Need opinions re: Ebay

[FergieTCat]

I'm trying to declutter and am selling some concert tour jackets (jackets that I bought at concerts over the years) on Ebay. I paid about $50 each, but I don't wear them and just want to get rid of them. I have them priced at a starting bid of $9.99, which is very cheap. No one has bid yet but there is someone watching the auction.

My question is: Do I leave the opening bid at $9.99 and just let someone take the jackets off my hands? Or should I raise the opening bid and potentially lose the buyer?

Any opinions?

 

[rflorek]

I'm trying to declutter and am selling some concert tour jackets (jackets that I bought at concerts over the years) on Ebay. I paid about $50 each, but I don't wear them and just want to get rid of them. I have them priced at a starting bid of $9.99, which is very cheap. No one has bid yet but there is someone watching the auction.

My question is: Do I leave the opening bid at $9.99 and just let someone take the jackets off my hands? Or should I raise the opening bid and potentially lose the buyer?

Any opinions?

Anytime you post something for sale on eBay, you risk that it will sell at your opening number (unless you put a reserve on it). You should always post at the minimum you would be willing to accept as a final sales price because there may only be 1 bid.

 

[FergieTCat]

Anytime you post something for sale on eBay, you risk that it will sell at your opening number (unless you put a reserve on it). You should always post at the minimum you would be willing to accept as a final sales price because there may only be 1 bid.

I think I'm more conflicted about taking whatever I can get or leaving them in my closet unworn.

I revised the auction to include a reserve. At least that way I can decide what I want to do, although I know I should take what I can get and be done with it.

 

[robinb]

Is the auction in the right section? Are your photos good? Honestly, getting 20% of your purchase price is not bad on eBay. You could also try to sell them on Craigslist.

 

[Temperance(xiv)]

It's really impossible to tell if a "watcher" is going to turn into a "bidder"-- I recently had one item that 6 people were watching, but no one ended up placing a bid and it didn't sell!

I've found that many people don't bid till later in the auction. Many of my items will sit for days with no apparent interest and then sell at the last minute. So, it sounds like you have the right idea: you should definitely set the price (or reserve) at the lowest acceptable amount at which you'd be willing to sell-- and don't forget those little fees eBay charges for listing and photos, etc. Those can really cut into your profit if you don't take them into account.

Good luck!

 

[twinklebug]

I think I'm more conflicted about taking whatever I can get or leaving them in my closet unworn.

I revised the auction to include a reserve. At least that way I can decide what I want to do, although I know I should take what I can get and be done with it.

Reserves are perfect for this. What kills it though is every little service like a reserve that you add cuts into any profit you might make. I used to sell a ton through ebay but with their fees, increased shipping costs and buyers who started causing problems I gave it up.

I have to start selling items from our closets but will do some research to see what options other than ebay and craigslist are out there.

 

[ceecee]

I've had 17 watchers and no bids before! I tend not to even watch auctions with reserves. I have seen some really high reserves and so I don't waste my time. It really depends on how old the stuff is? Are they dated? If the groups are still popular you may get a bid but don't expect to get what you paid for (usually 25%) of clothing is good.

 

[robinb]

I have to start selling items from our closets but will do some research to see what options other than ebay and craigslist are out there.

If you have kids, Just Between Friends consignment resale is a great way to sell your kids clothes. I made $200 last month and $600 on consignment sales last year. I did have a lot of clothes I had saved so there was more than just one year's worth of clothes.

 

[twinklebug]

If you have kids, Just Between Friends consignment resale is a great way to sell your kids clothes. I made $200 last month and $600 on consignment sales last year. I did have a lot of clothes I had saved so there was more than just one year's worth of clothes.

Thank you for the input, I've never tried consignment - there were a couple these stores in our area that went out of business. I just looked up JBF - very interesting concept and I'd consider it if they had any closer to us than PA (I'm in MA)

I've been giving away most of our good items to the Big Brother Big Sister charity here in Boston, but being out of work it's time for me to cash in a little on our items that they're just reselling. Most of the items this time around are kid's sports equipment so I'll look for a Play it Again type place.

 

[FergieTCat]

Thanks everyone!

I did revise the auction to include a reserve, as these jackets are also collectibles. If no one bids on them, I will just pass them on to a friend of mine who is the right size.

 

[Juliet25]

You might consider doing a fixed price listing. You can list for 5-30 days for the same price (which depends on the price you're listing it at).

TBH, I don't even bother bidding on or watching auctions with reserves.

 

[wendypooh]

Just a ? - are we allowed to post what we have for sale on ebay here on the boards?????

IF so, I have some stuff listed....................

 

[FergieTCat]

I don't think we are allowed to post what we have for sale. I didn't even think of that and will edit my earlier post accordingly.