topic Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :( in Selling

Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:00:03 GMT

Hi Guys,

Ive recently listed a few items for sale and have had no luck (I think the views have all been me). Im feeling a bit deflated, am I doing somthing wrong? Ebay sent me a message to improve my listings but I cant. I know its very competitive but any advise would be much appreciated if you have the time to have a quick look. Should I be auctioning? I just dont know, I was going to sell for a few months and then open a store but now Im seriously doubting myself. Thanking you all in advance. Amy

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

lizzy6107 — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:08:30 GMT

your listings look amazing, apart from not being able to see the front of the devil.

it may just be the wrong time of year! they look more like winter items.. just my thoughts, cant see anyting else..

lots of specialist items like these can take some time to sell. You have to be prepared to wait.

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

pennyforum14 — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:11:11 GMT

Very cute!!!!!

May I suggest more pictures would be helpful, taken from different angles and showing the different pieces that make up the suit. It would also be useful to provide a more detailed description including measurements, 12-18 mths is a very vague sizing, measurements would give people an idea of whether the item would fit their child.

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

digital*ghost — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:15:12 GMT

I don't think you're doing anything wrong. as such, more that there's probably a combination of factors that might be contributing to the lack of sales.

The first one is likely to be the time of year, spring / summer are quite hot and thick, or longseleeve costumes probably don't sell well during these seasons.

Although we all know everyone has to start somewhere, and many people have no hesitation in purchasing from a new seller, others will hesitate or look for a seller with more experience - I think you'd be able to combat that a little by making some changes to your description, and adding in some brief but reassuring terms of sale (one of the most asked questions of sellers is whether or not they will combine postage on multiple items to reduce costs, so having a quick statement in all listings to let people know if you do is a good start, the item location - Australia - would be another good selling point for local buyers, so a quick line that stock is in Australia may give some people a bit more confidence).

I would make the font larger, and include all the information about the item that a buyer can't tell just by looking at it (even the stuff that's in the item specifics, like material, whether it's lined etc (since babies' skin is generally quite sensitive) and maybe a basic measurement or two, since most kids will grow out of something like that rather quickly, I'd expect whoever buys it will want to make sure that the child will be able to wear it comfortably for a little while.

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

cherry*135 — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:17:52 GMT

Agree with other comments here about might be the wrong time of year of these costumes. Not something you would buy now for a toddler to wear next autumn/winter as they may grow out of it before then.

Are your prices competitve with retail, & retail discount stores? eBay buyers have to add $10 on for postage so $50 is quite a bit for a 'dress up' outift for a toddler.

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

van_werkhoven — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:26:10 GMT

First thing, season. I am totally eyeing off your owl costume for winter, but there's no way I'd buy it now, way too hot

Secondly, I would suggest a more professional looking description. Have a look at my descriptions here

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/301331156513?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/301346640385?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1558.l2649

As you can see I have very little actual item detail in my descriptions, I don't even use measurments, but the descriptions are eyecatching, include terms of sale, etc. And, to be honest, more words just looks more professional, even if the words don't actually say anything new. People can easily see my payment options etc, but by writing them down it helps the description give the appearance of something more professional and thought out. The graphic template is just something I googled, they aren't hard to find. Also, since you're selling new, high priced clothing items I would also include measurments in your case. And what about things like your return policy? Will you ship express if I ask? Add whatever you can think of.

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:40:02 GMT

Hi there,

Thank you for your reply.

I was worried about the price but the others selling the same costumes are selling them for $70-$100 so I thought I would definatly have some interest. The postage would be $13.95 so I thought I was being fair. I think ebay take around $8 so dropping the price would mean a very small profit margin. My spare room is full to the brim with these costumes so I would be happy to just make my money back. Should I do the free postage??

Kind regards

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:44:08 GMT

Thank you for your advise

Yes they are more of a winter thing, I just thought maybe with Haloween approaching I may have had some luck. I do have more stock coming that is more weather appropriate so I will hang in there.

Thanks again

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:49:58 GMT

Hi Penny

Thank you for replying.

I will definatly improve on the sizing side of things, I will have to measure them. I will take some pictures as well. I thought the stock photos looked a bit more professional and didnt want to have amatue pictures but Im willing to try anything to help things along. I guess I just got carried away with all the sucess stories and need to excersise more patience lol

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 07:58:07 GMT

Hi Digital Ghost

Thank you so much what a great reply. I will definatly take your advice. Thank you for being so thorough, do I say the stock is in Australia? (Its in my spare room) or that Im an Australian seller? I would hate to offend a potential customer, but I do want my inventry to move. I have more summer stock coming. I really appreciate your advice and will get to work tonight.

Kind regards

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:03:49 GMT

Thank you

I know it seems dear but they were not cheap to buy (imported from overseas) the others are charging at least $30 more. They are really well made but I did worry about the price and postage. Im thinking of taking them to a local market. Should I do an auction?

Thanks again all advise is much appreciated

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

imastawka — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:06:01 GMT

I had a look at the listings for toddler's plush costumes.

I think people are wary of your zero percentage for starters.

I also think you are too cheap in comparison to others. Another alarm bell

for wary buyers. (What's wrong with them/seller)

My advice would be to put the price UP $15 and offer free postage like

the other sellers.

But, yes, warm weather would have a lot to do withh it.

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

lyndal1838 — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:04:53 GMT

Have you thought about selling internationally? As gorgeous as the costumes are they are definitely more weather appropriate for other countries at present.

There was recently a US seller asking about postage etc to send her items to Australia....she was selling dress up costumes for little girls...very pretty but she was asking hundreds of $$$$ for them. To me the prices were so outrageous that I would not even consider buying them but I can't help thinking if US buyers are prepared to pay prices like that then they would jump at the sort of prices you are asking.

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:18:34 GMT

Thank you

A fantasic reply, I really appreciate your advice and the links to your store. I will spend a good few hours editing and improving my description, Im happy to express, post, pick up whatever it takes.I dont want to come across as desparate but I really hope this works as Ive quit my job at Raine & Horne (property manager) to stay at home with my baby so I will do what it takes to make it. Im not looking for millions of dollars, just a bit extra so I can look after Harper at home. The sizes are weird (from supplier) so all I can provide will be the measurments. My friend tried to have a look and she couldnt even find them on ebay yet it didnt give me much of a category option. I was just trying to get a bit of experience as a seller before diving into a store but now I wonder if a store would be better? I have more stock coming. Its been a process I tell you 😉

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:21:03 GMT

Free postage it is! thanks so much for taking the time to help me

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

thefunkystork — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:26:05 GMT

Very good point,

I am happy to do so, whatever it takes. Do you suggest going to my local post office and asking about international shipping costs? Or is there advice here on ebay (Like the postage options they give you when listing) thanks again, I must look like such an L plater lol

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

repentatleisure1952 — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:36:00 GMT

@thefunkystork wrote:
Very good point,

I am happy to do so, whatever it takes. Do you suggest going to my local post office and asking about international shipping costs? Or is there advice here on ebay (Like the postage options they give you when listing) thanks again, I must look like such an L plater lol

I do of course know zero about the items (being an old MM) but they are very cute.

However the most impressive part here is the OP's willingness to thank each poster for their advice individually ! How refreshing !

Hope you slay them amy !!!

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

lyndal1838 — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:41:45 GMT

An L plater you may be but at least you have the sense to ask for help.

I am not a seller so I think I will leave it to those with more experience of postage to answer. But I do know that if the items will fit in a flat rate satchel that will be your most cost effective postage Australia wide. Overseas postage is going to be expensive, but it is just as bad for items coming into Australia so don't let it put you off.

Another poster has mentioned your low feedback.....it is also rather old. You could give it a bit of a boost by buying a few cheap items. It makes you look as though you have some current ebay experience. Try a few $1 items from China...the Chinese sellers usually give feedback as soon as you pay so you could see an instant increase in your feedback for a very small outlay.

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

digital*ghost — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:57:26 GMT

@thefunkystork wrote:
Hi Digital Ghost

Thank you so much what a great reply. I will definatly take your advice. Thank you for being so thorough, do I say the stock is in Australia? (Its in my spare room) or that Im an Australian seller? I would hate to offend a potential customer, but I do want my inventry to move. I have more summer stock coming. I really appreciate your advice and will get to work tonight.

Kind regards

Glad I could help, even if just a little 🙂

Regarding what to say about item location, I would probably just have something like "in stock and ready to ship for quick post within Australia" or similar (I would, however, recommend having a handling time of around 2 business days, even if you intend to post the same or next day - that's a personal preference, really [I run a store on another eBay ID], but the advantage in doing it that way is that it makes eBay's delivery estimates a bit more realistic, so you reduce the instances of people expecting items to arrive in just a couple of days when they are in a regional location).

I'd also recommend expanding a little on your return policy - some conditions for return are especially advisable, even if they seem like they should be a given or common sense. If you make returns unconditional, it's a lot harder to say no to someone who may have bought something for a one-off event and then decides to see if they can return it (not trying to scare you off, just making sure you have some things in place that are fair to you and your buyers - the most important one being that items must be in the same new condition as when sent in order to be eligible for a change of mind return).

Re: Am I doing something wrong, feeling disheartened :(

phorum_junkie* — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 10:09:42 GMT

I certainly don't go along with the advice to keep the description short and expand the terms and conditions, IMO terms and conditions should be as short as possible, expanded under the postage and payment tab if you wish.

Why not use up some of your 40 free listings selling second hand clothing or household items to build up some recent seller feedback, don't price them too ow that you are losing money but as long as you at least break even look on it as a marketing stratergy.