Providing outstanding online customer service can be tricky because of the impersonal nature of the internet. Anyone who has ever had any customer service training knows that providing personalized service is essential in building solid, long lasting customer relationships.

As an eBay seller, you must go the extra mile to provide outstanding customer service. eBay has a reputation for scammers, dishonest sellers, and poor service. It is unfortunate that the good sellers must suffer from the actions of a few. You'll have to work hard to overcome this. The best way is to communicate with your customers. Send an email when the auction ends, once you have received payment, and when the item has shipped. Don't be afraid to follow up if the customer hasn't left feedback. Just send a short email to confirm that the customer has received the item and is satisfied. They may have just been busy and not had time to leave feedback for you.

Answer questions promptly and professionally. eBay buyers are just like everyone else - they are busy and if you don't answer a question within a reasonable amount of time, they will move on to another seller who will. Stand above the mediocre eBay sellers and provide prompt, courteous service.

Remember, it is much easier to keep a customer coming back than to develop a relationship with a new customer. The cost of acquiring new customers, according to many surveys, runs 8 to 10 times more than the cost of keeping existing ones.

For example, look at your bank or credit card company. Aren't they always sending you information on other services and encouraging you to do more business with them? Do you ever get coupons in the mail from stores where you have credit cards? These big companies know the trick - keep the customer coming back. We can do the same!