posted on May 22, 2001 08:11:56 AM new
Perhaps folk should be thinking about ways to use eBay listings to draw folks into their own site?
eBay as an advertising vehicle and a loss leader?
Specialize in something. List the lower end items in that specialty on eBay. Keep the higher end stuff off eBay.
Find ways to take the interest generated in your eBay listings and direct that interest to your off eBay sales.
Set up a website where you discuss your specialty. Join or create a web ring for the specialty. Perhaps have a forum.
Invite everyone to your website via your EOA emails. Invite anyone asking a question about one of your auctions to your website.
Establish a mailing list. Perhaps a newsletter.
Don't link to your site in your eBay auctions if you actually post items for sale on your website. eBay will eventually nail you to the wall as it realizes that you are effectively siphoning off the high end market from them.
Or, link to your website (keeping it completely "informational" and be open to email inquiries from folks about items you might have.
In short, specialize in something and cater to those interested in that category. That is the high end of the marketplace.
Folks who pick up the latest fad collectible at the flea market and slap it up on eBay before the weekend is out are doomed to failure.
Your own website and forum software (I have UBB) oughtn't cost more than $500 per year and quite possibly considerably less than that.
You have to treat your business as though it were a business and not simply as though it were a weekly garage sale.
posted on May 22, 2001 08:17:48 AM new
"Set up a website where you discuss your specialty. Join or create a web ring for the specialty. Perhaps have a forum."
These have been around for a long time ...
"Invite everyone to your website via your EOA emails."
I think that's uneBayful, isn't it?
"Your own website and forum software (I have UBB) oughtn't cost more than $500 per year and quite possibly considerably less than that."
And in some cases, free! All you need to do is expend a little time and energy to learn HTML. Me, I don't have the desire to do this but I'm sure many large scale sellers would benefit.
"You have to treat your business as though it were a business and not simply as though it were a weekly garage sale."
posted on May 22, 2001 09:10:48 AM new
Dear Judge Jury and Executioneer,
Shucks I thougt I was dealing with a Auctioneer..! Let me say your honor I have never sold on Epay with the intention to sell afterwards. My intention, my thrill is to sell it the first time and spend the money on a fishing trip or some better use my free time... why should I need to elaborate more?
Although sometimes a item does not sell and a offer close comes by I sometimes go for it. (While selling daily, I have not sold off Epay in over 3 months) And fer what it is worth the off EBAY sales are still claimed on my taxes (ouch city) and I see this as my duty to my beloved country. Little Epay is so afriad of this 1% after the fact deal that they will end up living their worst fear. Reminds me of the Polock Fox caught in a trap... chewed off 3 legs before he relized he was still in the trap. My inventory is everchanging old stuff FYI.
No longer acting like my business partner I could now consider listing in a manner that never has occured to me; using Ebaby as a lure to get those money laiden buyers to and fro. Sometimes you get what you fear... oh I'm repeating meself. Hark I recall some sage advice wispered to my ear once; 90% of what we worry about never happens... so why worry
Oh, to all the WalMart Jr. folks selling truck loads of stuff on and off Ebay at whim (all the same item of course) I wish you continued success in selling the way do, I wish you so much sucess that competition arrises to a level fierocity that you must lower your prices so darn far that your chin at times bumps the mother Earth. As for me I will work smart and hard the first time around... and no sooner will be found fishing or in my hammoc peacably asleep..!
Does a seller owe something to eBay beyond the fees that eBay charges them for listing on eBay?
Hello Junkthis,
Whatever works for you. By the way, you ought not to go fishing or fall asleep in that hammock in the full sun. The heatstroke is liable to make you delirious...
and be open to email inquiries from folks about items you might have.
