posted on April 22, 2010 03:43:31 AM new
So what do you think as far as cost effectiveness? Should someone with just a few listings per month..under 100..go with Fixed Price or Auction?
posted on April 22, 2010 06:29:34 AM new
What was working great for me was listing every first in auction format - what didn't sell would then go to fixed price.
That is until this month when everything died!!
posted on April 23, 2010 11:11:58 AM new
For me, it really depends on what you sell. Unique items, auction at least first try, then FP at a price you think is reasonable, you can always discount later.
I have seen people put unique items in FP venue without knowing the going price. NOT GOOD. With auction, the market will determine the price on a good day. With FP, you get a FP.
posted on April 23, 2010 12:18:13 PM new
with auction,you have to start it low to entice bidding,with FP,either it sells at your price or dont sell at all.
I sold 3 items for $120 each,if I do auction,I cant start at $99 as they wont bid.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on April 24, 2010 06:13:48 PM new
if you want to control your pricing, then Fixed Price is the way to go. You'll be guaranteed not to give away your item unless you want to.
auctions are best when it is a hard item to find (with many seekers) or a popular item in general (ie; ipods, etc) that will sell at close to their normal going rate.
if you have that type of item that gets good bids then you can save a little $ on the FVF. auctions cost a bit more up front to list, but you can save on FVF if it is something desirable, which truly makes up the difference and then some, especially if you are selling volume.
I'm hearing from many sellers who are liking the fixed price/stores because it gives them the chance to price things at a fair price for them without being taken if bids are flat.
One seller told me they used to clearance out comics at 99 cents and would end up either giving them away at 99 cents or not selling at all. now they list the same things at $9.99 and are doing quite well.
It just depends on what you want to do. Reality is that auctions take more micro-managing, where Fixed Price you can just let sit there forever and wait for someone to buy it. If the buyer wants to negotiate, they'll email you and ask if you'll take less. you can give them that option with make an offer or just let things be. they'll still contact you.
i would recommend trying both and figure out where your bottom line is better. you may want to make seasonal adjustments too. i will run more auction listings in October-January. The rest of the year I plan to do 90% Fixed.
posted on April 26, 2010 08:03:22 PM new
I'm still trying to figure out which has more visibility under the new rules.
Edited to add: Shag, I'm expecting out-of town guests I'd really like to visit your store and meet you. Their schedule is a bit uncertain. When are you likely to be there?
[ edited by pixiamom on Apr 26, 2010 08:08 PM ]
posted on April 27, 2010 11:41:21 AM new
I think 100 cheap items, with a few higher priced quality items (autction or BIN). The 100 cheap items should give good visability to the quality items. Then add items accordingly with what sells well.
posted on April 27, 2010 11:48:52 AM newI'm still trying to figure out which has more visibility under the new rules.
I spoke with a collectibles seller (10,000 items) who said March was his best month ever on eBay. April is going to be his worst.
With fluctuations like that, how can anybody be expected to figure out Search?
I keep hoping you and your sis will team up and start your own postcard auction site. There's software called AuctionAnything that's perfect for collectibles. It's what AACS Autographs.com and Bruce Hershenson's eMoviePoster.com went with when they left eBay.
posted on April 27, 2010 11:55:18 AM new
pixia... my schedule has been all over the place, usually working 1 or 1-1/2 days a week in the store, however our employee just got a job in Seattle and is leaving us in a week. We are going to try and work the store ourselves for at least May, so now I will be really working a lot... 2-1/2 days a week.
i am here this coming saturday 11-5 and monday 11-6. i am also here next friday 11-6 and saturday 11-5. i'm already hating this schedule! lol.
is this one of those experiments... "i want you to meet a real Portland Progressive Liberal hipster kinda deal???" lol.
[ edited by shagmidmod on Apr 27, 2010 11:56 AM ]
posted on April 27, 2010 12:01:11 PM new
i should probably clarify that statement... i have a friend who married a very conservative Ron Paul type, and that is pretty much what she told him about me, which isn't entirely accurate.
posted on May 2, 2010 06:52:45 PM new
Shag, I've always wanted to visit your store - it's smack in the dab of my stomping grounds - have sent several mid-century fans to it with glowing reviews. These are vintage fans visiting from BC - I want to show them the "best of the hood" - your store, perhaps Pal's Shanty. We'll probably drop in 10:30 - 11:00 Monday. Hope to see you there! Edited to add: meant fans of vintage, but you know that!
[ edited by pixiamom on May 2, 2010 06:59 PM ]
posted on May 2, 2010 07:04:21 PM new
spoke with a collectibles seller (10,000 items) who said March was his best month ever on eBay. April is going to be his worst.
With fluctuations like that, how can anybody be expected to figure out Search?
////////////////////////
It seems to me or at least for my kind of merchandise,the yuppies who have jobs fnally realise they are not going to lose their job,so they are back with their habits of buying on Ebay again.
Thats just observation from my little corner!
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on May 3, 2010 06:53:23 PM new
Really enjoyed your store and our visit, Shag. Your store has clean, cool lines, every item was immaculate and well displayed. I barely can wait to get the pics from the surprise visitors, "Mr. & Mrs. Otteropp"!
[ edited by pixiamom on May 3, 2010 06:54 PM ]
posted on May 4, 2010 12:56:25 PM new
Yes, it was nice putting some faces to the screen names. Hard to believe just how small this world is sometimes.
I remember about 20 years ago I on this little tiny island off the coast of Panama fishing on a pier. A local kid was also fishing. He caught an octopus! Anyways, we were talking and he asked me what state I was from. At the time I was living in Michigan. I told him, and he said, "I know someone in Michigan". He told me her name... and I knew her too!!!
Fast forward about 5 years later when my family moved to Florida. We were at a McDonald's across the street from Busch Gardens in Tampa. I was standing behind a guy wearing a jacket that said, "Stockbridge Panthers Football". I told him I knew someone from that school. When I told him the family name, he said, "I coached Glen". Ironic, Glen is the brother of the girl mentioned in the Panama story.
