Getting sales when your listings are right at the back!

[BubbleTea]

Now my problem is half solved... when they finally allowed me to list.
But it is half unsolved... I realised that even if they allow you to sell, you will have a problem getting sales when your DSRs are below standards, since they put your listing right at the back of hundreds to thousands of listings in "best match"!

I have calculated that I need 73 positive stars for dispatch to bring the percentage down into the standard range.
Does not seem like much to you right?
When my account was in good standing, I could easily hit this and make good profits at the same time.
Now, even if I were to list at a loss... I am struggling to make the sales.
So..... I need to get this 73 good DSRs.

I've been thinking of lots of strategies to get better visibility.
One idea is to make many auction listings, ending at different times, since auctions get high visibility when they are about to end.
At least this makes the listings seen.

Another idea is to sell digital stuff cheap... I can save on postage so I can offer very cheap.
But this might be risky?
Is selling digital photos allowed by eBay?
I know that software requires sending a cd now.

Then I saw a charity auction... and new lights went on.
Do you know if charity listings get better visibility?
What if it is 100% to charity?
Will these get better visibility despite my below standards account?
I noticed that charity auctions usually get good sales and for good amounts.
Could be a good way to get my stars.
Do you know if seller's get paid the postage price on 100% charity auctions?

I welcome any ideas that could help me.
Thank you.

[Bunneh]

I have never sold in the charity section on ebay, but i dont think it would give more exposure since you just donating an amount to charity.
I guess if you were a charity organisation then you might get more exposure.

I have bought digital recipes and Gifs etc.. on CD from ebay in the last few months so it must be still allowed.
I just did a quick browse and there is still plenty digital items listed on ebay.com

Are you not in the position to offer free postage for the time being?
because even though it cuts into your profits, it will be worth it in the long run.
73 stars is a lot when buyers dont always rate

[BubbleTea]

I don't want to sell digital if I have to post a cd.
That would make my cost price too high to be able to compete on price with the other sellers, as I am posting overseas and they are posting locally. See my flag.

Yes, I can offer free postage if I mark up my price.
Do you think free postage will improve my search visibility much?
I will offer free postage on BIN since price is fixed and I can factor that in.
But I think listing with BIN now is a no-go since it will be at the end of listings.

On auctions, I think it draws more interest if you start at £0.99 and then include a postage cost of a few pounds, for a low price item.
I can't offer free postage if I start the auction at £0.99.
I think auctions are my best chance now because at least I can have good visibility when the auction is ending soon.
Also, buyers looking for auctions and bargains frequently search by "time ending soonest" rather than "best match".


Here's another qn about the charity auctions.
Even if the visibility is not improved, do you think giving a portion of sales to charity really makes buyers more inclined to buy?
If so, it would also be a good thing for me.
eBay claims that giving to charity improves sales... But I don't trust them.
I trust what other experienced sellers say.
Not eBay.
Never.

[audiosoft]

Great thread. Would like feedbacks from people who really know how to boost their sales compared to others

I back the idea of starting a lot of auctions.

[Ebayorbust]

Digital delivery is not allowed. You must send a tangible item (ie CD or DVD) in the post.

Might be an idea to look at why your DSRs dropped in the first place as well as looking for ways to get them back up.

[Ebayorbust]

Originally Posted by audiosoft

Great thread. Would like feedbacks from people who really know how to boost their sales compared to others

I back the idea of starting a lot of auctions.

How do I know you're not one of my competitors?

Don't take this the wrong way but I would question someone's business acumen if they were to roll over and divulge all their sales and marketing ideas.

Remember this forum is about getting back on and staying on selling platforms like eBay and amazon. Unfortunately some think it is an advice centre for all related matters from sales to tax advice.

[Bunneh]

personally if your ratings are poor and your prices are higher than most just to cover the free postage,
I dont think it will be all that appealing.
It just depends on how much higher your price will go up and what competition you have.

You have to test the waters a little here, List some in the charity section, list some in the normal section, give free postage and ship fast.
Buyers want there items yesterday.

If my DSR's were low and i wanted a fast way to bring them up i would sell my items on auction @£0.99 with free postage, even if it meant cutting into my profit a little.
Because its not going to be like that forever but it will help a great deal.

Try anything.

[rsot]

IF you try to sell as a charity organization, you will be IDed very quickly...eB is on top of potential charity fraud schemes.

[FizzyFish]

Do you mean donating a percentage to charities?

I used to donate a percentage to charities a while ago - to be honest I didn't notice that much of a difference but it could have been because of my category.

eB def say you get more hits and higher end prices if you donate. Don't know if I agree though.

If you want to rescue that account then do what ever you can.

Which is worse: losing an established account and having to start all over again OR
spending money to rescue an account.

This is business. Businesses have good times and bad. In this case I would sell low, make the losses, keep the account, keep selling, make more money!

You will recoup what you lose in no time.

Do it before eB puts a restriction on how many things you can sell which is essentially the beginning of the end. Trust me on that one.

Act quick!

Good luck!

[BubbleTea]

Originally Posted by rsot

IF you try to sell as a charity organization, you will be IDed very quickly...eB is on top of potential charity fraud schemes.

I never said anything about selling as a charity org.
I will not do that if I am not one... I am not a fraudster!

I meant donating the profits to charity.
There is an option to do that and any seller can do that and it is perfectly legal and acceptable and charitable.

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by BubbleTea

IThere is an option to do that and any seller can do that and it is perfectly legal and acceptable and charitable.

And closely checked by ebay's bots.

[BubbleTea]

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

And closely checked by ebay's bots.

I got the impression that they like sellers to donate a percentage to charity.

They say that sellers who donate to charity get better closing prices on their auctions and more sales.... rings a similar tone to what they say about sellers who use Paypal, and they obviously want people to use PP.
And they give you a credit on basic selling fees.

All these are incentives that encourage sellers to donate to charity.
If they didn't like it, why would they give these incentives to encourage sellers to do so??