topic Re: Last second bidding in Selling

Last second bidding

ozrock44 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:40:19 GMT

Hello sellers

For the first time in my eBay selling experience I had an item purchased in the last few seconds. I watched the auction very carefully during the final minute, and I am certain the sole bid was placed in the last 1 or 2 seconds. The end result was my item selling for 0.99. It's my fault for selecting that as my start price. I just wanted to share this experience, perhaps it will help others.

Even though eBay suggest you use $0.99 "to attract interest" there is a potential for your item to be sold for virtually nothing.

Good luck with your selling friends.

Re: Last second bidding

clarry100 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:45:45 GMT

Absolutely...

Very risky to start at 99-cents for this very reason.

We always list auctions at the lowest price we would be happy to accept. If we get more than that it's a bonus.

90% of the time there is only a single bid so we are covered doing it this way.

Re: Last second bidding

curraone — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:46:20 GMT

hi there: the buyer probably used a sniper program - which is quite legit to do - and put his proposed bid with them at any time.

The sniper bids at the last minute on behalf of the buyer - I see that the bid was at 30-Oct-14 13:14:20 AEDST, as you say just a few seconds before end of auction.

Good on you for trying to warn other sellers. No matter what the ebay tutorial says - it is best to start an auction at a price that you would be happy to get.

Re: Last second bidding

bakeandfry — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:46:43 GMT

So in the event to "attract interest", how much interest did it attract?

Re: Last second bidding

horizon1907 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:52:13 GMT

😞 Ebay suggest you start the auction at 99c. Mistake #1. That may have been years ago, but I'm afraid to say these days that is very much "old hat" IMO. You have had, what they call a Sniper Bid or someone clever enough to wait until the dying seconds and they got a bargain. It's all legal and many do it. I would recommend in the fiuture if your going to sell, start with a price that you are happy to part with the item for. Just out of interest, what was the item or give out the item number.

Re: Last second bidding

imastawka — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 06:52:45 GMT

Just heads-up, but you have other auctions listed at 99cent start price

with $9.75 postage. You do realise ebay will take 97c for that postage?

Then fvfs, paypal - you're paying people to take them off your hands.

Re: Last second bidding

ozrock44 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 07:01:42 GMT

Thank you for the replies. I certainly need to reconsider my pricing strategy.

As a matter of interest, the buyer hasn't even left me feedback hah hah.

Re: Last second bidding

bakeandfry — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 07:06:22 GMT

Your buyer wont leave you feedback (if at all) till they get item.

Re: Last second bidding

ozrock44 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 07:09:53 GMT

I delivered the item in person to their front door.

Re: Last second bidding

curraone — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 07:17:38 GMT

so it is not too late to change your listings from 99c to something better

Re: Last second bidding

cherry*135 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 09:59:37 GMT

Even though eBay suggest you use $0.99 "to attract interest

They should get rid of that pop up suggestion it is very misleading. Sellers may not make a profit if it sells for 99c.. FVF on item cost & postage (small parcel rate $7-8 minimum), paypal fees 30c + 2.4%

Re: Last second bidding

cherry*135 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 10:04:39 GMT

ozrock - are you aware of ebay's online postage labels? The cost of postage for 500g satchels ($7.15), and 3 kg satchels ($11.70) is lower than buying them over the counter at the Post Office. You do have to buy the actual satchels themselves first online in packets for a few cents each.

There is also a larger 5kg satchel you can get from Aust Post that is around $16-$17.

Re: Last second bidding

black*poppy — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 10:46:58 GMT

Even better, until 31 December ebay have a postage discount promotion:

What is the promotion?

A 10% rebate on the postage costs for Australia Post Parcel Post and Australia Post Express Post assessed parcels up to and including 500g purchased through the eBay label printing platform during the Promotion Period and capped at 100 per user per month (the “Promotion”).

So on assessed 500g parcels you only pay $6.48. You can use your own packaging or continue to use the ebay satchels (I've been lodging them for months at the PO with no problems).

Re: Last second bidding

musiclover70s — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 11:05:53 GMT

I did exactly the same thing to try and increase "foot traffic" and hopefully sales. I also offered free postage. Needless to say the jacket went for .99 cents. I quickly learnt from that experience.... no more 99 cent auctions!! And to add insult to injury no feedback was left.

Re: Last second bidding

dotm2004 — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 11:22:36 GMT

It's certainly a different ball game now ..... and I don't agree with eBay's theory of 99cents attracting buyers.

I recently (very foolishly) took their advice and offered free postage (as they advised, 'this attracts more buyers'). I added just a measly $1 to all of my items and free postage ... AND GUESS WHAT ..... I still only had the one bid on my items and actually lost on my sales ...... after a week or so, I've gone back to MY way.

Just list the item at the price you'd be happy with .... charge postage to cover yourself .... and if you have some extra bidding, all the better.

Do it YOUR way .... that's the best way to attract bidders 🙂

Re: Last second bidding

ozrock44 — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 01:43:18 GMT

I just wanted to say thanks for all the feedback and constructive ideas. I was kind of expecting to get slammed for this posting but you guys are all very supportive and heplful. It makes a nice change compared to some online forums and social media.

Thanks everyone and I wish you much selling success in the lead up to xmas !

Russell

Re: Last second bidding

i-love-my-sheep — Thu, 20 Nov 2014 02:28:54 GMT

When you delivered the 99c item to the buyer, did you resend an invoice removing the postage cost? If not, you will be paying fees on postage that wasn't paid. If you haven't marked the item as paid for, send an invoice and remove the postage, that way you are only paying fees on the 99c and not the postage cost.

Good to see you have changed your starting prices. I know in the early days I got burnt big time by having 99c starts and everything selling with only one bid. The days of bidding wars are over, so always start with the minimum you are prepared to accept.