e bay

[b willow]

Hi
I have a question someone may be able to help me with. I listed a boat
kit on E Bay and have had little action.When I look for it I cant even find it.
What is the best heading to list it under any suggestion's?

Bob

[patmat2350]

1. In "My Ebay", look for your listing, and see if it has "watchers". Many wait until the last second to put in their first bid (see the sniping thread elsewhere here!)
2. Do you have a visit counter on the page?
3. The title should have keywords like "R/C" "Model Boat" and the make and model ("Dumas Creole Queen").

I may be unsophisticated, but I never bother searching in categories... on the assumption that most listers are inconsistent in using categories.

[der kapitan]

1. In "My Ebay", look for your listing, and see if it has "watchers". Many wait until the last second to put in their first bid (see the sniping thread elsewhere here!)
2. Do you have a visit counter on the page?
3. The title should have keywords like "R/C" "Model Boat" and the make and model ("Dumas Creole Queen").
I may be unsophisticated, but I never bother searching in categories... on the assumption that most listers are inconsistent in using categories.
Awww shucks Pat! I thought that you would have this down to a science---. :p

[patmat2350]

no science, just a bad and inconsistent habit...

[der kapitan]

no science, just a bad and inconsistent habit...
Ah, Well---. Just thought that I'd be able to pick up some pointers---. :o

Anybody out there have any---, Kmot? Umi? :confused:

[seaphoto]

Here are some things that work:

1. Check your spelling - misspelled words are great for buyers, bad for sellers. When I started out on eBay I had saved searches for the items I was looking for, always included misspellings or incorrect punctuation - U.S.S. where it should be USS, navel instead of naval, that sort of thing. It lead to some great deals for me, not so good for the seller.

2. Keep auctions simple - Blinking pages, distracting graphics, odd fonts all reduce the chance that they buyer will stay on your page long enough to actually see what you are selling. Also, remember a lot of people still use dial up.

3. Unless your item is new and factory sealed, take and include adequate photos. With digital cameras so cheap, no excuse not to these days.

4. Make sure your photos reveal any defects. Be honest, it pays in the long run.

5. If you have a number of similar, but not exactly the same items, try and list them at once. I always check the "view sellers other auctions" link when I see someone who is selling things of interest to me.

6. Be positive. The rules on eBay are pretty clear, so don't go on and on about deadbeat bidders and other problems. That discourages me from bidding.

7. List the shipping cost. Take the time to weigh your packages, and see what it is going to cost to ship them. I won't bid unless I know my total cost.

8. Be realistic. If you are selling an item that is currently available, you are unlikely to get 100% of the retail price. Set your minimum bid accordingly.

9. Don't have reserve bids. Unless you are selling a Bentley, just list the opening bid at the lowest price you will take. I don't like to waste my time finding out what you want for an item.

10. Do take Paypal. I know there are people that have a problem with this service (and I am in the middle of one right now, and can tell you trying to reach a human being there is virtually impossible), but for the most part it works fine and increases your final sales price.

11. Be descriptive in your title. Pat touched on that, but remember some people search in odd ways. For example, if you are selling a Creole Queen, I might put Dumas Riverboat river boat r/c Creole Queen Mississippi model paddle wheeler kit. Sometimes the extra cost for that second title line is worthwhile. Part numbers are a good idea too if they are common.

I hope these help a bit

Kurt

[patmat2350]

whatcha selling, Bob? We can all go look and drive up your traffic at least!

[cos918]

hi there
1 tip i would say is . If you are selling more than one item that are similar ie rc boat leave at least 1 to 2 min between listing ends. The reasion i say this was last week there were 2 plastic boat kits . I wanted both but the seller had them ending at the same time. So i had to decide which one i want. If there had been a 2 min window i could have gone stright to the second item and tryed to win that one. That seller lost money.
1 more tip is think of you end time. Ie pick the time that is most likely to have the most watchers. Dont do it to end at work time a good time for the uk is sun evening.

john

[Micronaut]

Do a search on completed items before you list or buy. That tells you what the market is, and what start price works to gather bids (or doesn't). You can also see as someone else pointed out that certain days/times get higher prices. For me out here in SoCal, it's early Sunday evening, because that way I get east coast bidders who have to go to work in the morning and will put in a higher bid hoping to win, followed by west coast night owls who try to beat the bid. BTW, have a few Lindberg PT-109 and Blue Devils in the closet to sell... :D

Good luck on the auctions! I'm not necessarily an expert on the latest changes to eBay, but been on it buying/selling for ten years now (and still 100%!!!) so happy to answer any questions. Feel free to contact me directly.

[b willow]

Patmat 2350

Its a Chris Craft Motor Yacht Kit. Vintage 1950 By Sterling Still in the box.
Listed under Toys & Hobbies>Boats>Wooden. This is one of the good ones
When the dies were still sharp.

Bob