hwkncat
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posted on April 24, 2003 12:33:40 AM new
From those experienced clothing/accessory sellers here, what is the best way to increase bids and sales on NWT clothing items that are not junk, but not high end either? (ie villager, sonoma, Mudd etc.)
I don't want to cut the prices too low (below 4 dollars) or too high (above 9 or so) in order to avoid losing my ROI or driving away potential buyers. I am using Priority shipping and so far am losing money on the actual shipping price (more times than not the actual is higher than what I am asking) but I have eaten the costs so far in hopes I can keep increasing my base and try to retain and create repeaters. So far just single buyers.
My selling rate right now is about 20-25%.
Tips? Suggestions?
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neonmania
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posted on April 24, 2003 03:10:53 AM new
I actually sell or for that matter buy clothing on ebay but I would think that showing outfits rather than just a single item and then statng that the other item is also available in another auction might help you to create additional sales to at least increase your sell thru rate.
BTW - Don't sell yourself short on shipping, especially at the beginning. Eventually you are going to have to stop doing it and those return buyers will notice. As long as you have a good price, good product, good customer service people don't mind paying fair shipping.
Also, how are you picturing your clothing? The few times I have looked at clothing I noticed that most sellers photograph the shirt laying on a flat surface. There is a reason the no clthing retailers do this....it is not enticing. You can pick up inexpensive forms from retial supplies stores - I've never figured out why more sellers don't use them.
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hwkncat
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posted on April 24, 2003 02:35:07 PM new
neon,
thanks for your input. Here's
one of my current auctions:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=2826251002
I do have a postal scale and I'm going to hae to get more diligent about using it again.
Any different way I should be wording my listing info?
More tips please!!
hwkncat
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neonmania
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posted on April 24, 2003 03:11:31 PM new
Personally I think the description is fine. I would have put added a pair slacks, and maybe a pic with and without a jacket to inspire ensemble concepts in bidders minds.
Other than that, its a nice clean easy to read layout, well written with a clear photo. - maybe add a close up shot to show the detail of the pattern but that could just be me.
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Roadsmith
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posted on April 24, 2003 09:41:51 PM new
Yes, do use your postal scale, and whenever possible pile on the size box you think you'll use plus some packing material. Even extra tape that you close the package with, plus the paper label, can sometimes add just the teeny amount that pushes your package into the next weight category.
It's easy to want to underestimate the shipping weight. I don't charge extra for shipping, but I've gotten smarter about estimating correctly. And when I overestimate and charge too much by a country mile, I send a reimbursement check.
Most porcelain plates, for example, might weight about a pound, but by the time they're in a sturdy (much larger) box with good packing materials, I would cheat myself if I only charged for 2 pounds. Now, when selling a plate, I say the shipping weight will be 3#; so far I've had absolutely no complaints about my shipping charges. You have to get a bit tough with yourself on this though; some of us tend to feel sorry for the buyer, when the buyer doesn't care that much one way or the other.
I'll bet Dr. Phil would agree.
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Libra63
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posted on April 24, 2003 10:13:59 PM new
What do you package your item in? Do you use the soft priority mail envelopes? I think that sweater could have fit in one of those so what I would do is weigh the item and add a half a pound for packaging. I also wrap my item in tissue paper for that extra touch. If you use the box I would add a pound. Then if you want to charge a handling fee put an extra 50 cents or so to that. Remember use all the free things you can. When you ship priority you can get the Delivery confirmation free from the USPS website, that saves you 55 cents.
http://shiplabel.usps.com/cgi-bin/api/shipping_label.cgi?
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ewora
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posted on April 24, 2003 11:39:56 PM new
Weigh everything. I bought a big industrial size saran wrap from Costco and plastic wrap everything. If it's high end I tissue it and then saran it. My customers seem to appreciate it.
I use a very interesting technique for pictures that I haven't seen any other clothing seller's use. I show the back of the clothes in a mirror. Buyers seem to think it's clever.
See example
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3016&item=2825966485&rd=1
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hwkncat
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posted on April 25, 2003 03:30:45 AM new
I usually use the USPS Priority tyvek envelopes for smaller items or those that are not fragile, and the priority boxes (the smaller ones, the PO says they don't have the larger cube size anymore), and the priority tape and labels. That's the main reason I use the USPS, for the free supplies.
If I am concerned about the possibility of wet weather where the package is going, or just to make the customer feel they are getting a better packaged item, I wrap the item in a large ziplock bag before putting it into the mailing container. I started doing this after a nice dress I ordered was sent in a tyvek envelope and was on my porch during a rainstorm. When I opened it, the whole thing was damp and some of the colors had bled.
I guess I better strt being honest with myself about the real weight of shipping supplies, I did not realize they add that much extra weight.
The back view of the clothes is why I usually take a side or rear view, and a close up of special detailing. The only problem of the closeup is my images that are very closeup are rejected by vendio for being too large, plus thinking of those dialup customers and the time it takes to load large images makes me reconsider that a bit. I just try to take a good quality picture.
If you all don't mind taking a look at my auctions and telling me if you have anymore tips or ideas I would really appreciate it.
Here's an example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=2826251002
thanks for all the advice so far, I really appreciate it ! bluebounce
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hwkncat
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posted on April 25, 2003 03:33:32 AM new
Waaahhh!!
Let's try that boucy guy again..
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tomwiii
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posted on April 25, 2003 03:34:24 AM new
Yer PICS are way too huge!!!
Please CRUNCH!!
Here is the bestest free pic proggie out there...
IRFAN VIEW!!
http://tinyurl.com/aam9
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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tomwiii
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posted on April 25, 2003 03:37:18 AM new
Here's STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS for HAPPY PICS with IRFAN VIEW:
http://tinyurl.com/6ew7
I try to keep my pics < 400 X 400 while under 50kb for bestest happiest loading 
Ralphie loves Mr Blonde:
"Are you gonna bark all day little doggie, or are you gonna bite?"
http://tinyurl.com/5duz
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hwkncat
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posted on April 25, 2003 03:48:21 AM new
thankz tomwii, I needed a program like that, but just had not gotten around to it yet.
hwkncat
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paws4God
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posted on April 25, 2003 12:48:56 PM new
Hwkncat-----
I'm certainly no expert but I do think your pictures need to be closer and with a little more light. They are clear but too dark and far away to really see details. It is difficult to take good clear pictures but I sure try. Sometimes it takes 5 or 6 tries before I get it. I still don't have the hang of jewelry or coins. When I was selling my dad's coin collection I just about went crazy trying to get clear close-ups!!!!
Maybe go to eBays tips page and print out the html code reference to add a little sparkle to the text. Use dividers (bars) and different colors of text for a few things. I try to keep it simple but with a little personality. With the few bids I'm getting maybe I need advice myself on how to do this. Explore auctions in the same catagory you sell and see what you like and do the same thing but with your taste. Go searching on the web for free and nice dividers or gifs to add that special touch. I just learned two weeks ago how to insert them into my auctions thanks to the nice and helpful people on this board....thank you!
I have been selling on eBay for only 4 years so I am no expert. In fact the way things are right now I feel like an idiot for even writing auctions. Guess income tax has the bidding down. I know it will get better because it always does but it seems bleak right now. I don't know if cutting prices to stimulate interest is the thing to do but thats what I've done. I think I will get a load of auctions written and saved and wait a few days to see if things pick up.
not paws4God on ebay
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Roadsmith
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posted on April 25, 2003 01:40:10 PM new
Paws4God: I too saw dismal sales (most things sold but for very little) a couple of weeks ago but stuff I have up for auction right now is getting lots and lots of hits--not a lot of bids--but lots more lookers. Sunday night will tell if things have truly turned around.
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stanleymu
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posted on April 26, 2003 02:37:19 AM new
i would change the title of the auction:
VILLAGER gold floral LS knit swtr Sz S NWT
to
NWT Claiborne Villager gold ls top small s
piture is good however instead of showing the top from the side I would take a close up of the design on the fabric
best of luck
(not stanleymu on eBay)
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hdm228
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posted on April 26, 2003 07:04:12 AM new
hwkncat
I don't sell clothes, but as for the post office not having the cube boxes, they do if you order off their website. You have to order min qty of 25 or 50 and they deliver for free too. My postman hates me. Here are some order #'s that may help.
1'x1'x8" Item No: O-BOX7
7"x7"x6" Item No: O-BOX4
I found them under the business section of shipping supplies. They come in about 5 or 6 days.
If you knew this already then I am sorry for taking up your time.
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marcn
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posted on April 26, 2003 08:58:08 AM new
HWKNCAT:
I sell clothing exclusively and have been very successfull. You need to get closer in on the pictures. Many times I take an overall shot and then a closeup of details. Also plus size clothing is what sells best. Below is a link of an example of how I lay out my listings.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11626&item=2826114846
Good Luck!
[ edited by marcn on Apr 26, 2003 08:58 AM ]
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paws4God
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posted on April 26, 2003 09:21:15 AM new
marcn------
No wonder you are a power seller! Great photos and layout. I'm still working on the lighting on photos. Tried some with just natural light and they didn't work well...back to the flash. Anyway Great job! Hope I can do as well someday.
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marcn
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posted on April 26, 2003 09:41:53 AM new
paws4GOD:
Thank you for the nice comment. I use a combination of natural plus flash. Most pictures are taken in the morning when the light is coming in from outside along with the flash.
Marc
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inot
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posted on April 26, 2003 10:03:25 AM new
How nice of you to share your lisings with us Marcn... they are beautiful! I sell antiques and vintage items...it's so hard to get the lighting just right. Too many shadows in natural light and too cold with a flash, but I am working on it. Looks like you have mastered it. Your listings are just the right combination of everything. Paws is right, no wonder you do so well.
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