posted on February 6, 2003 01:01:18 PM new
I've been looking at a lot of clothing and shoe auctions lately. My chin is getting bruised from my jaw dropping to hit the tabletop.
So much stuff is listed at giveaway prices, and it's not getting bids. How do you folks survive?
I was just looking at a designer silk suit blouse for $9.99, new with tags. Closed with no bids. Shoes that retailed for $79.99 to $99.99, listed for $9.99 new. Closed with no bids. We're not talking generic here; we're talking well-known brand names. Even one of the biggest new and used clothing sellers, who I won't name but their eBay id has Batman's home town in it, is having problems making sales.
Part of the problem, I think, is today's FLD for fixed price. Some people have oversaturated their categories, and then saturated them some more. I got 10 pages of results on Alfred Sung perfume alone, mostly fixed-price listings.
I think it turns buyers off to see so much material available. I think they start to wonder if it's really worth even less than the starting bid.
posted on February 6, 2003 01:23:20 PM new
I don't know fluffy, I can hardly give away my great shoes. High quality Birks. unfortunately there are sellers out there who choose to sell them so cheap it has about put me under. I am lucky just to get rid of my stock. Unless they are stealing them, they have to be losing money....
edited because I can't seem to type today...
[ edited by cramer on Feb 6, 2003 01:27 PM ]
[ edited by cramer on Feb 6, 2003 01:28 PM ]
posted on February 6, 2003 01:26:55 PM new
Fluffy: I have noticed the same thing myself. I suspect that in a few months, many sellers that thought they would make a fortune quick on ebay will quit. Many of them are buying those clothes pallets and not doing well.
Also, many buy sale items from stores and try to sell on ebay.
I only start bids at what I am willing to accept. Recently I have had a 83% bid rate.
I check constantly to see what is listed. I have 12 styles up right now and no one has anything listed like them. One seller has a style that is similar to one I have listed. Hers is $199 mine is $49. People are BIN mine like crazy.
I have the luxury of listing when and what I want. Many sellers do not. They need to list constantly just to break even.
posted on February 6, 2003 01:44:09 PM new
A few months ago they profiled the seller on 60 minutes who was supposedly making $30 to $40,000 a month on ebay. She was the one that worked with her family and had bought 3 houses with ebay profits.
I followed her auctions for awhile and she didn't seem to be doing all that well. I just looked again now and I still wonder if the story was exaggerated somewhat.
Judging by her bids and her feedback received since the story (not a lot) I don't think times are all that great for many clothing and shoe sellers.
I think it turns buyers off to see so much material available. I think they start to wonder if it's really worth even less than the starting bid.
posted on February 6, 2003 02:17:53 PM new
A clothing Seller Speaks:
When everyone was complaining after 9-11, my sales were up.
Christmas 2001 was great for me ~ not so for most others.
Deadbeat rate of less than 1% ~ bidders wanted my stuff, they bid high, and they paid for it.
yippee!!
All of the AW threads rang of sellers crying for bidders. I couldn't relate.
Through October 2002 I had amazing sales and a profitable 90% closing rate ~ relist had me closing 100% with good profits.
I was able to list low, never use reserve, ship at my cost, sell high, and make $$$!
Too Awesome!
After three solid years, the bottom dropped out sometime in November. I slowed down my listings around Thanksgiving ~ 20 auctions or less per week through January.
Sellers like evalueville have the biider looking for over 80% off retail. Most others can't compete unless they buy irregulars or steal the stuff.
My attempts to buy clothing (NWT) on eBay came up with horrendous stories of poor customer service.
At least I now understood why my customers left me such *glowing* feedback for what I considered BAU.
ennyhoo...
I spent much of January trying to find a new niche for myself that would be as much fun (& profit) as the clothing categories.
I'm still 'in search of'....
[ edited by zoomin on Feb 6, 2003 02:23 PM ]
posted on February 6, 2003 02:44:44 PM new
Lots to think about in this thread.
It's no secret that a lot of eBay clothing sellers are getting Bloomingdales/Macys/etc shelf pulls from liquidators.
But...
If I owned a department store and saw my floor sales eroded because people could get goods for 80-90% off retail on eBay, wouldn't I think twice about liquidating to online sellers? Or would I just be thrilled that I was getting a good return on past-season goods? I don't know enough about the department store business to say.
Still, it makes you wonder how successful Amazon's new clothing store will be.
I'm trying to figure out how to cross-market to my current customers. If I have a marcasite necklace, say, I'd like to be able to put a pointer in the auction to another accessory that would look great with it. That's why I was looking at clothing and shoe sales. Don't wanna go there now.
posted on February 6, 2003 03:35:27 PM new
fluffy:
I'm trying to figure out how to cross-market to my current customers
Have you looked into the belt & purse option?
Seems like those who are spending disposable income on jewelry might enjoy further accessorizing(sp?)
just a thought!
High End Designer Name brands in purses & wallets are still doing well if sticking with the ultimate classics (COACH, LV, etc) or the chic & trendy (Kate Spade, etc)
BTW, in my previous post, I forgot to mention ~ the postal increase / zone change also help to kill clothing sales.
posted on February 6, 2003 08:03:04 PM new the postal increase / zone change also help to kill clothing sales
I think the USPS increase - Zone change changed everything on eBay. I only buy thrift store items and last week I had a great sell through rate. I didn't make as much money on each product as I usually do as prices are down for me also. I only buy name brand or unusual ties and one of my name brand ties when for about $20.00 cheaper than normal. I have another to put on so I will see what happens to that one.
posted on February 6, 2003 08:23:07 PM new
fluffy.........belts?!!!!! yeah!!!!! you need a business partner? Ya came to the right place!!!!! Belts is ,,,,,,,,MY ,,,,,,thing!!!!!!! ooooooo,yeaH!!!!!! Feel it.........OOOOOOOO,,,,,YEAH they feel it!!!!!
Shoes????? you mean like,,,,,,,spikers!!!!!! really.......really high ,,,,,,,,,,high,,,,,SPIKES!!!!!!! Spikers!!!!!!!!!Yikes!!!!!!!!! Like, Right Down my Alley............SPIKES AND BELTS......ahhhhhhh........DREAMS CAN come TRUE..........It CAN Happen to you......OOOOOOOOOOOOOO,,,,,,,yeaH!!!!!SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSNNNNNnnnnnAAAAAaaaaaaaPPPPPPPPpppppppppppppp!!!!!!!!!!!
posted on February 7, 2003 04:40:41 AM new
Zoomin, I noticed the same thing in November, and even the high end handbags are down from what they were just three months ago. The shipping increases did have a lot to do with it. But take a look at what some sellers are charging for shipping. $8.00 for a scarf that can ship for $2.25? I'm seeing more outrageous shipping than I used to in the clothing categories, and it does hurt sales. The oversaturation is another factor, as is the economy.
You have the right to an informed opinion -Harlan Ellison
posted on February 7, 2003 05:44:10 AM new
agreed, snowyegret!
It amazes me that some sellers get $8 to ship a tee shirt & refuse to combine shipping.
*sigh*
I know the story: they will not survive
Unfortunately, the *true* ending will not resemble a Fairy Tale where the good & professional sellers reap the benefits of the Big Bad Wolf's departure.
The ripped off bidders disappear, never to be seen again.
The *burn*, in their eyes, was from eBay in general and not the Bad Seller. All eBay Sellers get the scarlet letter.
fluffy:
Unfortunately I possess no fashion sense whatsoever
Have you been hitting the 'Im-not-really-feeling-fluffy-today' pills again?
What is this fashion sense nonsense?
All you need is business sense & you already possess more than your average ball of fluff in that department.
In upscale clothing categories, it is not fashion & quality that sell, it is name recognition and trends.
Go get yourself a couple of magazines that cater to the same target market as your most profitable or best selling pieces. There must be at least ten monthly fashion mags that target each market ~ even Good Housekeeping has fashion in it.
You know your market demographics ~ go find their role models & favorite brands.
Partner???
feh!
Just Go For It!
posted on February 7, 2003 10:15:48 AM new
zoomin: Thanks! I needed that.
Go get yourself a couple of magazines that cater to the same target market as your most profitable or best selling pieces.
That is an unbelievably good suggestion. You may think that is hyperbole, until I tell you that my usual workday wear is scrubs. Yeah, scrubs. Just like "ER". Today's color is green.
--
Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more. --George W. Bush, 02/01/03
posted on February 7, 2003 11:32:39 AM new
Fluffy: Zommin is right on the money. Look through the mags and watch those stupid shows about the latest fashion trends.
Anyway, most people have no fashion sense until I tell them what to wear
As for belts and purses, I may be able to pint you in the right direction according to what you need. I get hundreds of catalogs and such for wholesale belts and purses.
posted on February 7, 2003 12:43:48 PM new
IMHO the TOS of many sellers is beginning to be a real turn off too.
I shop a great deal on ebay (whatever I sell gets spent on I just have to have it items).
Well after reading this thread last night I started to browse for shoes. Everytime I found a pair I wanted, either the shipping was out of sight or the TOS was so long and restrictive that I just gave up.
I did find one seller though, her TOS was short and to the point and very very friendly. When I looked at all of her items, most had multiple bids and nothing was going cheap in my opinion.
posted on February 7, 2003 02:09:01 PM newEverytime I found a pair I wanted, either the shipping was out of sight or the TOS was so long and restrictive that I just gave up
Via UPS it costs between $6.50-$10.20 to ship a pair of shoes. That does not include the new boxes I use, or packing supplies. Most packages ship for around $8.00. That is for 1 pair of shoes. A pair of pumps, slingbacks, stilettos...whatever. Boots are even more expensive.
I do give a big discount for multiple purchases since UPS gets real cheap when you have more things in 1 box.
I have an excellent sell through rate.
What is "out of sight" shipping to you?
To me it is when sellers charge $20 to ship a pair of Versace heels and that does not include insurance or delivery confirmation.
posted on February 7, 2003 02:09:46 PM new
rarriffle: I don't subscribe to the belief that a TOS affects your sales (since the evidence is clear that too few people read), but convince me. Why not post a link to one of her auctions.
--
Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more. --George W. Bush, 02/01/03
posted on February 7, 2003 02:17:14 PM newI don't subscribe to the belief that a TOS affects your sales (since the evidence is clear that too few people read)....
What you said.
TOS are rarely read. They are a reference point to school buyers when they complain about something AFTER the auction has ended and usually before they have paid.
posted on February 9, 2003 08:12:27 AM new
I do well on the items because I keep shipping down to the almost the actual cost and i have repeat customers. When I am looking on Ebay and see a buyer with a out ragious shipping I will not bid on that item even if I want it.
