There is doom and gloom on the boards tonight. Some people are experiencing disappointing sales - sorry to hear that...
Secret #1:
List your auctions in batches, as large as possible. Try listing 500 auctions over a 7 day period, rather than listing a limited number per week. Grabs attention and multiple bids!
Secret #2:
Begin the auctions below $10, perhaps $5.99. Don't use reserves.
Secret #3:
Charge little or no handling fee, anything over 50 cents can harm sales.
Secret #4
Be VeRy detailed in your descriptions. Stating "Excellent Condition" is NOT good enough! Why is the item in excellent condition? Spell it out by discussing details, even superficial ones like glass sheen, pottery/ceramic glaze, wear, color, utensil marks, etc. Imagine the item to be brand spanking new; then, comment on anything that subtracts from that point. Remember, you can tell the absolute truth while utilizing a bit of salesmanship! After all old stuff normally shows some wear!
Secret #5
Learn to improve your photographs. I have seen items with great photographs bring more money, than items with poor photographs - [b] even though,[b/] the poorly photographed items were stated to be in better condition.
Secret #7
Buy low-end antiques and collectibles for resale. Experiment, you may be surprised what sells!! With volume you can make more money than HiGh end dealers that hope to make a killing on one item! I laugh, because some of my local competition considers him/her self to be hoity toity [], they deal in the upper stuff, and for example, make a purchase at local auction for $200. They sell said item on eBay for $230. Me, I buy unusual and lower end stuff. Pay $45 for a box lot and get $350 in gross sales. Often I have my own $200 items too! But didn't pay all out for it! See the point?
P.S. Yes, my idea of high/low end antiques & collectibles is ALL low end to some folks!
Secret??? #8
Short and Sweet - Great customer service. And, you don't have to ship in 24 hours to have excellent customer service...
Sure, there are more secrets! Learn what you sell, research, research, learn, learn, learn, buy books, look at other auctions, learn html, da da da ...
My sales are good on eBay. Profit was up in 2000 vs. 1999. 2001 looks good so far. I'm not bragging in any manner, way, shape, or form - just trying to help others out.
Good luck,
MTown
PS. Don't buy "high" and expect to sell "higher"
PPS. I want the CoOp to come to fruition!
edited sp
[ edited by morgantown on Feb 15, 2001 09:48 PM ]
posted on February 16, 2001 04:28:54 AM
Hi Morgantown...thanks for your insights...always useful.
You are correct - I put most of my auction up like yours..since July 2000 - no bells, just the facts....
Open under $10 - usually under $5, no reserve - from pocket watches to glass - doing great...
Thanks again...
posted on February 16, 2001 05:48:12 AM
why stop at listing 500 auctions a week, why not 1000 or 2000.......oh thats righ most of us have real jobs, famalies and lives which would make that impossible, not only to list but follow thru properly
posted on February 16, 2001 06:04:57 AM
[b]why stop at listing 500 auctions a week, why not 1000 or 2000.......oh thats righ most of us have real
jobs, famalies and lives which would make that impossible, not only to list but follow thru properly[/b]
I have the time to do so but where on earth does one person find that many items to sell in a week? I am lucky to find up to 50 items to span a 7 day period!! I'm on the low end right now, running about 20 auctions hoping to find something decent to sell!
posted on February 16, 2001 06:08:49 AM
libby....good point - i've been going to live auctions, but people bid items up very high.
I guess they believe they'll sell them in the booths at the mall.
although, two more malls in Cincinnati are closing ....
posted on February 16, 2001 06:16:17 AM
"morgantown" or "MTown" have no listings or feedback on eBay. I was hoping to see examples of the secrets in action. I guess you have a different seller name. Anyway, thanks for your input.
pcalton
Perry Calton [email protected]
http://www.pcalton.com
posted on February 16, 2001 06:22:23 AM
My sales(prices) are a bit off this week as well compared to a normal week. I think this is due to "Winter Vacations". A lot of my regular customers are away...here in the Northeast, Maine has their vacation next week, N.H., the week after next..and one of the major colleges here is on break( as I assume others are). I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in the Northeast, many families take a skiing vacation during these times and therefore aren't available to bid.
Also, there is the "tax thing" coming up!
Sales will pick up again...
I do think its always wise to back up and take a good look at your business plan and see what you can do to improve sales. Morgantown has offered some very good advice...thank you!
posted on February 16, 2001 06:41:36 AM
Hi Morgantown, I too would like to see your auctions. I tried to find your sites to read your descriptions and look at your pictures. You are hiding out there somewhere, where are you? How come you do not want us to see you? But you are not the only one I find alot of people who post on this board hide under another name. What is everyone afraid of
You gave some great advise and for that I say "Thank You".
But I do have a question, after 189 posts why are you still hiding? or why does anyone hide. Am I missing something here?
Have a great day.
posted on February 16, 2001 06:49:35 AM
sissyclarke...
you pose a good question. When I first started a couple to three years ago, I didn't understand it either.
However, anonymous handles give people a sense of power. There are some odd duck out there.
For instance - I received some threats - physical ones about 9 months ago. Well, we tracked down the individual in Phila.
contacted the police and FBI - turn out to be an older woman (mid-60s) on the Main Line.
anyway - while there are some nice people - using a disguise - I believe very little of what people say...
posted on February 16, 2001 07:31:30 AM
i post anonymously because there are plenty of fruitcakes and nut clusters out there who decide that if they don't like what I say here in AW, they are entitled to go and do stuff to my auctions, like:
--pull my contact info and make phone calls to my home
--email my bidders (back when you could do that) announcing that I'm (fill in the blank with whatever prejudice you can think of)
--bid on my items using screen names other than their main one, and then retract their bids, or other shenanigans
--compulsively look for possible infractions in my auctions such as a logo a pixel too big or other Ebay-administrative no-no's and have my auctions ended if they find one
and so on.
I am tired of people assuming that people who choose to post under other names are doing something bad. I do it because there are so many weirdos out there. I'm not trying to avoid honest interest, but please understand that satisfying one honest person's curiousity could cost me a large portion of my income, if someone with a few screws loose decides to mess with my auctions. And they do. Many people have posted here about trouble with busybodies or plain evil people hurting their sales after making particularly blunt or challenging posts.
Ever had someone email your bidders and tell them a lie such as: you've been accused of child molestation in your hometown? I know someone who has. He posted an opinion of a movie on usenet that denigrated a particular actress and some slavering fanboy of that actress looked up his prior usenet posts, noticed a reference to Ebay, emailed my friend's bidders, and basically torpedoed his business with that sickening lie I mentioned, because he didn't like someone voicing an opinion different from his own.
Make no mistake about it, some people among us are freaks. that means those of you who are honest have to pay, just like always. Sorry!
posted on February 16, 2001 07:52:11 AM
Hi brighid868,
I agree with the potential of all you have said. However, it is probably too late for me to become anonymous.
I have had my nicknames, real name, telephone number, fax number, and address plastered all over my listings for about 3 years. Mostly on Amazon but on eBay and other sites when I list there.
Fortunately, I have not had any of the possible outcomes that you have mentioned - knock on wood!
In addition, I have been featured in national publications and still have not had bad results from being public.
I completely understand and respect your point of view. I see that it is just about impossible to completely guard ourselves against the actions of some persons who may want to harm us. There are whackos out there who never make it to these discussion boards that can do all those terrible things.
I will probably continue being open about who I am, but I understand how others may not choose to reveal who they are.
posted on February 16, 2001 08:23:11 AM
Well said...I'd like to agree with you. When I've been interviewed, I don't use my real name nor address anymore.
There are lonely, sad sacks who want nothing more than to make someone feel hurt.
The old saying....hurt people - hurt people.
posted on February 16, 2001 10:25:44 AM
To all you folks who weren't here back in 1999 when I first started...holy freakin' crust!
There were some super freaks posting here that would call people up on the phone and harass them if you disagreed.
Oh the battles....Oh the drama...Oh the lack of real information because a thread became a warzone.
You can disregard folks because they are anonymous...and that's your loss.
I know some sellers here are open, others not. I learn a lot from them whether they post an id or not.
I think Morgantown's thoughts are pretty good ones. I can't do the high volume, but I can do #4, #5 and #8 well and try out #7.
And here's a thought....Roger Ebert is the guy a lot of people read when they want thoughts on movies. Has he done anything really great? (okay besides the Russ Meyer schlock - okay, so if you love Russ Meyer apologies!)
Nope, you guessed it, not Capriole on ebay, so please, as Barrelracer says, don't bug 'em
posted on February 16, 2001 10:47:26 AM
Lots of good points have been made regarding anonymous posting; therefore, no need to make an additional statement.
I am offering general advice, make of it what you will, without proof [sorry] - the good, the bad, and the ugly!
It was asked where to get merchandise for resale. I go to local brick and mortar auctions. Check your local newspaper they are normally listed there. Look for the smaller ones in out of the way places, as prices are often lower. Buy anything and everything that has some age. It's a great way to learn about unknown items.
Anyone can run large batches of auctions, even if they have other jobs. Just photograph items and write descriptions, then save them for combined release. The packing however, is pretty intense and that could present a problem with folks that have limited time.
In my opinion and based upon current and past sales, now is a good time to have auctions running. Many people are coming into tax refund money, and spend some of it on eBay! April is not usually a good month due to tax payments.
posted on February 16, 2001 11:51:37 AM
thanks MTown
To those of you who are skeptical, much of what morgantown refers to is in practice currently on my auctions. Actually, my pics aren't very good & my descriptions aren't always detailed, but customer service is key.
using morgantown secret #'s:
#1. I overlap my listings so that interested parties see more of what they are looking for when they check back. I can't seem to control over 50 auctions running at once.
#2. My starting bid is always as low as possible (especially if I know the auction will fly through the roof ~ I get much more visibility with a lower starting bid and the fees are lower)
#3. No handling fee but the postal fees partially or fully include delivery confirmation (haven't been told of a lost package yet!) (saves me $ in the long run!)
#4. detailed descriptions? hmmm. Not always ~ most of my stuff is new and name brand ~ if you know your names, you know my stuff!
#5. I am photographically challenged
#7. I throw in a cool antique/collectible every once in a while (again, in a group since I have the attention of my target audience).
Additionally, I have a "me" page set up ~ nothing fancy. I found that with so many transactions and a Power Sellers logo, it gives bidders a better idea of who I am... I'm not some corporation coming in to make a killing, I'm just the girl-next-door who is a diagnosed shopaholic .
Yes, I have taken some heat (or my bidders have!) for using my eBay name on the threads. Sometimes it's good to have friends that practice law when you don't choose to be anonymous. (sad but true)
morgantown thanks for the post ~ I understand your desire for anonymity as well as your attempt to help "coach" others! I average 40-50 auctions a week with a sell-thru rate of about 85%. Feel free to use my auctions as an example and "fix em up" if you can! If you'd like you can e-mail me to see your strategy at work! Mo' money is always a good thing!
posted on February 16, 2001 12:22:55 PM
We should see sales head way down. The Market and the rest of the economy is catching up to the energy problems and lowered earnings.
posted on February 16, 2001 12:53:33 PM
Hi Morgantown:
Excellent advise we have practicing most of your ideas for sometime now. They work, very well for us. Our sales are better that most people in the category we sell, our Sale Thru Rate (Auctions closed with a bidder) is good and we get better prices, than most other dealers that sell in our category.
Begin the auctions below $10, perhaps $5.99. Don't use reserves.
We had never used Reserves and most of our items start under $10.00. Our sell thru rate, is good. See Secret #7 to determine your Minimum Bid Opening.
Secret #3:
Charge little or no handling fee, anything over 50 cents can harm sales.
We never charge handling fees packaging and shipping materials are the cost of doing business. Our Shipping Policy, http://www.geocities.com/adultmagazinesmarket/index.htm states: we only charge average actual shipping costs. If actual shipping charges are different than our estimated “average actual shipping costs” for over $1.00, we refund or bill the difference. We also run Special Shipping Promotions http://www.geocities.com/adultmagazinesmarket/ShiPromo.htm to encourage multiple purchases. We subsidize some of the shipping costs as a result. However, it works great for us.
Secret #4
Be VeRy detailed in your descriptions. Stating "Excellent Condition" is NOT good enough! Why is the item in excellent condition? Spell it out by discussing details, even superficial ones like glass sheen, pottery/ceramic glaze, wear, color, utensil marks, etc. Imagine the item to be brand spanking new; then, comment on anything that subtracts from that point. Remember, you can tell the absolute truth while utilizing a bit of salesmanship! After all old stuff normally shows some wear!
We use a Standardized Professional format, so our customers can always recognize our listings; the templates are simple but elegant and very informative.
Secret #5
Learn to improve your photographs. I have seen items with great photographs bring more money, than items with poor photographs - even though, the poorly photographed items were stated to be in better condition.
We sell the same items over and over. We used the best images available, and we post at least three images per item.
Secret #6
Secure and Professional Packaging
Packaging, we package our shipments very securely and professionally. How do we ship the magazines or paperbacks? See Under Shipping Policieshttp://www.geocities.com/adultmagazinesmarket/index.htm See under Shipping Policies. We always receive compliments from our customers for our packaging.
Secret #7
Know your costs
Always be aware of your costs, we calculated, all our costs. Packaging: how much does it costs us to ship each magazine or paperback, cost of Brown Kraft envelope $0.04, Poly Sleeve $0.04, tape and Kraft 40 lb wrapping paper $0.02; answer $0.10.
Auction Fees: cost of Listing: eBay $0.30, FVF $0.50; total $0.80 for average sale.
Payment fees: cost of receiving electronic payments: PayPal $0.30.
Thereof, our costs of selling at eBay Auction of an item under $10.00 are $1.20.
At eBay auctions, since only 5.7% of the items in the category we list, receive more than one bid, we must start the auction at a price we can live with, since the chances of getting more than one bid are greater than 1 in 19. However, if you obtain the merchandise at no cost to you, and you want to pay from your pocket the cost of sale at auction $1.20, you need not follow this advise.
Secret #8
Short and Sweet - Great customer service. And, you don't have to ship in 24 hours to have excellent customer service...
I disagree with you here. Our Methods of Payment http://www.geocities.com/adultmagazinesmarket/index.htm#METHODS%20OF%20PAYMENT states: Payments through electronic Payments are shipped the next business day, after receipt of payment. We ship within 24 hours of receiving payment. We respond to emails within One Hour and we always acknowledge any communication or action of our buyers. We always thank our customers for their patronage and never imply that the customer is wrong.
Result, we have multiple purchases, and repeat customers. One customer emailed me the following: “Everything else being equal or near equal, we always purchase from you. We like that customer oriented attitude and commitment to satisfy the customer!”
posted on February 16, 2001 12:53:50 PM
My 8 secrets:
1) My cheep junk reel cheep and in volume.
2)Keep descriptions short and uninformative, buyers will often assume that it is something it is not and therfore bid higher.
3)Keep photo's blurry, especially if it's peice of junk. Apologize in the description about the photo and say it looks lots better in person. Or better yet use a photo of something else.
4)Start auctions high and put even higher BIN prices, people will then think it is worth someting. Never use dutch even if you've got 100 of them, make them think it's one of a kind.
5)Charge an inflated S/H fee, specifically so you can still turn a profit if the item is returned. (S/H is not refundable of course)
6) Never forget your customers are cattle, use catchy item titles to grab thier attention. And use lot's of color, a large font and very few words in the description. Cattle can't read and are mesmorized by bright colors.
7) Don't ever disclose your Ebay USER ID if you post here!
8) And make up for all of this good customer service and fast shipping. [There is absolutly no excuse for not shipping in 24 hours]
Edited sp
[ edited by unknown on Feb 16, 2001 01:00 PM ]
posted on February 16, 2001 01:41:44 PM
unknown, LOL! Great tips, Morgantown.
I sell lots of the same item. I usually list three-day auctions three times a day so one of the items is always in the Ending Soon category. That's where I get most bids. It also means that I can't start auctions at $1. Buyers are smart and will just keep bidding back and I end up selling everything for a buck. So I start my auctions at a fair price. Works for me. If I have a unique item that I know will sell well, I usually start the bidding low.
I have found that photos make a big difference. A good photo makes bidders want to reach out and grab the item, and they bid accordingly.
posted on February 16, 2001 02:00:03 PM
I'd like to know where to buy 500 that would sell. Now only that I can't afford to pay the fees on that many items a week.Maybe I'd better stay as a pee-on seller,at least I can still pay the bills. I even make it as a Flea market Seller and I don't have 500 items there either.Am I missing something?
posted on February 16, 2001 02:24:44 PM
snort...giggle...leave it to a marine to corner the sexy magazine market!
No offense at all, I'm an Air Force Brat, I just am LMAO...good on ya!
unknown...lol...don't forget to take every offensive customer personally because of course it's all about me!
posted on February 16, 2001 05:32:05 PM
Hi Capriole:
The Marines have landed, should I say more?
Girls (Playboy, Penthouse) and Marines go very well together; should I say that was a natural market for me, I had a lot of experience during my military career.
No offense is taken! You should always do what you know and like best.
posted on February 17, 2001 01:14:33 PM
What and how you sell is very dependent on where your selling.
At eBay presentation counts BIGTIME and never ever use the bulk loading tool as it lists auctions way way too fast. If you put 120 items up and it puts one out every 2 seconds you get exactly 2 minutes of closing exposure. If those same 120 items listed a minute apart its 2 hours... BIG BIG difference. eBays primetime hours are 10:00 PM EST through 2AM EST.
Again, all sites are different. At Amazon you will generally get better prices when using fixed pricing, we avg $2-$8 more per sale there than eBay.
HI PCALTON! Long time no shpeak! You and I went back and fro at Amazon several times
These peeps are right in that you really dont want to let your name out in this place or eBay's message boards. We did so once here and our auctions were heavily attacked.
About 10% of AW users appear sane people the rest are simply WAY WAY WAY too far into the Internet and for whatever the reason have lost all sense of reality they LIVE the stupid thing. In that regard Mr. Bush is correct, something must be done. Socially its amazing.
Signed: WhyNot!
posted on February 17, 2001 01:42:00 PM
Gosh, I think I may be too much of an optimist for my own good and trust that no real harm can come to me.
I know that probably sounds very flighty but I have come so far up from the depths, that I doubt much could break my spirit.
I certainly have no intentions of attracting the ones who are WAY WAY WAY out there and I know there is that potential. I have run into a few who persons who have seemed a little too far out for me, but no real harm has come about. I've had more trouble from telephone marketers because my name and number is in the phone book than I have from the thousands who have had access of my information from the Internet. Maybe I'm just lucky.
], they deal in the upper stuff, and for example, make a purchase at local auction for $200. They sell said item on eBay for $230. Me, I buy unusual and lower end stuff. Pay $45 for a box lot and get $350 in gross sales. Often I have my own $200 items too! But didn't pay all out for it! See the point?
.
here, there, and everywhere 
