posted on August 14, 2001 03:33:00 PM new
I have set up a new Seller ID on eBay in order to sell a different category of items from my usual widgets. I want to give Packer's $1 NR idea a try and clean out some closets at the same time. We're not talking about expensive stuff here, just some jewelry, candles, toys, etc., grouped in box lots.
My question is: will buyers will be reluctant to bid on items offered by a new seller with 0 feedback? Should I create a Me Page and reference my other ID with all positive feedback (as of today, anyway, knock on wood)? Should I go on a little buying spree with this ID and build up at least some positives? (My husband votes no on this last idea!)
I'd appreciate your advice and viewpoints on this. Picture yourself as a potential bidder looking at my nice ad with pretty pictures and friendly TOS and a million payment options, THEN you see that big old goose egg up there for feedback. Will you hit the back button and spurn me? If so, what can I do to make you not do that?
posted on August 14, 2001 03:46:08 PM new
misscandle,
As a seller that wants to ADVERTISE all auctions start at $1 NR (which is what I suggest you do with this idea). You certainly don't want to point them to your other ID. As they will get the impression your using your $1 format to unload junk.
I'd try and build to at least 10 feedback to do this.
OR... here is a better idea. Use your high feedback ID to run the $1 auctions and establish a new ID to run your other auctions(reserves or set prices). You want to establish trust right away with the $1 starts to let them know you are a quality seller selling quality stuff and they can trust your description.
Either way I'd build the new one to 10 at least.
MHO...
Good Luck and I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.
posted on August 14, 2001 04:01:31 PM new
misscandle,
Some of my favorite purchases and sales transactions have been with those Sellers with zero to low feedback. I am mostly a Buyer and have been on ebay for approx. 3 years now.
No, seeing a zero FB rating would not make me hit the back button at all. Most of the newbie Sellers have truly gone above & beyond to please their customers to build up positive FB! Also, I have found, that most newbie Sellers show a willingness to complete the entire transaction process, i.e., leave feedback!
I do agree with packer however that building up some FB might be worthwhile for those buyers that think FB is refelective of the type of experience they may have with you. I also agree with packer, that you should not link your two ID's together on an about Me page. Which ID is best for the NR $1 I really couldn't say....depends on what your other ID sells and whether or not you want to set a new trend as a NR $1 Seller with it.
Best of luck....either way you slice it.... $1 NR is a favorite search of mine (and I believe lots of others) and i believe is a surefire winner! FB......lol, half the time I don't even look unless it is a pricey item.
posted on August 14, 2001 04:11:47 PM new
If it's inexpensive stuff, a lot of people will give a "newby" a chance. When I started selling on eBay in 1998, I had (1) feedback from a buy I made.
I sold lots of stuff from my first round of auctions (I did put up some desirable stuff), but got "lectured" by half the buyers about how to pack, about not holding checks from high feedback buyers (like people with a (25) ), etc. With in a month, my feedback was over 80, and I was on my way.
Funny about all the lecturing, I had been selling on Haggle.com for a year and a half before I moved to eBay. I saw the huge diff in final prices, and said the heck with it, I'd rather pay ebay fees.
establish a new ID to run your other auctions(reserves or set prices).
Packer, you normally give good advise, but I wouldn't put the more expensive stuff up on the new ID.
posted on August 14, 2001 04:22:08 PM new
Well, I guess I'll go out on a limb and say that I personally wouldn't buy from a zero feedback seller. Paranoia, I guess.
When I've started new ID's, I've always bought some cheap-o stuff just to build at least 10 fb before I began selling. I always hoped it made me more trustworthy...
posted on August 14, 2001 04:31:06 PM new
Microbes,
I don't recall what misscandle sales if it was even ever mentioned.
There is a lot of factors to consider.
With the established ID....does she have a good following? You certainly wouldn't want them to get lost with selling your stuff under a different ID.
As far as trusting a newbie...your quit right when it comes to the newbies packing abilities. If your buying something fragile and paying a good price for it, you want to be sure the "newbie" knows what they are doing when it comes to shipping it out.
Maybe she could reassure her new buyers by saying something like:
"Rest assure your item will be well packed as I've been in the mail order business for x# of years".
That would certainly help.
One other thing...I think its real noticeable to see a "green newbie seller" versuses an "established newbie seller" by the way their ad looks. The more professional look says you've been doing this for awhile.
posted on August 14, 2001 05:00:42 PM new
Lots of great ideas here. Time will tell, Packer, my friend, if I curse you for this $1 NR notion, or send you a fruit basket as a Thank You.
I'm not planning to launch the auctions until mid-September, so I think I'll do a little buying in the meantime.
Thanks, everyone! Mai Tais are on me if you're ever in Honolulu.
