Selling on Ebay - what's the secret?

[Bagpuss]

I keep reading threads on here about SU sets selling on Ebay for vastly inflated prices - more than they are in the catalogue.

So how come, when I, a legitimate seller, try to get rid of old, retired stamps that I don't want any more, they fetch ridiculously LOW prices?

With the SU ones, I think it's because here in the UK, Stampin Up is virtually unheard of. But my PSX stamps? I did have one big success a couple of months ago, but usually they end up going for the asking price (usually about �1.50).

Anyone have any ideas for making ebay work for you (as a seller?). Preferably within the next, er... about 14 hours????

[annabelle1974]

Start all with 99 cents. Make sure your shippping is as close to actual cost as possible. I won't bid on those with non-Priority shipping at $4.05 or more and I won't bid on anyone with less than 98% positive feedback and then only if the comments are not too serious. I think a lot of it is the luck of the day. If a person willing to pay a lot is bidding you will do well, if not you may not get that much.

[jailbirdstamper]

some sets are just not in demand. I have about 8 sets I want to trade and no takers on the BST boards so I'm taking them to ebay - I probably won't get much but a few dollars here and there buys me a new set! good luck with your auction!

[Onita76]

i've heard that having your auctions end on Sunday evenings is the best time for them and friday and saturday nights are the worst times to have them end.

[stampmouse]

sounds like some good tips

[Bagpuss]

Thanks for the tips! Annabelle, I used to put stuff on at 99p, but it was SELLING at 99p - I'd get loads of watchers, then ONE would swoop at the last second and prace one bid... which really annoyed me when it was invariably a good quality, good condition, large-ish stamp. Bear in mind that stamps are VERY expensive over here - in fact everything is the same price as in America, but in pounds, so about twice the actual price.

Anyway, things have changed a little overnight... and a PSX peapod stamp, which I thought was too weird for the general public (even though I loved it before I got into SU), is now at �11!!!! Still no bids on a REALLY cute PSX mouse/strawberry stamp though, which I simply can't understand - unless it's the asking price that's putting people off (�2.50).

It'll all be over by lunchtime, so at least I'll be out of my misery!!!

[J-Bo]

I so hear you girl! I have a set listed on Ebay as we speak and it doesn't have any bids yet and only 1 watcher. I would love to get what I paid for it (I bought it off ebay myself) but, we will see.

[Onita76]

just remember the majority of bids take place in the last hour of the auction think positive girls!

[BISCUIT97]

I find that it is better to do only 3 day auctions. Also some stamps do better than others, so don't get discouraged.

[Bagpuss]

Well it's all over. I had huge success with one stamp, but only marginal success with the rest. I suppose it all balances out. I just don't get it - there's no way of predicting what will sell and what won't. I think the secret is not to care too much either way and then if you do well, it's a bonus!

[jacqueline]

I just saw a current set (it's even in the NEW catty) selling on e-bay and it was up to $71.00 That is ridiculous, and even more ridiculous is the person biidding and paying for it! Duh! :p

[Mousie]

I sell jewelry on eBay, I'm trying to phase out the day job. If you have a low feedback score you need to build it up (by buying some things). People don't like to transact with newbies (I know we were all new once). I find that Saturday and Sunday's are good days for ending auctions but it really depends on what you sell.

I do think it's true that some sets sell better than others. I have a couple of sets that I'm thinking of selling and I'm not thinking that I will get much for them.

Sandy

[GarnetJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bagpuss

....... I just don't get it - there's no way of predicting what will sell and what won't. .......

You are right! I used to be a potter - making hundreds of pottery pieces, loading up my little hatchback and driving to arts and crafts fairs. If I made lots of soup bowls, everyone was looking for coffee mugs. Next fair I would pack lots of coffee mugs and everyone wanted salad plates. next fair..... well you know what happened.

[SCEmily]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnetJ

You are right! I used to be a potter - making hundreds of pottery pieces, loading up my little hatchback and driving to arts and crafts fairs. If I made lots of soup bowls, everyone was looking for coffee mugs. Next fair I would pack lots of coffee mugs and everyone wanted salad plates. next fair..... well you know what happened.

Wow, that really bites:rolleyes:

[GarnetJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCEmily

Wow, that really bites:rolleyes:

Actually, my artisan friends and I just laughed a lot at the fickleness of human nature!

[Suzastampin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnetJ

You are right! I used to be a potter - making hundreds of pottery pieces, loading up my little hatchback and driving to arts and crafts fairs. If I made lots of soup bowls, everyone was looking for coffee mugs. Next fair I would pack lots of coffee mugs and everyone wanted salad plates. next fair..... well you know what happened.

OMG! That's so true! I do one craft fair a year, and 2 years ago I sold a ton of painted plates and totally sold out in an hour. So, last year, I painted a ton more (same designs) and only sold 3! Hopefully, this year will be the year of the plates again! LOL!!

Suz