posted on March 23, 2000 08:27:36 AM
I’ve been a moderate buyer and seller on Yahoo since they began their auctions. I observed a few things about Yahoo that seem to affect auction outcomes.
Setting the price at a dollar really helps. Sure you risk selling the item for only a buck, but it’s never happened to me. By having the start lower, more people bid and it seems that people feel “safer” bidding on a item with activity, even though it may cost more then a like item in the same category.
Forget reserves. People hate ‘em, and it makes bidding non-productive till the reserve is broke. In which case you didn’t need the reserve. If you feel a reserve is needed then the market wasn’t there to sell it. (NOTE: High-end items such as rarities, cars, and property are the exception).
Put in a picture, but keep it small. People like to see what they are bidding on; it makes it easier to connect with the item. But make sure that the 28,800’ers out there don’t have to wait a year for it to load. 14k is a fair size.
Answer and ask questions. I like when people ask questions, it allows me to solidify the item in real personal terms. It is also important to answer promptly. I have asked questions that never get answered and therefore never made a bid. By asking questions you can get those little details that are keeping you from making up your mind about the item.
Use the e-mail, pager, and other notifiers. Stay on top of your auctions. It also helps from getting sniped at the last minute.
All these are just my observations; take them at that folks.
Set the sellers rating to “All Bidders” that makes the bidders required to enter a Credit Card and cuts down on the bogus bidders and kids wasting time.
posted on March 24, 2000 04:35:59 AM
But some people don't have credit cards, or don't want to use them so you are cutting down on potential buyers this way.
posted on March 25, 2000 01:41:30 PM
Agreed, I've set all my auction rating to 1 or higher. Sure it might chase away new bidders but I've had many new bidders e-mail me requesting that I lower my rating which I will promptly do.
My biggest problem with online trading is having to e-mail a bogus bidder 3-5 times about X dollar. Its a waste of time. Many new bidders in Yahoo are simply kids playing a prank. It might be your pride & joy to e-mail a kid asking for X dollar & then neg him (& get a neg in return) but I'd much rather not complete a sale & have to go through all the hassle.
posted on March 25, 2000 09:44:50 PM
I've had only one deadbeat on Yahoo so far in 5 months, and I accept bids from anybody, figuring alot of people don't have credit cards or are afraid of fraud and won't enter them. (Yes, I've already heard from all of you who think I'm a fossil ~ so be it). Thankfully, I've never run into the underaged bidders yet.
Have I just been lucky? Anyway, in my case, what is the big loss if a free auction produces a deadbeat? I'll just sell the item next week to someone who appreciates it! It's not like I am going to be out $10 in assorted fees.
Seriously, though, if I am missing something please enlighten me.
