eBay

coast-commerce · ‎08-16-2017

Sometimes ebay is just not helpful with their "suggestions." When a listing fails to end with a sale, ebay usually suggests the following "[regarding a $0.99 suggested asking price]† Price recommendations are estimated based on similar items that recently sold. No guarantee of sale or sale price. Fees excluded." Wow, all ebay wants is a sale, any sale for any amount will do (for their bottom line), regardless of what benefits the seller!

If I try to sell a new item valued at $500 and place it in an auction, I would list it without a reserve, but need something to protect the intrinsic value of the item, so maybe list the aforementioned item for $199.99. If the listed item ends without a sale, ebay almost always suggests that it should be listed in an auction style [listing] for $0.99...is ebay kidding?

What are the odds that such a listing would end with at least one offer/bid anywhere near $500...pretty minuscule I believe. Most sellers are looking for a fair sales value (selling price) and would be discouraged with any selling price under $300. 99 cents is just too far from $500 to be seriously considered.

As it stands, ebay's suggestions provide a good laugh, I sure hope that is what ebay is shooting for, because that is all they get.

coolections · ‎08-16-2017

99 out of 100 times if the item did not sell at auction it started with a price too high or it is not in demand and not worth your $500. Ebay is suggesting what to do to get your item sold. A $500 item is NEVER going to end at 99 cents. Do BIN and you will not have to deal with the grief you're having over gettting Ebay suggestions. Auction format is not for everyone.

coast-commerce · ‎08-16-2017

@coolections wrote:
99 out of 100 times if the item did not sell at auction it started with a price too high or it is not in demand and not worth your $500.

As it stands 90% off all of my listings of any format ends without a sale. I shoot for an equitable sale, not just a sale. To have a sale that is equitable (beneficial) to the buyer and seller, the sales price needs to be within reasonable parameters, i.e. within 20% of intrinsic value (price guides, appraised items) for new items and within 40% of gently used items.

However sales from most listing formats is usually around 10% to 25% of intrinsic value, which leads to seller's resentment.

Ebay is suggesting what to do to get your item sold. A $500 item is NEVER going to end at 99 cents.

I disagree, although I never have and never will list an expensive item for $0.99 or anywhere near that price-point, but have sold items valued between $25 to $100 for $0.99 (with only one bidder).

Do BIN and you will not have to deal with the grief you're having over gettting Ebay suggestions.

I usually use Buy It Now listings for expensive items, but they almost always end without a sale.

ebay can not necessarily compete with Amazon, because Amazon can buy new items in bulk or offer its e-tailers a means to list their wares in an cyber shopping mall for 20% to %60% off of there retail value.

With the inability to sell new items within 20% of its intrinsic value and 40% of intrinsic value for used items, ebay is just a big place to show items...what about sales...what is that?

Auction format is not for everyone.

That's for sure!

postingid2017 · ‎08-16-2017

I pay no attention to eBay's "suggestions." eBay is about their bottom line and listing an item at .99 cents is insane - list your item at a price that you are comfortable with and not their suggestions.

dhbookds · ‎08-16-2017

ebay's Suggestions are NOT Helpful!!!

then ignore them.......simple enough

vintagecraze50 · ‎08-16-2017

For what it's worth. Many of my items that have suggested prices from Ebay have sold for 10 times more than what they suggest. Take it for what it's worth. Not too much I gather.

vintagecraze50 · ‎08-16-2017

The problem with the suggested prices is that for some items there is really nothing to compare it to and the suggestions come up based on items that are sometimes totally unrelated to what you are selling. You have to do your own research on similar items selling on other websites not just here. There are buyers who are aware of other sites prices and do comparison shopping here. If you base the price solely on Ebay's sold listing you are limiting your self to just this website. Sometimes things sell for a lot more based on the sellers rep and presentation of items as well.

vintagecraze50 · ‎08-16-2017

Auctions on here are very good sometimes but in general fetch lower than market values on some items. Some folks just want to be rid of whatever they are selling very quickly. If you want quick sales auctions are the way to go. If you sell large quantities of items bought in lots at good prices, auctions are the way to go to get quick profit.

coast-commerce · ‎08-21-2017

@postingid2017 wrote:
I pay no attention to eBay's "suggestions." eBay is about their bottom line and listing an item at .99 cents is insane - list your item at a price that you are comfortable with and not their suggestions.

I wholeheartedly agree, but it seems that bidders actually expect items to be listed at maybe 10% or less of their actual value to entice them to bid; this is what I call a "bidders'-market" (when consumers set the value of an item by withholding bidding until the seller lists [or relists after getting no bids] an item between $0.01 to no more than about 10% of the item's intrinsic value).

I also know that items that were listed in an auction for $0.99 (such as red stripe/red line Hot Wheels) have sold for several hundred dollars, but this is the exception, not the rule.

lookng2015 · ‎08-21-2017

@coolections wrote:
99 out of 100 times if the item did not sell at auction it started with a price too high or it is not in demand and not worth your $500. Ebay is suggesting what to do to get your item sold. A $500 item is NEVER going to end at 99 cents. Do BIN and you will not have to deal with the grief you're having over gettting Ebay suggestions. Auction format is not for everyone.

Not true as you then get "suggestions" that this item sells better in auction format...

You just can't win. All I wish is there was a way to not have to see them at all.

"If a product doesn't sell, raise the price" - Reese Palley
"If it sold FAST, it was priced too low" - also Reese Palley

turquoisetulips · ‎08-21-2017

I took pity on a seller one time because she listened e bay's advice and listed at aucton a nice set of paints beginning at 99 cents , free shipping . Sadly ,, I was the only bidder . To ship the item to me would have cost her more than the 99 cents alone . I left her a note to cancel the sale .I hope she's learned from that experience and is doing better now .

coolections · ‎08-21-2017

@coast-commerce wrote:
I disagree, although I never have and never will list an expensive item for $0.99 or anywhere near that price-point, but have sold items valued between $25 to $100 for $0.99 (with only one bidder).

@coast-commerce

Please show me just ONE item you say is worth $100 that ended at 99 cents. I have been searching for years and have never seen one yet.

coast-commerce · ‎08-27-2017

Your consideration of a seller's misfortune is an exception, certainly NOT the rule...good for you.

lex-talon · ‎08-27-2017

Those Ebay suggestions are not helpful at all. They just want you to sell your item at a low price just to get rid of it and not make a profit. 😐

coast-commerce · ‎08-27-2017

@coolections wrote:
@coast-commerce wrote:
I disagree, although I never have and never will list an expensive item for $0.99 or anywhere near that price-point, but have sold items valued between $25 to $100 for $0.99 (with only one bidder).
@coast-commerce
Please show me just ONE item you say is worth $100 that ended at 99 cents. I have been searching for years and have never seen one yet.

Dear coolections:

Your disbelief that an item valued at $100 could sell for $0.99 is refreshingly naive. Furthermore, I did not say that I sold something valued at $100 for $0.99. What I indicated was that I have sold items (valued BETWEEN $25 and $100) in an auction with an asking price of $0.99 and received only one bid and therefore got just $0.99 (gross) for the sale; luckily free shipping and handling are rarely offered in my listings.

To protect the intrinsic value of any item, I research the price found in price guides, appraisal services and look at current and sold listings of similar items found on ebay and elsewhere to determine what the asking price should be. If the item's value is below $25, only then, would I consider a $0.99 opening ask bid, otherwise I adjust the asking bid/price accordingly.

The aforementioned lopsided listings have long-since been deleted, so there is no "evidence" to prove such listing outcomes.

I agree with those who think ebay's suggestions are for the benefit of ebay and its share-holders, because a sale of any valuation, provides income to their coffers.

Nickle and dime (pre-launch) listing charges and final value fees is the bread and butter of ebay. However without more successful sales, ebay must rely more on pre-sale charges to keep the bread buttered.