topic Re: Continuous listings in Selling

Continuous listings

oddsandendsoz — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 10:03:29 GMT

Hi all, I hope your store is fairing OK given the state of things at the moment.

I was just wondering, over the years many have recommended that in order to try to increase sales it is a good idea to do a few of the following;

1) Create new listings regularly

2) Edit old and tired listings from time to time

3) Bulk edit to make listing appear 'new again'.

4) continuously check your pricing

I have found that these do appear to work to an extent, with the creating new listings by far the greatest success. Obviously this is hard to do forever because you end up being a bigger store than you want, can afford, or run out of storage/resources. In an attempt to keep that going I have tended to buy low value items to keep the listings trickling but even that in this economy is not easy to maintain.

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas that they have found worked? I wondered if you end older listings and say wait a day or two and then 'sell similar' would this count as an new listing in eBay's algorithms or is it solely on the number of listings overall increasing?

Re: Continuous listings

davewil1964 — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 10:38:59 GMT

I have found 1-4 to work.

As I buy to replace what I sell my stock levels are fairly consistent.

Re: Continuous listings

gutterpunkz05 — Sat, 29 Jun 2024 12:59:12 GMT

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No need to wait, can all be done at same time, end - sell similar - edit and list.

Just make sure when finished you delete the original listing from unsold items. so as not to risk it later being relisted and resulting in possible out of stock scenario.

Just to add, the sell similar listing is considered a new listing and given a new item number

Re: Continuous listings

p9games — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 13:58:24 GMT

You've really just laid out some sound principles for running any business. Have a fresh range of product, merchandise them well and ensure the pricing is relevant.

Too many people get hung up on trying to second guess the algorithm instead of just applying sound business practices. Being successful on ebay is like running a successful business anywhere. Have great service, listen to your customers, merchandise your product effectively, invest in systems and capabilities and ensure your pricing is competitive and delivers you the profit you need.

I started selling on ebay with a handful of items. Currently sitting at 17k+ listings with over 110,000 items in stock. I've never advertised. I've never concerned myself with algorithms. I have applied my professional experience in business to Ebay - focusing on customer service , building connected systems, automation, sound material handling and inventory etc etc

Selling on ebay is not a gimmick. It's a business. Run your presence on Ebay like one. Forget trying to second guess how ebay works and concentrate on how your buyers work.

Re: Continuous listings

daydreams_12 — Sun, 30 Jun 2024 21:21:54 GMT

You have written a well worded and sensible reply. Good on you.

Re: Continuous listings

trainsandcars2012 — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 03:19:20 GMT

I have a simular question. All my listings are free post as per Ebays constant insistance to give you higher ranking. The only problem with this is that people who live locally do not purchase as often as I thought they might because of the post component. My question is if I list a product with local pickup or plus post does this affect your performance score with ebay. Thanks

Re: Continuous listings

paper-jack — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:10:45 GMT

@trainsandcars2012 wrote:
I have a simular question. All my listings are free post as per Ebays constant insistance to give you higher ranking. The only problem with this is that people who live locally do not purchase as often as I thought they might because of the post component. My question is if I list a product with local pickup or plus post does this affect your performance score with ebay. Thanks

As a seller (especially on another ebay account which I use to sell things I've made) I rarely offer free post. I've had several customers buy more than one item and they know I'll combine postage. I also offer free pick up on all items.

As a buyer, if I want to buy several items, I avoid those with "free postage".

As for my performance score with ebay, doesn't bother me. If people are looking for an item I have for sale I'd say most likely they aren't bothered either.

Re: Continuous listings

sugar249 — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 05:43:16 GMT

@trainsandcars2012 wrote:
I have a simular question. All my listings are free post as per Ebays constant insistance to give you higher ranking. The only problem with this is that people who live locally do not purchase as often as I thought they might because of the post component. My question is if I list a product with local pickup or plus post does this affect your performance score with ebay. Thanks

I have fiddled with Free Postage. I have done A/B testing, and to my mind it makes very little difference, but now 90% of my products are listed plus postage, for the reason of combined postage plus local pickup.

I would list one with postage, one without, in both cases they came to the same total, by the end of the period it was line ball almost 50% each way. And yes I know this is against one of Ebays rules (duplicate listings), but was never picked up. With some I knew people purchased multiples, the one's with plus postage definitely steamed ahead. But some did sell multiples with free postage, and no one questioned a refund, I am guessing they were in the 6.55% mentioned below.

And my guess (not scientific, but a guess), is that 93.45% of people know free postage isnt really free postage.

Re: Continuous listings

oddsandendsoz — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:33:03 GMT

Thanks Dave. Do you find then that your sales are limited/very consistent? I guess I am wanting to increase sales, but it seems by far the best way to do that is to keep listing new items which is not always possible and then you become far bigger than you really want or have the storage capacity to handle. Thanks for the input.

Re: Continuous listings

oddsandendsoz — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:35:38 GMT

Thanks GP. Yes, quite right, I have ended listing and relisted almost immediately in the past. I was rather meaning do they 'count' as a new listing in eBay's algorithms. Your answer suggests it does if it has a new item number but I wonder if the algorithms take into account the total listings which would mean you would have be back at a neutral figure. Thanks again!

Re: Continuous listings

oddsandendsoz — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:40:34 GMT

Thanks p9! Some excellent pointers and sound advice. I believe I am offering all the things you mention so the foundations are there. I totally get your point about the algorithms and the fact that they should be a secondary consideration. I think given the foundations are in place, I am now looking at the other aspects that I can sort of control like the algorithms, especially in the current economic climate.

Appreciate the input and the inspiration you have provided.

Re: Continuous listings

oddsandendsoz — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 06:43:08 GMT

I agree. I fell for the eBay 'suggestion' in the past but all it does is make your items seem even more expensive and as you and others suggest, it does not help when buyers purchase multiple items. I now mainly charge the postage separately. I have noticed little difference either way.

Re: Continuous listings

davewil1964 — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 07:37:59 GMT

Consistent.

I increased listing by about 50% when the 250k came in. My sales rose by about 20% (excluding Covid when they rose 300%) and have been fairly consistent.

Re: Continuous listings

oddsandendsoz — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:08:45 GMT

Thanks Dave. Those figures are somewhat consistent with my own observations, in that increasing listings had a similar impact. It seems the only way to increase sales is to list more, or obviously in an ideal world stumble across items that are more desirable.

I am wondering if anyone who has been selling here for a long time has completely shifted their focus on what they once sold and now sell? I have two accounts, one more specialized and the other very much general, some things obviously sell better so it is a learning curve of course.

Re: Continuous listings

sugar249 — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:35:58 GMT

@oddsandendsoz wrote:

I am wondering if anyone who has been selling here for a long time has completely shifted their focus on what they once sold and now sell? I have two accounts, one more specialized and the other very much general, some things obviously sell better so it is a learning curve of course.

Kind off, I started on one stream of sales, which is still going strong, but whilst at a product fare found some totally different goods, which I purchased a few different types, found they sold well, and after about 6 months split them of to a 2nd store which is doing as well if not better at times, as the first. So yes I have shifted focus, but kept the same focus as well.

I use the same packaging and Mypost accounts so get definite cost savings benefits.

Re: Continuous listings

contact.-50 — Wed, 03 Jul 2024 18:03:03 GMT

One idea is to end older listings and then use the 'sell similar' option after a day or two. This can refresh the listings and might work with eBay's algorithms. Has anyone else tried this or found other effective strategies?

Re: Continuous listings

oddsandendsoz — Thu, 04 Jul 2024 04:52:34 GMT

Thanks sugar! It is weird how as you go along you stumble on some items that sell really well that you would not expect.

One of the mistakes I made in the beginning was to buy anything that I knew I could make a profit on, regardless of the size of the item. This has been a big learning curve because they often don't sell fast, are restricted to pick up only, and take up so much space. Obviously disregard all the previous if you can find something that sells really well and is in demand. I am trying to do like you, get a range of products that are simpler to pack, the irregular sizes can be a nightmare to find/make packaging, especially to make cost effective but packaged well.

Re: Continuous listings

brickworksmarket — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 21:50:59 GMT

How did you go and did anything improve. I have started listing regularly to see if that improves traffic but so far nothing but then its only been a week. I doubt it will make a difference but then it costs nothing to do it this way.