posted on December 10, 2001 06:47:25 AM
I sell collectible Barbies. I noticed that one other seller that does very well in this market has stopped listing this week.
I'm new this year to this. I haven't had many bids this weekend for dolls at all. I have also listed Hot Wheels and those have had bids.
Should I not list any more between now and Christmas, or is it possible that the other seller is just on vacation and I'm just reading into things? LOL.
Also, I had a buyer get a Mackie Porcelain doll and it was chipped. I'm going to have her send it back to me and I'm going to ship her another. Then I'm going to return the one I sent to her. I would be responsible for shipping, right? She did make it clear she could tell it wasn't damaged in transit, but from the factory. I have never opened these dolls up, so I wouldn't have known.
posted on December 10, 2001 07:04:06 AM
I quit posting auctions that end at about the 17th so that the winners have a chance to get the item before Christmas, so I'll probably be posting the last of my Christmas auctions tonight. But that's not the only reason I stop posting - I also stop because I have to work on my own Christmas shopping and other holiday activities, and I suspect this is one reason that sellers take an ebay break right before Christmas. It may also be that they know they'll be concentrating their efforts on packing and shipping stuff from their closed auctions from now 'til Christmas, especially if they did a "Christmas Blitz" in the past couple weeks.
So if you have the time and the energy, I say keep on posting. I believe the auction numbers traditionally slump immediately before Christmas (no doubt part of the reason there's usually a Free Listing Day at this time), so use the reduced competition to your advantage. And if you take online payments, promise immediate shipping (and have feedback that backs up that statement), and make liberal use of Buy It Now, you can probably extend your Christmas selling season up to the 20th.
[ edited by holdenrex on Dec 10, 2001 07:06 AM ]
posted on December 10, 2001 07:11:15 AM
Thanks so much for your answer.
I have a closet FULL of dolls that I need to sell, but I'd rather wait and get fair price after Christmas than have them sit for days with no bids on eBay.
I may just take that vacation also.
And when do bids generally pick back up in your experience? Right after Christmas. . .a week . . . a couple weeks?
I know you don't have a crystal ball. LOL but just thought I'd see if any of you remember from last year.
posted on December 10, 2001 07:46:45 AM
Hi there! I just wanted to add that in my almost 5 years experience, it picks back up about mid January! Now, I haven't sold new barbies in ages but with clothing that is how it goes.
As far as the Mackie goes..I would say yes, you would definately be responsible for shipping back to you and the amount your bidder paid for shipping! Since the item arrived to her damaged at the factory, it is not her fault. She thought she was buying a "perfect" item as per your item description (as I assume you listed it as such). BTW..I love mackies
posted on December 10, 2001 08:04:19 AM
If people buy these dolls for Christmas gifts then keep listing. In stores, the biggest shopping day of the year is the Saturday before Christmas, so you know a lot of people are still looking for gifts. Allowing time for Paypal or Billpoint payment and delivery, you could sell right up to Dec 19.
posted on December 10, 2001 08:09:52 AM
Resuming selling after the Christmas rush depends on your target market. I'll probably start listing again right after Christmas, so my auctions will start ending shortly after New Years. I'll be posting auctions targeting the teen to college crowd for the simple reason that this demographic tends to accumulate cash at Christmas, and you know they aren't going to invest in savings bonds! Granted, that market does have a high NPB rate, but early January is probably the best time to hit them. After that, I'll probably just start posting a general mix again. January and February tend to be pretty good months for selling - few people take vacation at this time, they start getting cabin fever, and it's still a little too early for most people to start worrying about Tax Day.
posted on December 10, 2001 08:12:55 AM
I think it's a mixture. Some are buying them for gifts, but others are simply collectors that tend to buy all year (I hope!!)
Maybe just a short break for a few days before and after Christmas is good enough.
). BTW..I love mackies