Topic: EBAY - help with sandcast sale. Buy-it-now, auction, or national classified ?

[greenjeans]

You may have seen that I am selling the sandcast.   Trying to determine what will get the most exposure.

Currently, I have an add on Dallas, Austin and Los Angeles Craigslist.     I'm going to let those go a week and see what happens.

I want to put it on ebay for more exposure.    Do you think I would have any luck with a "Buy-it-now" price or should I stick to a traditional auction with a reserve, or perhaps list it as a classified (national coverage)

I've been told I should try an auction with a low starting bid and a high reserve.    I'm not going to gamble on this one and set a low reserve.
I also hate to see when items don't sell.

Since I have never sold anything on ebay before, the fees are pretty reasonable - $125 after it sells.   I get 6 tries before the fees start to ramp up.


Any opinions and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[CycleRanger]

I've been told I should try an auction with a low starting bid and a high reserve.    I'm not going to gamble on this one and set a low reserve.

This.
Protect yourself with a high reserve.
Even if it doesn't make the reserve the auction alone will be all the advertisement you'll need....

[Greggo]

Are you ready to pay some serious ebay fees?  I believe they upped their rates recently.  Personally, I would set an outrageous reserve, like $25k, and contact the highest bidder when the auction ends and try to go from there.

[markb]

Definately don't have the reserve any lower that you want to get.

[Damfino]

I'm staying out of this one...

Good Luck GJ!

[greenjeans]

I'm staying out of this one...

Good Luck GJ!

Ha -  I still like your idea.

Since I've never listed an item for sale the fees are quite a bit lower than I thought.    $125 flat.    I can live with that.

Excuse my ignorance of selling on ebay - Do motorcycles HAVE TO BE sold on ebay motors ?   What I'm really getting at - if anyone, anywhere does a
search for "sandcast", will it show up in their search ?

[flybox1]

Currently, I have an add on Dallas, Austin and Los Angeles Craigslist.     I'm going to let those go a week and see what happens.

www.searchtempest.com
Its a craigslist search site.  from your local zip code, you can see all the CL markets in a XXXX mile range of you.
It might help you add a few of the larger CL markets to pick from where you could list your Sandcast.  It might generate a few more inquiries / visits.

[CycleRanger]

What I'm really getting at - if anyone, anywhere does a search for "sandcast", will it show up in their search ?

Yes, along with the ~1280 other items listed with "sandcast" in the description....

[OneWheelDrive]

I've sold two bikes on ebay so far.  I was told by an ebay power seller to do a classic auction, starting at $1 with a reserve at your desired outcome (note, you can only LOWER the reserve once you start the auction).  Start a 10-day auction on Thursday night at 5:00 Pacific time, this will have it end at 5:00 Pacific time, and 8:00 Atlantic time, when you want the most people in front of their computers doing last-minute bidding.  You can schedule a "future starting time" when building the listing. Best advice ever!  I've had great outcomes with both auctions.  Now is a great time to sell a bike as Spring is upon us and people are shopping.  Good luck!