Should I try promoting some auctions? How does it work?

[mozartbach1971]

I think I heard at least one or more person on this board say they haven't been getting many views on their items because they are not promoting their items.  I run only auctions and think my sales could be down  because of not promoting items.  Has anyone here promoted their auction items, if so did it help?  Do you just click on the promote button and then have them bill you for it?

[onefootflipper]

Given what you sell promoted listings won't help at all. Promoted listings work best with things where there are many identical items, all yours are basically unique.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

Auctions do not use Promoted Listings Standard or Advanced. They use PL Express. Here's info on PLE:

https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/growth/promoted-listings/promoted-listings-express

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@mozartbach1971  One thing I don't think the article mentions: the fee is based, in part, on the duration of the auction. So, a 7 day auction will have whatever fee, let's say $3.00, if you apply the PLE when you list it. BUT if you don't apply it at the outset, you can revise your listing, say, on the 5th day and add the PLE at that point....and the price might be only $1.00, since it is now only good for 2 days, rather than 7.

So, if you just want to experiment with this, one thing to consider: if your listing gets a lot of views/ bids/watchers early on, maybe no reason to bother with PLE. But if you have no bids, no watchers and only a couple views after , let's say, 5 days, might be worth experimenting with PLE....

[12345jamesstamps]

I did auctions and now just sell. All those who used to bid on my stuff are not buying anything now. It's two different types of buyers. It seems your sales are doing good. If you are getting repeat buyers...then you are doing good. The main objective is repeat buyers as to what we sell. Auctions are for quick sales(because we need the cash usually) or if you don't know what an item is worth. I only promote some items for buy it now... usually the buyer will look over everything else up for sale since we are not selling like Amazon or Walmart (meaning selling so many different things). I do have lots of repeat buyers now under "buy it now". Was at a dry spell for a bit changing from all auctions to buy it now. Promoted listings is not the way to go for auctions. Maybe doing the 7 or 9 day auctions would be better. Of course, 9 day auction does cost a little more just like a promoted listing. Just a thought.

[mozartbach1971]

I clicked on the link, however I don't think I saw any prices for what it costs. Do you know where that is?

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@mozartbach1971 

Unfortunately, you won't know the amount until you go to set it up----there is no set amount. And some sellers have reported really stupid amounts, like $8.00 for an auction starting at 99 cents....so you have to go to set it up to find out the amount. Are you using ebay's new listing form? If so, you can go to one of your auction listings, click "revise listing", and scroll (this is with a PC, might be different with a phone) down to "Reach More Buyers" (right after "Shipping". 

Directly across from "reach More Buyers" you should see a button that says "Edit All Options" Click that---the very first thing in the pop- up will tell you the amount...if you want to try it (and are willing to pay that fee up front, with no guarantee of success), go ahead and click the circle---it will turn blue, and that means you will be charged for the fee, unless you click it again (to turn it off)...of course, you won't be charged unless you have it turned on, and then click to revise the listing.

[mozartbach1971]

I don't use Ebay's listing form I use Wonderlister to list all my items.  If it actually costs anywhere near $8 then I will not try it as many of my auctions end less than that.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@mozartbach1971  I was just giving $8.00 an example. As I said, the ACTUAL amount can ONLY be found by checking. I have one auction running right now. Opening bid price is $19.95.  It's a 7 day auction with about 5 days to go. At present, if I wanted to use PLE, it would cost 99 cents. If I recall, I think it might have been $1.99 when I first listed the auction. 

BUT...you need to understand , the fee may seem to have no relation to your opening bid or an estimated value. It is basically not possible to know in advance what it might be. You MUST check each one.

(And yes, we sellers have criticized this, but I'm just telling you how it works, not saying I think it's wonderful LOL)

If you want to see what the amount is for one of your auctions, go to the listing page. Now click "revise" Follow the instructions I gave you above, and you can find the amount.