
11-16-2020 07:30 AM
Hello Everyone!
I have been reading these boards a lot over the last few months so I thought it was about time that I made my own post.
I started selling on Ebay in October. I have sold on other platforms before but this is my first time selling on Ebay.
I just wanted to know if anyone could give me some constructive feedback on my page as well as maybe give me some insight as to why I have had only 1 sale in the last 6 weeks?
Some things I should note:
1. I am currently playing around with/honing my picture set up. I know some of them could be better and that is something I am working on. Any feedback on this would be appreciated as well.
2. I offer free/reduced shipping when I can. Until last week my shipping was off as I had tracking and it was ridiculously over priced so hopefully I have corrected that.
3. I started offering 30 day returns last week as well.
4. I try and keep my prices in range and constantly check them.
5. Starting this week I have begun posting a new item each day. I know more items = more sales so I am going to be building up my items daily.
So that's where I am at right now. I'd really appreciate any insight on why or how my store could perform better.
Thanks in advance!
11-16-2020 10:41 AM
Hi
The photos and description are pretty average which is fine (mine are nothing special either), but always possible to improve them as you go as you figure out what works for lighting and product display.
A number of listings show $19+ shipping for me which is probably a turn off. I don't know your market, so I can't comment on the pricing, but for me if it's a competitive market, I try to price them at around 80% of the highest SOLD listings (including shipping) for comparable items. You could try upping your price with free shipping if that model would work for you.
The biggest thing is the number of listings though. It could simply be that people aren't looking for what you have at this particular moment. I have around 10k listings at any given time, sometimes I sell 10-20/day sometimes i sell 1 or 2. The more listings, the more eyeballs, and the bigger chance someone who's looking for something you have will browse your other items once they stumble on your store.
Keep with it, keep listing, and keep track of what is working and what isn't and adjust from there. No harm in going back to re-take photos, adjust pricing (down OR up) , trying different shipping policies etc. once the item is up. .
11-16-2020 03:09 PM
Try to make better use of your titles. Use all the space allowed.
No need to use (brackets) - or exclamation points - you are wasting space where you could put more KEY words.
Use lots of KEY words that people would search for.
Eliminate unnecessary words, ie: try New Sealed instead of Brand New Wrapped.
11-19-2020 12:18 AM
11-19-2020 12:28 AM
11-19-2020 07:17 AM
Hey Mike,
Thanks so much for taking the time to review my page!
Your photos are very well done and I hope to get mine looking that great!
I will absolutely review my shipping. I have been doing it periodically by putting in different Post/Zip Codes to see what the pricing is and also remeasuring my items for accuracy. All a work in progress I guess!
You've really motivated me to keep going and keep listing - much appreciated!
11-19-2020 07:18 AM
Hey There,
This is great advice and I did not realize that!
I will be reviewing my captions today. Much appreciated!
Jess
11-19-2020 07:25 AM
Hey there,
Thank you SO much. A lot of great content here I'll have to continue to review.
I bought a backdrop today so I'll be cleaning up my photos. I have looked in to lighting and I said once I make a certain amount in sales I'll be investing in a light. Also I didn't realize that they should be square!
As for shipping I am still getting the hang of it but I do need to figure a better way. I did get a small business account set up with Canada Post. I did not know about the flat rate box - I will be looking in to that. Also I do want to offer free shipping - I just need to figure out a way to make it feasible.
I haven't had a chance to look at the we versus you content. But I will this afternoon. Looks very interesting!
I really appreciate you taking the time - you were a huge help!
11-19-2020 07:27 AM
For sure.
With items I currently have free shipping I have made the shipping to the US a $5 flat rate (I believe). Again, something I have to toggle with. We all get burned with shipping at some point so I guess it's just a learning curve!
11-19-2020 10:02 AM
11-19-2020 12:20 PM
As far as I know, to get the benefits*, one only has to "fee ship" to the domestic site.
For example for me: (Note that I ONLY use flat rate shipping)
Stuff on .COM is:
Free Shipping to USA
Free Shipping to Canada
Costs money to most international countries
Costs lots of money to China, Brazil
Stuff on .CA is:
Free Shipping to Canada
Usually costs money to USA
Costs money to most international countries
Costs lots more money to China, Brazil
I put the stuff on .CA that can go lettermail here but has to go small packet to the USA nowadays, incurring that extra $5 (upgrade charge).
*Benefits of free shipping are increased visibility and as I remember it if you have free Domestic shipping you aren't charged fees on any international shipping charges. That may have changed though.
11-19-2020 12:26 PM - edited 11-19-2020 12:39 PM
This is work, but if you print off the Canada Post tables, it can help you average out your pricing if you choose to use flat rate shipping.
Here is a link to the master manual, now that you have your solutions for small business, you'll click on business prices:
https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/default-e.asp
Here is a link to the key lookup number so you know what columns apply to your postal code:
https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/prices/FSA_RateCodeLookup-e.asp
Depending on what you are selling if you go international, you'll have to make sure it is ok to ship it to the country, you can use this place to figure that out:
https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGintdest-e.asp
You'll also need to put the harmonized system code (HS Code) on the customs forms, here is the link to that:
https://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/wtz/business/findHsCode?execution=e3s1