posted on August 16, 2001 06:09:57 AM
I have an item that I sell on ebay under a different name. Myself and one other seller are pretty much the only two sellers of this particular item. Now I don't make a killing on this item, most times it only sells for about a dollar, which is fine because I only pay about 50 cents for it. Sometimes they go as high as $5 and I'm way thrilled!
My problem is this. Every time I try something "new" with my auctions the other seller does EXACTLY what I do. If I offer Buy it Now, he offers BIN, if I offer free shipping, he offers free shipping. If I lower my opening bid, so does he. If I change my text he changes his to read something very similar.
I know that this might fall under friendly competition but its almost like he watches my auctions just to see what I will do next. There is a pretty big market for this item and as far as I'm concerned there is plenty of business for both of us. I know I can't tell him to stop copying me...but geez it sure is aggravating!
posted on August 16, 2001 06:18:54 AM
welcome to the business world. Who sold the first hamburger? or introduced the first kids meal?.we copy everything.......heck thats what business is all about. My isp just raised my cable $5 and used the instance of AOL raising their rates as a reason. Businesses copy each other all the time......they cetrtainly can't come up with all their own ideas
.My question to you is if you are making 50 cents off an item how in the heck can you justify the time versus money coming in equation??? are you selling 200 per listing or something?
if i can't make $5 clear profit after fees etc i don't fool with an item...............i don't sell items bought at bulk wholesale, like those cutesy butterfly hair clips or those cheap ginsu knives..........
[ edited by skeetypete on Aug 16, 2001 06:21 AM ]
posted on August 16, 2001 09:31:29 AM
Try this. Make a new name on Ebay (don't just change your name, make a new one). He probably has you bookmarked. If you make a new name, it will probably take him a few weeks to figure it out (keep one or two auctions under your old name to keep him off balance).
BTW< I don't know if Ebay will allow you to have 2 accounts, you would have to find this out.. Good luck.
posted on August 16, 2001 03:36:25 PM
Thanks for the suggestion. The ID that I use for these auctions is a second selling ID for me since these items fall into more of a risque line than the childrens clothing I usually sell. I know competition is not a bad thing, but I hate it when he does the exact same thing I do EVERY time I do it.
posted on August 16, 2001 03:41:39 PM
if your Item is really reflective try takeing your pictures in the nude like the Tea pot that was found the other day see if the other seller copies that
