Advice on a selling technique? Giving incentives for bids?

Futureman

I know some people will combine shipping, or give reduced shipping for additional items, but would it work to actually make shipping cheaper if more items are won? I've never sold before, and I wouldn't be doing a lot of it, so it isn't like a few cents would make a big deal over the long term. The way it would work is $2 shipping for one item, then take $.50 off for each item won. My theory is that someone might bid on another card to see if maybe they could get the other card since it would reduce shipping charges, even if they don't win, it would optimize the selling price. Does anyone see anything that I'm missing? Would it be against ebay rules? Is there anything I should do differently?

stevek

You sized it up right with your analysis.

Buccaneer

As I have been actively selling the past two months, the incentive I give on shipping is to break even. Most eBay buyers know how much it cost to ship an item and charging $3 to ship one card First Class is a rip-off. Adding one or two more cards to the same package will still cost only $0.83 - even as I packed the card(s) in cardboard and bubblewrap in a padded envelope (all of those materials add no more than $.60 to the cost). There were a few items that I made a good profit on and I shocked the buyers by shipping them Priority Mail (free boxes). I still charged $3.00 or so and it only cost $3.85 to ship, so that's nothing. If I was a heavy volume dealer than I would do things differently but right now, I am getting great feedback on not only the quality of cards they received but on great packing and "lightning fast" shipping. That's the incentive to keep customers coming back. Just rambling...

calleocho

free shipping baby!

lostdart58

I charge $2.00 plus .50 for each additional for raw cards.

I charge $3.00 plus 1.00 for each additional for graded cards.

Sorry but along with stamps and envelopes I also try to recover my EBAY and Paypal fees especially on $1.00 - $2.00 items or $6.00 or less items in the case of graded cards.

I will discount S/H further on large multiple winners on a case by case basis, but do not list that in my auction wording.

IMHO, anyone who charges more for S/H is trying to make profit on S/H and i bid accordingly.

ydsotter

I think that a really well written description with excellent pictures helps more. I wold also take care in coming across as likable and honest etc... sounds like common sense, but so many don't do it.

Too many sellers throw up a picture of an item and write something engimatic such as: shipping and handling $3.50...
They don't take any case in describing the item or instilling confidence in the bidder. They don't even bother to tell you when it ships or how they will ship it.

How about those sellers that post nothing about the item and then post 49 lines of text about how they'll put a curse on you if you don't pay etc...

I am not a firm believer that giving shipping incentives can give increase your bids dramatically.
on the other hand...
it can probably help if you are selling raw cards with relatively lower values... I am a fan of the pay $2-$3 for 5-10 cards.... etc...

In any case... good luck :-)

Futureman

I plan to have a detailed description on the condition of the card, as well as a write-up about the player. I probably won't do it until spring/summer (after school). Just throwing the idea out there.

lostdart58

I have been buying up graded 72 Topps.................last night a seller had quite a few up for auction

His starting prices were a little high but he did have a Win 10 auctions and get free S/H.


I ended up winning the required 10 needed..........

Without the incentive I probably would not have gotten ANY!! ..or at least only a couple..

Lothar52

shipping shipping...GOD!!!! i just cant wait till my card addiction goes dies down..paying to have people ship me cardboard of pictures of people who dont knowme.....this does go away ...right guys???

Mac53

Oh, it goes away. But then it comes back. In my case, it was dormant from 1962 until 2004: 42 years. I wish I had my cards from 1962. Doesn't everybody?

jayhawke

calleocho,

What is your ebay name? I want to buy from you!! Yes, free shipping.

justanoldtimer

I guess it would depend if your selling high $ cards where the buyer would rather have it sent in a box.. If its low $ cards then a bubble mailer would do fine.. No one wants a 50 cent card and $3 S/H.. The most I've paid sending a bubble mailer is $1.25 and that was a card in a screw down.. Graded I will only ship in Priority box for the $3.85..