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 ihula
 
posted on September 3, 2002 01:18:55 PM new
I have a lot (about 500) tikis that I want to sell. They arrived today and we are trying to figure out ways to move them rather quickly and still make a profit. Most are different - about 25 different styles. We use AW post sale and like the convenience of it. Emailing every winner is really not an option because we both work full time and do about 150 auctions a week. We thought of listing them as fixed price listings to move them more and then include one of the following.
Here are our ideas:

Open an ebay store and lump some of the styles or like styles together with a lower price. (I think collectors would want different styles and my husband thinks they would want the same style)

Put in the auctions "$5.00 off the final price if you buy four or more of any style" (not real compatible with AW, but I could put in my winning bidder notice to email me directly if you won more than 4 Tiki's)

Put in the auction free shipping to the lower 48 states if you buy 4 or more Tiki's.

Which sounds more appealing to a buyer? Any other ideas?

I already list in my auctions that I have more of the same style if interested in more, but I'm really thinking of opening an ebay store and putting extras there anyway because the AW store seems difficult to navigate.


 
 fluffythewondercat
 
posted on September 3, 2002 01:26:33 PM new
I hate to sound ignorant, but what's a tiki?

 
 ihula
 
posted on September 3, 2002 02:02:10 PM new
It's a polynesian thing....they emulate wood carvings from polynesian cultures - like scarry gods. If you do a search on Tiki Farm you'll see all the ones I currently have listed. Tiki's actually have their own catagory under Hawaiiana

 
 fluffythewondercat
 
posted on September 3, 2002 02:30:29 PM new
The best sales tactic depends on what kind of market you have for tikis. (Obviously I know nothing about them. )

How many people typically bid on tikis?

 
 robertsmithson
 
posted on September 3, 2002 03:16:59 PM new
I remember the tiki fad of the late 50's and early 60's. EVERY kid or young adult wore one on a leather strap around their neck. That was when TV shows like Hawaiian Eye were at their peak and anything Hawaiian was coveted. They were good luck charms. Then the Hula Hoop came along ....

 
 ihula
 
posted on September 3, 2002 03:34:40 PM new
Tikis are supposedly making a come-back. That's what the food network says anyway. The first time I listed them I had 2 or 3 bids each. The second time they each got 1 or 2 bids. Then I ordered more - lots more - (somewhere between the first and second listing). Now I had a batch end last night and only 1 got a bid. Now we're panicking a little. I know Christmas is coming, but we don't want to get stuck with all these Tikis.

 
 reddfoxx
 
posted on September 3, 2002 06:41:59 PM new
I would fixed price some then maybe put some on auction with a starting bid at cost + fees. Mix it up a bit. Some people will like the fixed, others may want a traditional auction. Then offer the free shipping. AuctionWatch does have a reduced/combined shipping feature that allows you to change the shipping fee that goes out with your WBN. It's under your Global Preferences. Although I don't think you can set the number (you wanted 4). Just a thought. Check the global preference and see if it may work for you.
Good Luck!
reddfoxx

P.S. I have heard that there is a Hawaiian style comeback. There are a few new shows coming on this season based in Hawaii. Maybe that will help.

 
 
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