posted on December 10, 2007 06:48:37 AM new
I don't usually use gallery unless I have a collectible for sale. Most of my auctions are for craft books for which I post up to 20 pictures. I have no way of knowing which particular item would appeal, so it is not worth the extra expense, especially as my items are low cost. Of course, in the last couple of weeks my items have had the gallery, and my sales have been terrible. Not BECAUSE of the gallery, but I don't think it helped one bit. Has anyone else who doesn't usually use gallery found that it has helped their sales? I find that the keywords are the most profitable.
In some categories, many buyers browse the category via "gallery view," but, I cannot imagine that's true for yer craft books...
Normally, what do yer competitors do? If, say, 99% of yer competitors use GALLERY in a category, then I think one is stuck keeping up with the Jonses...
posted on December 10, 2007 07:25:24 AM new
Thanks Tom and Ralphie, yes, I agree. I stopped using gallery when listing prices went up. I am keeping my cost to a minimum, otherwise, I am wasting my time for the small profit I am making.I think most people looking for craft items use keywords, it is such a diverse category.
posted on December 10, 2007 07:30:14 AM new
I hate to admit it, but I think my average sales price has increased (not sure it has increased sell through though). My October sales were the highest they have been in a couple of years (Good thing too because I was on vacation most of November).
All the same that $.35 is just too much to add to my fees when EBay isn't running the special because I run about 1500 core listings/month.
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posted on December 10, 2007 10:11:17 AM new
I don't think it has this month, I think most of what I'm selling isn't even for gifts. Sales are good in the store,people are buy lots of mark-down items. This sure isn't a typical Christmas buying season, doesn't look good.
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posted on December 10, 2007 10:34:04 AM new
Mah - It isn't just eBay. We bought a new car on Saturday and the dealership is located near a very large mall here. I dreaded going anywhere near the mall on a Saturday during Christmas shopping season. I was shocked at how little traffic there was on a Saturday mid-afternoon. There was even less traffic then there normally is when it isn't Christmas season.
posted on December 10, 2007 10:52:14 AM new
Ugh, I had to go to my mall yesterday to buy a school book. Terribly crowded. Even worse, the kiosk folks are downright obnoxious. One wrapped some thingy around my neck. I stared him down and said - THAT crosses the line.
posted on December 10, 2007 12:16:11 PM new
I'm not sure if the Gallery helps or not. I do think that without it you might get more looks at your auction.
With no Gallery if the item in the title catches their curiosity they will probably stop & take a look & also there's a chance they might click on other items your selling.
posted on December 11, 2007 11:52:44 AM new
Comparing November of past years with this November, I can say NO.
In past years, eBay has not run this special and sales were clearly better in years past comparing calendar dates. Foolish me, preaching using Gallery then eBay says, "It's Free" and I use it because it's free. Have to wonder how many sales I lost because of gallery? There is no way to tell.
posted on December 11, 2007 12:22:08 PM new
Thanks for all the input. I have wondered how not using gallery anymore, including the Vendio sliding gallery which I love, has impacted my sales. They have gone down in the last 18 months, but because sales in general have gone down, it's impossible to know. There are many reasons for decreased sales (and lower bid amounts), one of which in my categories is a flood of new sellers. Many of my regular buyers are now sellers.
posted on December 11, 2007 12:43:35 PM new
Sometimes there's a disturbing lack of imagination among EO denizens.
Okay, here's a thought experiment: Who says you have to use free Gallery to put up a picture of your product?
Most people do, of course, but you can also use it to promote a special offer like free shipping or a message like "Trusted Seller with 100% feedback!" or "Fastest Shipping on eBay!" Anything goes if it'll get the viewer to click on your listing.
posted on December 11, 2007 02:11:04 PM new
fluff, thanks for the suggestion. I just placed Christmas boxes in the galleries of my items which launch later this afternoon.
"childrens do learn"
