Archive for November, 2007

 

Dear eBay Queen;

 

This will be my second year selling stuff on eBay during the holiday season.  I really want to be ready this year.  Do you have any ideas to make my sales better?  I’ve been watching the news, and many people believe this year will be a slow selling season.  Have you heard anything about that?  Do you have any tips for me to make sure my Holiday eBay sales will be good?

 

Kimberly

 

Dear Kimberly;

 

I have heard the very same forecast, that this Holiday season would not be very good for retailers.  I try to stay optimistic, make sure I have excellent inventory and keep on doing what I’m doing.  I do have a few suggestions to make sure your holiday sales are as bright as the Plaza Lights.

 

1. Use the Gallery feature with all your eBay listings. eBay has started a new promotion November 6^th through December 12^th.  Gallery is FREE with all your auction listings. http://www2.ebay.com/aw/core/200711.shtml#2007-11-05164557
2. Add BUY IT NOW to your auctions, make sure it is a price you feel comfortable selling the item at.  As the holiday season gets closer and closer, buyers will be rushed and anxious to get their shopping done.  By adding BUY IT NOW you will attract those people that just need to cross off their to do list, and complete their Christmas shopping.
3. Add Best offer to your fixed price and store items.  This will open lines of communication between you and the buyer, and just might result in a sale or two.
4. Know your Holiday Shipping Deadlines. Go to http://www.usps.com/holiday/mailing-holiday-deadlines.htm?from=holidayhome&page=mailingdeadlines 
5. Offer gift-wrapping services.  You could also offer to send the item directly to the gift recipient.

 

 

Dear eBay Queen;

I’ve been selling on eBay for quite a while.  I’ve never had this odd thing happen to me.  I sell handmade American Girl Doll clothing with matching Girl outfits. I always list one outfit in my store for 49.99 with free shipping, and the other I list at auction for 24.99. 

 

The store item still stands at 49.99 but the auction item sold for 89.50!  The buyer contacted me today, and says it is unfair that I have my store listing at 49.99, and she has to pay the 89.50. She is now refusing to pay for the item she bid on because of the store price.  What can I do?

 

I did apologize to her, but I don’t know what else to do. Some how she keeps turning this around and blaming me!  She says she’s going to turn me into eBay because of this!

 

Jennifer J

 

Dear Jennifer;

 

This is really a no win situation.  You are 100% right, she bid on your items, and won them. She is supposed to pay for them.  No one made her bid the auction price up past your store price.  You could pressure her into completing the transaction.  If you do force her to complete this transaction she could leave negative feedback.  She may leave it anyway.  She’ll look like a complete buffoon for doing it, and you can always respond and leave a negative in return. I like to avoid negatives if possible. 

 

In a situation like this, I would email her and let you know that you will be happy to cancel the transaction if she would also agree to it.  If she agrees, start the process to mutual cancel the transaction.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/tp/unpaid-item-process.html .  Then I would immediately block her from bidding on any of your other items. http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/manage_bidders_ov.html   Once this process is done, you can go in and use second chance offer to present the sale to the second highest bidder.

 

 

 

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 140166839587   (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). I can’t think of the last time I sent a card for Thanksgiving.  Check out these vintage Thanksgiving post cards SOLD $275.00.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140166839587