ladyjewels2000
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posted on July 17, 2003 08:07:31 AM new
Is anything working on ebay now. I have some items started low hoping for early bids and NOTHING yet? Other things started higher but below market - still nothing yet??
Is there anything working right now or should I just pack up and go to the beach??
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drcomm
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posted on July 17, 2003 08:26:16 AM new
If you can afford to do it, pack up and go to the beach! Summer sucks on ebay.
70% of what I sell is on consigment. If I were to start someone's widget out at .99 and have it go for the opening bid, I would be in deep kimchee (not to mention I would loose out on my initial 10% of opening bid up front). I don't do my auctions that way either, because during this season, it's a pretty big risk that I'll have a one bid wonder.
During fall and winter I do a lot of auctions that way, but only my own stuff.
All of my auctions are unique with few exceptions (I ocassionally get a lot of something to sell) and primarily antiques and collectibles. I'm selling most of what I list..it's just taking 2-3 listings on many things until the right buyer sees it.
Deana
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maggielane
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posted on July 17, 2003 08:46:34 AM new
Depends on the item. If it is a popular item that generally get's lots of bid's start it low, generally you will do better. If it is an item that only a few people will want but has value start it at a higher price. I generally don't list at less than I am willing to sell an item for. What you have to do is do your research.
"For I know the plans I have for you." says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
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deltim
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posted on July 17, 2003 09:24:25 AM new
It's a gamble either way.
For instance... I have had a number of items (even in the last month) that have received no bids at $9.95 I relisted them starting at $7.95 and they ended around $15.
I had a rare vintage huge Disney playset in the box. I listed it twice (10 days with gallery) at $99.95 and received no bids. I relisted it at $74.95 (7 days no gallery) and it sold for $106.
On the other hand... I had two identicalk original Russ Snuggle bears with the tag. I listed one starting at $2.95 and it sold for around $35. The day that one ended I listed a second auction and it ended with one bid at $2.95 Both auctions were 7 days, same exact title/description and same category. (and yes, both were paid for... but I can't imagine the first bidder was to happy to see the second one sell for that).
So there really is no rhyme or reason. I try something once or twice at the price I would like to get... then I lower it. Unless it is a sure seller and you have very little invested, then why waste the extra listing fees... just start it low and take your gamble.
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sarniaflower
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posted on July 17, 2003 10:12:39 AM new
my feelings are the same as deltim
but I will add that I have increased sales a tad with "BIN" and "free shipping" free shipping doesn't always work but it seems to work well on some items
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AuctionAce
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posted on July 17, 2003 12:42:45 PM new
You can really see the different pricing strategies and their results when you research items with the ebay search engine. The 'one cent - no reserve' sellers are getting more and more beat up these days and that strategy seems to be losing favor rapidly on ebay. There does seem to be no rythme nor reason to the winning prices and I suppose it is dependent on the number of bidders on ebay in the listing period.
My personal method is to place a value at the minimum that I will accept for the item on ebay. If the item does not sell it gets one 10 day tour at Yahoo for a nickel and then off to my ioffer store where it can sit till the cows come home at no cost to me to list.
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"Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error."
- Andrew Jackson
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glassgrl
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posted on July 17, 2003 03:20:08 PM new
Well I would definately get close to what you actually want out of your items. I just bought a book for $20.00 that at any other time sells for $75.00 and up. I've been looking for one for 3 years and it's out of print, but this seller started it at $9.99.
It's a buyers market on Ebay right now. I've made some incredible buys lately!
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Libra63
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posted on July 17, 2003 07:33:24 PM new
This is my best month ever. 3 weeks ago I listed a bowl for $9.99 I received no bids so 2 days before the auction ended I dropped the price to $6.99. No bids. Relisted the bowl the next week and it sold for $20.00. Go figure. The Goodwill has been good to me this month. They must have had someone pricing that didn't know anything. Out of a $10.00 investment I made over $100.00. That doesn't happen everyday and I guess I was in the right place at the right time.
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Randolph
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posted on July 17, 2003 09:15:50 PM new
I am beginning to believe ladyjewels is right and nothing is working right now. Have always used strategy of starting everything at $2.99 with no reserve including high end items (sold Tiffany desk set for over $2000 that way) but now and it seems since ebay changed format, and emphasized Watch It that not getting consistent bids on anything. About two weeks ago started higher end items at $9.88 (far less than expected would bring) and these are getting sporadic bids and more of $2.99 items not getting bids at all). Do not remember prior summers being so bad.
May just start setting price want to get and see what happens but also feel have lost lots of loyal buyers who could get deals who no longer look so not getting near to % of completed sales or at dollars should get. Am power seller with this and "real" store trying to figure out strategy. Do other sellers feel new layout hurts?
Rannie Vernon
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stonecold613
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posted on July 17, 2003 09:23:31 PM new
Generally this time of year is slow. The trick is to get items that will generally sell in most conditions. Keep the slower moving items listed at Yahoo and the third tier sites for exposure. Things will generally pick back up just after labor day. Then it will be time to list like mad for the Christmas season.
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AuctionAce
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posted on July 17, 2003 09:58:53 PM new
No doubt summer is a slow period but this summer seems super slow. Too many things listed on ebay, bad economy, etc?
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"Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that he is in error."
- Andrew Jackson
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ohmslucy
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posted on July 17, 2003 10:15:53 PM new
Deltim,
Next time you have more than one and the first one goes high, do a Second Chance offer to the first underbidder.
I did that a few days ago. The second bidder was delighted to get the item for his max bid.
Lucy
Life's too short to drink cheap wine...
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neroter12
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posted on July 17, 2003 10:58:00 PM new
I think (IMHO) the ecomony is worst than originally thought but nobody is talking about it or just pretending it isnt so.
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