What's the deal?

Em's Mom · **What's the deal?**

The same items I paid $12.50 off of ebay for I sold a few weeks later because they didn't fit my son only sold for $3.50. I just don't get it and it irritates me that some things sell for so dirt cheap. I was more honest than the seller I bought from but the shipping was about the same. I think she started at 99 cents but I am always afraid to do that because my luck it would sell for that! Do people really think they are getting a better deal or something if you start at 99 cents even if it goes higher than my $3.50? It just bugs me when there are 4 watchers and then only 1 bid. Can someone explain to me what I am doing wrong? Thanks for letting me vent!

Tonia0702 · 11-09-2006, 10:56 AM

Ya know, it is so crazy. I do start most of my auctions at $.99, but only because it is something I am going to stick in a garage sell and get a $1 for anyway. I had a set of salt and pepper shakers. I saw a set only go for $5.50 and I was like oh well, here goes. I got $17.50 and my set was used...Tell me...I have lost on a lot too. My new Tinkerbell outfit only went for $11.50 and others were selling for $25. I feel ya...

crankymom · 11-12-2006, 02:57 PM

A lot of it has to do with feedback. Someone selling a "widget" with 10 feedback is not going to get the same number of bids as a seller with 1000 feedback. The more feedback you get, the more money you will make. But the real key is to look at the percentage rating in conjunction with the feedback number. Someone that has 1000 feedback but only has a 90% rating has made 1 in 10 people mad, so that could be why yours didn't sell for as much as you paid for it.

As far as getting the most money out of an item, use pictures, pictures pictures, the more pics, the better the money. If you are a casual seller, use Auctiva, you can put a bunch of pics in the auction for free.

Missystuy · 11-12-2006, 03:47 PM

Thats the thing with ebay. You never can tell! Sometimes things I see go for big bucks end up doing nothing for me, but things I think will flop will do awesome. LOL Its always a gamble no matter what you do.

kotasmomma03 · 11-19-2006, 10:59 PM

I have been an eBayer since 99 and let me tell you...you never can tell!! There is absolutely no predictability on eBay which I think is why its so wildly popular. Think about it, if you put something on eBay, you might make $100 for something you bought for $5. But then again, you might be the buyer and get a really great item that's worth $100 for $5. Its all about the deals!! Sellers want to bank and buyers want to catch a deal and that's what makes eBay so addictive! I once listed an item for around $5 and didn't sell it. So on a whim, I re-listed it for $6 and it sold for over $10!! I think its also the chance of finding two people who want what you have and get in a bidding war! I have to stop myself from doing that! Its SOOO hilarious! When my mom visits we like to stay up late and bid-war on stuff!! LOL! As far as auction formatting, I like to take really good pics so I only have to put one or two up (depending on the item) and keep it simple. Avoid lengthy "terms & conditions" since most people don't read them anyway and keep shipping costs to a minimum. Nothing burns my tail like people that try to make money off shipping!! If you want someone to critique your auction, feel free to PM or Yahoo me. Good luck!!

3lynns · 11-21-2006, 11:35 AM

YOu know I am going through the same thing right now. Except for that my feedback is higher than my mothers and she wants to start using her account. (We are currently cleaning out their house so that my parents can retire and move into a smaller house.) I am trying so hard to get her numbers up but nothing seems to be selling!
So I guess I do not have any advice for you but I just had to put it out there that you are not the only one! Good Luck!