posted on March 28, 2002 07:29:58 AM new
Here is something I've noticed in looking at other sellers' auctions, all of whom use a bulk relisting tool to auto-list.
They get incredibly low sellthrough, often less than 10%. I wondered why. Here's what I found.
One seller lists 500 auctions a day using a bulk listing tool. These auctions all start (and thus end) during one 10 minute period. Now forgive me for being critical, but that sems amazingly short-sighted, particularly for a seller who combines items for shipping. If your customer is a newbie cruising the list of items about to end in a few minutes (having heard that you get sniped if you bid before then), where's the opportunity for that person to make second, third or fourth purchases from you if your auctions start at 8:00 pm and are over by 8:10 pm? Will she come back the next day to look at your auctions? Maybe, but it seems wiser to maximize sales per user login session.
Comments?
I'm researching this topic because I use Vrane's Power Relister tool. I noticed that when I relist 20 auctions this way, I get perhaps 1 or at most 2 sales out of it. If I relist the auctions manually, I sometimes get 10 or more sales.
I am beginning to think that auction "spacing" is important.
Again, comments?
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Mar 28, 2002 08:52 AM ]
[ edited by fluffythewondercat on Mar 28, 2002 08:54 AM ]
posted on March 28, 2002 07:42:26 AM new
I am a Seller's Assistant user (it has nothing to do with Mister Lister) who gets a 95% sell through by using the standard one minute spacing of auctions built into the product. You can define the space as between 1 and 60 minutes. My typical listing load of 100 items is over in 100 minutes. I don't know if you are attempting to trash the product but it works great for me
posted on March 28, 2002 07:58:42 AM new
I use Sellers Assistant and personally I like it when batches end togther like that.
I can contact high bidders right away, I can see who won multiple items right away.
The program asssigns each high bidder a number, which is unique, so you would know if they have won more than one item. It also can store that buyer/bidder in the program with their name and address, for any future bidding. I have a lot of repeat bidders, so this is handy. I am so used to it, I wouldn't know how to list without it. 4 years now using it.
Edited to add, I do NOT use Mister Lister with it, never have.
posted on March 28, 2002 08:50:13 AM new
selbee: No, I am not attempting to trash anyone's product. Perhaps I misstated the topic. I'm interested in bulk relisting tools and the detrimental effect, if any, they have on sellthrough.
95% sellthrough? That's pretty unusual unless they're no-reserve auctions started very low. Care to share your eBay id?
posted on March 28, 2002 08:54:07 AM new
NearTheSea: I stand corrected on Seller's Assistant and have modified my original posting in the thread. I'm most interested in bulk listing tools and the effect on sellthrough. I used to use MisterLister until it became too much hassle compared to the payoff.
posted on March 28, 2002 09:14:49 AM new
I stand corrected. Of the 2000 listings I have had on eBay in the past 6 months or so I have had a 94% sell through. Of course I have no reserves and low opening prices because that is the only way to run an auction. And believe me I get top dollar for the bulk of my items. You could verify this if I would share my eBay seller name with you but I can not. I sell vintage (25 years and older) men's magazines and risque photos. Other times I have shared my user name on boards like these the good people of this "community" have looked at my auctions and felt compelled to complain to eBay and get my auctions moved or suspended. So I don't need your help in that regard right now. I hear you saying "Well, its easy to get results like that if you sell smut. What about me? I sell mason jars with a reserve price and I can't sell a thing" All I can say that of the handful of sellers that specialize in risque items on eBay I get by far the best results in terms of final prices and sell through because of careful item selection and presentation. Seller's Assistant has been a big help in creating effective listings easily.
posted on March 28, 2002 09:19:51 AM new
I thought I had heard that mister lister was used with Auction Assistant/Sellers Assistant at one time. I've never looked at mister lister, so I don't know.
I use very low low starting bid, with no reserve, and do ok, sell thru rate? I don't know I do know I sell about 85-90% of most everything I list. And relists, because I have duplicates, are really easy to do with Sellers Assistant. I only list approx 45 items a weeks.
I just found for me, that SAPro is easy, everything is 'built in' to the program, the end of auction notices sent right from the program, the feedback tools are right there.
I don't know, I don't think I could do it any other way
posted on March 28, 2002 04:23:14 PM new
selbee: I understand your defensiveness but honestly I am not out to get you. I know exactly what you mean about the community, believe me! There are clowns here (and elsewhere) who get their jollies causing trouble for others. I believe that what goes around comes around, but it usually doesn't come around quickly enough to suit me.
"Of course I have no reserves and low opening prices because that is the only way to run an auction."
I can't agree that it is the only way, but I think it is a very effective way. One of my selling IDs runs auctions this way and we sell close to everything the first time it's listed.
I don't have any opinion on the type of items you sell. Please relax. Thanks for your response.
posted on March 28, 2002 04:26:02 PM new
So, to get back to my original question, I guess I should amend it:
For auctions that are NOT low-start-price no-reserve, do you find that "spacing" them has an effect? Or does it work OK with one auction every second or so?
posted on March 28, 2002 10:17:24 PM new
For seller's assistant users--
I do not understand the documentation regarding photo's with Ebay's sellers assistant.
When an auction ends, the pictures disappear. Do they keep them for future relists or do you have to keep your copy to use if you relist. If they keep it, how long?
Thanks--
posted on March 29, 2002 06:17:19 AM new
I've never used sellers assisitants photo hosting, or whatever it is. I use my own FTP which you can use with SAP. That way, if and when I have duplicates, I just click duplicate and its done.
Every ISP gives you space for whatever, I use mine for my FTP, which holds all my photos
posted on April 8, 2002 08:50:47 PM new
Looks like I'm one of the few who actually uses MisterLister...only thing is I space everything two minutes apart. More work in creating the listings, but it seems to get results.
I do know I sell about 85-90% of most everything I list. And relists, because I have duplicates, are really easy to do with Sellers Assistant. I only list approx 45 items a weeks.