posted on July 18, 2001 01:11:27 PM
I tried $1.00 NR auctions for awhile. I found the items that I had a lot of were bringing $6.00 - $8.00 each. I changed the starting bid to $9.99 and they all sold for $9.99 - 12.00
Also on odd items that I pay good for I think I would be stupid to risk selling an item at a loss. When I have an item that I know I can sell at the flea market for $50.00 it would not be good business to chance selling it for less on eBay.
Just my opinion but I have made a living selling tools & collectibles for 20 years.
posted on July 18, 2001 01:14:16 PM
I sell clothes..mostly plus size womens and mens suits.
I always do my research before I list each item. I have studied high bids, and with clothes it doesn't seem like $1 is a sure thing. I have seen some things sell high starting at $1 and also see a lot of things sell high starting high!
posted on July 18, 2001 01:20:06 PM
It sounds like fantastic results with $1.00 NR auctions.
However, not being much of a gambler and having been around for about three years or so on line---sometimes things happen that we have no control over--like picture server down, or worse, eBay down when our auctions are ending.
To see an auction end at $1.00 starting price due to circumstances beyond a seller's control would make my hair more white than it is now!
Reasonable starting bids, based on book value, ended eBay results and what I have into it, have sorta kinda worked for me.
IF--I could be assured that eBay would not crash when my auctions end, IF I could be assured that the pics would be available for the entire auction--then--might consider $1.00 NR auctions.
Till then, offering my items up for bid at a price I can live with if they only receive one bid. (And Sometimes--that hurts a bit too! Not because of what I have into it--but what it should actually be worth. But my high bidders are estatic and become eBay devotees!)
Yes--that nebulous--book price--or if you are shopping at the Fleas--"you know what this gets on eBay?!"
All boils down to what has been said many times before, an item is worth what someone is willing to bid.
I admire all who are starting their bids a $1.00--ya got more balls than me.
You brought up another good point. eBay is NOT the only place some of us sell. I have a stash for eBay, and another for the local antique auction house. 2 years ago I could never have expected some of my eBay duds [if I had any back then?] to sell for 2-3 times more locally, than they do on eBay.
I purchase many items that I have no intention of listing on eBay, because on eBay the market for those items is very soft, but locally the market is very strong.
Covering both markets keeps my sell through rate at close to 100%.
Who in the heck are you that you have obviously changed your AW ID? You seem to think you know an awful lot about me and some other users here.
For weeks & months now all I've seen on this board is whining and complaining about how bad sales are.
You don't see me joining in on those threads. My sales are good and continue to be good and I'm just relaying one way to make it possible.
And yes, I know there is a lot of risk factors involve...eBay being down, pic hosting being down ect. ect.
I feel the risks must be worth it or I wouldn't continue to sell in this way.
My money spent for my goods is as good as yours and no less valued. I WANT TO MAKE A PROFIT obviouly or I wouldn't be doing this.
Whether I do it FULL time, PART time or any other time should not make a twit of a difference.
Just trying to pass on what works for me. As I recall(don't remember who it was), right here on this board a year ago I got the idea from another AW user who swore by this method. I am eternally grateful for the heads-up and Idea.
Sorry, no offense was meant by my earlier comment. Whether one does this FULL time, PART time or any other time makes one helluva difference IMO.
What does NOT make one twit of a difference, is who the heck I am. What, you think no one lurks on these AW boards? Only registered users read the comments posted here? HELLO
You're the one who started this thread referring to some sellers [who refuse to see things your way] NAY-SAYERS.
I'm simply here giving the viewpoint from the other side of the fence.
FYI - the grass is plenty green over here as well.
posted on July 18, 2001 06:42:34 PMFor weeks & months now all I've seen on this board is whining and complaining about how bad sales are. You don't see me joining in on those threads. My sales are good and continue to be good ....
Hmmmmm. Your sales are good, but some (or is it a lot?) close at $1. Oh, I get it, you make it up in volume.
Several other people have said it best: it depends on what you sell!! Actually, I'll go further, it depends on what you sell AND the ebay market for that item or category. And probably the ebay market for that item/category the week you list it.
Actually, packer, I think your idea is a good one. It just can't/won't work for everybody all the time. For me, it wouldn't be worth packing anything at that price (esp. since I don't make up a shortfall in profits with any -- let alone excessive --handling fees, like some do!). I'd get too depressed, and resent the heck out of my poor buyers. NO fun at all!
posted on July 18, 2001 08:34:42 PM
I usually list everything at $1.00 NR too, but right now I have been really depressed about my ending prices. I have never experienced this before. Last summer, when everyone else was complaining about how bad sales were, I was happy with my sales. This summer, even with $1 NR, I am not at all happy with my sales. I'm listing less, because I just can't afford to keep giving the stuff away, and I can't afford to pay listing fees and have my stuff not sell.
I am doubly depressed because I keep getting outbid on everything I am bidding on. The buyers are out there, why aren't they bidding on MY stuff? WAHHHHHH!!!!!
posted on July 19, 2001 03:37:05 PM
As I have an International audience for my lots, I am very happy to sell at $1 N/R. The World then decides the value. This is not my trading name.
posted on July 19, 2001 04:08:47 PMkiawok & packer...
Hmmm. Well, packer, you got me to try the $1 no reserve auction. I happen to have one lot of collectibles that is all profit to me, at this point. I listed 3 lots of this item at the $1 price.
I got: $42, $80 (something) and $20 (something).
These figures illustrate how erratic the buying is. I couldn't afford to gamble in this fashion, if I had money in this stuff. I do it for a living.
Nevertheless, I'm happy in this instance, cause it was all profit...
I would not do this as a general rule, however, because I can't afford to gamble with family income.
posted on July 19, 2001 04:34:56 PM
PACKER: I'm glad you're doing well with the $1 NR system. I plan to borrow the idea when I do some of my fall listings.
QUESTION: Were you the one who had an auction up a few months ago of a big lot of jewelry we called "Eye Candy"? If so, then perhaps one of the secrets to your success is that you had a lot of gorgeous, clear pictures and a very detailed description. I remember it as an awesome listing. I think I bid, but got beaten out.
Can't remember that part clearly, and can't remember your eBay ID, but the lesson I took away from it was to improve my pics and try to make my listing description as detailed and attractive as possible.
So, if that was you, then I thank you. And, if that was not you, well thanks anyway for bringing it to mind; and, for initiating this interesting discussion.
posted on July 19, 2001 04:48:54 PM
misscandle,
Right you are, you have a good memory.
"Eye Candy" that was a fun listing, it took many hours to put together...But...oooh, was it worth it.
Thank you so kindly for the compliment.
I won't kid you one bit about the anxiety I can get sometimes putting things on for a buck. But I'm committed to it, I've worked hard this past year to assure buyers that my auctions start at $1.00 NR. I have many that thank me and "bookmark" me.
For me it has paid off so much more then what I was doing before.
And yes, some things do sell for a buck, the market is fickle. I am not going to waste my time on reserves and relists hoping that the right buyer may come along.
I've read on these boards here where some sellers relist 4 or 5 times.
Nope, not for me.
A year ago I was develpoing a real big dislike for eBay and was considering getting out. I was no longer having any FUN.
Well, 1 year later I can say that I've had the best and the FUNNEST year on eBay in my 3+ year career as an eBay seller.
posted on July 19, 2001 04:58:51 PMyou have a good memory
Yeah, right! I can't even remember if I bid on your auction, and I can't remember your eBay ID. I'd take that memory medicine, but I can't remember the name.
Anyway, you did a good job on the Eye Candy. If that is an example of your work, then it's no wonder you're doing well.
posted on July 19, 2001 05:18:14 PM
Okay, that Zen stuff hasn't worked on me since the 70s. Just e-mail me already! This is driving me nuts. [email protected].
posted on July 19, 2001 06:31:51 PM
Thanks for the #'s you posted toke, I've had similar results in the past. eBay IS a fickle market, and IMHO unless one HAS to sell *everything* in stock within 30 days it can be crazy letting *everything* fly at $1 NR.
Packer
I am not going to waste my time on reserves and relists hoping that the right buyer may come along.
Hmmmmm. If one has a "few" items that don't sell, and relists them & they DO sell the second time around [for the price you want/need to make a fair profit] is that really a waste of time? Gee, I dunno, but if it means I can get $140, instead of $40, I don't think I would consider that a WASTE of my time.
Same thing with reserves, I try to use them very sparingly, but IMHO they have their place on eBay as well.
Once again, I believe it depends on what you're selling.
posted on July 19, 2001 07:08:31 PMWell I just bid on a $1 NR auction.
I bid just $1.00
That is why I stopped running $1/NR auctions. I'd have items get 8 bids, and only be at $3. For some reason, when some people bid on low priced auctions, they don't seem to want to make a proxy bid. I have better luck starting the item off a little higher, and getting fewer bids.
Lots of bids is good, but only if the price goes up faster than a quarter at a time.
posted on July 19, 2001 07:21:42 PM
Packer - I'm with you 100% on this one. I start all of my auctions at 1.00 and most of my items sell for more than my competitors. Plus, I get a lot of repeat customers. I never complain that my sales are slow either. I sell mostly clothing though; really dont know how other categories would be with the $1 start......
posted on July 22, 2001 02:28:39 PM
Hi Becky,
It largely depends on what you sell. As far as books go that also depends on what they are and the demand for them.
I collect Nancy Drew books, so I know how high the bidding on some of those can go with just $1 start. Any childrens series books from the 30's, 40's & 50's go very well especially if they have the Dust Jacket and are in decent shape.
I do alot of search before I list to make sure that it will be worth the time and money spend.
If I have something I don't think is worth the trouble even for a buck I put it in my pile for the garage sale.
Over the years I've become more selective when I buy so that helps cut down on alot of unsaleable stuff. However I have been wrong sometimes in my buying.
I'll buy something I'm just sure that its going to be a winner only to find out its going for nothing on eBay. I just hold onto that stuff and do searches now and then on it to see if the market has changed.
Sometimes it does.
Sometimes I have things bomb on me and I will only get a $1. but usually I'll have something else on that will excede my wildest dreams....now thats fun, and it more then makes up for the bomb.
You just have to go with whats comfortable for you.
If its a hot item it should go if its listed for $1.00 or $10.00.
Its just for me with the $1.00 starts it gets the bidding going.
I will always look at something that has a bid verses one that don't.
posted on July 22, 2001 02:43:00 PM
Att PACKER
What is you id?
I checked ebay and under PACKER
There is a id with 1 feedback,
I'm guessing that's not you ...
I wanna see those $1 nr auctions of yours.
(btw it works for one of the sellers well,
I buy ton from him he sells
Clothes all $1 Nr or $5Nr
I love it, I'm just to affraid to do it myself
