Attracting More Buyers to eBid

[LovesVintage43]

I'm basing my perspective on what i've seen before....and this is that many sellers have come to this site, and listed the items that they simply can't shift elsewhere with all sorts of high expectations. This has resulted in much disappointment and the next step s for the already mentioned sellers to start a thread usually titled "Why can't i sell anything over here".?...from here we're told how great the same sellers are doing on Ebay.
I was hoping to spare you the trouble of making such a post in a few weeks time ....that's all......so you reckon you've been treated unjustly by me then?, well.... wait until you start a threat about poor sales and you'll be called a troll.

You're not a business?....neither am i i as such, but we all need to make that extra effort to see our listings visible to the outside world. Its a real missed opportunity that you're unwilling to sell and list all of your items across as many sites as possible due to Ebay rules. Incidentally the Ebay rule that you're concerned with is in effect none enforceable as they would not have any way of knowing that you're committing the sin of looking to trade across another venue, i'd advise you to cease worrying about this. i assumed that you were looking to break free of their chains?

I understand all too well that you need and should do what is best for you....hence why i offered my outlook to you as you originally came across as being genuinely interested in listing on this site in the most effective way possible, so from there the advice that i put forward was so that you could serve your interests fully.
I can't see where i insinuated that you are planning to sell substandard items here....although ....of course i have pointed out that this has been the case all too often, this is a fact, and demonstrates what many serious sellers are fighting against.
Its interesting that you come here asking that people relate their experiences of this site and its operation, i offer you the benefit of my findings and allegedly i am criticizing and ordering people about?....you therefore don't feel that me relating my findings are constructive?.....i thought that you wanted to sell successfully?

"people wondering how to get more people to Ebid"....this is easy...make certain that you bend to the requirements of Google, this is the first and main step to buyers seeing what you have to offer.
Shame you find my manner abrasive, but i'd prefer you to do well here with tough advice rather than fail while hearing what sounds more appealing.....best of luck.

Well, I hope you saw my follow up post later on in which I apologised for throwing my toys out of the pram and did state that I do understand the frustrations and appreciate all the advice I have been given. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with anybody here at all, but I have to say that I have noticed hostility towards people who currently have no listings- well, there will be times when I have no listings too-and also negativity in assuming that everyone is the same and going to come on here and list a load of old tut and then complain when it doesn't sell! This sort of outlook is not helpful to encourage someone new and I'm sure would really be off-putting to a lot of people. I originally came across as being genuinely interested because I am, nothing has changed in that respect. I have followed and will continue to follow advice I am given on here and I truly do appreciate everybody who has taken the time to respond to my queries ,even if I haven't agreed with what is being said-it is fine to agree to disagree , everybody has their own opinions .

I would like to make some observations about this site as a newbie if I may,regarding the subject matter of this thread-attracting more buyers.
I have seen items listed on here that I just do not think are fit for sale...one in particular stood out, a listing that has been on here since january 2011 for an item which is damaged and priced at £20, when I have seen similar in mint condition on ebay for £15 including delivery. Items listed as vintage when they clearly are not, items priced at £3 plus £8 delivery from the USA when I have seen the same up for auction on ebay uk for 99p plus standard delivery. Pages & pages of the sort of trinkets you would find in a charity shop. Overpriced items in the Food and Perfume sections. On the Home page the exciting array of newly listed items included such delights as cable ties, duct tape and stamps and postcards. (apologies to collectors out there,but this is not something that appeals to the general population) Lack of subcategories makes trawling through the listings a chore, so does items listed in the wrong category. I am sorry to be so critical, but it gives the impression of a giant garage sale and as cerealmunkee rightly pointed out- there are items listed here that wouldn't shift in a million years due to the sellers having high expectations on the worth of their items.

[adruml]

Well, I hope you saw my follow up post later on in which I apologised for throwing my toys out of the pram and did state that I do understand the frustrations and appreciate all the advice I have been given. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with anybody here at all, but I have to say that I have noticed hostility towards people who currently have no listings- well, there will be times when I have no listings too-and also negativity in assuming that everyone is the same and going to come on here and list a load of old tut and then complain when it doesn't sell! This sort of outlook is not helpful to encourage someone new and I'm sure would really be off-putting to a lot of people. I originally came across as being genuinely interested because I am, nothing has changed in that respect. I have followed and will continue to follow advice I am given on here and I truly do appreciate everybody who has taken the time to respond to my queries ,even if I haven't agreed with what is being said-it is fine to agree to disagree , everybody has their own opinions .

I would like to make some observations about this site as a newbie if I may,regarding the subject matter of this thread-attracting more buyers.
I have seen items listed on here that I just do not think are fit for sale...one in particular stood out, a listing that has been on here since january 2011 for an item which is damaged and priced at £20, when I have seen similar in mint condition on ebay for £15 including delivery. Items listed as vintage when they clearly are not, items priced at £3 plus £8 delivery from the USA when I have seen the same up for auction on ebay uk for 99p plus standard delivery. Pages & pages of the sort of trinkets you would find in a charity shop. Overpriced items in the Food and Perfume sections. On the Home page the exciting array of newly listed items included such delights as cable ties, duct tape and stamps and postcards. (apologies to collectors out there,but this is not something that appeals to the general population) Lack of subcategories makes trawling through the listings a chore, so does items listed in the wrong category. I am sorry to be so critical, but it gives the impression of a giant garage sale and as cerealmunkee rightly pointed out- there are items listed here that wouldn't shift in a million years due to the sellers having high expectations on the worth of their items.

Good observations.

[Juliebabe25]

I would like to make some observations about this site as a newbie if I may,regarding the subject matter of this thread-attracting more buyers.
I have seen items listed on here that I just do not think are fit for sale...one in particular stood out, a listing that has been on here since january 2011 for an item which is damaged and priced at £20, when I have seen similar in mint condition on ebay for £15 including delivery. Items listed as vintage when they clearly are not, items priced at £3 plus £8 delivery from the USA when I have seen the same up for auction on ebay uk for 99p plus standard delivery. Pages & pages of the sort of trinkets you would find in a charity shop. Overpriced items in the Food and Perfume sections. On the Home page the exciting array of newly listed items included such delights as cable ties, duct tape and stamps and postcards. (apologies to collectors out there,but this is not something that appeals to the general population) Lack of subcategories makes trawling through the listings a chore, so does items listed in the wrong category. I am sorry to be so critical, but it gives the impression of a giant garage sale and as cerealmunkee rightly pointed out- there are items listed here that wouldn't shift in a million years due to the sellers having high expectations on the worth of their items.

It very easy to point out such negatives.

But what sort of stuff do you think should be listed on ebd.
And what would you do to encourage people to list wisely ?

[cerealmunkee]

Well, I hope you saw my follow up post later on in which I apologised for throwing my toys out of the pram and did state that I do understand the frustrations and appreciate all the advice I have been given. I don't want to get off on the wrong foot with anybody here at all, but I have to say that I have noticed hostility towards people who currently have no listings- well, there will be times when I have no listings too-and also negativity in assuming that everyone is the same and going to come on here and list a load of old tut and then complain when it doesn't sell! This sort of outlook is not helpful to encourage someone new and I'm sure would really be off-putting to a lot of people. I originally came across as being genuinely interested because I am, nothing has changed in that respect. I have followed and will continue to follow advice I am given on here and I truly do appreciate everybody who has taken the time to respond to my queries ,even if I haven't agreed with what is being said-it is fine to agree to disagree , everybody has their own opinions .

I would like to make some observations about this site as a newbie if I may,regarding the subject matter of this thread-attracting more buyers.
I have seen items listed on here that I just do not think are fit for sale...one in particular stood out, a listing that has been on here since january 2011 for an item which is damaged and priced at £20, when I have seen similar in mint condition on ebay for £15 including delivery. Items listed as vintage when they clearly are not, items priced at £3 plus £8 delivery from the USA when I have seen the same up for auction on ebay uk for 99p plus standard delivery. Pages & pages of the sort of trinkets you would find in a charity shop. Overpriced items in the Food and Perfume sections. On the Home page the exciting array of newly listed items included such delights as cable ties, duct tape and stamps and postcards. (apologies to collectors out there,but this is not something that appeals to the general population) Lack of subcategories makes trawling through the listings a chore, so does items listed in the wrong category. I am sorry to be so critical, but it gives the impression of a giant garage sale and as cerealmunkee rightly pointed out- there are items listed here that wouldn't shift in a million years due to the sellers having high expectations on the worth of their items.

Getting off on the wrong foot or the right foot with anybody for that matter isn't important......but ensuring that you stand the best chance of enjoying sales on Ebid ....small as they may be at times is the issue at stake, not making virtual friends with anyone.
The point here is that your success is everyone else's success, and the more potential buyers that you can bring to the site then the greater the sales opportunities that you bring for all other serious sellers.

The hostility that you've seen that is saved for people with no listings is really very mild compared to the hostility that sellers who are struggling to find sales are greeted with, and they are told that they are the problem. Mind you....in many cases this is true, but in other cases many sellers are doing everything right and still find no luck. again ....the more good listings that can be uploaded to Google search and be found at or near the top of the first page the better for everyone over here.
This means listing your best items on Ebid as well as Ebay. This is what i have done, not so often now, but from time i will do this. This has one or advantages for you as a seller and Ebid.
When i list on Ebid i can sell the items that i have for the price that i need to or have in mind and this is then the end of the matter, yet when listing using Ebay i have to add the fee element to this, as of next month when selling an item of say £10 plus £2.99 postage i will need to add £1.30 to cover the fees, this will make all listings appear as more expensive as is necessary , but this is not the case on Ebid, and m expectation now is that a few Ebay buyers will begin to call on the services of price comparison searches.
so if you decide to list all of your Ebay items here simultaneously you are in a position to see you Ebid listing feature prominently in Google shopping, you will have a high chance of attracting new users to the site as an added bonus.
I hope that you ignore the Ebay propaganda that you've been fed and see it for what it is ......after all the items are yours and not Ebay's.
By doing this you'll be playing your part in diluting the rubbish that is currently to be found on this site and from here maybe many more people will begin to view the site in a more serious light.

Don't apologise for being so critical....this is something that is desperately needed, and from someone who has such a fresh view of the site in my view is even more relevant. so here we have,
Damaged overpriced items
Prices higher than ebay
High postage prices
Repetitive items that can be found in charity shops
Dull items that are unlikely to sell

I'm sure that many people can add to this list .

[Juliebabe25]

Don't apologise for being so critical....this is something that is desperately needed, and from someone who has such a fresh view of the site in my view is even more relevant. so here we have,
Damaged overpriced items
Prices higher than ebay
High postage prices
Repetitive items that can be found in charity shops
Dull items that are unlikely to sell

I'm sure that many people can add to this list .

That why in the early days of auction sites, they charged a listing fee!
That way people would not bother to keep listing an item that did not sell.

[LovesVintage43]

It very easy to point out such negatives.

But what sort of stuff do you think should be listed on ebd.
And what would you do to encourage people to list wisely ?

Yes I know, but I also think it helps to see someone's viewpoint when they are looking at it anew, objectively and without any preconceptions.
The sort of stuff I would like to see or think is attractive to buyers are genuine vintage items of jewellery, fragrance & vanity collectibles of decent quality. More designer brands throughout the categories, more up-to-date clothing/jewellery/accessories, brand named/designer fragrance & cosmetics specialists selling at decent or discounted prices for end of lines/last season etc, wedding supplies for DIY Weddings, party supplies.

I have had a look around and can't seem to find a page/guide in the help section on how to list successfully...letting people know that before they list their items they must do their research by googling their items to see if the price they are charging is competitive, if they have an accurate product description...using the completed listings tool on ebay to research for the same items...are these items selling,if so, how often and how much for? The fees are lower here so there is no reason not to undercut others' prices. Also ensuring that their buy it now price is not too high,as that is the price that seems to appear to potential buyers on google shopping...see what others are charging and undercut them. Do not choose list until sold or keep relisting the same item over and over again if it has not generated any interest after reposting after say, 3 times...have other listings ready to go and rotate the stock so there is always something new and different appearing. Keep an eye on their auctions ...if there are loads of views and no bids, the price may be too high, so edit the listing and reduce the price slightly. Perhaps a list of tips for good selling can be put together and a link included in email correspondence to new users once they sign up- they could be directed to it automatically after entering their registration details? Perhaps items that have been relisted and not sold for several weeks can flag up and an automated email can go out "Items not selling? Please click the link below for our members tips on successful listings" ...

[cameosilk24]

Hi, I have a note on my eBay listings informing viewers that I also sell on Ebid and inviting them to take a look at eBid. I have only listed again on eBid in the last few weeks/days but when I did this a while back, I noticed that as long as I had several items listed on eBay with this footnote, I usually sold some of my eBid items

Having read some reviews on the net about eBid (Google "eBid reviews"), potential eBid users could be put off. More eBidders with positive experiences need to share their views out there

[TiasTreasures]

Wow, lots of criticism being thrown out here. Some of my observations:

1) Now that eBid has sorted out the Google Product problems, many of my listings are on the first page on that search engine.

2) I have in the past ten days sold about 40 stamps, and another buyer is still browsing (he bought a few and hasn't requested an invoice yet). These stamps have all been listed here for at least two years. Stamps and coins won't sell until a collector who doesn't already have those particular ones finds them. They were all under $3.00, most were under $1.00; that does not mean they are junk. Have you ever visited a brick and mortar stamp or coin store? Their inventory is incredible. Should I delete all those listings because some of you sneer at low priced items? Keep in mind these buyers are now aware of eBid and they may start looking here for other items.

3) The complaint about $8 shipping from the U.S.? Our postal rates went up an incredible amount this year, and that sounds like an honest amount. A package weighing between one and two pounds costs $9.79 to ship from here to New York using the cheapest method.

[hurryb4itsgone]

3) The complaint about $8 shipping from the U.S.? Our postal rates went up an incredible amount this year, and that sounds like an honest amount. A package weighing between one and two pounds costs $9.79 to ship from here to New York using the cheapest method.

And don't forget the $.90 for delivery confirmation.

[cerealmunkee]

Wow, lots of criticism being thrown out here. Some of my observations:

1) Now that eBid has sorted out the Google Product problems, many of my listings are on the first page on that search engine.

2) I have in the past ten days sold about 40 stamps, and another buyer is still browsing (he bought a few and hasn't requested an invoice yet). These stamps have all been listed here for at least two years. Stamps and coins won't sell until a collector who doesn't already have those particular ones finds them. They were all under $3.00, most were under $1.00; that does not mean they are junk. Have you ever visited a brick and mortar stamp or coin store? Their inventory is incredible. Should I delete all those listings because some of you sneer at low priced items? Keep in mind these buyers are now aware of eBid and they may start looking here for other items.

3) The complaint about $8 shipping from the U.S.? Our postal rates went up an incredible amount this year, and that sounds like an honest amount. A package weighing between one and two pounds costs $9.79 to ship from here to New York using the cheapest method.

I'm not certain that the criticisms were criticisms as such but i think that the poster in question being a new site user noticed that there is a lot a unsaleble tat on here....obviously your listings aren't included in he criticisms levelled as they've actually sold, but i think that you know all too well yourself the type of listings that the poster was referring to, and i can concur and agree that i have browsed far too much rubbish over here.

There are one or particular sellers of music items who believe that it is good practice to sell clearly damaged and thus unuseable vinyl records at 99p, some of these sellers also trade on Ebay, yet they would i doubt sell such junk over there, but it is apparently okay to swamp Ebid with this landfill.
Yes we're all aware that an item will only sell when someone who is looking for that particular item stumbles across it and of course the time that this takes can be protracted, but there is clear difference between these and junk, unless you can't spot the difference.

The posters comments regarding shipping costs are also relevant as there are too many "sellers" using Ebid who believe that loading shipping costs by a factor of around 100% is an acceptable practice, and i'm sure that you are aware of this too.