eBay

quatorzebis · ‎08-25-2003

Hello all. I would love to have any kind of pointers or strategical hints that you all may have to offer. I have tried to compete with different products. But I seem to have a large problem with getting off the ground- or I just have one great big grey cloud hovering above me. Please help out! Thanks

noblespirit · ‎08-25-2003

>quatorzebis, What are you actually interested? Do you have a problem buying sufficient stock at favorable prices or selling for profit? What are your goals? Noblespirit

cr319a · ‎08-27-2003

Hello! Just joined. I am a seller of antiques and collectibles. Started out over 10 years ago as a collector. Went into a retail mall as a dealer 6 years ago, and on to eBay as a seller (started out as a buyer) 4 years ago. It's a great way to sell on eBay since you don't have to seek out a supplier (estate sales, auctions, etc. every week). You can start as small as you want, and work your way up. The down side may be that you can't mass produce listings, like with things you buy in bulk or from a wholesaler, since your inventory is unique. I became a PS in my first year, and have been growing ever since (gradually, but steadily). In order for me to continue growing, I think I need to do a few things like: (1) selling more for others -- which I have been, and it's great to be able to make money to invest in more inventory from some else's merchandise; (2) recruit some help -- can't afford an employee, but my Mother is my retail business partner (she's actually retired, but loves to keep busy), and would love to get involved in the internet end of the business -- I'll be taking her up on that; (3) diversifying -- published a website this year, and I'm thinking of beginning a new type of business (trendy apparel). I'm also putting together a victorian site. They'll both start out small, and will be a combination of sites and some auctions. So much work, and so little time! I'm also looking to improve efficiency all the way around. CINDY

quatorzebis · ‎08-27-2003

I am looking for ways to make better sales. I have the items, I do not need supplies, I have the suppliers which is one good thing. I want to find a way to " announce" in the auctions what is what, without over doing it or under doing it. I want to be able to supple others great items, at great prices with out any kind of minimum. I was thinking of placing "lots", if you will, as an intro to what I have... I do not know what is best, I feel lost. Thanks for the reply.

ozarkmama4 · ‎09-01-2003

CR, or anyone with knowledge about this, I am thinking about selling items for others, but have no idea what a fair commission would be and should I charge a listing fee.....anything you offer would be greatly appreciated.

noblespirit · ‎09-02-2003

For the benefit of the group we would be pleased to share with you a copy of the concise Consignment Contract we have developed at great legal expense. Because this is an item that is not being offered for sale on eBay the rules and policies dictate that we cannot charge a fee for it. Therefore, in the spirit of good will and for the benefit of the continued professionalism of the group we will be pleased to offer a disc version to anyone who cares to request if from us via email. However, you can by all means check out Meridian from our subsidiary company which is in fact the most powerful automated auction management software soon to be available. It powers and scales any standard and consignment enterprise sized eBay business. Regarding the consignment contract, it has and continues to serve us well in our consignment business. It supplies a sliding scale of eBay's final value fee costs to the customer based on Final Hammer Price + adds in consignment up front fixed fee (normally 20% - change it to your business)+ adjusts for unsold and relisting fees. We offer this contract to you free of charge but will full disclaimer that once you take posession of the disc email enclosure reply we are held fully harmless for any possible eventuality. Clearly we cannot control the way you operate your business, the contract is merely a tool for you to review, change in any way you want to as long as you do not reoffer it for resale. It is being offered gratis exclusively to the members of this group. An critical factor to consider when taking on consignments, we do recommend from extensive consignment experience of large estates and high ticket items that you take full possession of all the items that you take on consignment. Space constraints notwithstanding, the most important factors of a consignment include the ability to exercise full control at all times. Leaving the consignment with the consignor opens the door to a nightmare of possibilities. The proper and professional thing to do is the traditional thing. Take possession, insure full anonimity, take your commission and ship the goods in the appropriate diligent manner. That is what you are being paid for. That is what your customer expects. He expects to deal with you alone. Do not be tempted to sell consignments from a distance. we have had offers to sell diamonds from Antwerp, marble statues from Florida and rare paintings from California. If it's not here in our warehouse it does not get sold. If you do not have a warehouse or storage facility to manage consignments, wait until you do. Also, make certain that when you take the multiple lot estate or collection that you agree upon receipt exactly how many lots you anticipate it will be subdivided into. Is the box full you just received to be sold all as one lot or 10 lots? Noblespirit

educatedkids_1 · ‎09-02-2003

I'm interested in receiving a copy of that contract. What do I need to do? Thanks!

noblespirit · ‎09-02-2003

educatedkids, Send us an email requesting it to: service@noblespirt.com so that we can reply with the enclosure. It will be in Microsoft Word. Noblespirit

jeanita · ‎09-03-2003

Thanks for the information. I look forward to creating my "new" business.

jeanita · ‎09-04-2003

Things I want to know: 1. How much does one charge to consignment sell for others? 2. How can one search according to the way the categories for listing are set up. For instance I listed my items under a category like this: Clothing, Shoes & Accessories > Infants > Clothing > 6-12 Months > One-Pieces But eBay searching methods won't search that way...or at least I can't get it to. It makes it hard for the buyer to sort through the 10's of 1000's of items that a broad search brings up. When I tried to search using all above categories I got zero items even tho I had listed with Infants and the sizes. If we could search reliably with the titles we use when listing I think we would have more focused buyers and make more sells. As it is the buyer has to go through 100,000 "jean" sites to find what they want. Suggestions? 3. And, before I get too far into this selling thing, I could use some feedback on my listings. I know the camera isn't taking what I need photowise so I have used verbal descriptiong to help that along. But is the start price too high, the format not up to par...what else can I do on a budget to improve the listing? Go to "jeanita" for my listings. Thanks....

sweetpeahomedecor · ‎09-04-2003

Here is a link that might help in your search for "Completed Items" , http://listings.ebay.com/pool1/listings/list/completed.html Marisa cocomesa

noblespirit · ‎09-04-2003

jeanita, Please send me an email (to service@noblespirit.com)(with your email address) and I will reply to the email and send you a professional consignment contract which we have produced at significant legal expense. It also charts the payments due by the consignor based on final value fees, etc. Anyone else interested we would be pleased to do the same. Try 15 - 20 % commission is dependent on the effort you put in to create the listing, execute the sale and manage the account. Noblespirit

kpidd · ‎09-04-2003

I completely agree with your tips on titles and descriptions. I may get a little wordy with my descriptions, but it seems that the more I say about an item the higher the bids go. I also use as many pictures as I can get, so I use lots of words to keep the reader's interest as they scan down the page looking at pictures as they read. I use inkfrog and LOVE them. They are reasonable and EASY to use. I sell antiques and collectibles along with coins and stamps. I list as much information as possible and I very rarely get emails with questions. I always include size and condition, I reference where I have learned what information I use, and I usually mention several reasons why this item is a MUST HAVE. Sometimes I just say "I Love this widget" because I do. I think it makes all the difference if you sell what you LOVE! I will even say in my listing that I only sell things I would be proud to keep. Noblespirit, I love your groups! Your discussions really motivate me and I end up feeling good about my work. Much moreso than some discussion boards... Thanks!

kpidd · ‎09-04-2003

quatorzebis.... I looked at your auctions. You really do need to get that grey cloud off from over your shoulder! Your products are GREAT!! But you are not marketing them in an enticing way! Do you LOVE them? On the pendants...Are they crystals? Put that in your title! Raise your prices. I have often sold a "sleeper" by raising the price and changing the title. If you don't value it, why should I? Your witches are SUPER! Advertise them as Halloween decorations, or Spooky, or on your "stone" birds...they each sit upon an amethyst...I would call them "Hand-carved Semi-precious Birds" or "Quartz Bird on Amethyst". Get the REAL information out there in your title and BRAG! Ok...lecture over. I hope you will try some of the great tips you can find here and add some glamour to your listings. You definitely have some great product! Good luck!