Start an Auction

[donwizs_100]

Hi,
Do you have any idea which days or times to start an auction for more benefits?

[statur_3257]

I start them at a time when you want them to end. I prefer an end time when most are home so they can battle it out at the end,,,,,,,,,,at least hope they do. I always go ten days and time them so they end on a Sunday evening.  Just my preference, no hard data that it's the best strategy.

[7606dennis]

What kind of benefits are you looking for? 

If you start your auction on a specific day it will run the for the exact amount of time you chose when listing it.  I usually stick with the seven day period.

When it comes to how many bids one gets or the chances of the item selling, that is determined more by the desirability of the item you are offering.  Alas!  I'm not sure the item you have currently listed would generate very much interest.

[katzrul15]

Don't do too many auctions any more - only on certain OOK items, etc.

Typically always 7 or 10 days depending on the type of item and usually end @8:30 pm EST on Sunday night.

[7606dennis]

Of course, you do realize that the one listing you currently have running is not an auction, right?  It is a fixed price listing with a BO option.

[fashunu4eeuh]

I start and end them on Sunday night in the US with 7 day auctions. But i only use auctions for very special rare, one-of-a-kind, or scarce high-demand items.

[redmodelt]

Start it to end when you think most people will be home. Don't forget time zone differences. Most auctions don't get bids till all most the end anyway.

[magicjohnsonsvariety]

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@katzrul15 wrote:

Don't do too many auctions any more - only on certain OOK items, etc.

Typically always 7 or 10 days depending on the type of item and usually end @8:30 pm EST on Sunday night.

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I agree Katz, an auction should be at least 7 days and never less. Less mean fewer views and less bids. 

I run normal items 7 days ending between 6pm - 10pm. 

For super special items I run it 10 days starting on Thursday and ending on Sunday...this way the item gets 2 weekends of exposure. Long ago ebay charged extra for 10-day auctions but today there's no charge for the extra 3 days if you need them.

[dbfolks166mt · Accepted solution]

     There is no one right answer to this question and it will take some trial and error on your part. A lot of it depends on the location of your target buyers. As others have stated it is best to end the auction at a time when most people would be home, generally late afternoon or early evening hours. Weekends tend to work better than weekdays for the most part. 

     One thing to remember is when you are setting the start time for the auction it will be based on Pacific Standard Time and the auction will end xx days later. If you are targeting the Asia market you will have to figure the time difference between the PST start time and what that equates to with regards to the target buyers time in whatever area of Asia you are looking at. For example I am on the east coast of the US so if I am setting an auction start time of 6 PM PST that means the auction will end at 6 PM PST but it will end at 9 PM EST. 

[katzrul15]

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@magicjohnsonsvariety wrote:

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@katzrul15 wrote:

Don't do too many auctions any more - only on certain OOK items, etc.

Typically always 7 or 10 days depending on the type of item and usually end @8:30 pm EST on Sunday night.

---

I agree Katz, an auction should be at least 7 days and never less. Less mean fewer views and less bids. 

I run normal items 7 days ending between 6pm - 10pm. 

For super special items I run it 10 days starting on Thursday and ending on Sunday...this way the item gets 2 weekends of exposure. Long ago ebay charged extra for 10-day auctions but today there's no charge for the extra 3 days if you need them.

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@magicjohnsonsvariety 

If the OP is thinking about starting an auction now and the item "could" be for Santa......7 days max and be ready to ship the minute it is PAID!  (and I would add a BIN, just because it is Christmas time line, but typically do not)