posted on November 18, 2003 02:17:25 PM new
I have a question for you two postcard gurus. I'm listing some old family postcards. Among them are two items that don't really fit in postcards.
* an old old picture of Yaquina Bay, b&w
* a 1919 Library of Congress souvenir folder with 22 postcard-sized pictures back to back (the kind that unfolds when opened in an accordian-like way.
I'm not sure where to list these. SEems to me the Library of Congress item could conceivably go into postcards? What about the old b&w pic?
___________________________________
Junk: Stuff we throw away.
Stuff: Junk we keep.
posted on November 18, 2003 03:24:29 PM new
I'm not sure where the picture should be listed, but the souvenir folder would probably go in postcards.
when it is folded and closed does it have a place on the back for address, etc?
As far as the picture, have you tried a general search under Ebay for vintage photograph, or old picture of, etc to see what you bring up and where they have it listed? I know old photos do pretty good. I keep an ongoing search for Brownwood, Texas (my hometown) and some occassionally get emailed to me but I haven't clicked on them to see where the seller had them listed.
posted on November 18, 2003 03:59:45 PM new
The folder would certainly be listed under postcards - unfortunately, they don't do very well .
I have listed old photos of places under the postcard category, I made sure I that I was VERY clear that it is NOT a postcard..ie title could be: "Old Photo Yaquina Bay Oregon Not PC." and make sure that you restate in the description that it is not a postcard. Here is an example of an auction I had of a photo under the postcard category: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2194205583
There is a category for old photographs under paper as well: (Home > All Categories > Collectibles > Photographic Images > Antique (Pre-1940) > Other Antique Images)
posted on November 18, 2003 05:28:38 PM new
Thanks, you two experts! Lindajean: Yes, there is a place for the folder to be addressed and mailed, and the postmark is 1919. I think I'll put them under postcards with lots of statements that they aren't postcards.
Neglus: Thanks for the photographic images link. I may double-list that Yaquina Bay picture under that link plus postcards with lots of caveats.
___________________________________
Junk: Stuff we throw away.
Stuff: Junk we keep.
posted on November 18, 2003 05:35:12 PM new
Neglus: I just looked at your photo auction and I like the way you've laid it out! And how did you get the photo to show that large at the beginning of the description? (This is probably something very elementary but I've never messed with that - yet.) Does Vendio host your pictures?
___________________________________
Junk: Stuff we throw away.
Stuff: Junk we keep.
posted on November 18, 2003 07:02:49 PM new
I'm not Neglus, but I can tell you how she does it. I have mine like that as well.
Vendio does host my photos(and I think hers). You just go in and turn off the option to reduce images under Ebay preferences.
That way, the image doesn't show up as click to enlarge, but as actual size. I have mine the same way. The only time I use the reduced size is when I am listing bulk lots and have lots of photo's to attach.
[ edited by lindajean on Nov 18, 2003 07:03 PM ]
posted on November 18, 2003 07:08:09 PM new
Another suggestion would be to be sure and list them at what you expect to get. Usually, my postcards go for one bid only and it doesn't seem to matter whether i list it at $3 or $4 or the $5 and $6 I have been using for the last month.
If I have a Real photo postcard or something I feel is worth more than others I will list it at even more.
Don't expect a really high sell through rate though. I usually only average 25% and Neglus runs a little higher than mine. This held true when I was listing them at $1.95 and $3.95. No real difference with the $5 and $6 asking prices.
I even tried the starting at a penny and was I sorry I did that! It seems people buy postcards because they mean something to them. Someone once lived there, worked there, went to church there, etc and unless it is a very rare card that person will be happy to pay a penny or $7 or 8 but it won't even be worth a penny to anyone else.
Just my two cents worth from playing around with it. I have Neglus to thank for letting me know boosting the price wouldn't change things as long as you keep it reasonable.
posted on November 18, 2003 07:30:37 PM new
Lindajean is right - I do use Vendio for image hosting but turn off the "click to enlarge feature". Sometimes I scan at 150% and sometimes 100% (depends on my mood and detail of the postcard I'd like to show).
Linda is right up about the pricing too...starting bids at .01 just doesn't work with most postcards.
If I were you I would save my $ on listing fees and just list in one category. People arent probably searching the photograph category for Yaquina Bay photos. More likely, they will do a keyword search for Yaquina Bay or Newport and yours will come up or they may do an Oregon postcard search and see yours (the photograph category is just too broad).
My sister who lives in Portland gave me a hint to not use the postal abbreviation OR for keyword search when listing Oregon cards.
posted on November 18, 2003 10:38:11 PM new
I've been toying with using two categories for PCs. If you had a postcard that's also a real photo, which category would you list it in?
Also, do you recommend gallery pic just for the thumbnail on the search page?
___________________________________
Junk: Stuff we throw away.
Stuff: Junk we keep.
posted on November 19, 2003 02:59:41 AM new
I would list in one category. If it's of a known place I would list under that state/cat. I am not at all that convinced that postcard collectors search by category ( as opposed to key word)to warrant the extra listing fee unless the card is really special.
The best thing you can do to sell postcards is to title it well and the second best thing you can do is to write a good description with key word searches in mind.
Don't waste words in the title saying postcard or pc unless you have room..DO try to say "Real photo" if you have room or "RPPC" if you don't. The "real photo" collectors will find you if you list like that. I make sure the description has "real photo post card" AND "rppc" in it.
I just looked at the Malibu photo auction in the link above. That's an example of a BAD title!! I should have said "Autos @ Malibu Rd Santa Monica CA '44 NOT PC" or "Photo Malibu Rd Santa Monica CA '44 NOT PC"! No wonder I just got one bid!
If there is an automobile or streetcar etc in the view, try to get that in the title too. THere are thousands of postcard listings - you have to title yours so your market can find it and persuade them to click on it when they do!
[ edited by neglus on Nov 19, 2003 03:08 AM ]
posted on November 19, 2003 08:26:11 AM new
I have searched through the listings days and days on end trying to figure out what I do wrong on some of my listings. I will find exact cards in poor condition that will have several bids while mine didn't get a one the week before.
Also, I will relist one that didn't sell last month and I will have a bidding war and it will do well.
I can verify that Neglus is one of the more successful sellers out there. You would be surprised at how many list every card at $1.95, $2.95 and $3.95 and they still only have a 25 to 30% sell through.
All that rambling was leading to your question. My listing and FVF fees run me 25% of final sales on average. Broken down in real figures, that comes to 100 listings will net me an average of 25 sells at an average of $6 each. I make $150. Ebay makes $30 on listings and $7.50 on FVF. So, I only make $112.50 for the 100. (this varies from week to week depending on when I get a couple of people wanting some of my postcards, but is a good average to work with).
Then, I have Vendio fees, my Paypal fees, etc. so I only make around $100 for the 100 listings (thankfully, relists do as well as first time listings so it isn't all that much work involved each week).
Now, if I had used 2nd categories there would go another $30 and if I had used gallery there would go another $25 and I would only make $45.
Of course, those features might (and I stress might because I don't notice any real increase when I use gallery on Free gallery days) increase sales some, but it would still cost more than it was worth.
That's just my two cents worth. I don't think anyone looks through categories anymore. There are over 142,000 postcard listings and even narrowing it down to states, there are 1,662 postcards running now from Texas and 5,750 from California. If I am looking for a Bakersfield, CA or Abilene, Texas postcard I'm not going to wade through page after page to find it, I will just type in Abilene TX and see what I get.
From my experience, key words are the key, not giving Ebay even more of the profit.
posted on November 19, 2003 09:13:07 AM new
OOPS! realized I didn't address the thumbnail question..Lindajean is right..DON'T FEED THE EBAY KITTY!!
I will use the thumbnail on "special cards" - I still don't know if that helps sell or not. I wouldn't waste the money on "run-of-the-mill" cards. With the low sell through rate in the US TOWN & CITIES postcard category, the fees do mount up in a hurry!
I have a hunch that many of the postcard sales are nostalgic purchases of a hometown, honeymoon spot etc and you just can't predict when the right buyer will be around to buy it. Having a thumbnail will not make them turn on the computer during your listing. If you do get lucky, and they are online, then they will search that specific place using key words.
posted on November 19, 2003 10:20:13 AM new
You two have been wonderful to give me so many tips! This hasn't been postcards 101--it's been a 400-level college course, and I appreciate it immensely.
Last night I took a look at the postcards category and nearly fainted. I can see why the sell-through rate is so low. I was mainly looking to see how many thumbnails there were, and your tip to use the gallery only for special cards is an excellent one.
I have 8 old (30s) Laguna Beach cards in color that are very pretty, and I'm thinking of offering free shipping to buyers who get 4 or more. I did that recently with some old china-painting magazines I had and people seemed to like it (not free shipping with those, but 20% discount on all, if they bought more than 4 of the 10). Increased my bids a bit.
___________________________________
Junk: Stuff we throw away.
Stuff: Junk we keep.
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