Listing Offer Clear as Mud

[greenmangoes]

http://pages.ebay.ca/promo/2014/1_11.html

I am reading the promotion above and I am clearly misunderstanding it - I think.

The part that is unclear is the "Reserve Price". I thought it says that there is no additional fee for auction-style with buy it now with a reserve price.  However, when I go to add an item it is charging $2.00 if I put a reserve price.

Also, you get 50 free listings per month if after the month ends and I take advanage of this offer will I be charge for the additional listings over 50?

As always thank you for your input.

[pierrelebel]

The promotion does not affect the regular free listings available each month to all sellers.

Question: Have you been "invited" to the promotion under this User ID ?

[greenmangoes]

I saw the promotion in my account under "Promotional Offers" and if I remember correctly I did get something in my email.  Sorry I'm not sure if it was under the user ID.

Thanks!!

[pierrelebel]

"Sorry I'm not sure if it was under the user ID."

That is the first thing to check.  Click on Selling Manager and check the panel at right.  It will tell you.

Invitational promotions cannot be transferred from one Selling ID to another.

[pierrelebel]

"it is charging $2.00 if I put a reserve price."

Where exactly did you see that?  Have you actually been charged $2.00?

Also considering the relatively low value of your listings with relatively low Buy-it-Now option, why would you want to use the "reserve" option, detested by most buyers?

[pjcdn2005]

If the promotion shows on your my ebay page then you should qualify under that id.

This $2 charge may be just an ebay glitch but I would make sure before listing any more items with reserve.

[femmefan1946]

Looking at your listings, I was struck by a couple of things. (Besides that none of your great garments would fit me, sigh.)

In titles you have 80 free keystrokes to attract customers. Don't waste them on grammar, like using "with" or "and" you just need the keywords. Spelling is another thing. You always spell correctly, which is good, but from time to time, when there is a common misspelling of a word, include it if you have enough keystrokes. One example is 'bolero"  which often turns up as 'bowler'.

Shipping cost is always a hassle. Can some of your lightweight items travel by Letter or Light Packet rate. If a silky dress is under 500 grams and can be packed, into a poly envelope with a stiffener and some tissue, and still be under 2cm thick, you will have happier customers.

Consider for those items using Free Shipping. This just means that your shipping costs are folded into your asking price.

Which is cheapest?

$10 item with $15 shipping?

$15 item with $10 shipping?

$25 item with Free Shipping?

As a bonus, if you use Free Shipping domestically, you get automatic 5Star DSRs for Shipping Cost and you will not be charged shipping FVF even on your US and International shipments.

[greenmangoes]

pierelebel / pjcdn2005

Yes it was sent to me.  Didn't know buyers detested the "reserve" option - glad to know this.  Boy you guys are just full of information - I love it!!  Hope I can help others in the future. It must be a glitch then - though I won't use it now 🙂


femmefan1946

LOL I will try to get more variations so that I don't eliminate anyone from my great garments...

Here I am trying to spell things correctly 🙂  I did think of that but never follow through to ask.

Shipping is definitely a hassle but I appreciate your feedback on this and will look into it as I am trying to find ways to increase sales.

As always, thank you all for your feedback!!!

[mr.elmwood]

Not so much as buyers detest the reserve, so much as the hidden, guess what it is, I know something you do not know, game. State the reserve and state that you will consider a second chance offer.

The reserve is not to play a game against the buyer so much as it is a protection for the seller. Say what it is.

[pierrelebel]

I think I found the problem.

Here is the promo I received:

http://link.sell-it-now.ebay.com/YesConnect/HtmlMessagePreview?a=PCGIEeq2ZRodEantqku70s83&msgVersion...

Slightly different from yours as far as "reserve" not included.

It may be a site thing.  May be extra on .com and included on ,ca

[pierrelebel]

I did some testing and it appears that "and no additional fee for listing with a Reserve Price" shown on the .ca page is incorrect.

The .com announcement does not mention free "reserve" and testing both sites, I found eBay charges extra for the "reserve" option.

It appears to be just another screw up by the .ca team when translating the promotion from American to Canadian.  It is not the first time it happens, unfortunately.

[greenmangoes]

mr.elmwood
Good points.  Make sense!!


pierrelebel
Ah ha!!  So I did read it correctly - it's just wrong!!!  Thanks for testing.

[greenmangoes]

Sorry femmefan1946 but what does DSRs and FVF mean?

Thank you!!

[pierrelebel]

If you check the conditions on eBay.ca in French, you will notice that "reserve" is not included as a free option:

http://pages.cafr.ebay.ca/promo/2014/1_11.html

[pierrelebel]

"what does DSRs and FVF mean?"

DSRs:  Detailed Seller Ratings (up to 5 stars available on your feedback page)

http://pages.ebay.com/help/feedback/detailed-seller-ratings.html

FVF Final Value Fees (the commission eBay charges you when an item sells)  It is calculated on the total of the selling price and first domestic shipping charge.

http://pages.ebay.com/help/sell/fees.html

[greenmangoes]

Shipping cost is always a hassle. Can some of your lightweight items travel by Letter or Light Packet rate. If a silky dress is under 500 grams and can be packed, into a poly envelope with a stiffener and some tissue, and still be under 2cm thick, you will have happier customers.

Consider for those items using Free Shipping. This just means that your shipping costs are folded into your asking price.

Which is cheapest?

$10 item with $15 shipping?

$15 item with $10 shipping?

$25 item with Free Shipping?

As a bonus, if you use Free Shipping domestically, you get automatic 5Star DSRs for Shipping Cost and you will not be charged shipping FVF even on your US and International shipments.

I am considering the above but have a question.

When I ship I use/add tracking and that seems to up the cost.  The minimum is $16 if I use tracking.  That is one of the reasons why my shipping cost is what it is - If I don't add tracking then it would be less... but what if a customer say they did not receive an item I won't be able to know otherwise.

Any suggestions about that?  Thank you!!

[pierrelebel]

"but what if a customer say they did not receive an item I won't be able to know otherwise"

Do not worry too much about it... unless you sell very expensive items.

Tracking, like insurance, protects the seller and benefits the seller.  The question is: is it worth it?

You will attract a lot more buyers offering your item at "$25.00 all included with "free" insurance" (by using the lowest possible shipping method)

than at $35.00 if the difference ($10) only protects you in case of the occasional loss.

[greenmangoes]

Wow and here I am feeling all nervous about it...

Thank you again!!!

[cumos55]

Be careful when selling such items as that Coach purse.....

Fakes on high end items  are many... and you may be hit with a VERO claim....

You need provenance... such as a receipt, original tags and more 

and sometimes once a high end item... Louis Vuitton ... as an example,  enters a country,  it should not be sold outside that country......  

and all because of a court case from many years ago....

[cumos55]

VeRO = Verified Rights Owner 

and relates to the original manufacturer of the item..

and if you cannot prove it is NOT a fake, even it IS real.... one can be in trouble  with an original owner's... VeRO claim