Is It Time for Live Shows?

[cutiescoastalcloset]

Do you think live shows are the future of selling, or is sticking with online listings still the better bet? 

If you’ve done any live shows on this platform or elsewhere, what’s been more effective for you, live selling shows or traditional online shop listings? Have you found success with live shows, and what worked (or didn’t) for you?

[baangell]

I've spent a ton of money on live auctions over the last 2 years, what I learned is while you can get great deals, sometimes, in most cases you are paying way more than regular eBay listings and you get an obscene amount of dirty or damaged items. Even when they show the items, which is usually only in 480p at best, I swear they use filters to make the stuff look nicer than what they actually are. I stay clear of them now.

Live auctions have been around over 40 years, your parents and grandparents were buying off cable television back in the 80s.

[bashort]

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@cutiescoastalcloset wrote:

Do you think live shows are the future of selling, or is sticking with online listings still the better bet? 

If you’ve done any live shows on this platform or elsewhere, what’s been more effective for you, live selling shows or traditional online shop listings? Have you found success with live shows, and what worked (or didn’t) for you?

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are you talking about going to like a flea market? If so absolutely not 

[hartungcards]

I just live for Pokémon Fridays.

[cutiescoastalcloset]

Platforms like eBay have recently introduced live selling, where sellers showcase items on video and buyers can bid in real time. I’ve been curious if this is a better way to move inventory more quickly, rather than waiting for someone to stumble across my listings. I’m no stranger to auctions, been around long enough to know the drill (pushing 40s here!) but I’m wondering if the live format is really worth trying, especially for someone working with limited inventory.

[kickin.assets]

@cutiescoastalcloset 

I’ll tell you what, IMO you really need to have a great personality, organization and a zest for selling live if you’d like to make something of it. The best shows I’ve watched have had all that and then some, seeming to do very well. Shows with less than, meh. And forget the silent shows! Still don’t get that one.

Personally you’ll never find me doing live shows. Kudos to those who can! Being in the entertainment business since I was a teen … Personality and organization? ✅ … Comfortable with cameras and crowds? ❌

If it sounds like something that really interests you, I’d say definitely give it a go. As far as it being better than traditional reselling? That will probably differ greatly on whom you talk to and how engrossed they are in all the socials … with the variations of generational users? Traditional isn’t going anywhere.

Of course, that’s just my thoughts …

Best of luck in whatever you decide on!

Kiks

[cutiescoastalcloset]

I’m referring to eBay Live shows, where buyers can place bids in real time during a live video stream.

[chapeau-noir]

Sites like Poshmark have been doing this for quite a while - mixed reception and experiences. A lot depends on what you sell - luxury goods seem to do well in this format. Other sellers appear to either be reduced to begging for buyers to buy their stuff for next to nothing, or have 0 visitors. Many have some fun with it.

Total mixed bag. 

[cutiescoastalcloset]

Thank you so much for sharing your perspective, I really appreciate the honesty and depth. It’s interesting to hear your take, especially coming from someone with an entertainment background. You make a great point about personality and energy being key for live shows. Thanks for the response and luck!

[kickin.assets]

@cutiescoastalcloset 

Ahh … working with limited inventory? Think the only way things work with very little inventory is with higher end items. Building a following to sustain live shows takes a lot. Maybe you already have a decent following elsewhere?

Are you organized? Comfortable on camera? Both of those will certainly be of help. The latter is one I’ve just never got used to. Lol! But if you’re one whose on socials daily sharing, it could work for you.

Do you know/watch anyone on the reg you feel like you could emulate? There’s a lot to think about with live, unlike traditional where there isn’t maybe the pressure?

[cutiescoastalcloset]

I can definitely see how luxury items perform well in live shows. I don’t focus much on luxury myself, but I do sell a lot of items that are new with tags or new without tags. One of my biggest concerns with trying live shows is the possibility that no one will show up or place a bid. I’m all for trying new things, but the thought of putting on a whole show just to have crickets in the chat or worse, basically giving stuff away doesn’t sound too appealing. 😅 It makes me wonder if I should just stick to traditional selling but I guess I won’t really know unless I give it a try.

[kickin.assets]

@cutiescoastalcloset 

You are so welcome!!

Yes, you won’t know unless you try!

Love your positive vibes! 🎉

[cutiescoastalcloset]

I do struggle with social anxiety, so being on camera and even navigating social media isn’t exactly my comfort zone, lol. But I also believe it’s a fear that can be worked through over time, so I’m still open to giving it a try! I do watch a lot of sellers on WhatNot who bring tons of hype and seem to genuinely enjoy live selling.

I love watching those kind of high energy vibes, but sometimes I wonder if I’d be able to match it myself, since I can be pretty socially awkward. 😅 Still, everyone starts somewhere, right?

[onefootflipper]

I have 20,000 youtube subscribers and I have found that live selling isn't worth it. 

Imagine how much worse it would be if you didn't already have a built in audience. 

Ultimately you end up doing almost the exact same amount of work per item, but you end up with far less money per item (you need to have an epic number of followers well into the 6 figures before they start bidding stuff up over ebay value).

The constant grind quickly makes your work area go to crap and you are having to source like mad because you are at best making half the profit per item.

Then wait until a sticker falls off something or you put it in the wrong pile and you have to go rewatch an hour long video to see who bought that prince album for $4.

The only thing I will live sell now is comic books and modern video games, because I would just rather have them gone.

[kickin.assets]

@onefootflipper 

Yes … I’ve seen some of the chaos you speak of! Idk … doesn’t really seem like you said, “worth it” … though some of your shows have been quite amusing 😉