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Getting bidders interested in my item

Hi all, 

I am new to this whole Ebay stuff. I was wondering how to go about getting unsuccessful bidders for an item to bid for mine (very similar or maybe the same item). I imagine that with only one person winning an auction, the other bidders were likely interested in buying the item. My question is how to find those people and have them bid for mine?  

Message 1 of 17
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16 REPLIES 16

Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

Do the same as they did to attract those buyers, examine their listing.

Message 2 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

At one time everyone could see who was bidding on what, but eBay changed that. Now, only the seller can see the user names of those bidding. There is no way for another eBayer to discern that specific information since eBay has made buyer results private. The only way to gain such info would be for the seller to share the names with you of the unsuccessful bidders. However, one reason eBay made the info private was to prevent other sellers from spamming buyers. Other sellers may not share the names of their prospective shoppers for similar reasons. So, have faith that when you put your item on eBay, those interested will find you, if you have done your due diligence in listing your items. Have you had any trouble getting bidders for your listings?

Message 3 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

Hi again. Ok, I see, I took a look at your current and completed listings. You might ask the forum community to take a look and make recommendations on how to improve your sales. I don't have much time right now but here are a few thoughts that might help.

 

I recommend having a return policy. This is to prevent an unhappy buyer from opening a Not As Described case against you in order to force a return. Such a case can hurt a seller's standing on eBay if it is not handled properly. Having a return policy can also improve customer confidence in your items.

 

For the Nike youth athletic shoes, include the word sneakers, or trainers or whatever kind of shoe it is in the title. And also add Toddler, as well? Or child? I don't sell children's wear so not familiar with the best keywords. Take a look at some successful listings that do sell similar items to get ideas on what keywords are most beneficial.

 

Some of your photos are sideways. When you list or revise, you can use the functions in the photo gallery to turn the picture so it is right side up, before listing it. There are also functions to lighten the picture. Some were a little dark. It is best to have a white background to encourage other Search engines to pick up and display your listings, such as Google.

 

The main photo for the smartphone case needs redone. I couldn't tell what it was until i opened the listing. 

 

You are a zero feedback seller with some expensive items listed. I would urge caution and begin selling less expensive items just starting out. You need to learn the ropes of eBay selling and right now, you could be a scam magnet. I don't want you to lose anything because of inexperience with eBay policies. Be sure to read the eBay Money Back Guarantee policy and the eBay User Agreement, if you haven't already, before listing anything else. 

 

I wish you all the best in your eBay selling. Please come to the forums with any questions or concerns. There is always someone here willing to help. Good luck!

Message 4 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item


@osaedok_0

 


I would start with good photos and a good description.

Looking at some of your items, the photos are sideways and you need some good close up photos.

In some of your descriptions, you have Condition is Used.

Buyers want to know what kind of condition the item is in, any scratches, dents or dings.

 

 

 

 

Have A Great Day.
Message 5 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

Shoving things in people's faces doesn't convince them to buy anything. Sales are a matter of supply and demand, and that's something you don't control. If your auctions aren't selling, or you're only getting a single bidder, then its likely you're selling things that have very little demand.

 

Not sure what you mean by "the other bidders were likely interested in buying the item." Did you mean watchers? If they were interested in buying, then they would have made a bid.

 

All being said, you should test out selling different products to see what works and what doesn't. Here I sell video games, and I know which ones will sell fast and which ones wont. Its a matter of trial and error, and learning from experience.

 

 

Message 6 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

Message 7 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

Thanks for your time. Maybe I came across as desperate but far from it, no intention of shoving anything down anyone's throat. I was really referencing the Tag Heuer Connected Automatic watch that I saw with many bidders sold from London. I thought that there would be a way to get some of those bidders to come see that I had the same exact item listed. Anyway, it is a fun thing to do as a hobby, I am not doing it for profit, these are all my personal items that I am trying to flip as I no longer have use for them!
Message 8 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

How about putting the word watch in the title for one?

Everyone has options. Just be sure the best option is right for you.
Message 9 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

@osaedok_0 wrote:

I am new to this whole Ebay stuff. I was wondering how to go about getting unsuccessful bidders for an item to bid for mine (very similar or maybe the same item). I imagine that with only one person winning an auction, the other bidders were likely interested in buying the item. My question is how to find those people and have them bid for mine?  


Generally speaking, you can't find users on eBay - they must find you.

 

So IMHO the question you should be asking is not " how to find those people", but rather "how to help those people find my items".

 

My thoughts:

 

Look at those listings that did sell and think like a buyer. What search criteria might they have used to find that other listing that my listing lacks?

 

  • Is there a word in the title that I should add?
  • Are there item specifics that that I need to fix or add?
  • Is your price attractive?
  • Does the other listing have lower shipping (or free shipping)?
  • Does the other item offer returns (or free returns)?
  • How does the other seller's feedback look?
  • Does the other seller take pictures that show more (box, back, sides, top, bottom, closeups, labels, etc.?
  • Does the other listing have a description that gives more detail (date, model, features, serial number, UPC, etc.)?
Message 10 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

Yeah, I originally started selling on ebay for the same exact reason, I just wanted to get rid of old stuff I no longer had any use for.

Message 11 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

I took some of the recommendations here, relisted some of the items, and I've been impressed by the response thus far WRT the watch head but I did lower my starting price by $200. That item has over 430 views, and 3 bids... I am hoping that with less than 20 hours left, some more people are going to bid and get it to sell for something reasonable. Thanks again for all your help!!

Message 12 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

Since you are new to eBay, be careful about getting scammed on that watch head.  

Message 13 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item

Why do you say so? How would I know, and shouldn't eBay know when people are up to no good. I thought buyers were the ones at risk of being scammed? Anyway, I don't do any transactions off-site, no email exchanges or Paypal information given out, it always goes through Ebay..
Message 14 of 17
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Re: Getting bidders interested in my item


@osaedok_0 wrote:
I thought buyers were the ones at risk of being scammed?

eBay is very buyer-centric. Sellers are the ones who get scammed most of the time because eBay doesn't offer options to fight a MBG claim in a he said / she said situation. With almost no feedback and selling high priced items it makes you a target.

 

Not sharing your e-mail or phone is a good step to make sure you don't fall for the fake paypal payment e-mail scam and ship without being paid.

 

If a buyer receives the watch and claims it arrived broken then they send you back an empty box- there's really nothing you can do to fight it with eBay. You can report the buyer to eBay, file mail fraud cases and file police reports then appeal eBay's decision- but it's a lot of work and few have seen success with this since eBay made some changes last Spring.

Message 15 of 17
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