posted on May 19, 2002 06:39:14 AM
I subscribe to Antique Weekly newspaper and in this weeks issue there a large article on falling prices and increase in number of sellers on ebay. They compare the years 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Their observation and opinion is that so many sellers are selling the exact same items that prices and sell through rates are down by as much as 50% or more.
What do you do to make your item stand out from the rest?
I use the gallery on almost all of my items and try to make sure my pictures are clear and the description is complete almost to (overdescribing any damage - buyers words, not mine).
I do have about a 90% sell through and have very few deadbeats. I sell nothing that I wouldn't be happy to keep in my own home. I am a small time hobby seller - about 20 auctions a week or less.
How do you make sure they see your item over the others just like it?
posted on May 19, 2002 11:48:49 AM
I just started using the gallery option, and with good success. I have some more items that I think will be a hard sell and plan to list them on the gallery.
I keep my auction page clean, make the information easy to find. If the potential bidder is looking for S&H terms and fees, they can find it quickly, without having to read through a long, run-on paragraph with all my TOS.
~*~
We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. ~Oscar Wilde
posted on May 19, 2002 01:11:04 PM
There are various ways to make your item stand out. A lower start price, a key word in the title, or whether you sell 5 in a lot or 20 in a lot all make a huge difference.
Many buyers browse and buy the first item they come across. Timing is the key here.
posted on May 19, 2002 03:24:00 PM
I'll tell you revvassago hit it right on the head. I have items on and I can't compete with the prices. When they sell the same tie I have for 1 cent, I can't sell mine that cheap and I don't know how they can. they have 25 same designer ties and they all start with 1 cent. In real life they are sold for $30-$40 dollars. I haven't been in lately to see what price they are getting but I do know if I had looked before I launched those auctions I wouldn't have done it. I guess it's like Kmart. Last week they advertised an item for less than wholesale, now tell me is that the way to get out of bankruptsy. The reason I knew that is because I work as a cashier at a store that had the same product and we couldn't honor the coupon.
posted on May 20, 2002 11:36:57 AM
I think clear pictures taken in good light make all the difference. I try to take my pictures outside if at all possible and get down to eye level with the item for the picture. I bought an item at an antique store for $3.50 just because I thought it "had the look" of being something special. I came home and found one listed on Ebay. There was one picture and it was dark. I watched the auction and it ended without any bids, when they were starting it at $6.99. I decided I had made a poor purchase and set the item on a shelf. The next week when listing a bunch of stuff I just decided to go ahead and list that item as well. My pictures were very clear and from three different views. The item sold for $36.00. It may have just been the right person looking at the right time but personally I think the good pics had something to do with it. Also, I have started listing selected higher end items in two categories which have increased the number of hits drastically. P.S. I ALWAYS use the gallery.
[ edited by hammerchick on May 20, 2002 11:38 AM ]
posted on May 20, 2002 12:13:34 PM
Keywords are crucial if you're selling collectibles. That means knowing the mindset of the people you're market you're trying to reach. One example from my own experience is a book that I sold, written by Richard Burton about Elizabeth Taylor called "Meeting Mrs. Jenkins." Somebody had posted the same book, using only the title in the auction header at a starting bid of $8. Of course the only people likely to find that in a search are the ones looking specifically for that book title. I didn't bother listing the book title at all, and instead listed my book as "Richard Burton Elizabeth Taylor Book 1966" in order to catch the attention of any Burton and/or Taylor collectors. My book sold for about $25, their book - which was identical but in better condition - went unsold.
Rock bottom starting bids are also very effective at getting attention, early bidding action, and creating a sense of "virtual ownership" that leads to bidding wars. Of course, this is only effective IF you are selling something with a strong demand.
As far as paid features, I believe the Gallery feature is becoming more important in getting bidder attention as overall listings increase. Dual category listings are almost a necessity for collectibles with cross-over appeal. 10 day auctions are worth the extra dime for more expensive items that need exposure. And I always use the Buy It Now option for things I want to turn over fast.
posted on May 20, 2002 01:02:04 PM
hammerchick is right, a good picture is very important. I sell mostly books and you wouldn't believe how bad some sellers make theirs look.
Also, I make my TOS short and simple. When surfing the net people don't want to spend a long time reading about rules they have to follow if they transact.
I often get bids when there are lower priced identical items for sale.
