posted on November 26, 2000 03:57:41 PM
I know this topic has been raised before, but I would like yet more opinions. I am thinking of listing some short 3 and 5 day auctions before Christmas. I usually list 7 day auctions, rarely 10 day auctions, and I wonder if its worth trying some shorter auctions at this time. FWIW I sell mostly antiques and a few collectibles.
posted on November 26, 2000 04:43:01 PM
I wouldn't recommend a 3 day auction, because if ebay's search update is running behind, you will get just 2 days of actual exposure.
posted on November 26, 2000 06:10:12 PMiowaantiques I always run mine for 10 days. I figure this gives everyone a chance to see it at least once. Some people actually only get online once a week or so (perish the thought).
I also sell old papers, letters, books and the like. I have had a lot of bidders on the 7th thru 10th days.
posted on November 26, 2000 06:29:18 PM
For 4 1/2 years I always used 7 day auctions on eBay - but have gone to 3 and 5 day auctions, I note it on my ad, and find I am turning items must faster, and I am much more pleased, I have no patience with a strung out auctions - and am very happy with the results we are getting with our 3 and 5 day auction. I am just careful about the days I close them on.
We are also using a large number of BIN (1st Bid Wins) auctions and seeing fast turn in collectibles and other items. We are very pleased with BIN auctions - I seldom ever buy, but did bid last week for the first time in a year on some ink printer cartridges, and found out quickly that I had no patience waiting a week to find out who won, etc., and just ignored the note when I had been out bid - I'd rather go to a site and purchase out right, get the item on its way and be done with it.
posted on November 26, 2000 06:59:51 PM
I've had a lot of catching up to do after being felled by major surgery this month; so have been doing 5 day auctions for obviously (I hope ) Christmas-giftworthy collectable items.
There's not quite the same panic as last year , with the availability of Paypal , enabling bidders to 'pay and receive' without snail-mail . Nevertheless , my lower to middle items have mostly had at least 3 bids using 5 day. I think it re-assures the buyers that it'll get there in time.
I second jwpc'spoint : choose your EOA ,i.e. not Fri or Sat.( and have the EOA day as the first comment in your description ) I'd also add , research your items' everyday appeal. if doillies , buttons and figurines sell any time and day of the week do 'em for 5 days without worry. Whimsical , real vintage ,mid/ higher end more individualistic /unusual or highly sought items , do a week , or at least finish on Sunday p.m.
Things are different at Christmas , and the dear bidders are more edgy, and less cautious...bless 'em !
posted on November 26, 2000 07:11:55 PM
Question: I sell copies of a book directly for the author. I usually list it about once a month, and it usually sells for the opening bid. However, tonight the auction ended with 3 bidders. Could I relist the book for a 3-day auction and notify the other two bidders (using "send this auction to a friend" that another copy of the book is being offered? This book appeals to a particular niche and makes a great Christmas present for a senior citizen, so I think they would want to buy it quickly to insure it would get there by Christmas. I don't think I can contact the other two bidders and offer them the book directly--(against e-bay rules, isn't it?) so I thought this might be another route to go. Suggestions, please?
posted on November 26, 2000 09:42:29 PM
From another "Ioweigan"...I alwyas use 7 day, and try to end on LATE Sunday aft. PST...I have used 10 day on acouple of occasions to take advantage of 2 Sundays...also have used 3 day on "borderline" auctions that I thought might be ended (Jarts...you KNOW they are evil compared to a sword as long as your ARM!!!)
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
posted on November 27, 2000 08:55:12 AM
I have used 3 day auctions on hot sellers and have done quite well on them. About 3 months ago. I won some Universal tickets and paid 100 dollars for them. They were for 2 days. We only used one day on them. So when we got home I put them back up for auction with one day left on them.
I put them up for a 3 day auction. And got 30 more than I paid for them. My husband felt guity about getting so much for them. The bidder was from Austrlia, so we paid the shipping for it.
If it is a hot item I will put up for three days. Anything that is a slow seller I usually put up for 7 days. So for me it all depends on what it is.
posted on November 27, 2000 10:10:27 AMWhat about 4 and 6 day auctions!
Why on God's green earth does Ebay prohibit 4 and 6 day acutions. What the F*** are they thinking?? Even Amazon who now allows 2 through 14 day auctions allows everything EXCEPT 4 and 6 day!
Is there some religuous problem here that I am not aware of. I though the only evil number mentioned in the Bible is 666, but 6 alone has been cleared of any wrongdoing long ago, and beside the numbber 4 is clean.
posted on November 27, 2000 12:16:26 PM
I always used to run 10 day auctions, figuring I was getting maximum exposure.
Now I run a mix of 3/5/7/10 day auctions. I have many of the same items, so if it's a hot item that closed with multiple bids, I'll run a 3 day auction. If the item sold with 1 bidder, maybe 5 or 7. If the item didn't sell, relist it for 10 days. HOWEVER, this is dependent on what days these auctions end. Friday end dates for me are really bad, very quiet. It seems Monday & Thursday nights are the best, Sunday, Saturday, Tues, & Wednesday are ok (in that order), and Friday's don't pay at all. So I will adjust around these dates & probably have a little longer auctions than I specified above. It also seems if my auctions end later in the day, the better, as folks would be browing them "going going gone" throughout the day.
You also need to mix this strategy with your opening bid strategy & see what works. Start auctions for a penny on hotter items, assuming a bidding war will result. Or start the auction at the minimal price you will accept, assuming you will get one bid. Once something isn't working, you gotta re-mix. One thing about Ebay, you have to be very flexible & just keep trying different things. What's true today won't be true tomorrow.
posted on November 27, 2000 01:50:27 PM
Well have to throw in my 2 cents worth..
I use mostly 7 day auctions but, I don't like auctions to close on friday or saturdays (due to my lifestyle) so I will use a 5 or 10 day to avoid them and holidays. Tried 3 day and just thought it was too short got several offers after auction from people who missed it (ended up re-listing items and giving inqueries the item #). Think the timing on the end is more important than list day. Sunday and Monday have heavy traffic and I do well on those that close Monday/tuesday.
Give it your best guess, test on a couple items and learn from the results.
Good luck and Happy holidays
.
that another copy of the book is being offered? This book appeals to a particular niche and makes a great Christmas present for a senior citizen, so I think they would want to buy it quickly to insure it would get there by Christmas. I don't think I can contact the other two bidders and offer them the book directly--(against e-bay rules, isn't it?) so I thought this might be another route to go. Suggestions, please?