Continuous listings

[oddsandendsoz]

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?

[davewil1964]

I have found 1-4 to work.

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

[gutterpunkz05]

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?

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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

[p9games]

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.

[daydreams_12]

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

[trainsandcars2012]

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

[paper-jack]

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@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

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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.

[sugar249]

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@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

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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.

[oddsandendsoz]

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.

[oddsandendsoz]

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!