The current state of auctions?

[sakic92710]

**IF** (& it's a big IF) I wanted to change several of my 'buy it now' listings to auctions, what do you think the chances of increased sales are?  I wonder because (another if) - IF the view counts are correct, who wants to start auctions on items generating 1-3 views over the course of several days?  Currently, I have 0 auctions running.  How is your situation regarding auctions?  Cheers!   🙂   BTW - no comments on whether my items are 'in demand.'   12 sales in June then 37 in July.  Nothing was 'in demand' but my sales went up over 300%  from month to month, suddenly.  Now this month, like Mar, Apr, May, June, is starting out pathetic again.  In NEED of a much higher rate of sales.

[house*of*paws]

---

@sakic92710 wrote:

Maybe you should not assume what I would be doing if I switched items over to auctions.  Especially since everything you just said about my intentions is completely wrong. There is a saying about the word 'assume.'  My advice to you is to look it up.   🙂

---

@sakic92710 

Maybe an occasional ‘thank you’ might be thrown in with the criticism of the responses you’re getting.  Just sayin’.  🙂

[pargran3]

I have no idea what you want. I have no idea why you posted. I have no idea why responding with snark is acceptable to you. 

No idea. Do whatever you want to do. Then let us know how it worked since you do not want to know how it might have worked for others.

[7606dennis]

As a licensed auctioneer and auction business owner I can assure you that not all items are suitable for sale at auction.  Unless you are selling items that are relatively rare and desirable to collectors fixed price listings are probably best.

[albertabrightalberta]

---

@house*of*paws wrote:

---

@sakic92710 wrote:

Maybe you should not assume what I would be doing if I switched items over to auctions.  Especially since everything you just said about my intentions is completely wrong. There is a saying about the word 'assume.'  My advice to you is to look it up.   🙂

---

@sakic92710 

Maybe an occasional ‘thank you’ might be thrown in with the criticism of the responses you’re getting.  Just sayin’.  🙂

---

I doubt that's going to happen when the OP doesn't even want to hear what he/she doesn't want to hear and stipulates that we shouldn't even respond with (whatever)! 

[inhawaii]

Auction or buy it now?

Too many variables to answer that question.

Depends on the item.

Depends on the price or opening bid price.

Depends on the popularity of the item. Is it a Playstation5 or a vintage belt buckle?

Depends on the rarity of the item. Is it a the Hope diamond  or a mss-produced board game?

Depends on the season. People buying xmas gifts don't want to wait for an auction to end.

Do some experimenting and let us know what you find.

Good luck buddy!  😃

[sakic92710]

What are you going on about?  I asked for people's opinions on whether auctions are worth a try.  Not very complicated to figure out.  As far as being 'snarky,' I was replying to a person who ALWAYS insinuates that my prices are too high & attempts to belittle me.   Enjoy your weekend.

[sakic92710]

Thank this person for what exactly?   Fill me in.  😛

[sakic92710]

"Whatever"  ?  LOL  I mentioned 1 thing - 'in demand.'  I was responding to an individual who always insults my pricing & comments as if they know me; assumes I will do this or that.  Of course, this individual is always wrong about his assumptions & offers zero proof on how my prices are too high.   🙂   Take care.

[glasser]

I sell almost 100% using auctions. I think there are a couple of criteria. Yes, the one you hear most is in demand items do well in auctions as well as rarer items. However, there is another criterion. How do the things you sell on eBay sell off of eBay? I sell collectible glass. So, meets the rarer less common items criteria. But I believe equally important is that potential buyers (collectors and dealers) who buy the kinds of things I sell are comfortable buying at auction. That's the way a lot of similar things sell off of eBay.

They can do well on eBay because there are no buyers fees (10-30% at auction houses). Shipping is faster and cheaper from an eBay seller. Most auction houses don't have inhouse shipping (and even when they do it can be costly and take a long time) and you end up dealing with a UPS store that runs shipping as a profit-making endeavor.

I am surprised how few auctions there actually are in some eBay categories. These markets could be a lot more dynamic than they are. Many of the collectible categories have overpriced merchandise that just cycles month after month. That is actually a market killer. People who collect want to see new things at a fair price. An auction allows them to bid what they think something is worth (and BTW, they likely now as much about that as most sellers) or they can afford. 

Auctions are a very pure form of valuation when there is a large potential pool of bidders.

[meme6253]

I have never had the Best of Luck with auctions here, But I have seen many postings that auctions are dead or dying, & also winners are not paying, Thats only my observation on this forum!

[yuzuha]

---

@sakic92710 wrote:

  BTW - no comments on whether my items are 'in demand.' 

---

You can't talk about whether or not auctions are a viable choice for items without considering the demand for them.

Auctions work well for items that have low supply and high demand, unless you're starting them at a dirt cheap opening bid. For an auction to be successful you need at least two people who are willing to compete for that item-- otherwise you might as well just stick to BIN.

[sakic92710]

I would list my auctions at a starting bid I would be happy with if there was only 1 bidder.  I know several of my items would not draw in many to fight over them.  After listings sit here & stagnate, I want to see them sell & bring in a cash flow.   🙂    2 sales this week is pathetic & I'm sinking in a hole.

[mam98031]

---

@sakic92710 wrote:

I would list my auctions at a starting bid I would be happy with if there was only 1 bidder.  I know several of my items would not draw in many to fight over them.  After listings sit here & stagnate, I want to see them sell & bring in a cash flow.   🙂    2 sales this week is pathetic & I'm sinking in a hole.

---

The test them out.  It is the only way you will know if they will work for you or not.  We can all share all kinds of stories or suggestions with you.  But until you test the waters, you will not know what works best for you.  

[ittybitnot]

How is your situation regarding auctions?  Cheers!  

@sakic92710 

From a different perspective, and a member since 1998 as both a seller and now just a buyer here is an observation I have noticed that nobody has mentioned yet. 

In the category in which I purchase, most listings are in auction format.  I do not disregard them due to being an auction.  What I have noticed, however, for those auctions to be successful it is important to have a "following".   

To build a following per se, it takes time,  and likely 'letting go' of items for a lesser dollar value over time.  The "following" will develop for like items.  That means if you sell various products with no consistency of category, this may not happen at all. 

For example, I might buy vintage jewelry.  Most things I am interested in are sold at auction.  If YOU are a newbie seller of same using the auction format (and have NOT developed a following) I, as a buyer may get some good deals.   Once people "find" you, your sale prices at auction will improve so long as your offerings are consistent in terms of value.  

There is a 'tipping' point with this strategy, but your run will last for quite a while before buyers just won't bother with you anymore since your products now sell for high dollar amounts, even if you start an auction for one dollar.  Whether this matters, of course, is up for interpretation. 

A newbie that follows eBay's advice of starting a listing at $0.99 with no following is going to lose big time. That same newbie that lists at fixed price for $100 may just get a sale, especially if the item is worth twice that.   I buy those, too. 

At the same time, though if was asked NOT to be part of the discussion, if I need a new ink for my computer, I am likely to go to Amazon, bin, free shipping, get it tomorrow, even if the price is a couple of dollars more. 

[coolections]

---

@sakic92710 wrote:

I asked for people's opinions on whether auctions are worth a try.  

---

@sakic92710   And I told you the answer. You just do not like hearing answers. You need to lower the price and make sure the item is in demand enough to attract at least two bidders. The starting bid needs to be lower than any BIN item you see currently listed.