are things very slow? or is it just me?

[rockleigh2014]

are things/sales very slow? or is it just me?

[digital*ghost]

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@chameleon54 wrote:

Thanks Barrie, Normally I would say that sounds like a good theory, but the pool of buyers I have are a small group of regular repeat buyers ( both International & local )  with special collectable interest.  I have dealt with them many times before and have built up good repor with them. I even offer them select items first, if I find something juicy that they would like. I had hoped to create a bit of a bidding frenzy with the 0.99 starts, but it just didnt fly. These little quircks do fascinate me ( must have too much time on my hands ) ANY OTHER IDEAS ANYONE ???

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If you regularly start at a consistent price, it might have given the impression the lower-starts were to clear "seconds" or imperfect versions of the items - since you have regular buyers, it would have looked like an anomaly, and lots of people are creatures of habit who go with what they know, even from the same seller (maybe). Of course, a simple check of the description may have reassured some that they were the same as the others, but some others might still be concerned they'd receive older stock or something not quite comparable to higher priced items. 

I tried clearing the last of the clothes I had from my store on this account, most were new with tags without imperfections etc, and since I really just wanted them gone, I started them around $2-$5...and got questions about why they were so low, what's wrong with them...only a couple sold, and for opening bid amount.

[chameleon54]

Thanks DG, thats about what I thought. I usually start auctions for similar products at $6.95 with better items up to $19.95. They are basically surplus lower end stock that are not really worth listing as BINs, but still worth the $6.95. I had several of these at auctions last week make $60-$110 so still have a bit to learn. As mentioned I put the 0.99 cent starts on as an experiment using the free listings. I probably put less effort in the description, but had enough photos to cover this.  I agree the low start probably scared them off a bit. One more to put down to experience and a very interesting experiment.

[digital*ghost]

It would be different for each category, and I don't know if this would hold true in today's eBay environment, but a couple of years back a regular boardie tried a 99c auction-start experiment (also with clothing). Their overall results (at a glance, and from memory) was very slow to start with, most items going low etc, but over time they became known for the low starts and people started looking out (and competing more vigorously) for them. I think it might be due in part to increased awareness, more people watching what you list etc, and maybe because bidders can see an established history for honouring 99c sales and customers being happy with those purchases. Their overall assessment was that the payoff could be worth it in the long run, but you have to be prepared for some losses to begin with.

[chameleon54]

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@digital*ghost wrote:

It would be different for each category, and I don't know if this would hold true in today's eBay environment, but a couple of years back a regular boardie tried a 99c auction-start experiment (also with clothing). Their overall results (at a glance, and from memory) was very slow to start with, most items going low etc, but over time they became known for the low starts and people started looking out (and competing more vigorously) for them. I think it might be due in part to increased awareness, more people watching what you list etc, and maybe because bidders can see an established history for honouring 99c sales and customers being happy with those purchases. Their overall assessment was that the payoff could be worth it in the long run, but you have to be prepared for some losses to begin with.

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Interesting thoughts DG . When listing large quantities of cheap stuff like these auctions ( $7-$20) I throw in a few better items to spice things up, once I have a field of buyers already interested. I start these fairly low ( 1/3 of value ) as loss leaders. Most of the time they still sell for full value or more, but occasionally I take a loss. ( 3 items late last year sold for $49.95 starting bid, should have made $150-$200. ) This does not really worry me if they go to regular clients as it keeps them interested and returning for future sales. The few $60 items I sold this time where such products, started at $19.95. The $110 item was one out of left field ( highly specialised collectable, but I didnt know it ) I started that one at $6.95. That is the beauty of auctions, you never really know what you are going to get. I enjoy running a few auctions now and then ( its a bit of fun after days of listing & packing BINS. ) It has been a great way to fill in a slow ebay week, clean out some surplus stock and made some handy $$$$ . As for the 0.99 cent starts, I dont think, I will try that game again. If I cant get $6.95 for something that is surplus, I cant justify the time involved in listing & packing.

[chameleon54]

One more thought. I have positioned my store at the higher end of my catagory, both with price and quality of items. The 0.99 cent starts probably dont help the store image, but could be a good business model in a more generaic catagory as DG alluded too in last post.  

[digital*ghost]

I wish I could say the same... (re: success of auctions). I used quite a few of the latest round of freebies for auctions, even though for the past year or so, they rarely get any traffic or interest, but nothing really changed. I have a relatively niche market in what is otherwise quite saturated (jewellery), so do have a number of regular buyers, but my auction listings seem to be all but invisible, most gaining under 10 views over a 5-7 day period. I think only once I had an item gain more than one bid, yet the same or similar items continue to sell at BIN while my auctions are running, so perhaps auctions just don't suit my items or the buyers they attract. o_O

Part of it may be that on a lot of my items, if someone misses the auction the BIN is always available, but I tried some one-off listings this time 'round and still only a few listings sold (all opening bids). So, I pretty much know nothing (except theories that fit circumstances).  

[chameleon54]

All of the items I put to auction are one off collectables or specialist interest. I regularly run auctions for vintage car parts on my private account . Usually if I have a speedometer for a 1936 Nash car or similar, it is the only one on ebay for the last six months. The 350 auctions I ran last week where all ''one off'' collectables at the bottom end of field but still good condition and good "collection fillers". Just not quick enough turnover and "high end" enough collectables to list as BINS in the stores. ( and pay monthly fees on )

[digital*ghost]

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@chameleon54 wrote:

All of the items I put to auction are one off collectables or specialist interest. I regularly run auctions for vintage car parts on my private account . Usually if I have a speedometer for a 1936 Nash car or similar, it is the only one on ebay for the last six months. The 350 auctions I ran last week where all ''one off'' collectables at the bottom end of field but still good condition and good "collection fillers". Just not quick enough turnover and "high end" enough collectables to list as BINS in the stores. ( and pay monthly fees on )

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That's probably the other half of the problem (for me). I do make some unique, higher-end stuff, but unless I become famous somehow, it will never be special interest or collectible. The BIN price is pretty much already the lowest I'm prepared to offer it for, so I'm not game enough to try those items at a lower auction price and/or give the impression that my work is overpriced at BIN when I slightly undervalue my time as it is  (and it seems pointless to list them at auction for the same price as BIN). 

Guess I better get to becoming famous, then. 

[chameleon54]

Youre already famous here DG.  I agree it is very important to keep a solid floor in the value of the product you sell ( especially when you make it yourself ). As mentioned previously the 0.99 cent starts probably dont do my store image much good. ( it just seemed like a fun idea in a boring week. Not much thought went into it. )   

[amber-eyed-girl]

Digi...just remember there is a difference between fame and infamy...

Oh, hang on a minute, maybe not so much 😳

Need to rethink getting famous...