Online Auctions 201-Buy & Sell Dance Costumes

Satin Stitches | Oct 09, 2008 | 0

Do you enjoy the thrill of the chase?

OK. Did you enjoy my discussion a couple of weeks ago, of our Satin Stitches experiences with eBay?  Since we have been buying AND selling on this popular auction site, I thought that you inexperienced eBayers could sharpen your skills with some additional tips!

eBay is forever changing its feedback formulas, its fees and layout.  You just have to adapt, because do not think you can easily find a real person to ask questions or interact with, at eBay corporate headquarters.  Oh sure, it is possible, but they do not make it easy to do.  I have no idea who or where they really are.  I have instant messaged with theoretically, a real person, when some problems have occurred.  But the back-and-forth was more confusing than just trying once again, on my own, to figure what I needed to do.  Sometimes only hand-holding will do, Online, and they were definitely NOT holding my hand!

How did we get started?  We have an enormous supply of our production samples that just kept accumulating.  We tried having a sidewalk or garage sale.  We tried donating them to community dance centers or theater groups.  Once in a while we would hit on a good fit, literally and figuratively, and find new homes for some costumes.  But mostly, they just kept filling up our racks and space.

My husband, my rocket scientist, so to speak, was, and continues to be, so much more computer and Internet savvy, than me.  He suggested eBay.  He initially looked into it, and figured out how to list an item.  So we started!  He created the hypertext template for us to use, and we got started.  These days, it is much easier to sell your items.  You do not need to know hypertext.

It was exciting, and still is, to watch bidders place last minute bids to win our costumes!  I also have had lots of experience buying items on eBay.  It is rather easy to do.  You just have to sign up, and you are ready to go.  Many eBay auctions will accept personal checks or money orders.  But most eBay sellers prefer PayPal and some will only sell to you, if you are signed up with PayPal.  Why?  Because, who wants to deal with worrying about bad checks?  Or always having to run to the bank or the post office, for a money order?  Oh, I learned that it is much less expensive at the United States Post Office to get those money orders.

You can find almost anything on eBay.  We sell our leftover fabrics and trims.  Other eBayers also list dance fabrics and trims.

Everyone lists their items differently.  Shipping costs vary.  The best things to do, if you are looking to purchase something, watch for who sells what, and what items end up selling for.  Because it is an auction service, it is the luck of the moment, to determine what you might pay.  Yes, you can get caught up in the moment, and spend more than what you intended, so you need to have patience and will power!

A relatively new innovation with eBay is the Buy-It-Now auctions.  If you are happy with the listed price, you will not have to wait until an item closes, you can buy it instantly.  Always be aware of ALL the costs for an item BEFORE you click!  

eBay used to be mostly individually sold items. But now, many real brick and mortar businesses and entrepreneurs have eBay stores, where nothing is auctioned, but they list only But-It-Now items.  

I have purchased everything from luggage pieces to a bird bath heater from these eBayers, and found the pricing to be very good.  I always figure in the shipping costs.  With the price of gas, it really beats driving around to my local stores.  Many things are listed below regular retail.  And if you have ever tried to wade through some retail websites to find a particular product, it can take some time.  eBay has made it really easy to find particular items.

So what could do wrong?  The eBay method of having feedback listings for each seller helps to keep the sellers honest.  I have never had a problem with any sellers.  I have had an ocassional problem with a buyer, but nothing serious. There are some interesting people out there!

Have I been disappointed with my purchase?  Maybe once or twice, and I gambled on the description.  You should be absolutely sure about what you are getting.  Remember that computer monitors show colors differently, so if you need a specific color, eBay may not be the best idea.

You need to be aware that the first bidder with an exact amount will be the winner.  Proxy bidding is when you place your highest bid.  The price will only raise higher, when you have competition.  If someone elses highest bid is higher than yours, they will win the item.  It is always a gamble to bid low.  If you really want something, bid very high, and watch the final bidding.  Items usually are bid on, by savvy bidders, near the last few minutes of an auction.

There are now bidding services that you pay for, that will automatically bid at the last minute, to try and win things, with the lowest possible bid.   Sniping is the term referring to this service that automates the process of placing your eBay bid, dramatically increasing your chance of winning.  

eBay can be a fun and entertaining pastime.  You can learn lots about different products.  Some you have no idea they existed! You can find obscure items if you are a collector. You can fill in your silverware, glassware or china.  You can recycle by reselling the things you have, but do not need.  Or simply watch others buy and sell!  

So do we make any money at all, with our eBay listings?  Well, not really, but that is really not why we started using eBay, and it not why we continue with it.

Print Email Link

• Share
  • add to facebook
  • add to del.icio.us
  • add to digg
  • add to yahoo
  • related at technorati

Teacher, Enthusiast, Parent, Studio, Costumes (all tags)