For this weeks Fundraising Friday our Charity Income Manager Nicky talks to us about eBay!

Everyone loves a bargain, and auction site eBay is a popular as ever with people searching for the best deal on items they’d like.

Whether you’re a seasoned eBay buyer, or have never given it a go, it’s easy to get started, and make use of the site to raise funds for RLSS UK at the same time.

• Selling – If you’re having a clear our, or just have the odd item that you no longer need, listing your unwanted goods for sale on eBay is easily started. There is a great help section on the eBay website (ebay.co.uk), and a useful guide to getting started: http://pages.ebay.co.uk/help/account/gettingstarted.html.

Once you’re up and running, you can choose to support RLSS UK by choosing to donate a percentage of your item’s sale value to the charity. You can select the amount you’d like to donate during the listing process, and funds will automatically be paid to RLSS UK once your buyer makes payment.

• Buying – Each time you buy something on eBay and go through the checkout process, you are given the option to top up your payment by £1, in the form of a donation. Each week, four charities are chosen to feature in eBay’s ‘Give at Checkout’ feature, and RLSS UK are allocated three weeks per year (dates for 2015 will be announced through our usual channels – stay tuned!)

By choosing RLSS UK as your ‘favourite’ charity, however, you will be allowed to make this £1 donation every time you check out – (although there is no obligation to do so).

To select RLSS UK as your favourite charity, log in to your eBay account, then follow the instructions here to set up your selection.

• Special Auctions – On occasions, RLSS UK receive donations of special items – autographed books, tops or one-of-a-kind experiences which can be auctioned on eBay using their ‘Special Auctions’ tool – a function for charities to promote unusual lots and raise funds for their cause. Any such auctions will be promoted through Facebook, etc. – so keep your eyes peeled!

For further information, or if you have any questions, please feel free get in touch via email- [email protected]