posted on February 22, 2001 03:50:10 PM new
OK, I am not listing my items for higher prices, but that is what I am looking for as the topic to this thread.
I have read on this forum and others that one of the turnoffs to Bidville for buyers is that the items are so high priced.
Personally, I think that outside of maybe the occasional exception, this problem is more perception than reality.
I cannot see a reasoning to leave an auction site because they are charging and go to a free one to raise your prices. It does not make sense to me.
So I would like anyone that did go to Bidville, or any other new site, and raise their prices over what they were chargibng at Yahoo or Ebay to please give me some insight as to why. I think this could make for some interesting reading and points of view. Please respond.
posted on February 22, 2001 04:04:49 PM new
I'm listing my stuff at a lower price than what I had them at yahoo. Still, buyers aren't going to bidville for out-of-print books. That might take a while. In the meantime, I'll relist untill the buyers are finding me. Out of 400 listings I have about 20 page hits. That's discouraging
posted on February 22, 2001 04:18:00 PM new
I can only answer for myself in respect to my experiences.
At eBay I have listed items starting at a penny especially ones I know whill get bid up. This seems to create interest early gets the bids people are interested in seeing what the big deal is, this creates more page views and hopefully a war in the end.
However on a free site I have had to list the same item for the least amount I am willing to accept because usually that will be your one and only bid.
So the perception may be off because the STARTING price may be higher, but in the end it may be the same price that item would normally bring in an all out bidding war.
posted on February 22, 2001 04:26:18 PM new
In reviewing the postcard category, a significant number of postcards that were $1 and $2 on Yahoo!Auctions have moved onto Bidville for $3, $4 and $5.
You'd think that the higher priced postcards would be kinda scarce, but nope, they're common everyday variety postcards.
I have bought three postcards on Bidville, quite a few more on the other alternative auction sites.
posted on February 22, 2001 04:38:04 PM new
Something I've come across on the free sites in some categories I know something about... I've actually seen items listed at higher prices than they would ever get at eBay. This is the craziest thing I've ever seen.
For example, a plain (unembossed, unlabeled) medicine bottle, circa late 1800s, that *might* bring $5-10 on eBay has a STARTING bid of $25 on another site. (This is one I just recently noticed, but I can't remember which site it was on).
posted on February 22, 2001 04:40:47 PM new
Well, my prices are exactly the same as at Yahoo! I price them at the minimum price I will take, because like previously said, you will probably only get one bid! I do think that BidVille has tapered off and I am not sure where they will end up, in the competion. I used to list a few items on Ebay and started them low. A few times they went above my expectations but most of the time, they did not even get where I hoped they would be and by the time the fees were paid, it just wasn't worth it!
posted on February 22, 2001 04:43:43 PM new
So what you are saying, AG2 is that the starting price is not so much higher on Bidville, but would be lower on ebay in anticipation of more bidders and also because of the fees. Am I reading this correct, or Have I lost something in translation?
I have seen a similar post on another board also.
posted on February 22, 2001 04:47:22 PM new
I think the sellers do that because they can keep relisting until some sucker comes along and pays the higher price. Nothing against the seller, but I think it would tend to send bidders away, especially when they pay $25 for widget and then find the same widget for half of that on another site that charges.
Of course AG2 makes sense and maybe it is just the seller needing to have a higher opening bid because the site attracts few if any bidders.
Ain't Life Grand...
posted on February 22, 2001 06:21:48 PM new
That's pretty much the gist of it.
Examples of my price structuring.
Ebay:
Minimum Bid $9.99 Buy It Now Price $14.99.
This is on an item that I could possibly get $20.00 for but just don't know. I sell it quick, ship it quick it's done and over with.
Ebay: Clearance Box Of Crazy Bones
Minimum Bid $.01 No Buy It Now Price
I do this on an item that I know will draw interest for certain types of collectors. I have been pretty successful with this on my Crazy Bone items.
If I were to sell these same two items on a free site.
Free Site: Elvis Action Figure (Normal Retail $29.99)
Minimum Bid $14.99 Take It Price: $14.99
Free Site: Clearance Box Of Crazy Bones
Minimum Bid $11.99 Take It Price: $11.99
The reason I would set the take it price the same as the minimum bid is in hope that a bidder would come across the auction and thinking they need to get it before anyone else does use the take it price option.
So the point is. I would set my bids at free sites for the min. I would expect to get at eBay.
Why? Like you said no bidders. I wouldn't dare start a penny auction on a free site in hopes that would spur bidding driving the price up...not much of a chance.
posted on February 22, 2001 06:53:22 PM new
AG2
I understand your reasoning for asking the higher starting price on Bidville. But I do disagreewith your take it price philosophy.
Why not say start the Crazy bones at $14.95 and make the Take It price $19.95, or even $16.95.
This gives apotential bidder the option to insure immediate winning, or start the bidding and make it a true auction.
As far as starting items low to help generate interest, it seems to be workking in my case at least. I have numerous $1.00 no reserves running at Bidville. Curently have bidding on 26 of them, 4 of these have gone "hot".
Now these are items that if I only get $1.00, it won't bother me much as I have had them a while and am about ready to take them to an "absolute" live auction, or I picked up in a lot of items that my main interest was something else in the lot, therefore these are excess. This is helping me make some room for more items at home and also spurring some interest.
One more thing.
I have not done this on Bidville yet, but did this with almost all of my auctions on Yahoo. This may not even pertain to you, but may be of use to those others that feel the need to start at a higher price.
What I did was start all my Yahoo auctions at $1.00 and place a reserve for the amount that I would be willing to accept. This got some people interested and got the bidding going. While I did have a few mention that they could not understand the need for my "secrecy", generally it worked fairly well.
It really was not about secrecy, rather as you mentioned, the low entrance stimulated one or two bids, and then others got involved. In addition, it gave me the chance to get a better picture of values. If an item received bids on several relistswithout meeting my reserve, then I could see that maybe I had paid too much, and learned for future purchasing. Of course, I did have items go for a heck of a lot more than I expected at times. But for someone coming into the collectible glass business with no experience at middle age and not really knowing where to learn, these lessons were priceless.
I would suggest that sellers try that instead of posting a higher starting price. Often when asked why I started the bidding at $1.00 when I really wanted more for the item, my reply was, "Because Yahoo won't let me start at $0.00."
What I could never understand was why someone would have a start price of say, $14.95 combined with a higher reserve on a free auction site.
Anyway, thank you for your replies, they have shed some light on a subject that I didn't realize due to the way I listed on Yahoo.
posted on February 22, 2001 07:22:54 PM new
Heya Pocono.
I for one don't have too many complaints about eBay..they are the only site that I do list on.
I spent my time attempting to help build up a free listing site...too strong a current wanting to go the opposite direction...LOL
When I was listing there I didn't see it as inflating my price. It's the price I wanted at any site...actually the min. price. I just had to protect myself at the free one.
Heck you probably weren't even responding to me...LOL
posted on February 22, 2001 08:51:04 PM new
POCONO,
You make a good point also I feel. I see some sellers whining about not enough traffic on the free sites, and they also state that the fees alone did not drive them from Yahoo. But the point they are missing is you have to pay one way or the other to get the buyers.
These sellers have to use their heads to find ways to bring buyers to look at their auctions, or pay fees for someone else to. In the case of Yahoo, their program was completely unjustified, IMO, and many other opinions I have seen tend to agree.
Folks, coming from many years of real world sales experience, I am telling you DO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO TO GET THE BUYERS! If you have to go up and down your block knocking on doors and telling people they have to check out 'XBID_OR_DIE_DOTCOM' then do it.
Because if you don't, then the person that does, makes the sales. It is that simple and it is that difficult. ...JIM
posted on February 23, 2001 05:51:17 AM new
Jim ... Being a buyer and not a seller, I cannot answer your question from a seller's POV. However, I will not even look at the DVD listings on BidVille anymore. The majority of these are priced higher than retail and by the time you add the shipping, it becomes robbery.
PS - I also refuse to bid on ANY item with a low starting bid and a reserve price
posted on February 23, 2001 06:12:59 AM new
I find it ridiculous when people will list certain types of items at either retail or more than retail.
But I have found that in certain areas of "collectibles" and by that anything now days can be considered a collectible it just doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be worth a dime in the future....anyway...I have found that not everyone has access to these "collectibles" due to limitations imposed on them by the location of their residence.
I for one try to stay away from the words rare, and VHTF or very hard to find when I can.
In fact if you check out some of my listings I have this statement up: "Is The Item Rare? Probably Not. Is It Hard To Find? Somewhat But Getting Harder. Is It Desirable? Heck Yeah!"
The point I was attempting to get at is I have found in my area a number of items that are considered desirable among collectors and eBay fanatics. I have bought these at retail or on sale and have sold them for well above retail.
For a lot of people they might have been able to find these same items at a local toy or hobby shop but for many others they aren't as fortunate as some of us to have all of the shopping conveniences.
I for one have access to 6 malls ranging from 10-30 minutes from my residence. 5 Toys 'r' us' within the same time frame. Too many wal-marts and targets to count.
So the collectors I have targeted with these items are usually glad to be able to just purchase these items directly from me having it delievered straight to their house without them having to drive to the next major city just to find out they didn't have one in stock.
As we all know this is just simple supply and demand. I guess it could apply to the DVD's as well.
I lived for awhile in a town of 19,000. They had the wal-mart but the nearest mall was an hour away.
I also lived in a town of only 5,000 and it didn't even have the wal-mart...lol
I would have been happy to have had access to the online sellers there are at this time and would have been more than happy to pay retail for something plus $4.00 shipping instead of having to drive an hour away just to get it...hoping it's in stock when I get there.
I know this has been long winded...LOL...but I would also like to add one final note.
This is now a reflection on how I sale most of my items. I in fact usually start pretty cheap with my items and hope that the bidding goes crazy.
I currently have 1 item that hasn't even hit my cost yet in the bidding...LOL. But I have found overall it all equals out in the end.
I have had what I consider a fair amount of success for the little bit I have been doing.
I must be doing something right. Even though I've been an eBay member since June of 2000 I didn't start actively trading on eBay until the end of November after Thanksgiving actually. And in that short amount of time I have been able to complete over 180 transactions.
Well I have some travelling to do today so I'm gonna need to stay off the boards in order to get things done...LOL
posted on February 23, 2001 06:24:13 AM new
AG2 ... "As we all know this is just simple supply and demand. I guess it could apply to the DVD's as well"
Excellent point. But, I wonder why these folks who may not have access to a Mall but do know how to place orders on line, don't try shopping for their DVD's at places like Future Shop and Amazon? Their prices, even with inflated shipping, are still better than most of those listed on BidVille, and your chances of getting ripped off are reduced greatly.
PS - There are currently listings for DVD pre-releases. Obviously, someone is placing orders for these with the on line stores then selling them at a profit on the auction sites when they are released. Shoppers really need to shop for the best price
posted on February 23, 2001 06:53:35 AM new
Oh I agree...believe me I agree.
But the simple fact is...and I am going to peeve a lot of people off saying this...but...
people in general are like cattle.
Now before I get flamed to no end for stating this this is not how I see my customers.
I am just pointing out a flaw that we as consumers have.
We allow ourselves at times to be led by the nose to slaughter.
We do not allow for reason to factor into our purchasing in a lot of cases. Just take into consideration the after holidays blues. You know the ones you get when the credit card receipt comes in.
I for one have been guilty of this too.
There are people every year speculating on the next hot item. And it doesn't matter what they thought it was...what they already bought for jr. and lil' miss for Christmas. When they find out it's pokecrap, or that new item that no one has ever seen before...you know a scooter...LOL The presents already bought become stocking stuffers while mom and dad contemplate prison terms in order to get the new Sony playstation.
I've seen many stories of newbies going hogwild bidding like crazy at eBay.
I right now have a high feedback bidder who has emailed all of the sellers items bid on that they can't pay until the 1st when they get paid due to unexpected financial difficulty that occured weeks ago...LOL. Needless to say they neglected to inform me of this after I sent them their first EOA and they asked me to combine it with another item they wanted to bid on. These were toys mind you that they bid on.
It is my duty as a seller to provide product at a reasonable price and if I'm lucky demand kicks in and drives the price higher. It is also my responsibility to provide excellent service, timely shipment, and appropriate feedback. It is also my duty to accept all monies offered...LOL. However it is not my duty to educate people on the skills of shopping.
I do not want to see bidders being taken advantage of because that negativity will only reflect back on all sellers. But their destiny is their responsibility and not mine.
posted on February 23, 2001 07:01:06 AM new
RB,
I know from messages I have seen you post on these boards that you are a reasonable person, and I respect you opinions. I asked for the sellers to state their reasons in this thread, but a responsible buyer's opinion would also no doubt be helpful, thank you.
I don't sell DVD's. Selling a different type of item could very well be a whole different type of business. The point I am trying to make is if sellers are not getting responses to a high minimum, then maybe they should try a reserve. Though some buyers will pass on that too, there is a better chance that they will receive some bids, even if it is not what they want, and thereby get a better picture of what they are doing wrong in the market. I have stated that some buyers believe a seller uses a reserve because they want to hide the price they want to get, Some believe the seller is playing games. But this is not the reality of it. As I said I do not deal with DVD's, but I imagine that the answer to that is to go to the store and pay the retail price. My experience is mostly with collectible item that are not in current manufacture. This means that the market is then determined by other factors such as location, desirabilty and especially condition. For the type items I handle, I do have a problem with a buyer refusing to deal with a reserve becasue there is still no reason for them to spend more than they want to for an item. But with no communication, the seller has just that, no input. And no, just because a seller doesn't get any bids, it does not mean that the seller will automatically realize that the problem is with pricing. Some may feel it is the fault of the auction site for not having enough of the right traffic, and some may just be stuck with an item. I buy in lots so once I have sold the most desirable pieces in a lot and made my money back, I can then afford to sell the slightly less desirable pieces for less than they may actually be worth. That still doesn't mean that is what I want to do, But it is nice to be able to when neccessary.
deichen,
I don't believe in ghosts, Santa Claus, and that fees have improved Yahoo auctions. But as a seller I feel it is important to be able to use any and all tools at my disposal. Reserves are real, I know because I have used them. And I have had many happy and satisfied customers that way.
Again, I know that some buyers and sellers seem to feel it is something dishonest, but it is not. I think the real problem is that I don't know of a site that lets you start an auction with a reserve and NO minimum bid. I believe that this would be presenting the Auction to people in a way that they would feel more comfortable with. And maybe there are sites out there like that. I just don't know of any. IMO, the more dishonest one is starting the bid at an odd price, say, $20.00 or $30.00 and placing a reserve on it. But that is just the way I see it. Thankl you for your imput, and why have you raised your prices, deichen? Or have you?
posted on February 23, 2001 07:22:22 AM new
AG2 ... "But the simple fact is...and I am going to peeve a lot of people off saying this...but... people in general are like cattle."
You won't get any argument out of me on this - it just happens to be true
"Well I have some travelling to do today"
Travel safely my friend
Jim ... "RB, I know from messages I have seen you post on these boards that you are a reasonable person,"
Thanks
"then maybe they should try a reserve."
The problem that I have with reserves is basically frustration. I place a bid and get the "bid more" screen, place a higher one, get the same thing. Eventually I just give up - it's like playing the slot machines hoping for a match!
"there is a better chance that they will receive some bids, even if it is not what they want"
Do these under reserve bids show up somewhere? For example, if I placed a bid of $10.00 on something and didn't meet the reserve, would the seller get a record of my bid? If so, then there is a remote chance the seller may contact me after to make a deal (anywhere except eBay of course, where their Gods have said this is a NO NO) which would be just fine with me.
A lot of the stuff I buy also fits into the "collector's" category. Things like studio releases of unsold tv pilots, Emmy Consideration tapes, etc. Currently, the only place these things get listed is on eBay. If, and when they start showing up on BidVille, I will be buying again.
btw, I listed a bunch of these with a VERY low starting bid and no reserve (1/10 of what they go for on eBay) to test the BidVille market ... they sat there for 3 weeks and didn't get one look on any of them
"Do these under reserve bids show up somewhere? For example, if I placed a bid of $10.00 on something and didn't meet the reserve, would the seller get a record of my bid? If so, then there is a remote chance the seller may contact me after to make a deal"
Actually, yes. The bids do show up if the seller is watching, and also can be pulled up on bid history. Of corse once the item is relisted, that history is 'history'.
The one problem I encountered on Yahoo, was that on occassion when I did try to contact someone who had bid less than my reserve, invariably I had no way to do so, unless the buyer asked me a question. Too many people Had Yahoo Id's and did not bother with Yahoo email, or had the email in a different ID. Therefore, I could not figure a way to contact these people. One thing, I did occassionalyy have people email me and ask me what my reserve was. I would answer that in email, but not on the Q&A. about half that emailed, bought from me. I do like the Bidville thingy where 'ask seller a question' is a direct link to the seller's email. That is conveient and if a really pertinent question is asked that seller thinks is important enough, they can always go to edit auction and add info. I have doen this with the heading, "In response to a buyer's question please let me point out ----" I always thought the Yahoo way was kinda stupid.
I guess I understand what you mean by frustration, You are afraid that you will always think for $0.50 more, and keep bidding. And I am sure that happens with some folk. I don't even know thte answer to that, except maybe if you see an item you like, place a bid where you want to be, if that is not enough, email the seller and ask. You may run into some who will not respond, or some may even be upset. But these poeple you probably wouldn't be happy doing business with anyway. As I said, I would always answer in email, and it has made me even more congenial on those occassions when I got the questions from folks that had already tried bidding on the item. I just knew they were serious.
posted on February 23, 2001 07:55:47 AM new
Jim,
If you would have read my post in this very topic, you would realize that I stated my prices are exactly the same!
I was not saying anything about anyone else using reserves. I just don't use them and don't bid on auctions with them. I am the kind of person who likes to know what I am up against and that includes prices. Gee, I believe in Santa!
posted on February 23, 2001 09:00:39 AM new
I just bought some software on Ebay from a featured auction. Same seller on Yahoo, same software but the price is double.
Makes no sense.
I have just started listing on bidville and lowered my prices across the board. I would rather sell then pay to try to sell.
posted on February 23, 2001 01:31:08 PM new
I was doing a Universal Search on AW and came across one seller listing about 50 similar items for $9.99 start bid on Amazon. You couldn't sell these anywhere, including ebay, for more than $3. Where's his profit even if he does snag one buyer?
Sellers need to learn that buyers want the competition that auctions provide. They didn't sign up on an auction site just to buy retail. If your start bid is retail you are selling on the wrong sites.
posted on February 23, 2001 02:42:03 PM new
Just for first post only...
I am a tightwad. Apparently I get out of touch, I find things at retail which I think are extremely reasonably priced... I find things at internet auctions with an excessive starting bid.
Like a clock I just bought one of. Got it at Kmart, HAD HAD HAD to have it. Got it for $20 and tax. Saw a seller posting one for $27...oh, well, he is an authorized dealer so can sell it for this price......SAY WHAT??? Well, at that price, I can make a profit, too!
Don't pixs down my back and tell me its raining, as hubby would say. I don't need retail prices. Been selling online 2 years. My Mom brought me up on live auctions, hitting the sales, I know what is up most of the time. Yes, I make HUGE mistakes, I wipe myself out frequently. But, I am learning.
Point being, the inital starting price of most actions at Bid what ever (forget at the moment, neither are memorable) do not encourage me to look... I am a buyer and seller, ENTICE me to look.
I've got a new household to furnish and just bought a rental in CASH. I'm not entirely in touch with reality, but neither are alot of the sellers out there!
It isn't MY fault they paid too much. Been there, done that. THAT is why we go to yard sales and make a profit.
posted on February 26, 2001 11:40:37 PM new
Hey Dude. I use Edeal.com for books. I listed this past week a book American Indian Myths & Legends and in less than 45 minutes it sold for $17.50. I have mass amounts of books and comics and I can LIST & RELIST them with NO FEE. The only I have to pay is a small Final Value Fee IF IT SELLS. The catagories are broken down into great sections too. A poor guy like me could not continuosly have 80 books out there on OPEN, RESERVE, FIXED and INTERACTIVE auction\sales like that on Ebay or the like. Might want to check it out.
