kirbybunch
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posted on October 26, 2000 12:52:37 AM
Ok, i have a question. How does anyone make money on e-bay? In order to get on the first page of the category, you have to pay 19.99, and alot of the 'featured items are only 5-10 is anyone really making money?
Another thing- in order to get the 'featured in category' listing you have to have a feedback rating of 10 or more. well, if your not featured then your on like the 3th page- how can i get a feedback rating of 10 of mo if no one finds my listing?
Please help a fellow eBayer. I have been posting and posting and only sold 2 items, out of 12.
Thanks, Eve
http://www.executive-accents.com
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kellyb1
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posted on October 26, 2000 02:54:01 AM
I have been selling for over a year and a half. I don't use the special features since they cost too much.
You might want to do a search for similar items that you are selling. If they are getting bids, check to see what is different about yours and their auctions.
Do you use pictures. This can make all the difference in the world.
Getting a rating of 10 is not hard to do. Many sellers started off buying first, so they had a rating of 10 before they started to bid.
Good luck
Kelly
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macandjan
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posted on October 26, 2000 03:35:56 AM
By all means scout out what others are doing.
The category makes a difference also. Some of my items there are 5 or 6 categories I can list in and I will use one and then give it a rest for a few days until listing again will close it on a Fri. to Sun. My more expensive items do well on a Mon. close also. Do you guarantee satisfaction? Do you spell out shipping right up front so they don't have to ask?
Do you identify yourself and your location or does it seem like you are hiding?
The low feedback IS a problem that only time will cure. You can speed it up by buying some of your supplies for shipping and office supplies online.
The title alone can make a difference. Is there enough there to make them want to look?
In the description and terms of sale do you chat and use some humor or do you come across like a crabby school teacher scolding a student? Do you offer several ways to pay?
Is the item under a reserve? Do you have a good sharp flattering photo? Several if needed to show details. Do you tell details of it's condition? Is the price attractive? There are 3 reasons people actually bid on eBay - They can get it cheaper -- They can't find it elsewhere or are isolated - It is a novelty to shop this way and entertaining. You can appeal to all 3 in one auction if you try.
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toolhound
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posted on October 26, 2000 03:54:29 AM
I have sold over 2,500 items on online auctions and never used a special feature.
Most bidders look at the same categories regularly or they use the item search.
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abacaxi
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posted on October 26, 2000 04:59:09 AM
"How does anyone make money on e-bay? In order to get on the first page of the category, you have to pay 19.99, and alot of the 'featured items are only 5-10 is anyone really making money?"
Fortunately, writing a TITLE that can be easily found by the search feature is FREE. And writing a description that makes the item seem desireable is FREE. Images are not free, but they are CHEAP once you have a digital camera.
My sole excursion into "special features" is the $.25 gallery listing fee I paid for the mannequin I am selling.
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mballai
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posted on October 26, 2000 06:31:42 AM
Special features are completely unnecessary for most auctions. Even the most ordinary stuff gets a fair number of hits and bids if the description is ok.
I have done hundreds of successful auctions without even a photo.
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cdnbooks
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posted on October 26, 2000 07:24:23 AM
macandjan
WOW!! Amazing post. Nearly everything you need to know about selling on eBay in one paragraph!
Thanks for the reminder summary.
Bill
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onlymyidhere
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posted on October 26, 2000 09:42:35 AM
I somehow managed to click the $14.95 featured in category box on one item--talk about that sinking feeling...
It got about 3 times the expected number of hits but it sold for about what I expected--it's a good way to get a lot of "tire kickers."
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gemtrader2
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posted on October 26, 2000 09:53:17 AM
I try to post 50 to 100 auctions per week. Some of the time I will list 1 item in the featured catagory to get the hits and draw people to my other auctions. It seems to work for me. 
[ edited by gemtrader2 on Oct 26, 2000 09:54 AM ]
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cariad
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posted on October 26, 2000 03:49:24 PM
Abacaxi writes:
"My sole excursion into "special features" is the $.25 gallery listing fee I paid for the mannequin I am selling."
Since I really want a mannequin, I went to look at your auction. what a hoot!!  This has to be one of the funniest, most creative descriptions I have ever read. I wanted to bid just to acknowledge the power of the ad,but I don't think I could afford a Greyhound bus ticket, much less plane fare. Do ya think you could let her hitchhike to my place??
cariad
Noah's last words: "damn woodpeckers"
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