Rethinking my products

[professor-t]

I've been listening to a lot of videos and reading a lot about selling on eBay and one thing from a member of the Green Room seller's group said something that resonated with me.

Intstead of concentrating on "how many products can I list" concentrate on identifyig product lines that resonate with you and in which you have a personal interest.  I'm going to try following this advice and go for quality rather than quantity.  Also, he suggested listing a few items every day is strategically better for search placement than if you list a hundred items every week or two.

So I'm gong to try these suggestions out and see what they do in the next few months.

[odditiesandantiquities1]

Sounds like a healthy strategy. I sell what I love and what I know. I also list frequently but not in large amounts. Just enough to attract some new eyes each day. 

It is far less stressful selling what you feel comfortable with than what you are unsure of. 

Second to that is Customer Service. Get both those things right and you are in good place.

[chrysylys]

'Sell what you know.  Know what you sell' is not a novel concept.  It's been around since the beginning of selling however many centuries back.

[thallidguy]

I always tell new sellers, sell what you know and know what you sell. The first sellers to turn eBay into a viable source of income were niche sellers like used book store owners and collectors, who had real knowledge of their goods and knew how to pitch to their buyers.

That's why I have focused on selling games for the last 18 years. Didn't have to watch any videos to figure it out, either.

[thatsallfolks]

Sell what you know.

Also, sell what you know will sell.

It doesn’t matter how much something resonates with you if no one wants to buy it.

[jason_incognito]

it's always been said that you make money when you buy, not when you sell. 

You have to know the market well enough that you can make a good profit off of just about anything you list. If when you're looking at something to possibly buy for resale, you know the resale market you can make a smart buy or leave it sit for the next guy. 

[fashunu4eeuh]

Hi, i see you have been an ebayer since 1999, so you may already know this, but PayPal has a Micropayment program that can help you improve your bottom line. Below is a link with more info. It is of benefit where seller’s price points are under $10.

https://www.paypal.com/us/selfhelp/article/what-are-micropayments-faq664/1

[odditiesandantiquities1]

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wrote:

Sell what you know.

Also, sell what you know will sell.

It doesn’t matter how much something resonates with you if no one wants to buy it.

---

That is also a very good point.

[sockmonkeydave]

@professor-t

I am not trying to be mean,

but I am going to give you a little tough love, 

( But I will give you cookies and milk after )

Their advice is correct, you gotta know the things you sell.

And if you list a few new things every day, you will show in newly listed searches.

Volume is not the goal, sales are.

Now for the spanking... with only love, and good wishes.

Most of your used books, can be found at used book stores for much less than you are asking.

The movies, new, may have a market with collectors.

But the average Joe, can pickup one at the pawn shop ( Used ) for a buck or two.

Some of your listings are border line duplicates.

Check the "sold" listings to see what others got for theirs.

Check the "completed" listings to see what did not sell.

Now the love....

Your pictures are very good, and that is the first thing a buyer sees, and that is big.

Titles are key to a good search, what would a buyer search ?

[ittybitnot]

 concentrate on identifyig product lines that resonate with you and in which you have a personal interest......

That is what I do. Sold here since 1998.  One must consider now where and how to best sell the goods in which you are experienced.  After 20 years I have become an ebay buyer.  Purchase things here to sell elsewhere.   The inexperience of many sellers is an advantage to me.   Not that I am an expert in my field of commerce, but blurry pictures are often not a problem.  The ones with the object of interest taken on the bed from six feet away are as amusing as ever.  

ebay would prefer you sell new for cheap and free shipping, paying for all returns no matter the reason .....and still survive...no...survival is not necessary....there are plenty more sellers in line to take your place.....or are there?

[odditiesandantiquities1]

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wrote:

 concentrate on identifyig product lines that resonate with you and in which you have a personal interest......

That is what I do. Sold here since 1998.  One must consider now where and how to best sell the goods in which you are experienced.  After 20 years I have become an ebay buyer.  Purchase things here to sell elsewhere.   The inexperience of many sellers is an advantage to me.   Not that I am an expert in my field of commerce, but blurry pictures are often not a problem.  The ones with the object of interest taken on the bed from six feet away are as amusing as ever.  

ebay would prefer you sell new for cheap and free shipping, paying for all returns no matter the reason .....and still survive...no...survival is not necessary....there are plenty more sellers in line to take your place.....or are there?

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You are so right about inexperienced sellers.  In my field, some sellers will take close up picture's of makers marks. I research them. 1 out of 100 will be a famous designer.  Research isn't work for me. I'm at home anyway and love doing. But that research translates into $$$. Worth the work, worth the time.

I have another friend who is also a seller. I will search out marks for him because we've been friends for a long time. I get great Christmas presents....lol. 

[professor-t]

The books I'm going to concentrate on are going to be:
Nonfiction
Substantive as far as content
Fairly old and not easily found One example is the history of American theater 1900 - 1950. It was published 67 years ago and is not easily found. A theater buff will like it. I sold a few books recently, and all followed that formula.

I agree about the DVDs. I'm going to take them to a community flea market later this summer along with any books that don't fit my stricter criteria.

I have a few other lines i'm going to play with as well.

Thanks for the constructive criticism.

[sockmonkeydave]

@professor-t

There you go, it's all about finding the collectors, not the common stuff.

I think you will do good here.

[luckythewinner]

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wrote:

  Also, he suggested listing a few items every day is strategically better for search placement than if you list a hundred items every week or two.

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Did he explain why this was "strategically better" for search placement?

Or what the phrase "strategically better" means? 

[castlemagicmemories]

Having a lot of listings, if the items are not attractive, desirable or in good condition, won't help, so I think you are right.

Many have reported that the strategy of listing a few each day works!

I wish you much success as you go forward!