Promoted Listings - Please explain to me like I'm 5 years old

[theofficefan4life]

So basically, let's say I want to sell a "doohicky" or a "hoozit" on ebay using buy it now. And if my understanding is correct I have 2 options to choose from: Either list it as "promoted" or not "promoted, correct? So if John Smith goes to sell something as BIN and he opts in for the "general" promoted selling option then basically that equals ebay making John's listing more visible than had he not opted in for promoted, correct? And apparently sellers can choose how much percent of a sale they will "agree to" ebay to charge in terms of fees, and the higher the percentage one agrees to, then the more visible one's item will be to viewers, correct? And so assuming I'm correct so far, then logic would indicate that not opting for general promoted listings basically kind of means ebay will go out of their way to make one's stuff stays "hidden" to all but a handful of people? That seems not right. Like, for example, if Joe Shmoe wants to sell his rare collectible 'doohicky' then people who collect 'doohickies' and want to search them out on ebay to buy them then ebay should list all of the doohickies available for sale regardless of whether someone pays more to have ebay promote the listing? Can someone please help me make sense of this? Thanks.

[caldreamer · Accepted solution]

If you are selling "one of a kind item" it is not necessary to promote (EBAY will show your item when customer does search).

It makes sense to promote your listings if you are selling "exact same item" as many other sellers (important thing is for your item to appear on Page 1).   When you do a "general promotion" your listing will appear "twice" (one listing will say "promoted listing" if your customer clicks on that listing and makes a purchase your will be charged extra percentage).   Percentage is charged on total sale (purchase price + shipping + sales tax).   Plus, you also must pay regular "selling fees". 

I never pay percentage that EBAY recommends (that is nothing but a huge "money grab").   Even if you promote your items with minimum 2% your item will still be promoted (just not as widely).

Remember, customers only want lowest price and don't care if you promoted your item.

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

You pretty much got it. eBay is tweaking promoted listings DAILY.  So much so, no one can truly understand the magic behind the curtains. It's a product, that eBay sells, but no one can actually see.

[kensgiftshop]

If you're selling a rare collectible doohicky, you shouldn't need to promote because there probably wouldn't be much competition.

If you're selling the same items as a thousand other sellers are selling, then yes, you would probably need to promote to be seen.

How much to spend on promoting, depends on how much more you want to pay Ebay in fees.

[inhawaii]

The higher the percentage, the more ebay will show it.

That doesn't mean people will click on it or buy it.

The percentage you choose is an additional "fee".

Example:

If you selected 10% promotion, ebay will deduct an additional 10% fee if/when the item sells.

[adamcartwright]

@theofficefan4life 

What @caldreamer  said.

If I know buyers are searching for my particular item, e.g. a rare trading card, I do not promote.

[monroe67]

"And so assuming I'm correct so far, then logic would indicate that not opting for general promoted listings basically kind of means ebay will go out of their way to make one's stuff stays "hidden" to all but a handful of people?"   

That's a heck of an assumption. 
My selling ID does not use Promoted Listings.  Yet an item I listed early this morning, as a five-day auction, already has two watchers.  My TEN other listings have a few views, with only one of those being watched by one person.  
To me, two watchers on a not-even-one-day-old listing does not mean that eBay has gone out of their/its way to hide that listing.  

"That seems not right."  
OK:  it "seems not right" to you.  That's an opinion.  
As I've already posted once today here in these forums (fora?), that is Capitalism on eBay.  
We're all selling on eBay (or trying to, in the case of my selling ID) to make money: The Profit Motive.
eBay itself needs  to make money.  If eBay does not make enough money, eBay will be in trouble with their shareholders, their investors.   

[theofficefan4life]

Perfect, thank you!!!

[gator08041971]

In general I do not use promotions. I have dabbled with it, and used it on a grand total of 5 items.  3 of which have since sold, the other two are still available.

Promotions as others have said may be best for things that there are already a large amount of available on the platform.  That said, you still don't have to promote.

I have been listing more and more DVD and BluRay media in the recent month.  I don't promote the listings at all.  My listings aren't the lowest priced among the thousands, but I'm still seeing traffic.  Have sold several in the past few days in fact.  Part of it may be do to how I have them listed.

But none of its promoted.  I figure if I did promote them, I would probably sell more of them.  But I would also lose more profit and would either have to change prices to compensate which may limit sales another way.  But, I'm not in a hurry to sell them, so if they take a bit longer that's fine too. 

[pls-consignments]

Choosing to pay the additional fee to promote is your decision, which should be weighed by all of the inciteful comments given. Just remember, this is a product that is heavily hyped and marketed to sellers. It is built upon hypothetical promises designed to convince you that if you pay more, you'll make more. In reality, the only one making "more" is eBay. Therefore, use with caution.

[bashort]

just say no

[realitycheque]

Just look at it this way..

If you have a do hicky thingy and so does 300 others. and 40 of you pay for the promoted listing WHO gets to be on top of list? LOL 

Its a useless money grab..