posted on January 13, 2001 08:26:39 AM
I an fairly new to selling on ebay, started in October of 2000, I did fairly well between October and December. I usually sell childrens clothing. I am just wondering if any ones else who sells clothing can tell me when sales may pick up? I am discouraged, but now ready to give up. Thanks from a stay-at-home mom of 3 little ones.
posted on January 13, 2001 12:55:06 PM
fluffy, why don't you research your category to see what's selling right now? Check closed auctions to see if your items are selling at all, if so for how much, etc. While you're doing that, take a look at the listings themselves to get ideas on how to improve yours. Do you need bigger pictures? Better descriptions? I know many clothes buyers here on AW have said they appreciate it when sellers give the article's dimensions (as well as the size).
I wouldn't give up without a fight! Try to keep your spirits up. Good luck!
posted on January 13, 2001 01:04:15 PM
I am selling items on ebay daily I always love to see a incress in bidding and sales but its not that slow right now.
posted on January 13, 2001 01:19:30 PM
I can't remember the exact figure, but I know e-sales generally were down in December and are still pretty flat, reflecting a pretty bad Christmas season for retailers generally. Things all over are not exactly bad, but not particularly booming either.
I think dman's right - take a look at other closed auctions in your niche - look at # of bids, hits if there's a counter, and average high bids. It's cold comfort, but some comfort nonetheless, if you know your competitors aren't doing any better than you are. You may be surprised and find out you're leading the pack!
You may also find that it's a good idea to diversify. For example, I sell my own quilts, but whenever I can I list antiques of any sort that I can get at a good price. The sales of the two categories tend to balance each other out. Test the water with a few items in an area you know something about and AFTER you've researched sales in that category, and see how things go.
posted on January 13, 2001 01:34:21 PM
Thanks for the replys, I am not giving up, I can not afford to. A job outside our home, verses paying childcare on 3 under the age of 6, I think selling on auctions will win out. Just need to find my combination of items. Thanks
I have been selling clothes for what seems like forever! Heres a couple of tips:
If you are selling kids clothing, try to put more than one item in an auciton. You might want to group together all pants, all shirts, etc of the same size. Or a complete name brand outfit, such as shirt and pants.
Put the size in the title! That is important. Also, list the brand in the title.
Also, I usually list the measurements even though the size is listed. I dont do this a lot on childrens clothing, but I usually do on all adult clothing. It is time consuming, but it beats getting emails every day asking for measurements!!
If you have more time, you should try to branch out into other areas of clothing. I used to just sell just mens clothing. Once I figured out what sells great, and what is so so, I moved on to kids clothes. Got the hang of that one, so now I also list ladies clothing.
Oh, and one more thing that might help. Not so on kids clothing, but adult clothing; the larger the better.
If I think of anything else I will be back. Just give it time, as you have only been at it for a short time. I made a lot of blunders when I first started. Now, I usually sell approx 90% of my items first time around.
I too, sell only clothing and some accessories, women's only, and have been doing it for over a year now. I love it! Feel like a "fashion expert" most of the time. Pumpkinhead is 100% on the mark. I measure everything; length, width, top, bottom, everything I can, in spite of the size listed. I know it's time consuming and a pain in the you-know-what, but it sure beats answering all the e-mails asking for measurements. I also include as many pictures as I can. I also include as many pictures as I can...overall pix, closeup of details, etc. It sure helps as well as mentioning any defects, spots or missing buttons in used clothing. I also describe, describe and describe. Your bidders don't have the luxury of trying the clothes on like in a "real store" so they need to know all they can about the article of clothing. <p>
I do pretty well with my sales and often get multiple bids on things. Clothing is a tough "sell" on eBay. Lot's of people cleaning out closets and lots of high end designer stuff too. Often think I'd like to find something else to sell other than the time consuming process of selling clothes. But until I do, will list away with what I have stockpiled.
<p>
Pumpkinhead right on the mark again with listing bigger sized things. I acquired a whole bunch of great women's suits a while ago.....but alas, all size 4. If they had been 10's or 12's, man, they would have sold like hot cakes. But a size 4 is a smaller (no pun intended) market. So, be aware of what your market is. Sales still pretty good tho, one or two bids on each item is fine with me. However, I took a break from eBay for 3 wks through the holidays and am just getting back to listing now. Seems to be moving along pretty well.
posted on January 13, 2001 03:09:45 PM
Here is an idea for clothing sellers. I offer this as a member of the "smaller" market, actually the smaller petite market.
I dread buying clothes. Regular shops do carry size 4, but not many carry petite size 4, or petite anything.
I have to go to department or specialty stores and have a very limited selection.
I would venture that there is a market for smaller (4-6-8) petite clothing. Dresses in particular.
When I grouse about this to my regular size 10 and 12 friends they have no sympathy for anyone who wears a size 4 anything.
I am a mom of 3 little ones too & quit my corporate job 2 yrs ago to stay home. Been selling on ebay for a little over a year & had just discovered this message board.
This board is awesome I've already learned lots of stuff just by reading some of the older messages.
DON't QUIT! eBay is a lot of work (who said it wasn't??)but I am not looking back! I love the freedom & being able to hug & hold my kids close to me while I "work" is priceless...
All of these experienced sellers's comments above are right. Listen to their advice. These AW people are just awesome! Wish I discovered this when I was just starting.
I agree with their advice, research your market & be careful not to just list stuff just to have something to sell. Those listing fees add up!
Being passionate about what you sell helps too. It shows in your listing.
Remember, people who buy online buy more so for the experience or the thrill of winning.
So whatever helps to make it fun & easy for them will help your sales.
BIG TIP: Try to put yourselves in the shoes of the buyers & think if it was you what would you buy? Or what will make you bid on something?
Hope this helps!<br>Keep it up & get back right up selling...This is what entreprenuering is all about...learning frm our mistakes.
Remember successes are always built on failures..
< smile >
When I started selling on eBay, I was thrilled to be getting such good prices for things I had lying around.
I sell car brochures, magazines, individual articles, ads, and auto accessories. I was doing great until October. I thought I'd get rich during the Christmas season. I spent more time, actually went out and bought lots of items to sell, that had previously sold well.
Unfortunatly I spent a lot more time on eBay, and made a lot less! I guess the market is saturated. I heard December and January are supposed to be the best times t sell. During the last 8 weeks, I've had two fairly good weeks, but not as good as when I started, and was just building my feedback rating.
I'm not sure how clothes sell at different times of year, but I'm betting that I will sell more in during the spring and summer, when people are more likely to work on their cars. For most catagories, the spring and summer are slow, but there are always exceptions.
So to answer your question, yes, it's been going slow for me too! Oh well, c'est la vie! (pardon my French).
Certain brands sell well in the children's category. Gymboree, Old Navy, Gap, Limited, Daisy Kingdom dresses, Zoodles, and Laura Ashley have done well for me.
Teen girls like things from Roxy or Delia's (choke choke) as well as Limited.
From now until spring is a good time to list white dresses that would fit 6-8 year olds for First Holy Communion.
I did well last March and April selling bathing suits. For kids, the brand didn't seem to matter.
Also, be realistic in your starting bid. If you start for what it retails for, you will get no action.
posted on January 13, 2001 09:03:36 PM
not sure if we will recover, or if ebay will ever be good again...i just keep trying the numbers game and hope i can pay my bills.....good luck
