blueyes29
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posted on January 12, 2003 08:46:31 PM new
I've never asked this before but am "taking the plunge." I've run this auction twice now...gotten no bids either time. I thought this type item was quite collectible and am surprised the auction got no bids...so figure I MUST be doing something wrong. The auction # is 2152662178. Would appreciate it if folks into old paper/ads would take a look and let me know if I erred and perhaps offer some suggestions. Thanks...
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sparkz
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posted on January 12, 2003 09:00:30 PM new
I don't profess to be an authority in this category of items, in fact I really don't know anything at all about selling these. When I first looked at the title, I thought it was for one item, an advertising card for the yeast and that Koch was the maker. I personally would be inclined to list them seperately. Listing them together is eating up valuable space in the title that could better be used for keywords. And since the products appear to be unrelated, one of them could be turning off a bidder interested in the other. Just my opinion , which is wrong more often than right.
The light at the end of the tunnel will turn out to be an oncoming train.
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pclady
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posted on January 12, 2003 09:12:35 PM new
Have you considered adding a second category and putting it in scrapbooking? The lovely Victorian type images do really well there.
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tooltimes
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posted on January 12, 2003 09:31:20 PM new
Making viewing easier for all ....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=+2152662178
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paloma91
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posted on January 12, 2003 09:46:55 PM new
Personally, I would change the title to say something like: 1800's Ad Litho Koch Instead of the Yeast title.
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designsbylm
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posted on January 12, 2003 09:59:16 PM new
Hello,
I'm not an expert in this area. I do reproduction jewelry. I do know that this type of Victorian art, especially with a woman in it is very popular with graphic artist. I did a search for Harrison Fisher. You might want to look there and see the catagories that his items are in. He has many postcards that graphic designers love to purchase and scan.
Just an idea..................
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norbertsdragon
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posted on January 13, 2003 05:01:20 AM new
Hello,
Have you tried running them in the category for trade cards? There is a category just for trade cards. A couple years ago I sold some and they really went to for big $$$ but now the market is slower. Also, I have noticed with trade cards there are on and off times. Sometimes I could sell everything and at times couldnt even get them looked at. Perhaps you should try waiting a little while before relisting. I would also agree with changing the title and taking the yeast out. Hope this helps a little.
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wgm
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posted on January 13, 2003 05:10:56 AM new
You may also want to break down your description into smaller paragraphs 
"Be kind. Remember everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." - Harry Thompson
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antique519
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posted on January 13, 2003 05:51:20 AM new
Shipping could be cut in half or more by going first class. I put paper items in a plastic bag then cut corigated cardboard just the size to fit the envelope and put it on each side. I use just paper envelopes, not padded and have never had a problem. Usually ship for a dollar or less for that size.
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norbertsdragon
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posted on January 13, 2003 06:02:22 AM new
I would have to agree with antique519 on this one. I too, shipped mine via First Class but I also offered Priority Mail for a bidder who wanted it. But I usually ended up shipping for about $1.50 in a manilla envelope, with cardboard and a ziploc bag. Maybe you should try this alternative.
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Linda_K
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posted on January 13, 2003 06:32:22 AM new
Before seeing the above two posts [regarding postage costs] I reviewed your auction and found two things that might keep me from bidding.
One was what I believe to be a high s/h charge for such a lightweight item and two was your restriction on payment unless over $25.00.
You have the right to set whatever terms you wish, of course. But as a buyer those are two issues that would keep me from placing a bid.
I know you've tried to explain to your buyers about the PP fees in your 'about me' page, but I doubt many potential buyers would read that to understand you'd make exceptions.
Pretty cards though.
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neglus
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posted on January 13, 2003 06:55:59 AM new
Perhaps a little work on the title and relist in the trade card category - maybe title could say something like "Lot of 2 Victorian Trade Cards Yeast & Koch" or maybe even "Lot of 2 BEAUTIFUL Victorian Trade Cards" and make sure you include the company names and artist in the description so it will be picked up by the search engines..just an idea..and I agree s/h is a little high..it looks like you had 153 people look at the ad (or is that all of us from the AW community?) and $5 seems to be a very good price for 2 cards...postage USPS for manila envelope & cardboard should be around $.60...certainly not more than $ 1.00. Good luck !they look like nice cards!
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Twelvepole
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posted on January 13, 2003 07:03:04 AM new
TRY CHANGING THE CATEGORY TO ADVERTISING, THINK THAT WOULD BE A BETTER CHOICE.
AIN'T LIFE GRAND... 
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aposter
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posted on January 13, 2003 07:20:11 AM new
I agree with antique and norbert, among others.
If you offer First Class shipping you will probably sell. The cards are great! The cards are perfect with the other items you sell.
After reading many threads about items not selling when exact shipping isn't used, I upped the price to cover my fees. Nothing tragic happened. I use one price 1.00-1.50 to cover padded bag, sleeves where needed, depending on the item. The 1.50 covers DC.
If I feel I need to add a Delivery Confirmation for First Class I pad the envelope to make it 3/4."
You should list them separately IMHO. I have had bird, cat , dog , prison and funeral home collectors buy paper items like yours.
One person collected Victorian women on paper products with hats and big flowing bows! If you would list the trade card with Victorian woman in the title if would probably attract attention. New York City in the title might attract buyers too.
You could sell the yeast trade card in the advertising bakery (baked goods) section. I don't remember the advertising category but it had to do with flours, etc.
I thought the auction was for one card when reading the title, that the Koch Company sold the yeast.
I think if I was selling the cards, besides separate listings, I would not start them for $2.50 each. These little jewels are almost a hundred years old! The market has surprises today and you might have to sell them for the starting price.
I have sold trading cards for 8.00 to about 13.00. I start my auctions with what I am comfortable selling them for so I do not do low starting prices usually. That is JMHO though.
Good luck with them!
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inot
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posted on January 13, 2003 07:24:29 AM new
You should definately mention that there are 2 of them. When I list items like this, I always put "Scrapbook", "Litho" and /or "Victorian Scrapbook" in the title. It would'nt hurt to say they are "trade cards" too. By using as many "search" words as you can fit in the title, you'll attract as many collectors as possible. They are Beautiful cards and priced very reasonably! Good Luck!
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blueyes29
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posted on January 13, 2003 08:59:08 AM new
Thanks, everyone for the terrific ideas/thought/insights. The first time I listed the cards, I listed them in the "Trade Card" category...no bids! That's why I changed the category this second time around. They really ARE lovely cards and I'll take some time later to review all the suggestions and modify the listing...and lower the postage too. I'll have to stick with the $25 minimum PayPal as, since most of what I sell are consignment items, the PayPal fees I have to pay end up taking about half of my commission on the lower-priced items. Do appreciate all of you taking the time to look at the auction! Thanks, tooltimes, for putting in the link...I don't know how to do that! Hopefully, they'll sell next time...Third time's the charm...or so they say!
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stonecold613
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posted on January 13, 2003 01:57:50 PM new
Get rid of the commas and periods in your title. They interfere with the title search. You may also want to consider less photos and maybe doing without the background. All are cute, but for a bidder with dial up internet, (28K or 56K) your pages take a lot of time to load which in many cases the potential bidder will hit their back button and look at a different auction. There was a study done a while back and the conclusion was if the page opens in less then 45 seconds, then the chances of a bid where good. If it went over 45 seconds, 90% of the time the person would use their back button and move on.
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USMarines
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posted on January 14, 2003 07:37:55 AM new
From blueyes29:
I've run this auction twice now...gotten no bids either time. I thought this type item was quite collectible and am surprised the auction got no bids...so figure I MUST be doing something wrong.
I have looked at your auction, and it looks very nice. I don't think there is anything wrong with your listing. The Sale-Thru-rate on that Category presently is 44%, that means that you need to list an item 2.227 on the average to sell it. Fifty Seven percent of these items close with one bid. There is very good chance that you will sell it the third time!
Your price is well within the range of items I have looked on that category, as matter of fact it falls at the lower end of the price range. The average price on that category is $16.44. Maybe what you need is to raise the price, say to $9.95, sometimes a lower price does not attract buyers, because they have doubts about the quality of the item.
I too, do not accept PayPal payments below a certain amount, because of the high percent cost to process electronic payments thru Paypal. Your postage, is a little high, most items on that category I looked charge $3.00 for First Class with Tracking Number. They probable all use the eDelivery Confirmation.
Good luck!
[ edited by USMarines on Jan 14, 2003 07:40 AM ]
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aintrichyet
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posted on January 14, 2003 08:38:14 AM new
USMarines: ... where did you get these neat statistics???
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blueyes29
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posted on January 14, 2003 02:23:26 PM new
Again, THANKS ALL! GREAT suggestions...I'll be listing these cards again (separately) with some modifications AND lower shipping rates...And, if the "Marines" are right (and I'm sure they are...), I'm hoping for a sale. If anyone's interested, they'll probably go on Thursday...
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notjustbooks
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posted on January 14, 2003 02:34:41 PM new
Try the Victorian Trade card category in collectibles- advertising- victorian trade cards.
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USMarines
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posted on January 14, 2003 03:14:15 PM new
From: aintrichyet
USMarines: ... where did you get these neat statistics???
These statistics are available on the on
Click Here: eBay Sales. You can also try for free for 30 days one of the software they use to generate these statictics.
From: blueyes29
And, if the "Marines" are right (and I'm sure they are...), I'm hoping for a sale.
On the average you should get a sale this time. Don't forget to raise your price to $9.95. we will be keeping an eye on your auction.
Best of luck to you!
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getalife
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posted on January 14, 2003 09:24:14 PM new
When you ask for advice or suggestions you tend to get them. With your amount of feedback you certainly have more experience than myself. I would be more willing to pay $7 and $2 shipping than $5 for the card and $4 shipping. Just a psychological thing.
Also, my eyes had a tendency to glaze over as I read your terms of sale. Too many clauses, too much thinking and too many decisions. Well written, but I think it could have been more concise.
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