posted on January 30, 2004 12:39:04 PM new
I noted in another thread that I have about 25% of my bidders who haven't responded to WBN and reminders and it has been 5 days since the auction ended.
I would say I average $15-$18 per sale, and focus mostly on clothing that appeal to a younger crowd (16-30). I find their lack of responsibility and communication skills quite dismal at times. I can't tell you how many emails start with, "Wut up dawg!" or "Yo- dis is (enter screenname here)". Grammer isn't my complaint, but rather the point I make when I refer to the age group I mostly sell to.
I would guess that my rate of deadbeats are higher than average based on appealing to this group of people. I would estimate that if I had $1200 a week in bids, about $200-300 would be deadbeat bids. I do notice that when I sell other items (non-clothing) that are collectible, the problems decrease. Anyone else have insignt into this?
posted on January 30, 2004 01:13:00 PM new
I used to sell hard-to-find limited edition punk rock records. Although I did well, it was too much of a hassle since forty percent hardly ever responded to my emails or paid me.
They were not very responsible bidders.
I've since switched to more profitable items in various catagories without
too many deadbeats.
posted on January 30, 2004 01:24:48 PM new
My buyers of collectibles and books are wonderful--very considerate, literate, pay on time, etc. I haven't had an NPB in about 18 months.
The few times I've sold to that younger crowd, odd stuff, I've been struck by how careless they are about communicating and paying on time. Were we like that once?? I've always been conscientious about responding to phone calls, letters, messages, whatever, even if I didn't particularly want to. Wish I knew what's happening with those young folks.
___________________________________
"I have resolved to allow my friends their peculiarities." -- Samuel Johnson
posted on January 30, 2004 01:38:12 PM new
In the space of time between the winning bid and when a young person gets their paycheck, I am sure the desire for the item diminishes quite a bit, and it becomes a low priority for them.
Not to generalize, but from the deadbeat rates reported, you could draw some inferences. If this gets out of hand, eBay will have to either demand a credit card be kept on file for all, or if optional, allow sellers the option of restricting bidders to those with active card. In either case, card gets charged if no payment is forthcoming.
As for "I never charge anything" people, that is ok, the card is just for insurance, such as when renting a car or other property.
posted on January 30, 2004 01:41:04 PM new
I think that is a good observation about what you sell. I sell many items aimed at parents of young children, so I have a very low fallout rate. Out of 90 auctions that sold 2 weeks ago, I sent out 2 NPB notices today. I bet at least 1 or possibly both will pay. I would think aiming at 16-20 year olds would get a lot of them shrugging their shoulders and not worrying about the consequences.
posted on January 30, 2004 02:19:42 PM new
Normally I sell mostly antiques and highly collectible items, but during the Christmas season, I was selling a bunch of Nintendo games I'd picked up at yard sales. It was such a difference in the responses I got from the gaming crowd. Many of the emails started with "Hey or Hey Dude or Hey Man" (I'm not a Man by the way). But it was a totally different crowd from the usual, "Dear Sir or Madame" or "To Whom It May Concern" type people. Especially the one who bid and then wrote "Hey Dude, I'm not gonna be able to pay for this." A wee bit less responsible and probably a bit younger than my typical buying group.
posted on January 30, 2004 02:57:22 PM new
I wonder if Ebay tracks this information. It would be interesting to know what age groups are more likely to pay for their auctions, and what auctions appeal to each age group. It sure would help targeting the best market.
posted on January 30, 2004 03:40:04 PM new
A couple years ago I sold the same heavy metal band shirt 4 times with no one ever bothering to pay. I decided the shirt was simply cursed and put it away. a month or two ago I found the shirt again and just for giggles decided to list it again. This time it sold for than the other 4 times COMBINED aand the buyer paid within about two minutes of the end of the auction. Sometimes this business just sucks and sometimes itjust pays to perservere.
You are right though, items that appeal to the 25 and under crowd tend to have a larger deadbeat average. The only time I have found a contradiction to this is in rarer colectibles that appeal to this group. There are a couple lines of these I have played with thru the years that I have a 100% pay rate on.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on January 30, 2004 05:25:53 PM new
I sell mostly low cost craft magazines, and yarn and supplies, so I am selling to mainly mothers, grandmothers etc. I find very few problem, and lots of repeat buyers.
posted on January 30, 2004 06:05:40 PM new
For one particular item I've been selling (or trying to) my deadbeat rate has been 95%.
That's right. 95%. For every one of these that actually is paid for, nineteen are not.
I can't figure it out. It's not teen or drug-oriented. It's a high-quality very reasonably priced object.
Actually, it may be too reasonably priced. I'm studying marketing, and how a low price can be detrimental to your sales. The example the prof used was Avon's acquisition of Tiffany. They started slapping the Tiffany label on cheap Avon products and lost millions before they abandoned the effort.
When Tiffany went back to being an independent entity, charging the same high prices as before, sales zoomed back up.
posted on January 30, 2004 06:28:40 PM new
this makes no sense,slapping tiffany label on avon products.
this is like every mcdonald burger has the ruth christie steak house logo!
-sig file -------the lobster in the boiling pot of water who tries to prevent the others from climbing out.
posted on January 31, 2004 09:51:05 PM newYou are right though, items that appeal to the 25 and under crowd tend to have a larger deadbeat average. The only time I have found a contradiction to this is in rarer colectibles that appeal to this group. There are a couple lines of these I have played with thru the years that I have a 100% pay rate on.
You will find sports cards are among that group. Look at bidville and the point is proven.
posted on February 1, 2004 05:54:51 AM new
Its great to be young. You guys and gals have forgotten what its like to be young and not to worry about MUCH. My biggest worry way back when was, where is the next party where the Girls were are at. Its not only the kids that stiff sellers. I just got stiffed on a $987.00 figurine. I for one had a lot more fun back when I only worried about parties and girls than I am having now being responsible and caught up in the money making machine.
HAPPY SUPER BOWL TO ALL AND GO NEW ENGLAND
[ edited by bigpeepa on Feb 1, 2004 05:56 AM ]
[ edited by bigpeepa on Feb 1, 2004 05:58 AM ]
posted on February 1, 2004 06:10:16 AM new
I sell vintage jewelry. Although it takes me two weeks to have a good sell through rate I don't have any NPB to speak of. I think I had 2 in a year and they both were young and new to eBay. What I mean about 2 weeks. I list then I relist the next week so that I catch the buyers that aren't on that first week. So usually my jewelry sells. This week is just terrible, but I had a very good January so I can't complain. It's just the work you do that doesn't get recognized.
Superbowl party at my house, cuz I lost, We have a group that picks teams and the first one out has to have the Party. Who would of thought the Steelers would end up like they did. Both teams look good but I sure hope Carolina wins....As you might now by my posts the Packers are my team, well maybe next year.
posted on February 1, 2004 07:11:41 AM new
Libra: Could I ask you a few questions about vintage jewelry? I've just sorted through an elderly aunt's mostly costume jewelry and have a few questions. I'm at [email protected]. ~Adele
___________________________________
"I have resolved to allow my friends their peculiarities." -- Samuel Johnson
posted on February 1, 2004 07:32:47 AM new
Libra: I sell estate and costume jewelry and operate just like you. Sometimes, when I relist I raise the price a tad on some items - and they sell. Like you, I get very few deadbeats. I had one last month, for an $81.00 item. She just disappeared - no answer to e-mails, eBay invoice. Relisted and sold for $78.00, so not too bad. Mostly, my customers are very prompt and pleasant - they really want their item.
posted on February 1, 2004 08:09:22 AM new
I love it when you list a piece of vintage something at say $24.95 with a $25 BIN and it doesn't sell the first time. Then, you list it again and it sells for three times that much. Had that happen with an old perfume bottle. I laughed all the way to the bank.
I generally have a steady flow of repeat customers (I sell new jewelry) so I guess my deadbeat rate isn't too bad. I've had two this year, but one did offer to cough up the money so I guess she doesn't count. I got all kinds of phoney excuses from her and didn't buy a one of them. Filed for my fees back and let it go at that. The most I ever had were in December. Prior to that I never had a one for almost three years.
posted on February 1, 2004 11:38:27 AM new
My FLD auctions were the best ever for me. 210 auctions sold and 209 paid. I just left negative feedback and filed FVF on the 1 deadbeat and I am happy to say it was number 3 and they were NARU immediatly.
[ edited by toolhound on Feb 1, 2004 11:39 AM ]
posted on February 1, 2004 11:55:30 AM new
Oh don't get me started...
I had a Michael Jordan item that I couldn't get a bidder to commit to purchasing for the life of me.
I would get a high bidder, and they wouldn't pay. Relist it, same thing different bidder. Relist it... you get the idea. I actually kept track and filed 11 FVF over the course of 8 months on the same item. At one point I was actually hoping they wouldn't pay to see how long it went. I had another item that sold twice for $30.00 and ended up with two deadbeats who didn't pay either time. Then the thing went for $75.00 and the person paid.
I'm not sure what amazes me more... What I sell or what I don't sell.
posted on February 1, 2004 01:23:25 PM new
I agree that what you sell makes a difference. I sell mostly high quality china & the only NPB's I get are from newbies(less than 25 +fdbcks). I think I had 3 all of 2003.
posted on February 1, 2004 01:51:01 PM new
3 in 2003??? Geez, I have that going this week. I am guessing 4 or 5 NPB will be processed out of 40-50 auctions closed.
posted on February 1, 2004 04:46:20 PM new
You guys make me want to cry.... My dream is to have only 2-3 NPB in a week/month, not sure what I would do for a year...LOL
I get on average 25 a month or more.Filing for my fee's for ebay is not so bad... but filing for my fee's threw Vendio is a real pain
I think I sell to different age groups, so who knows.
I have sold a Barbie 3 times {over $100.00 for the winning bid} and filed fee's 3 times.If it doesn't sell this time... I am done with it...
posted on February 2, 2004 09:55:09 PM newI had a Michael Jordan item that I couldn't get a bidder to commit to purchasing for the life of me
I experienced this a couple of years ago. I can across some beautiful items, (no, not worthless sports cards but might as well of been) To this day, I still have every one of those items. I have had bidders on all of them, but of course deadbeatville. Now when I come across anything with Michael Jordan, I pass on it.
posted on February 4, 2004 04:04:24 PM new
And we've all heard Fluffy's wonderful stories...
I make and sell magic wands. When I first started selling, about five years ago, I got a lot of young kids- manay of them deadbeated, one little girl sent me the money in cash- dollar bills and loose change wrapped up in a paper, inside a "stationary set" type envelope. It took her six weeks to save it up, out of her babysitting money, bless her heart. Call me a sap, but I treasured that one. (Maybe that's the "mom" part of Dragonmom)
During big Harry Potter periods, I have bigger volume, and more NPB's. The rest of the time, i sell to Wiccans and magical practitioners, and I don't worry much- I'll ship as soon as I get the check in themail, without even waiting till I deposit it. Pagans, at least the ones who are shopping for their tools, are pretty honest, by and large.
When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple
with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.
posted on February 6, 2004 09:39:13 AM new
I have found a high correlation between the price an item sold, and NP. I find that the under $25.00 sale has a NP rate of 25%, the $25.00 to $50.00 has a NP rate of 20%, the $51.00 to $100.00 sale has a NP rate of 10%, and the over $100.00 sale has a NP rate of 1%.
posted on February 7, 2004 11:18:25 PM new I find that the under $25.00 sale has a NP rate of 25%
Holy cow, you better dump what ever it is that you are trying to sell that is $25.00 for you to be getting that high of a DBR. My DBR is at 2.7% for items under $25.00 but above $5.00. I generally don't have anything under $5.00 as the main deadbeat crowd (sports cards) is in that group.
