Epic Fail!

[jerrythecrazyguy]

If this happens tomorrow night, it will be the second time I've experienced this phenonemon!  Most auctions I list here on eBay start at just 1 cent free shipping so that guarentees a sale, right?  Let's put it this way, nothing is 100%!  If I do not get a bid on this pair of cuff links from a mattress store (promotional item I guess) by the time it ends tonight, that will be the second time a penny free shipping auction of mine goes into the "unsold" section.  I just wanted to post this out since I think this is a weird phenonemon!

[rixstuff]

It just proves that some items folks wont buy at any price.  And really, why bother to list it if you are going to be out AT LEAST $3 on each sold item?  Why not limit your listing to desireable items with decent prices that folks will really buy?

[luckythewinner]

---

@jerrythecrazyguy wrote:

Most auctions I list here on eBay start at just 1 cent free shipping so that guarentees a sale, right? 

---

The only thing a 1-cent free shipping auction guarantees is that you might lose money. 

[gagnon234]

Congrats! The bidding is up to 11 cents. But like the other poster I'm scratching my head as to why you take the chance that the ending bid won't even pay your postage cost. You truly are a crazy guy.  🙂

[tunicaslot]

I see many sellers using this tactic as the more sales you have - the better the visibility of all your items. I ran a bunch of $1.99 auctions - just to recoup my costs on old stock - not only did I get rid of some of the old stock - but my sales increased on the regular priced items.

Ebay seems to promote sellers who have consistent sell thru rates - but if you go on vacation or fail to list everyday - you fall out of their graces and it's not easy to climb that ladder again.

[castlemagicmemories]

OP likes to live dangerously!

Walk on the wild side.

[reallynicestamps]

ran a bunch of $1.99 auctions - just to recoup my costs on old stock - not only did I get rid of some of the old stock - but my sales increased on the regular priced items.

I suppose there is a place for 'loss leaders' but that has to be the plan.

The supermarket runs a special on strawberries at close to cost, and showcases the whipping cream and sponge cake at regular price nearby .

A low starting price is one thing. A penny auction is, in my opinion, just as likely to turn off a potential buyer.

The more we pay for something, the more we appreciate it.

OP-- If those cufflinks don't sell for a penny, why not list them at $24.99 plus shipping Fixed Price and see what happens?

You already have the listing prepared, changing the price and format is two clicks.

[gew6463]

I just put a bid on them up to $3...:)  so hopefully it will at least pay for your shipping (if someone bids against me that is). Grandpa may be getting another pair of cuff links next Christmas..lol. 

[lovefindingtreasures2]

I used to do the same thing and always got a nice sale from 1c auctions and free shipping. Not currently. I ran some and they either closed with no sales or sold for like .39c. It is clear the buyers are not seeing our auctions. Makes it a little scary to post an auction right now. I stopped doing 1c and 99c and put them at a low price but at least one where I might break even.

Auctions are useless if eBay is not showing them to a lot of buyers. Playing Russian Roulette starting them off cheap, and it isn't really much of an auction if you start it out at the price you hope to get. This is something with eBay, as I am seeing the same results.

[lovefindingtreasures2]

Because penny and 99c auctions used to go crazy. I did them as well, and the items were not junk at all. It's a selling strategy that can be very rewarding, at least it used to be.

I don't do them now. Not in this current environment of not knowing if your listing is even going to be seen all the time. Listings that used to get dozens of views have 4-5 views on them and no reworking of photos, titles, descriptions or price changes anything. The views are not there. No one can see them. Can't sell what buyers can't find.

[lovefindingtreasures2]

Bingo. That is exactly what happens. Sales go up with the cheap auctions and more sales come in. It's clear to me that eBay rewards sales with more exposure, or something.
When I am selling, I suddenly sell more. When it's slow, sales die-fast. I do not believe this is accidental as too many people have seen the same thing happen.

Make sales-get more sales. Low sales-sales go lower. Hence the freebie auctions to get your account bumped up. It does work. Another way eBay makes you PAY to PLAY.

[mikeystoyz]

I put a bunch of things up for auction and followed the why dont you lower the price by x a few times and they didnt sell.  The last time they didnt sell I said the heck with it and doubled all the prices.  I have had a couple of sales that way.  People are weird.

[lovefindingtreasures2]

We should all buy each others stuff, I see a marketing plan in action here 🙂 I buy as much here as I can, keep other sellers selling 🙂

Is there a thread here anywhere called, "I just bought your item?" If not, there should be one! I have checked out a lot of posters items just from their posts here. Ever wonder if we are all selling back and forth to each other? Hee hee.....

[reallynicestamps]

Auctions are useless if eBay is not showing them to a lot of buyers.

Fixed that.

Less than 15% of eBay transactions are now auctions.

And of those, most have the Buy It Now option. Which means they are not really auctions.

Today's buyer wants it NOW.

No waiting around for seven days to learn that you lost.

Try listing your items as Fixed Price/ Immediate Payment Required.

Include the cost of shipping in your Fixed Price and use Free Shipping.

Make sure your items are massaged to show on mobiles. Apparently about 52% of transactions are now done on phones.

If you are not getting sales the way you always used to do it, why not try doing it a different way?

[kathieskorner]

Before wasting time listing items at penny auctions with free shipping - I'd just donate them to the local animal rescue or hospice thrift store.