Probably wrong again but I think Ebay stinks!!!

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by daddysworkshop, Aug 27, 2007.

  1. #1
    This is probably the wrong spot but right now I'm so disgusted.

    I got the "bright Idea" to sell a content site I built on Ebay.

    DOH! I ended up starting out on page a zillion and when I ended I was on page a million because I didn't pay there ridiculous fees to be on display. What a racket.

    What I cannot understand is why would you pay 20+ dollars for your site to be "featured" and have a BIN of 4.95. The lead you would rcv or leads cannot be that valuable a state are they? Or am I missing something all together.

    Somebody tell me what am I missing???

    Ok enough rant I'll go get a cup o'joe and try something else...

    Thanks for the moment.

    George
     
    daddysworkshop, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  2. sweetfunny

    sweetfunny Banned

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    #2
    No you are not wrong, FeeBay does stink. I've stopped using them after 7years, a Powerseller status, a store etc because they are becoming less viable every fee increase.
     
    sweetfunny, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  3. grimsqueaker

    grimsqueaker Peon

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    #3
    Then don't list there, easy. No one is forcing you to use eBay.
    People pay for featured listings to bring attention to their other auctions as well, through cross-promotions.

    I use eBay to sell digital goods and it brings me a lot of customers. I'd say that 75% of my repeat customers come to me through eBay. It's a site that has a massive amount of traffic and very targeted visitors, I only pay for a gallery listing and that's usually enough for me to sell my item.
     
    grimsqueaker, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  4. daddysworkshop

    daddysworkshop Peon

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    #4
    Hello Grim,

    I was just amazed that at the end of my auction I was still 8 pages back on the listing because of featured items! Ouch! I went in 2 categories and was on the back of the truck the whole time.
     
    daddysworkshop, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  5. grimsqueaker

    grimsqueaker Peon

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    #5
    Narrow your keywords then - I know that I never browse for items when I'm searching eBay, I actually type them and search for them. I realize it must be frustrating but those people who are feature-listing keep on coming back to feature-list, so they must be making a profit or otherwise why do it? See what they're doing and why, and maybe you'll be able to sell.
     
    grimsqueaker, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  6. hamish

    hamish Peon

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    #6
    Featured items can be very lucrative when you have 50 or 100 of something to get rid of, or single items with a high value... though it's not exactly conducive to everything. I've had great luck on Google Products, formerly Froogle, where there is no listing fee, and tons of traffic.
     
    hamish, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  7. PHPGator

    PHPGator Banned

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    #7
    I think it is only useful for higher paying items, say $25+. There are other ways to market your services.
     
    PHPGator, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  8. daddysworkshop

    daddysworkshop Peon

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    #8
    Thanks for the FYI's I'll keep those in mind.

    Grim I used ebay before years ago and hadn't listed in awhile. Guess you get out of the saddle and the horse moved a bit. LOL.

    Hamish- I'll give that a shot I hadn't checked there before and this time I'll do better research before I jump on the saleswagon.

    Thanks again.
     
    daddysworkshop, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  9. bluegill_catcher

    bluegill_catcher Active Member

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    #9
    I have used ebay for years, and have digital items 'software' on it all the time also. I only buy gallery images too........ my total seller fees are never more than a dollar per digital item, and I make a nice profit from ebay. Plus I am constantly buying unique items on ebay........ I can honestly say, I have NO problem with them.
     
    bluegill_catcher, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  10. daddysworkshop

    daddysworkshop Peon

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    #10
    I guess I just picked the wrong area to sell in or something. Maybe I didn't do enough research to make the grade this time.

    I know I hear people saying they do well. I just feel singed after sitting so far back in the pages.
     
    daddysworkshop, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  11. Makubwa

    Makubwa Active Member

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    #11
    The fees are high but if you advertise right, you are virtually guaranteed a sale.
     
    Makubwa, Aug 27, 2007 IP
  12. Cheatingcatcher

    Cheatingcatcher Peon

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    #12
    I, too, have had a love hate relationship with eBay. It's true you can make a nice profit with them. However, it's also true, their rising fees put a big hurt on a lot of people.

    I read an article a few months ago about a guy who was a power seller and got fed up with eBay and moved his business to Amazon.com. He wound up making higher profits than he ever did on eBay. He attributed that to the "garage sale" mentality of the eBay buyers. Whereas Amazon buyers don't mind paying a little more for their items.

    I had a very successful eBay biz for a while. I gave it up. It became too time consuming. I dealt with physical, not digital, goods. It became a big hassle to find products consistently to put on. It definitely can be a frustrating experience if you don't have it down pat.

    Jason
     
    Cheatingcatcher, Aug 31, 2007 IP
  13. kemus

    kemus Guest

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    #13
    Personally, it depends. Some people tick with ebay, others don't.
     
    kemus, Aug 31, 2007 IP
  14. Aaron111

    Aaron111 Well-Known Member

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    #14
    ebay is a power seller store it has great presence but like sweetfunny says it is lossing its power and the prices are insanley to much:cool:
     
    Aaron111, Aug 31, 2007 IP