Brand New Seller - Humble request for a critique of my shop
Hello,
I am a brand new eBay seller, and my shop is about a month old. I've had 3 sales so far. I am finally up to 100 listings, I've watched countless YouTube tutorials, and right now, I'm rather lost with a head full of information.
I could use a blunt critique of my listings, and my shop overall if anyone is up for it. Don't hold back. I want to learn.
Here is the link to My Shop.
Many thanks!
22 comments
I'm not the right buyer for what you sell - but understood there is a market for what you are selling. I'm super impressed by your photos - very well done. To me, pricing seems reasonable. But, on the first item that I went into (the wall sconces), I saw an ad for what looks like the same thing for half of the price of your listing.
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoThanks, and it's made clear that my learning curve on pricing my items will be steep for a while. Thanks for the support!
biggymoe
·3 years agoAs others have said, you listings look great.
Some of your items seem a little pricey, but they're in categories that I'm not that familiar with.
Like @pennysdream, I'm FRUGAL.
You're just getting started, so sales and offers will let you know how your prices are.
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoHi biggymoe,
Yes you're right, I'm new in the pricing, but I was told to include "best offer" so I'll hopefully glean some information from any responses.
One more question. How many listings is enough to begin generating decent traffic? I was told anywhere from 100 to hundreds. Is there some magic number or do I just keep listing a few items daily? I work a full-time job still so I'm also wondering how to grow my eBay business while still holding down another job and not burning out.
thanks!
nobody*s_perfect
·3 years agoThere is no magic number. It's not even clear that "generating traffic" is a useful idea, since most buyers shop via searches or categories rather than by seller.
There also is no consensus on whether "Best offer' is a good idea. Many sellers strongly oppose it because they have gotten tired of nonpaying buyers. eBay is taking steps to require upfront payment, but that won't address the secondary drawback, which is annoying lowball offers. For that, use the option to set a value at which the offer will automatically be declined.
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoGreat thanks for that tip!
2013grotz
·3 years agoFirst off, very pretty pictures. You definitely are presenting things attractively. Only issues I would see are already mentioned: 1) Be sure you're competitive and look at what items have been selling for. You may find when you add in shipping that you might not get very much at all or lose money to get things to move. I've talked before myself about getting rid of trinkets like displayed and found even years ago that not too many were willing to pay for what I had, and in fact didn't pay much live when I finally had to get rid of it all. 2) While your pictures are very attractive, they are often very busy and confusing. The rule is you want your description to fully describe the item, and the picture to fully describe the item, and let either one stand alone. And for descriptions, they need to be to a painful fault, warts and all. If I just look at pictures, it can definitely be confusing as to *what* comes with the buy. Like @nobody*s_perfect states, buyers will get pretty dense and expect *everything they see* as part of the sale (and I've gotten negs for not providing it).
Anyway good luck and be patient as trinkets and things of this sort definitely take time as you really have to find a buyer for that item that fits their decor and they fall in love with. Which might take a good amount of time. Hope you do well!
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoThank you very much! My notebook is getting fuller with excellent information.
downunder-61
·3 years agoI agree with others you have done a fantastic job, love it.
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoHey, thanks, I appreciate the support!
nobody*s_perfect
·3 years agoYou've done an admirable job for a new seller. The only bits that I can add to the above comments are
(1) when you include dimensions, include all 3, especially the height of items that can vary a lot such as apothecary bottles. But not all buyers will read closely, so if item is one where the buyer is likely to overestimate or underestimate the size, include something for scale in one image, such as a coin, soda can, or ruler.
(2) images are easier to understand if the background is plain, without extra books, plants, windows, etc. Just show the item that is actually for sale. Once in a while a buyer will expect to get everything shown in the image.
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoGreat information that I'll certainly use. Thank you!
frugalmarketplace
·3 years agoVery nicely done
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoThank you for the support!
fab_finds4u
·3 years agoLOVE your user name. Your shop looks fantastic!
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoThank you - at least I know I'm on the right track!
kensgiftshop
·3 years agoYou might want to check the shipping on your Large Mortar and Pestle Volcanic Lava Rock.
It's showing $14.33 to ship to me.
If it's 11 pounds, it isn't going to ship for that.
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoHi Ken,
Shipping has always been a challenge for me (I also sell on Etsy). I'm using USPS Parcel Select for my heavier items because Priority comes up expensive. I'll definitely look into it. thanks!
nobody*s_perfect
·3 years ago$14.33 is the current exact postage cost to ship a 12-pound package to Zone 5 via Parcel Select Ground, so that listing is probably OK.
candd205
·3 years agoYou have very nice and interesting items up. Your pictures are very creative. I just randomly checked a couple of your listings.
I looked up Krebs glass Christmas ornaments. There are 4100+ listings and only 280 sold in the last 3 months, so for those, you have a lot of competition.
Just selected a random item. You have a ruby red Avon pie server for sale for 28 including shipping. Looks like a few have sold for about 15 including shipping. One even sold for 10 including shipping. There are 51 listed, starting at 15.
So, you might go through all your listings, and compare your prices with what items actually sold for, not just what the most expensive are listed for.
Good luck !!!
salvage_and_bloom
OP3 years agoThank you! I'm taking notes....!
pennysdream
·3 years agoGood Morning!!
I think your shop is beautiful. Many of your prices are on track, there are a couple things I would buy. May still if I find a place for them. I feel that a couple the prices are too high. However, I am REALLY CHEAP, and so my judgement on that is not good.
I feel that you just need to hang in there. It could take up to a year to get established. My biggest suggestion to you is to stay consistent. Have FANSTASTIC customer service, follow through with what you say you're going to do. Ship on time or before time. And HAVE FUN.
I think you are correct that you are in overload, and maybe a little to stressed about doing it "right". As long as you follow the rules, there is no right way or wrong way. It is just your way.