Watching items...

[smileytown18]

I'm just wondering what other sellers think about ebay members watching your items. Do you think it shows interest or is it mostly competitors? I'm asking because I had 2 things happen to me this week vis-à-vis this subject:

1. On my other account, I had a member contact me regarding an item that had many watchers. He said he is watching this item and wants to know if he can purchase all of them at a low price. I take a quick glance at his account and see he sells the exact same items at a higher price....

2. I remember having placed something on my watch list, and wanted to see if it's still available. I go to my watch list (rarely do), and see that I have a HUGE list of items being watched. I spent some time studying it and realized I watch roughly 20% items I'm interested in, 25% time specific items I was interested in (not relevant anymore), 40% items I tend to list and want to see what they sell for, and roughly 15% I have no clue why I ever clicked watch. Many of the items were ended.

So I'm just wondering if the "watcher #" near my items for sale have any value at all?

What's your opinion and what are your "watching" habits

[lewisburggold]

We have always felt any watcher holds value.  Thats what great about watchers you just never know if its  competition or someone else.  Either way were all potential buyers.  If they asked to buy the whole lot for resell then you may have your items underpriced.  Best regards

[smileytown18]

Good point. He actually asked me to lower the price if they purchase all (I think I had 24 total)

[dirk12955]

Watchers are at least some indication that somebody is actually looking.

I watch my competitors. I watch items that I've purchased and not listed yet to see what I should set my price at.

I watch things I want to buy and I'm not sure yet.

I keep all my ebay purchases in my watch list until they arrive.

My wife and teenage daughter use my ebay account to put the things they want for Christmas
in my watch list hoping I'll fall for it.

Watchers are a good thing. But It's aggravating to see one of my listings end with 5-7-10 watchers
and no sale.

Part of the game.

[smileytown18]

"I keep all my ebay purchases in my watch list until they arrive."

You'll find those in your purchase history 🙂

[dtexley3]

75% / 25%

[dirk12955]

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@smileytown18 wrote:
"I keep all my ebay purchases in my watch list until they arrive."

You'll find those in your purchase history 🙂

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    I've always kept them in my watch list since that's something I look at 

3-4 times per day to keep track of stuff I've bid on or I'm thinking about bidding on.

Just another quirk.   

[cherry*fizz]

My watch list is a mix as well. Probably 10% things I have reported and want to see if eBay pulls them (usually in my category but counterfeit items). 30% are things I just want to see if/when they sell and for what. The other 60% are items I "window shop" for when I don't necessarily have money but I want to buy when I do have the money, so I put them on the list so when I have the money I can just go through my wl and decide what I want to pick up at that time. 

[luckythewinner]

Here are just a few examples of the reasons that I watch items:

• I am not sure I want it
• I cannot afford it right now
• I am waiting for you to lower your price
• I am researching other eBay sellers for lower prices
• I'm going to the store to check one out in person
• I am researching Amazon for lower prices
• I am bookmarking it in case I make a big sale and have some extra cash
• I am waiting for a fellow collector - I may buy it and flip it if I can make a few bucks
• I'm waiting for my wife to decide
• I have already bid on one, but if I lose that auction I will buy yours
• I have a similar one and I want to see what price yours brings
• Your price is ridiculous and I was to see if some sucker actually falls for it

[smileytown18]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

• Your price is ridiculous and I was to see if some sucker actually falls for it

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lol. And then you wonder why that fellow doesn't come shop in your ebay store....

[smileytown18]

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@dirk12955 wrote:

My wife and teenage daughter use my ebay account to put the things they want for Christmas
in my watch list hoping I'll fall for it.

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Does it work?? lol

My souse not into ebay. never checks it

[femmefan1946]

I have a few things on my Watch List that I might buy in a moment of weakness, but the last two were items I found cheaper at conventions (a black cape for cosplay  and a Jayne Hat)

I also have things on my Watch List that I am doing price comparisons on, but those are usually only there for the few hours it takes to make my decision.

And I have a few items I buy repeatedly and have notes about posted. I know I could put those on Favourite Sellers, but this works for me.

For my own listings, I'm a contrarian. Since my stuff is mostly OOAK, and listed at Fixed Price, anyone who really wants it can just buy it. So I don't regard Watchers are being of any importance whatsoever.

If an item gets more than 100 Views without a purchase, I remove it for donation or to rethink the listing, since obviously there is some problem or it would have sold.

[touchdownarkansas]

Most watchers are not buyers. They are waiting to see if yours sells and for how much. I am emptying my watch list since the announcement that sellers will be able to offer prices to watchers. No way. I cannot believe that they would allow them to violate a buyer's privacy like that. No more watching for me. I had about 60 items on my watch list. I probably would have bought some of them (and I have)especially shipping supplies but I will just do something different.

[smileytown18]

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@touchdownarkansas wrote:

I am emptying my watch list since the announcement that sellers will be able to offer prices to watchers. No way. I cannot believe that they would allow them to violate a buyer's privacy like that. No more watching for me. 

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How would that work?

[touchdownarkansas]

How would what work? I am not sure what you mean but if I have no watched items there will be no sellers bugging me and making me crazy.