finding our stuff

[keziak]

I don't think about it a lot but from time to time I am baffled by how anyone would find my listings using Search. As an example, I have boxes of DVD westerns. Sold listings include some that are actually a lot of Westerns but mostly tons of listings for mixed genres or the choice listings.  I am going to try to sort them and see if I can find ways to make a lot listing more accessible for example by starring actor/actress.  I don't know what searches a potential customer would use though. Are they going to poke through hundreds of irrelevant listings?

[dbfolks166mt]

     An almost impossible question to answer since so much is dependent on what parameters the searcher uses for the search and how they rack and stack the results. Generally when I am searching for an item on eBay I will enter a few key words, search by exact words any order and rack and stack by price + shipping lowest first. Using one of your listings and running a search for DEATHLANDS Graphic Audiobooks, exact words any order, price + shipping lowest first I get the results shown. Your listing comes up 5th in the search results. 

[chevymontecarlo88]

I have sold many DVD lots in the past and found that it depends on what genre you sell. With westerns, (older ones pre 2000) i found that listing popular actors/actress tends to be what folks look for. (John Wayne) Also i found that the size of the lots had different sell through rates. I did better with lots of 5 than lots of 20. Not sure if i was able to list like lots easier (titles with keywords) or if it was the luck of the draw at that time. Looking at your listings, personally i think you are doing fine on the lots and titles for the most part. Sales are really slow on many of those items and i would list and forget if you can. Just look at comp sales from time to time and tweak your titles and move your pictures around to keep them fresh.  The only criticism i have on the pictures is the background and it really is not something you need to change. Background remover apps like Photoroom do a great job and are easy to use that keep eyes on your items. (there is a free version but the yearly sub. allows for batch photos) I had used Ebays background remover but it did not work as good at the time.

[keziak]

That an example of how rife the choice listings are these days. 

[keziak]

I tried the ebay background remover and found the results poor and unattractive. PHotos are my bete noir. I insist on still using my ancient Mavica for reasons and the photos are not crisp. 

Thanks for the insights on setting up the lots. There are  a  mind-boggling number of options for listing auctions.  In another example I have a ton of CDs for organs and tried lots of 9 and 20. They all sold...to the same guy. I guess nobody else in the galaxy wants organ CDs. 

[chevymontecarlo88]

Your photos are fine. Most smartphones take great photos (easy to square crop and remove background) and as long as you have decent light, that is all you need. I research and start listing on my PC (save to draft) and than take pictures from my phone and upload (publish listing) directly after i batch on Photoroom. Saved me time from transferring pics from camera to PC and i would still need slight editing and uploading. YMMV.  A lot of the background removing software still needs improvement and i only found one that works (yearly subscription) but i was using in on more higher end guitar related listings. There are too many variables for lots that can be exhausting. With CD's, i found that the more obscure titles/genre would sell for more but with less frequency.

You are always improving and looking to improve your listings. That is awesome.

[keziak]

Thank you for your kind remark. I am finding that as I'm getting up there I am less interested in having a lot of inventory. I'd rather keep selling not stockpiling. So for example with the organ CDs I have little desire to create lots of X number and put them in my store. If this guy stops buying I will take t hem in for trade at the used bookstore.  Unfortunately for this plan I have a ton of vintage martial arts books, some sell at auction, some don't and I don't want to throw them away. I can see the right person wanting them. But not years from now. : -0