers).
EPS options
If you are using eBay's picture service (EPS) for image storage, you can choose between several options offered, e.g. supersize pictures (larger images) or picture pack. Selecting anything other than 'standard' implies additional charges.
Immediate payment
Immediate Payment is a free option that can be applied to listings with a Buy It Now offering, including auction-type listings and Stores items. By choosing this option, the seller requires immediate payment through PayPal before the listing can end. Once the payment is confirmed, the listing will officially end.
Buyer Requirements
The buyer requirement settings allow you for example to block eBay users who didn't register a PayPal account to bid on your item. In addition to the "Buyer needs PayPal requirement" with GarageSale 5.2 and newer you can block buyers from countries you don't ship to and buyers with a record of unpaid item strikes. You can also select several templates at once and choose the corresponding menu item from the 'Template' menu.
Keep in mind that you are in this way possibly reducing the number of potential buyers.
Dispatch Time
The maximum number of business days it takes until the item is shipped to the winning bidder.
Get It Fast
If activated, your item will get marked with the 'get it fast' flag on eBay. This options is only available on certain eBay sites. It can only be enabled for buy it now items with a dispatch time of 1 day, for which at least one shipping option has been specified.
Now and New
An opportunity to sell your item not only the fixed price format but also indicating right from the start that your item is new and thus even more attractive. You give your buyers the convenience of a decent new product, which is certainly often appreciated! (option not available in every country)
Private Auction
This option hides the user IDs of bidders in the active "public" listing. IDs remain visible for the seller, though.
Keep in mind that on some eBay sites this is an extra fee option.
List as Classified Ads
With GarageSale 5.2 and newer it is possible to list 'Classified Ads' on eBay with GarageSale. This a a special format on eBay, where no actual bidding or purchasing takes place. Instead the seller pays a higher insertion fee for the presence of an ad in a certain category.
GarageSale right now supports the Classified Ad format on eBay.com, eBay.de, eBay.co.uk, and eBay.ie.
Auction Start Time
This feature allows you to use eBay's scheduling mechanism to schedule a starting time for your auction, beginning at any point in time after you have uploaded your auction information. (at additional cost.)
As of GarageSale version 2.1 you can use GarageSale's built-in Auction Scheduler to list items at a certain time without paying extra listing fees to eBay.
Sales tax
If you need to charge sales tax you can select a tax rate or enter a tax percentage in the Sales Tax section.
Skype
Sellers may have Skype buttons on their listings. Skype, an eBay company, is an application that you can install on your computer.
You can download and install Skype, and then use Skype to quickly chat with or call the seller with your questions.
Charity
eBay allows sellers to list items and collect proceeds (in whole or in part) on behalf of nonprofits either with eBay Giving Works (the dedicated program for charity listings on eBay) or without eBay Giving Works (as long as the listings meet specific guidelines for charitable solicitations).
First, you have to download available charity organizations:
You can then choose the organization and specify the percentage you are willing to donate.
Site
This was set during the initial configuration of GarageSale and may be changed in the GarageSale Preferences panel.
Country, Region, Location (City)
Please enter the country and region where you are and the location of the item.
Currency
The currency used for your auction. Except for eBay Canada, there is only one currency option available. On eBay Canada items can be listed in either Canadian or US dollars.
ZIP
If you want to make your item available via the location based search on eBay's website, activate the checkbox and enter your ZIP code here.
Private Comment
You can enter a private note for your auction template in this text box. You can leave notes for yourself here and later use the Search box to find the auction template again.
