Doing something wrong?

tugrin

Hi All
I thought I was being so clever last weekend when I listed an old industrial elstoplast tin and 2 vintage maps fro about th 1940s on e bay - my FIRST try at selling rather than manically buying anything and everything (hence current big mess). BUT only 1 person watched the tin and then didnt bid and NO ONE was interested in the maps. I am very disappointed and worrying its because I HAVENT SAID THE RIGHT THINGS IN THE ADVERT - I admit to being confused by the little boxex/spaces where you had to put info and I may have been too brief and not given enough detail. Also the digital camera I have doesnt do very close close-ups - is thiat perhaps the problem?? Advice anyone??

whispywillow

Sometimes with ebay its pretty hit and miss. How much are your starting bids? Sometimes is better to start at a low price rather than a high price to get people watching/bidding. The same with the amount of time your listing - your more likely to get more people watching/bidding if you list the item for a longer period of time.

As for description, try and be as accurate as possible. In regards to the maps for example, google them and see what information comes up, the more people know, the better. Make sure to list condition as well, as this is paramount. Have a look at other listings and see what other people have put - but always make sure to take your own photographs, dont use someone elses as this can look fraudulent!

If all else fails and your not getting any bids, relist them after a week or so and see if there are any takers then - if you sell after relisting (relist from the 'this item has not sold' email) thenyou wont get charged for the relist!

Hope thats helped

botanical

tugrin wrote: »

Hi All
I thought I was being so clever last weekend when I listed an old industrial elstoplast tin and 2 vintage maps fro about th 1940s on e bay - my FIRST try at selling rather than manically buying anything and everything (hence current big mess). BUT only 1 person watched the tin and then didnt bid and NO ONE was interested in the maps. I am very disappointed and worrying its because I HAVENT SAID THE RIGHT THINGS IN THE ADVERT - I admit to being confused by the little boxex/spaces where you had to put info and I may have been too brief and not given enough detail. Also the digital camera I have doesnt do very close close-ups - is thiat perhaps the problem?? Advice anyone??

Your items sound very interesting. What titles did you give for the items? That can make a tremendous difference to being able to attract people with good keywords. The boxes are definitely worth filling in as fully as you can because they equate to any words the buyer puts in to search. An example is a pair of suede boots I was selling. I had no watchers or bids until I added the word 'leather' to the title then suddenly there was a bidding war! The correct words attracted people to my listing. You must look to see if the words you've used are best for attracting the most potential buyers.
Also, with your type of one-off items, they are niche and you could not expect to sell them quickly. These type of items will sell well if the seller appears quite knowledgeable, or at least provides full descriptions, so as you mention you could have provided more info, that would be great.

Have you tried improving your photos by processing them through an easy program like Picasa or FastStone? It's amazing how easily poor pictures can be improved. Let me know if I could help more in this area.

botanical

botanical wrote: »

Your items sound very interesting. What titles did you give for the items? That can make a tremendous difference to being able to attract people with good keywords. The boxes are definitely worth filling in as fully as you can because they equate to any words the buyer puts in to search. An example is a pair of suede boots I was selling. I had no watchers or bids until I added the word 'leather' to the title then suddenly there was a bidding war! The correct words attracted people to my listing. You must look to see if the words you've used are best for attracting the most potential buyers.
Also, with your type of one-off items, they are niche and you could not expect to sell them quickly. These type of items will sell well if the seller appears quite knowledgeable, or at least provides full descriptions, so as you mention you could have provided more info, that would be great.

Have you tried improving your photos by processing them through an easy program like Picasa or FastStone? It's amazing how easily poor pictures can be improved. Let me know if I could help more in this area.

Just another thought about what your original post. You've hit on the most important things yourself- one-off items need really good pictures and really good descriptions.
Whispywillow has given great advice about pricing and duration and research. Lovely items by themselves won't sell without being ADVERTISED in the right way on your listing. You can do loads to improve a listing and then all you can do is wait for the right buyer.
If they don't sell then relist them on the next free listing weekend to save money.

olias

I found the best way to learn, particularly with slightly obscure/unusual items like yours OP, is to see whats already on ebay. Look for similar items, what keywords do they have in their title? What category are they listed in? What information do they have in their listing? What is their starting price? Now look at the completed listings and see what they are selling for.

Olias

tugrin

Thanks for the seriously helpful replies chaps! Yes I can see the logic of what you are all saying and I did mke all those elementary mistakes - listed only a week, didnt put enough detail in and certainly didnt research or use keywords! Whoops.
our offer of help with photos is greatly appreciated botanical and yes if it isnt too complicated I would like to learn a bit about those progams.
Well I shall persevere - I have another tin and a couple of bits of jewellery so I will probably do those next weekend - yes I know it was free listing this w/end but I'm a bi tired from lots of digging in garden today to think straight now.

botanical

addition

tugrin wrote: »

Thanks for the seriously helpful replies chaps! Yes I can see the logic of what you are all saying and I did mke all those elementary mistakes - listed only a week, didnt put enough detail in and certainly didnt research or use keywords! Whoops.
our offer of help with photos is greatly appreciated botanical and yes if it isnt too complicated I would like to learn a bit about those progams.
Well I shall persevere - I have another tin and a couple of bits of jewellery so I will probably do those next weekend - yes I know it was free listing this w/end but I'm a bi tired from lots of digging in garden today to think straight now.

You did digging in the garden! It's still freezing where I am- I'm so jealous. Are you preparing beds for veg or what?
Picture editing ideas to follow later!

tugrin

Should have guessed with a name like botanical! It was gorgeous here yesterday (warm sun) and just overcast today so am digging the little veg beds I have. Planted a rhubarb crown yesterday and sowed tomatos leeks and squash in trays today. Found a variety of tomato that they PROMISE will be OK outside so fingers crossed. And on top of that did my first lot of sweet peas - I've left them later this year as they peaked too early for the village show and I only got 2nd prize with a fabulous variety called Wiltshire Ripple. Trying Unique this year. I understand gardening you see but will need baby step guidance for photography ! Night!

botanical

tugrin wrote: »

Should have guessed with a name like botanical! It was gorgeous here yesterday (warm sun) and just overcast today so am digging the little veg beds I have. Planted a rhubarb crown yesterday and sowed tomatos leeks and squash in trays today. Found a variety of tomato that they PROMISE will be OK outside so fingers crossed. And on top of that did my first lot of sweet peas - I've left them later this year as they peaked too early for the village show and I only got 2nd prize with a fabulous variety called Wiltshire Ripple. Trying Unique this year. I understand gardening you see but will need baby step guidance for photography ! Night!

Heaven! Thank you