posted on September 7, 2002 07:28:49 PM new
Hi Everyone,
I've been selling on ebay about 4 years now and have a couple questions. I sell mostly vintage clothing and was listing on Sunday evenings. This seemed to be a good night, but this doesn't work as well with my new schedule and have been thinking about listing Monday nights. Does anyone feel there is a best time to list for those last minute snipers? Or does it even matter anymore? I'm worried about Monday night football, LOL! Alot of my bidders are men....so guys, does that matter?? My second question is regarding magazines. I recently found a couple of great vintage fashion magazines which I read and learned from and then listed on ebay and they did surprisingly well. This past weekend I found some more at a great price and will be listing them soon. What is the most cost effective and safe way to pack them? I'm worried that boxes are too heavy, but bubble mailers may not be sturdy enough. Any advice? Thanks for reading!
posted on September 7, 2002 08:27:31 PM new
I have tried almost everynite and find that they all are good. I have not had auctions end on a Saturday though. What I try and do is list a few each night and then if you have something that interest someone they will come back to see what new items you are listing.
I have used the clasp envelopes but I only will put in two in a package. Remember a stiff cardboard should also be included and a DO NOT BEND included on the front of the envelope. If your package is 3/4 inch thick and you mail it first class you can include a electronic delivery confirmation for 13 cents
I forgot one thing yes, a ziploc bag is very important to slip your magazines in as you never know if it is going to rain, fall in a puddle or get run over by a truck.
[ edited by Libra63 on Sep 7, 2002 08:29 PM ]
posted on September 7, 2002 10:43:58 PM new
upriver~~~~~ You sound just like me. I think we will get along just fine, LOL!!!!! And thanks for your tips everyone else, I appreciate it !
coral
posted on September 7, 2002 10:47:23 PM new
BTW --I used to list Mon thru Thurs, but found I had sooooo many people bidding on more stuff that it became such a problem waiting for other auctions to end to combine shipping -- now list all my auctions once a week so that multiples end on the same day and can be grouped together with one email. Just seems easier for me, less emails and paperwork, LOL! coral
[ edited by coralreef on Sep 7, 2002 10:47 PM ]
posted on September 7, 2002 11:06:32 PM new
Hi again,
Good you have a sense of humor!
I like listing on Sunday night prime time, about 6 west coast time so it gets everyone, but I also have found that listing just about anytime, day or night, works very well if your items merit bidder attention. I've had success with things morning, noon & night every day of the week. I like evenings also though as it allows me to get all my post-auction info recorded & organized so I can contact the bidders the following day.
posted on September 8, 2002 04:10:28 PM new
I think the best thing for you to do is to look at the what days/times your past auctions ended successfully and dig up similar info on your competitors.
I did a similar analysis myself about three weeks ago and my sales have increased significantly.
What I do is I have a chart that lists the days of the week going accross and my products down the side, based on past sales history I have some auctions for some products ending every day, others once/week, some 2-3/week, etc. What I do is to put in the ID # for a product listed on the left, under the particular day of the week it's ending on.
So, basically, I list every day, I schedule auctions 2-3 days in advance and list every day so I have auctions ending every day.
What this sytem does, is allow me to reduce listings that don't sell, increase those that do and have a consistent sales volume (It used to be very high some weeks and very low on other weeks).
One interesting thing that happens, is that I carry a low number of bids for about 18 - 20 hours out of the day, and then near my peak time I got a bunch of bids, but only for things ending that day and the pattern repeats itself day in and day out. E.g. You only really see the results when you check your auctions during peak times.
Anyway, it's worked out well for me, I used to have a 38% eventually sell through rate (sold items vs. items that were listed twice and never sold) and now it's closer to 70%.
posted on September 8, 2002 04:29:37 PM new
Well, think about it. When are American homes most occupied? Its not Friday night, everyone is out partying. It's not Saturday, everone is on that road trip to the cottage on the lake. Its not Sunday, everyone is driving home from the cottage. I list on weekdays. Mon-Thurs evenings 7-midnight eastern time. That is when the most homes have someone sitting in front of thier PC's.
[ edited by micmic66 on Sep 8, 2002 04:54 PM ]
