posted on April 18, 2001 08:08:09 AM new
This is along the lines of what bibliophile has been talking about. I had a nice copy of a hardcover novel that came out a few years ago. It's a first, but not a big name author or title. It was such a dud based on previous ebay performance that I tried it on both Amazon and Yahoo for a while, no bites.
I finally put it on ebay and played up it's tangential relationship to a VERY popular author and novel. I don't know if that's what did it for sure, but it just closed at over $15!
Just goes to show, I think, that finding the right angle makes a difference.
posted on April 18, 2001 08:38:58 AM new
Congradulations! Keziak
I too have noticed that authors become popular Or some of their books fade in and out. I sell or used to sell mainly romance on amazon and I can remember the series Haunting Love stories and there is another similiar title . At one time I saw it go for $ 100.00 U.S! on amazon . Now it sells for about $ 15.00 to $18.00 ~ a slight drop.
I just saw a paperback romance sell for $ 40.00 which is up for that particular book. and of course Nora Roberts ~ her brothers series or whatever are very hot right now. I put on one and yes I was one of those who was quick to put on and misspell but some people found it anyway! "waiting for Nice and of course the book is waiting for Nick!
Selling quite well anyhow but I figured oh $ 1.45. Runs between $ 15 ~ $ 20.00 . I have started to study the romance market again.
However, my feelings about ebay is that is run like a true auction not a buy it now type of auction which amazon has turned into. I put a lot of 4 horse books on ~ 2 categories gallery~ low bid ~ no bids!!!Put in a different category and it did quite well but books:general ( an off day for me I meant to put books:children : general) Who can tell what the future will bring on the auctions site ~ I am always amazed when a "sleeper" book makes it high. Last Christmas sold a stated BCE for $ 200.00 which then sold for $ 16.00 in January. Suz23
posted on April 18, 2001 03:41:58 PM new
It must be the week....I did some research - found a book title that looked promising - found it at one of my favorite used book stores - $.50 for the paperback - it closed last night for $81.
posted on April 19, 2001 06:58:09 AM new
Nice job on selling your dog, keziak. When I have successes like this, most of the satisfaction comes from having used my imagination to look at something in a different way, with a kind of creative vision, even if it’s for nothing more earthshaking than selling a book.
One method I use for finding angles on selling things is to think long and hard about categories I place them in. Somebody on eBay book chat has compiled a complete text file of categories (which you can readily print), and it’s very helpful to have it in front of me when I’m thinking about how to present something for auction. Sometimes I change categories deep into an auction, sometimes even on the last day, if there’s little or no activity. At the risk of being presumptuous and also to offer an illustration, I think you have three strong books currently listed which haven’t yet attracted bids. There’s a greenhouse book, I think, one on Indian hunting, and a third having something to do with Eskimo crafts. You might want to try placing the first one in an architectural category (I’ve had good luck there recently), the second in a hunting category (there’s a pretty strong interest in Indian hunting methods among hunters), and the last in a Native American category (this is where most of the Eskimo stuff sells). In any case, good luck with everything!
posted on April 19, 2001 09:01:00 AM new
I bought a whole bunch (40 total) of romance novels all by the same author. I got them for 10 for a dollar. So I spent $4. The auction isn't over yet, it will be in 5-6 hours. But it's at $16. Not too bad. I can deal with that! Plus the most bids akways seem to come at the end.....
posted on April 19, 2001 09:37:34 AM newluvmy - seems that some of those romances do well when grouped together - and I'll take a 300% profit anytime...
Craig - Can I ask what book boards you are talking about? I can't find them!
I have another question - any idea how to market a group of books that are old commons? I want to free up space!
posted on April 19, 2001 09:43:28 AM new
Click "site map" at the top of the eBay home page, Jane, then "books" under Category-Specific Chat. Just post a request for the category list and I'm sure somebody will accomodate you with a link.
Assuming that those "old commons" are dogs, I'd take them to a used bookstore and attempt to get store credit for them (as opposed to building any labor into them).
