posted on July 7, 2001 06:43:15 PM
I list about 30-40 items a week on average which includes relists. I don't bust a hump but spend a lot of time on this...but I intersperse it with naps, eating, tv, other things etc...basically stop and start.
I can't imagine managing more than say 50 items without going crazy either keeping track of stuff or just the time it takes to list. I work alone.
I would like to hear how much people list a week, and do you work alone or have helpers!!
I have heard some of you list 100's a week, I don't see how there is enough time to do that!!
posted on July 7, 2001 06:57:18 PM
I run about 100 auctions a week, with software helping I spend probaby 5-6 hours per week total working on eBay. That is all the time I am willing to spend right now.
If I were willing to make this my full time job, (and if I had enough different items to sell) I think I could very easily run 1000 or more auctions a week. You just have to develop a good system, then everything pretty much runs on autopilot.
posted on July 7, 2001 06:58:42 PM
I haven't really quantified it - I'm afraid to find out I'm making about 20 cents an hour.
I can list about 40-100 items a week new. I don't use listing software, but I have templates for books, videos, and then a general template for listings.
My inventory is a ok, but messy. Anything listed is in a special place, but stuff not listed is in large piles, so that's an area I could totally improve on (I try, but so far only small time periods of success).
My filing system however is meticulous, and I never let paperwork, payments, etc. pile up.
I still need to work on doing something everyday rather than my feast or famine approach. i.e. some days I sit around doing nothing, then I see Sunday approaching, and I haul-ass and work with little sleep. So, for me it's still part-time.
I work alone except for the shipping - my roommate does all the packing, etc. for me. I think I would have quit eBay ages ago if he didn't as it's the only aspect I hate. I make a list for him on ship day, fill out all the insurance forms and del. conf.'s, attach all the "invoices," and then he packs everything up. Since he took this over, we haven't had a breakage claim in over 18 months.
I'm seriously thinking of some listing software, even if it's only MisterLister since I'd like to be running at least 100 auctions/wk consistently.
posted on July 7, 2001 07:13:46 PM
I had over 400 up for FLD but generally try to average 100+ during a regular listing week.
With good auction software, listing takes little time. I keep a database of over 700 items in my files & am trying to move that up to 1000 over the next few months.
Good software makes the post auction basically a "point & click". I do also keep a printed copy of each auction in a binder under various headings: contacted; received response; shipped; received & one "problem" file for overdue accounts or NPBs.
I usually do a daily post office run but it is on the way to my daughter's school, so it's not a problem during the school year.
I spend part of a day every couple of weeks getting photos & updating my database as needed.
Helpers? I wish! My daughter does occasionally pull orders when I'm swamped (such as after FLD) & sometimes does the addressing while I'm boxing.
My long suffering husband fills in when I'm out of town at horseshows or when my daughter and I are gone for a month when she's training in Florida. Other than that, he makes the sign of the cross & goes looking for garlic & a stake when I mention ebay.
posted on July 7, 2001 07:39:46 PM
I am list as many Items as I was over the late summer to earily spring but there is some tricks to listing a 100 or 200 item per week and controling it on your own.
One thing is fixed templates like you can use from AW or make your self.
Fixed ads for same type items you can change a few facts and use for a new listing these you can save right in note pad.
a photo Libaray dont wait till your ready to list to take your pictures and edited them.
Every chance you get take another 12 or 15 pictures of Items you have you will be selling and edit the pictures you can store these in a directory right in your computer make a auction pics directory and in there make another sub directory called active auction once you use a piture and list the item dump the active auction pistures in there.
EOA letter templates these can be store in your email programs drafts foler or kept on notepad as well.
all you need to do is add buyers name Item title date and shipping price to a new email add the buyer email address and subject and send it off.
Make a ebay active sales folder in your email program so every time you get a reply to your eoas from your buyer you cant drag and drop it in to that folder.
Make a completed auction folder so that after the item is paid for and shipped you can first print the info and then drag the reply eoa to the completed folder.
to avoid confusion with some buyers who dont give no info with there payment as to what auction they are paying for add the ebay Item # to your mailing address that they will send the payment too this way you will know by the number what item they are paying for.
A good sized Shelveing unit dont have to be nothing fancy just a some place you can store all your listed Items helps to tag each item with the ebay item #.
packing order free priority boxes of all sizes you will use tape evevelopes and labels stock up so there is never a box shortage on packing days.
Printing your own postage when you are selling in High volume though not nessary is a huge help I use stamp.com but there are many others out there item will be shipped more timely with printed labels useing the zip+4 and the bar code.
alway think of how the items you list will be packaged for shipping before you list it so when you package it all you need to do is grab all the suplys you need and put the package togeather.
Rather then figureing out shipping rates for every thing you list make a fixed prices for shipping depending on the average weight shipping will vary zon to zone dont get caought up in lots of search for actual shipping for every one a fixed rate within 5% percent + or- is fair.
try to add as many facts about each item in your listings as you have so you get less question about your listing this saves time as well.
Never try to Reason with a angry buyer or reply with anger in return just agree and move on.
always save your old listings that didnt sell the frist or second time so that when free liting days do come around you can just pull these past items up to relist along with new items and you too can list 500 to 1000 items on free listing day in mins saveing these listing over a year really ads up you would be suprised.
If you have kids they can be a great help when they are in the mood but don't count on it all the time
posted on July 7, 2001 07:54:38 PM
I spend way more time packing shipments than I do writing listings.
But a lot of what I sell isn't the average eBay type items, much of it is large, odd shaped items that can take 40 minutes to an hour to package properly. I've got 8 packages going out monday, 2 of them are going to take close to an hour each to package.
I run anywhere from 25 to 150 auctions a week depending on what I have to sell. Weeks I run 100 or more items, I bust my butt.
This is a family thing, so yes there is "help", but I don't make slaves out of my kids. A couple of hours here and there is what I get from my 16 year old son.
The biggest most time consuming thing I do is finding merchandise to buy so I have something to sell. My pop taught me long ago, the secret to making money buying and selling was in the buying. Price it right, most anything will sell, but buying it at a price that lets you "price it right" and still make good money, that's the trick.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
posted on July 7, 2001 08:11:50 PM
In the summer I don't run but 25-50 auctions a week.I also do the Flea Market and since I sell all new merchandise,I spend time on orders as well as going to several wholesale houses.We sell alot of different items from printing our own T-Shirts to Leather goods,DVDs Videos,Touch-Lamps,Knifes and what ever else I pick up.So I don't spend much time on E-Bay until over in the Fall.
