eBay

pipeclub · ‎01-28-2018

I was able to see how many people were watching my items by looking at the public part everyone sees until a few days ago. Now I have to go to selling to see who is watching what, but I liked it the other way for some reason. My question is did this change, or is it just my browser or computer?

emerald40 · ‎01-28-2018

Yes, there are other threads here of sellers reporting the same problem.

Not sure why sellers are hung up on watchers, as they really do not mean that much.

pipeclub · ‎01-28-2018

Thanks. I just got used to looking at things that way and get a little ocd. Watchers don't mean much in most cases, but it gives me an idea of how I priced things and how customers respond to that pricing.

sandmansales · ‎01-28-2018

Watchers are a great tool in the ebay machine. They can help you gauge the interest in your item be it from buyers or competitors. The number is helpful in your price changing decisions.

They also play a psychological role. If buyers can see the number of watchers, they add legitimacy to your listing where what they are looking at must be of value if others are watching.

As to where they can be seen. Ebay's obsession with change will likely bring them back to public view in a day or two or until the next daily mission critical 'what are we going to mess with today' staff meeting.

~Why be a second rate version of someone else when you can be a first rate version of yourself~

city*satins · ‎01-28-2018

When I see that a fixed price listing of mine has a watcher and the listing is nearing 15 days, even if it has OFFER set up on it but no offers or ASQs have come in, I will lower the BIN price by $5 to $10. The reason I do this is that anyone who is watching gets an email from eBay saying the price has been lowered.

Now and then, it gets me a sale. It might be an optical illusion at my end, but it really does seem to work and it beats doing it for every single listing halfway through its course - I can target just those listings that have watchers.

THIS SPACE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK

go-bad-chicken · ‎01-28-2018

wrote:
Yes, there are other threads here of sellers reporting the same problem.

Not sure why sellers are hung up on watchers, as they really do not mean that much.

It does for me.

I have some different multi quantity item listings that have anywhere from 30 to 60 watchers.

They might display something like 3 available / 29 sold.

In reality I have more than 3 available. I might have 10, 20, or more. But I keep the number "available" artificaly low. So that when a new prospective buyer comes along and sees that 29 have sold and there are only 3 left AND the listing already has 30 to 60 watchers (other prospective buyers/competition), this will sometimes trigger a sense of urgency for this new buyer.

Something like, "This is exactly what I was looking for. But, I should not think or hesitate for to long because they might all be gone by tommorow." I tend to think of it like there are 30 lions in this one area, with only 3 gazelle left to eat.

It is the display of those other watchers (other lions), which could represent competition for an item (gazelle), in that prospective buyer's mind that helps to create this since of urgency, and ultimately leads the buyer to make a purchase.

How many times have you heard someone exclaim, "I got one of the last ones that they had left." But of course like anything else in this world your mileage may vary.

southernfriedbelle · ‎01-28-2018

I can see both points as being valid.

I know a lot of people don't think it means all that much, and I agree to the extent that I put items on my watch list that I have no intention of buying. Those items may be similar to an item I want to list, and I want to see how it does. Or it may be one I want to save as a Sell Similar template, but just hit Add To Watch List because it's easier and I'm lazy. It might be something I'd love to buy, but is waaay out of my price range.

However, I also see it as a useful tool for price adjustment gauging, as well as an indication that at least it's coming up in some searches. I always feel better if I have someone watching an item, but then I do tend to need a lot of validation.

And, sometimes those waaay out of my price range items prove just too hard too resist! 😮 😄

Belle

go-bad-chicken · ‎01-28-2018

wrote:
I can see both points as being valid.

I know a lot of people don't think it means all that much, and I agree to the extent that I put items on my watch list that I have no intention of buying. Those items may be similar to an item I want to list, and I want to see how it does. Or it may be one I want to save as a Sell Similar template, but just hit Add To Watch List because it's easier and I'm lazy. It might be something I'd love to buy, but is waaay out of my price range.

However, I also see it as a useful tool for price adjustment gauging, as well as an indication that at least it's coming up in some searches. I always feel better if I have someone watching an item, but then I do tend to need a lot of validation.

And, sometimes those waaay out of my price range items prove just too hard too resist! 😮 😄

As far as I am concerned this serves a useful purpose as well. Interest generates more interest which can then help to generate sales. Tire kickers and lookey lous are always welcome to watch my listings.

travelchic1 · ‎01-29-2018

According to Ecommercebytes, Ebay has made 2 Unannounced changes that can negitively impact your conversion rate. Article is titled "Ebay makes 2 unnannounced changes..."

1. "Watchers" no longer able to be viewed by potential buyers on listing page (?but still can be seen when on search results). ACCORDING TO EBAY VIA TWITTER QUESTION - THIS IS A PERMANENT CHANGE.

2. ALSO, now when you are running a sales promotion - u used to be able to see banner right under your shipping options and above your listing description....WELL NOW THEY HAVE MOVED YOUR PROMOTIONAL BANNER TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE, UNDER THE DESCRIPTION - AKA NO ONE WILL SEE NOW THE PROMOTIONS YOU RUN.

MY THOUGHTS ON THESE UNNANNOUNCED CHANGES, 2 horrendous decisions on Ebay part. And Ebay, here's a tip, when you make changes that can negitively impact sellers and their conversion rate...it would be nice if you let us know. Every time there's important & relevant news regarding Ebay, I find that I'm not longer hearing it from you, Ebay -- it would be a nice professional courtesy, don't you think!!!

the*dog*ate*my*tablecloth · ‎01-29-2018

Speaking as a gazelle, if I see a listing has a lot of watchers, I'll probably move on and search for one that doesn't. Ebay seems to feel the same way as I've heard if you get a lot of watchers and few sales they will actually downgrade your listing in search.

In my collectibles niche there are two kinds of listings that get more watchers. Really great items and really bad listings. The bad listings could be reproductions or they're way overpriced. People are watching them out of curiousity to see if the seller or Ebay pulls them.

For instance there's an item that has been up for sale off and on for well over a decade. It's not rare although the seller says it is. It typically sells for 10% of their price ($20 vs over $200) in fact for a while I was contemplating it being a message of some kind and not a potential sale at all.

chrysylys · ‎01-29-2018

wrote:
Speaking as a gazelle, if I see a listing has a lot of watchers, I'll probably move on and search for one that doesn't.

I've done that. I've also held off bidding until the last seconds hoping to snipe it ouf from under the watchers. I've also had it play no role at all in my bidding or buying decisions. It's all about the item and how badly I want it. Or not.

Lots of help, I know. Oh well.

Forget keeping up with the Joneses. Be the Finklegrubers!
OK kids, time to get the Dodge loaded up again. I hear 'Poppy's By the Tree' calling. This trip might be a long one too.

southernfriedbelle · ‎01-29-2018

wrote:
Speaking as a gazelle...

(GIGGLE)

Belle

jason_incognito · ‎01-29-2018

I like it.

Too many times on eBay, the idea that it will always be there kicks in and buyers become watchers. goot until cancelled, 30 day listings..... all reinforce the idea of availability. No need to jump on it now, think about it, sit on it.

I usually have like 30 items on watch. One might sell every few weeks, but for the most part all those things just sit there. Having that counter was suposed to give you concern that all those people were watching, but it might sometimes only be 1 or 2.....

"Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything" Colin Kaepernick the new face of NIKE

bluewillowbay · ‎01-29-2018

I totally agree!!! As a female shopper with many decades of experience, we always want something more if we think someone else will get it first! Sad commentary on our human nature and consumerism, but it is true...

eBay needs to correct this asap!