Getting Search Results to Reflect Unit Price When Listing Lots

[zirkni]

I am wondering if there is any good what to do this. Let's say I want to sell widgets in lots of 20 pcs. Suppose I ask $40 for the lot. So my price per widget is $2 a widget. If all of the other people selling these same widgets are selling for $2.50 or higher I want my listing to appear at the top when the user searchs by "best price" low to high. I understand that not all buyers will want to purchase 20 pcs but I am only really interested in selling to those that do. (The reason is if I sell larger lots it drastically reduces my shipping costs). However, buyers that are interested in buying 20+ widgets will have a hard time finding my list under a best price search if the best price is calculated on based on the lot rather than the unit price. Is there any way I can get list so that I sell items as lots but the unit price is what is considered for search ranking?

[dhbookds]

I don't think there is a way.......  If you had a store, there are various promos you could use........but even with those, you'd be taking a chance on selling one.

I don't think it's ebay legal to set up a quantity variation listing and then grey out (put in a quantity of 0) for all but the 40 variation....IF you could even set that up. 

[lookng2015]

Look at it this way - the buyers who are smart enough to divide your lot price by per to come up with a unit cost on their own are most likely the buyers you want.

[chrysylys]

Buyers with smarts?  Now there's a novel idea.

What about those who think it's $40 EACH?

Only think I can suggest is to make it clear in the title, but that won't help with sorting by lowest.

[goodluckselling · Accepted solution]

You might set up a mulit variation listing with two options. 

• One option for one item at 2.00 and
• another option being for 20 items at $38.00

You will need to have many sets of 20 because some buyers might buy one, two, five or ten and not buy the 20 less you can make the price un-buy-able.

Another path would be to use the promotion manager and set up a discount at 20 items.  So the listing would be for one item at 2.00 and the promotion would give lets say 20% if you buy 20.

These options give you the search placement for price that you mentioned.  If you want to sell quantity you will need to discount past the single item price.

Good Luck Selling!

[mallontown]

If you are not from China do not list 1 for 2.00 and 20 for $40 as you would lose money for anyone that purchases the $2.00 item.

also if your $2.00 single item goes to zero stock your listing will not be shown as $2.00 but will only show the $40 lot

If you found my reply useful, please give it a Helpful.

If my response assisted in resolving your question, please click "Accept as Solution."

[goodluckselling]

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wrote:

If you are not from China do not list 1 for 2.00 and 20 for $40 as you would lose money for anyone that purchases the $2.00 item.

also if your $2.00 single item goes to zero stock your listing will not be shown as $2.00 but will only show the $40 lot

If you found my reply useful, please give it a Helpful.

If my response assisted in resolving your question, please click "Accept as Solution."

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The OP mentioned that other sellers have the item at about 2.50 each.  Explain to me how the seller would lose money of a buyer purchased one at 2.00

Good Luck Selling!

[7606dennis]

Actually, if you are selling a lot that contains 20 pieces, you are still selling only one lot so the unit price is whatever the price is for that one lot which would be the unit.

[zirkni]

Good idea. This is kind of what I ended up doing before checking back here. I am selling a bunch of identical widgets. I can afford to sell them at a very low unit price (e.g. about $3.00 where average price is probably about $8.00) but can't afford shipping them out one at a time in the USA if offering free shipping. Maybe another option is to nix the free shipping. I have recently read it is actually cheaper to ship something from Shanghai to Podunk MO. Than from Charleston SC to Richmond VA. That is pretty absurd. Thanks USPS.

[zirkni]

Thanks. Yes I understand the costs. I always price my listings at greater than break even. Otherwise what is the point?

[zirkni]

>"It is an intelligent man that is aware of his own ignorance."

I hope you are away of your ignorance.

[yuzuha]

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wrote:
Good idea. This is kind of what I ended up doing before checking back here. I am selling a bunch of identical widgets. I can afford to sell them at a very low unit price (e.g. about $3.00 where average price is probably about $8.00) but can't afford shipping them out one at a time in the USA if offering free shipping. Maybe another option is to nix the free shipping. I have recently read it is actually cheaper to ship something from Shanghai to Podunk MO. Than from Charleston SC to Richmond VA. That is pretty absurd. Thanks USPS.

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Are they heavy widgets?  Because if they're light enough to go First Class, where they're being shipped to won't affect the shipping cost.