Eek! What's happened to my sales?

quote:

Hi I'm new to ebay and auctiva. I've tried to sell 2 items in june/july and didnt sell either...i guess because i dont have any feedback. How long did it take you guys/gals until you 1st sold an auction? My sister sells too, she does alright, but I think she's getting tired of me ask her to list for me. Does any one have any pointers for me starting out?

Yep, I agree with Donna and nobostore. I did this when I was first on Ebay three years ago. I purchased many items that I needed for our girls and for around the house. I think I even purchased coupons that I needed for formula. Whatever it takes to build up your feedback and there are tons of low cost items out there so that you are not spending a fortune to do that.

Marcia

I had three auctions end last night and it was a slow bidding process right up until the end. I am not surprised that the prices increased a lot the last day but I was a bit surprised that all three were sniped. These were just moms buying RL shirts for their little guys and they ALL used sniping. Boy have things changed on ebay. No wonder I am not winning any of the auctions I am bidding on.

Marcia

quote:
Originally posted by babyandmecakes:
Hi I'm new to ebay and auctiva. I've tried to sell 2 items in june/july and didnt sell either...i guess because i dont have any feedback.
Sandy


I started out my eBay career by buying some things to build a start to getting Feedback. Not really quite the same as "Selling" Feedback is . . . but if your buying Feedback shows you to be Quick & Conscientious in your dealings that may go further than having no Feedback at all.

As an extra perk to going that route - I bought some really good stuff VERY reasonably

Hi Everyone. There is some very helpful advise in thins thread. Surprisingly, my sales were higher than I expected in August. I really don't know why. I had a lot of active listings. Working on my descriptions to use searchable words and switched to Auctiva. Also sprung for one featured item and used the Keywords program (which I understand is changing end of this month,) Anyway had double the traffic of last month and sales were good. Wish this magic formula were easier to understand. I never know if I have done something right or if I am just lucky. Looking forward to the coming season, but can't sit on my toadstool and wait. I have to keep listing, which is the hardest thing for me to motivate myself to do. Blessings,

I'm up to $207.53 for 19 items for a $10.92 average per item. It's getting better. That one Linda Allard for Ellen Tracy silk blouse (popular brand) is up to $21.49, lol. Too funny. I guess they realize the big shoulder pads can be taken out. Then again, they might be 80's ladies, lmao. I'm goofy.

So ya want some feedback? Go buy the .01 eBooks. That's what I did for all of my other selling IDs. I wanted to be able to use the BIN feature. So, I purchased like .20 cents worth on each ID. Of course, if it's a newer ID, you'll have to wait 5 days (new FB rules) before you can leave them feedback. Many of these sellers won't leave FB for you until you give it to them BUT at least you'll get it.

Yeah, the great suits, I'm chicken as well. I have a realllyyy nice size 12 pant suit up. I started it at .99 cents. It's up to $16.00. Normally, I would listed it at $34.99 or so. Oh well, there's still a few hours left.

I'm doing well. Aside from my computer/eBay account being hacked again. Ah, but those days are over. Knock, knock...ya can't come in.
Now, it's fun to watch the &5#**&^@ try to get in. Arrogance has brought many great men down throughout history, so what of a few biatch*s. Their days are numbered. Anyway, enough about them. You know who you are (and so do I).

I'm off to enjoy my day.

Ciao!

Over the last 2 hours I've received some traffic. I'm up to 20 items (out of 40 listed) and $246.64. Averaging out to 12.33 per item. The stuff that didn't receive bids is still nice apparel BUT not 'in demand' brands. Amanda Smith is like, JC Penny's or Sears, I think. This type of apparel is better off listed in the store. At least, I think it is, lol. Unless, it's ultra sexy or something.

Okay, tick, tock............bid ladies!

More to report later gators.

Oh wow, it's working, 23 items are up to $317.77 and counting. More to report later.

Let's start a thread where we can all share ideas for improving our sales.

Lol, I'm talking to myself. That's okay, we all learn from each other. I have great news to report. The selling low WORKS! That is, IF you are selling the right brand names. For me, I'm able to get the mid-level (Macy's) brand names. So, that's what I sell. I can't locate high end boutique apparel or I would definately sell it.

Here is my tally for this evening.

I launched 40 items all starting at .99 cents.

Out of the 40 items, 24 sold their first time out. I have no idea what percentage that ends up being (54%?) but I do know, it is over 50% sell through. I'm happy with that and I believe I can increase it by leaving out all of the brands that move slowly or don't sell.

Only 3 items ended at .99 cents. One suit sold at $2.25. Two items at $3.25 and one item at $5.01. The rest preformed well.

Remember that blouse I felt was sort of ugly? Well, it sold for $28.90! Oh wow, I was cracking up. The silk and wool dresses went as follows, $42.05, 30.99, $31.00, $23.50 and so forth. The rest went for $15.00 to $20.00 or so.

I sold a single store item for $9.95.

Launched 40 items, 24 sold for $349.84. Add the store item for a total of $359.79.

I've decided on the suits not to go too low. As for the rest, some at .99 cents to draw buyers in and the majority around $5.99 to $9.99.

One more thing, I stopped accepting money orders. I was very tired of SLOW payers, NPBs and the hassel of driving to my PO Box. As far as I know, it hasn't affected my sales. I now use the MUST have a PayPal account block. I love it. The PP buyers pay almost always right away! My kind of buyers. I will still accept MOs upon request. There are plenty of great MO buyers as well. Anyway, that's my report.

In demand brand names with low starting bids is the way to go. List the so so stuff in your store or don't buy it at all. That's my 2 cents.

Oh, one more thing, please keep in mind that I'm able to get my inventory for less than $1.00 each item. So, I wasn't risking anything accpet my initial cost. If you're paying a lot more for your inventory, then going low might not be the way to go for you.

I hope this report helps some of you. As for me, I'm motivated again. To sell!

Good luck with your sales.

Magie, would you send me your store name. I want to look at it and learn from it. I have learned so much that way. I am considering doing some .99 auctions. A big thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Magie Noire:
Oh, one more thing, please keep in mind that I'm able to get my inventory for less than $1.00 each item. So, I wasn't risking anything except my initial cost. If you're paying a lot more for your inventory, then going low might not be the way to go for you.

I hope this report helps some of you. As for me, I'm motivated again. To sell!

Good luck with your sales.

Congrats Magie glad it worked for you. Most of my inventory begins at between a dime and one dollar, too. I think the most I've got invested in a clothing item is 3.00.

I'm getting ready to get my clothing rock n rollin auction wise after the weekend. I was going to upload some for the Labor Day Weekend shoppers and still might...I may just wanna chill for this last weekend before the selling season of eBay starts.

Once again, Congrats.
Donna

quote:

Originally posted by betty122243:
Magie, would you send me your store name. I want to look at it and learn from it. I have learned so much that way. I am considering doing some .99 auctions. A big thanks.

Hi Betty,

Just be prepared to sell it at .99 cents. Meaning you can live with it, if it ends up selling at the start price of .99 cents. I had 3 items sell at .99 cents.

I had a suit sell for $2.25 and another for $16.50. I wasn't pleased with this result. On the 6th day, a few items still were without bids. So, I hiked them up to $8, $15 and $20. A pair of pants sold at $8, a blazer at $15 and two suits at $20.00. If I didn't raise the price, they would have sold at .99 cents.

I've treated this eBay ID more like a hobby for some 3 years. However, after watching several sellers sell product simular to mine with great success, I'm ready to get serious. Everyone has something they can sell. In apparel, there are so many differnt choices. The high end boutique apparel fetches A LOT of moola. Plus it has a cult like following. I've busted my hump looking for these designer names in this area but I haven't had any success. I find mid-level stuff like, Coldwater Creek, Eileen Fisher and so forth. This stuff is okay but not high designer. Since I can't locate the high end boutique/artsy stuff, I guess, I'm sticking with mid-level Macy's type apparel.

It just means more work. More volume to make big $$$.

That's okay too.

As far as this eBay ID goes, most people who know me from, SpareDollar already know it. So, I have no problem giving it out here. I'm eFashion2Go.

My eBay Store

Currently, I have all of my so so apparel launched to auctions from my store. I was very busy this past week and couldn't create/finish listing for this ID. I use to launch blanks listings and then try to fill them in. Of course, this was a HUGE mistake.

Anyway, my current auctions are NOT what a seller wants to list. This is nice apparel but not auction apparel. This is store apparel. I will be editing these listings throughout this weekend to replace it with better apparel. So, check back then.

These are the mid-level, Macy's type apparel that sell.

Here are my closed listings from last night.

Skirt Suit $20

Blazer $3.25

Pant Suit $7.50

Dress / Store Item $9.95

Skirt Suit $20

Blazer .99

Silk Blouse $28.90

Dress $23.50

Skirt Suit $2.25 - Mint Condition

Dress $31.00

Knit Top .99

Wool Slacks .99

Wool Slacks $15.00

Dress $16.01

Dress $42.05

Blazer $3.26

Dress $20.00

Blazer $17.16

Pant Suit $16.50

Dress $30.99

Sweater $14.49

Slacks $8.00

Knit Top $5.01

Blazer $8.50

Slacks $13.50

That's everything from last night.

This is a suit I couldn't sell at auction. I placed it in my store high at $34.99 and accepted a $20 Best Offer.

Skirt Suit / Store / Best Offer $20

Okay, that's all I have to report. I hope it helps. As for me, I've decided to treat this eBay ID more like a business and less like a part time hobby. My goal is to have a $500 night. Then 2 $500 night up to $2,000 per week and or $8,000 per month. I feel I can do it. Time will tell. I'm not sure I could do much better than this alone. I have several other IDs. I can only do so much at a time. I'm sure you know what I mean. Let me know if any of this info helps.

Get ready for September the sales are coming!

quote:

Originally posted by Suthrnjewl:

quote:

Originally posted by Magie Noire:
Oh, one more thing, please keep in mind that I'm able to get my inventory for less than $1.00 each item. So, I wasn't risking anything except my initial cost. If you're paying a lot more for your inventory, then going low might not be the way to go for you.

I hope this report helps some of you. As for me, I'm motivated again. To sell!

Good luck with your sales.

Congrats Magie glad it worked for you. Most of my inventory begins at between a dime and one dollar, too. I think the most I've got invested in a clothing item is 3.00.

I'm getting ready to get my clothing rock n rollin auction wise after the weekend. I was going to upload some for the Labor Day Weekend shoppers and still might...I may just wanna chill for this last weekend before the selling season of eBay starts.

Once again, Congrats.
Donna

Thanks,

Thanks Magie for the info and advice. When I went to your store, I realized that I have it listed in my favorites. Donna had told to me that I could learn alot from your store. I am like you---I live in an area that just don't have too many high-priced quality brands, but, I am growing! I think, also, that I am needing to price my items just a "little" higher. Several Ebayers have told me that. I will just have to test the waters. Thanks again.

Betty,

Here's another seller who sells mid to high end apparel. All of her women's items no matter how nice begin at $6.99. All of her men's items begin at $7.99. She starts everything lower, not higher and she seems to be doing just fine.

Look at her brand names and styles.

This is what is needed. These types of brands and styles. Career wear, evening wear and some vintage sells very well.

I'll be pricing more along these lines.

AllSuitedUp - Click Here

And also check out this type of selling that I sometimes use..

Lot Plus Size Womens Career Suit

Alot of times when I do my research I find that selling a "lot" of similar clothing styles in the same size sells alot better than singly.

Good Luck,
Donna

quote:

Originally posted by babyandmecakes:
Hi I'm new to ebay and auctiva. I've tried to sell 2 items in june/july and didnt sell either...i guess because i dont have any feedback. How long did it take you guys/gals until you 1st sold an auction? My sister sells too, she does alright, but I think she's getting tired of me ask her to list for me. Does any one have any pointers for me starting out?

Sandy

I first began as a buyer. By the time I was ready to begin selling anything I had a feedback score of 58 which wasnt high by no means but it was something to grow on. My point is they were not looking at the actual number of items that was from sells. Maybe you would like to purchase a few .99 ebooks get a few feedbacks and try listing again. Yes pictures are a must, good discribtion of the item(s) research the price of other simular listings. Use auctivas templates to help decorate a little. I know this isnt much to go on, just thought I'd put in my 2cents worth from what I have learned over the last year.

Hi.
Thanks for the advice. I thought about the reciepes before, didn't think about e-books however.
I also thought about buying a few items for the feedback too. I don't think I could explain buying in order to sell; to my husband. The entire ebay/auction/PP thing took a while to explain to him, before he got a grip on what I saying to him. *He doesn't even try to do anything online, so it's all greek to him*

It sort of sounds like 'cheating', buying in order to gain the feedback. I know feedback is king in ebay land. To tell ya the truth, there's nothing I need on ebay; to buy, but the stuff I want on ebay, is way over our budget!
Well, if I don't sell anything this time around, I'll just let my sister sell my items...maybe

Thanks for reading and helping out.
Sandy

Thanks, Donna and Magie for all the advice, and, for the stores to look at and learn. I am doing better with sales, but, there is still so much to learn, but, Donna, I remember you telling me to take baby steps! I have been introduced to Collage Maker which will help me sell in lots. Thanks again for all the suggestions, and, let them continue to flow.

Well, I sold my 1st item. A used skateboard. yea...sort of. I forgot to add my s&h charge to the final shipping fee shipping. Which isn't much, a couple of bucks, but the problem I have is I under estimated the weight. AHHh, so anyhow,...........I took everyones advice, even against my "seems like cheating" thought. Just bought a birthday gift for my niece.
Anyway, I babble on........
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR GREAT ADVICE!

Congratulations on the sale.

I'd advise buying a postal scale to make sure your charged weight is going to be correct. I've been there and done that and learned my lesson as far as needing a scale.

It's not cheating..having some feedback built up is an important factor of selling. I would say build your feedback up and get to work as the main selling season of eBay is approaching....fast!

Take care, Donna