Trademe based in New Zealand, is a popular auction site where personal users and commercial companies sell and buy online. Often there is at least 18,000 users online anytime, reaching between 35,000 - 80, 000 users at peak times, with about a million items and services for auction, including direct purchases. Below are some basic tips and thoughts to help sell items...
Descriptive Title and Content - Be specific and highlight features...
Describe your item with relevant facts and features, it's age, condition, specific use, etc. It's also useful to include labels, serial and model no.'s, dimensions, and comparisons if practical, to provide useful details to potential buyers. It means more effort and time, but it does help to attract buyers - such as in some real examples below:
For the Title rather than "Elvis Greatest Hits ",
Could be "Elvis 1950's Greatest Hits, 2006, RCA 123 - Stereo"
Or "Used Tyre for Sale" could be "Bridgestone Tyre - 15', 205 x 80 profile - 70% new" (or similar)
Serious or knowledgeable buyers will quickly get a better idea of the item because it's title description is more specific and perhaps targeted to sell. The RCA number (i.e. serial/model), is a reference buyers might trace online or elsewhere to get reviews or more information (it's what I do sometimes) . It also displays a reputable recording company (RCA). The year describes or perceives the item as being reasonably new.
Having specific information portrays that you have done a bit of work, and are perhaps knowledgeable to sell that particular item. It also helps for keywords in your title, when buyers use the search form using specific keywords, such as brand names, labels, sizes, etc. Also including another term or number in your title description, may display another item that you are selling, even though it was not specifically searched for. For example one might search "1GB USB memory drive" but if you have "1 GB USB memory drive and 2 x carry straps", then it's likely that 2 GB drives will also display in the search results.
Having a title and brief non description content may not be helpful to the buyer (if they don't know much about that item - but need or might want to). Many items are renamed/re branded differently in other larger markets (Mobile phones/DVD players are examples), so including model numbers can be useful for the discerning buyer to find out more online.
Description - General
When describing your item, try to "bait" buyers to other items that you are selling. This is common with bulk sellers. "Check my other listings" "Visit my store" "I have multiple listings", and so on. Also highlight, if you can, the brand name and include quotes or customer/company testimonials. Expand on possible uses or situations for your item. You may want to add payment methods, and perhaps a guarantee to the buyer. This might increase their confidence in you. But keep everything in a easy to read, relevant semi descriptive format, without excess information.
I sold a 20 year old rope for 3 x the price I thought I would get with a description similar to this:
"60 m x 20 mm rope - old but practical" It was brought by a farmer's family in the South Island.
Timing - Get it right for maximum bids...
Remember to start to sell at a reasonable time rather than the early morning hours, as auctions will finish at the same time for your chosen period. So perhaps mid evening and late afternoon to evening would be sufficient to upload your auction.
Category - Target to Sell...
You need to be sure your item is in the most suitable category. Some items such as specialist book manuals, wheels and tyres, artwork, may require you to sell in two categories to attract more buyers.
Photos - Helps to Showcase...
Good quality photo's are important as many buyers will get a better idea of the item. Try to isolate the item in a good clean setting, sufficient lighting, without any other objects, refections, etc, to portray a sense of quality, and cleanliness. Sometimes I merge photo's, and may add a relevant background to the item using photo editing software.
Bidding/Buying... Need to get what you want...
Low reserves attract buyers for popular or certain unique items (relative to New Zealand), which will quickly increase the bidding price and hence a better sale price. Use of the auto extend feature will aid here by allowing more bids - at the last minute(s). For less popular or too common items you need a reserve that can be quickly met. Sometimes this may take time if no sale occurs, then you may need a lower reserve.
Use "Buy Now" if you want to get rid of your item and you think will sell quickly, and that possible bids will not be significantly higher. Maybe get a idea by looking at similar items at the time, and see if bidding will add much more money. I have seen this with some popular entrance level nokia mobiles. One week I bidded, but two weeks later I used buy now, simply because they were cheaper than the earlier bid to final sale price.
Questions - Your Positive Answer is confidence...
Always respond in a positive, polite and timely manner, and if you can't answer then say so, but state that you will get back with a more positive or definitive answer. This means you need to get more information.
Postage Costs - Include or Exclude?
Do include postage costs and options (parcel/package/courier) if you can; I have excluded postage costs for some items (in an attempt to increase sales) but factor it in, less than the actual postage cost. Maybe e-mail the buyer to give a estimate of your postage date, with your city and suburb location. I often do this as a sense of gratitude for buying. It also increase your chances of getting a more positive feedback.
Maybe keep your receipts, until at least after the buyers feedback. You can attempt to sell more of the same items by saying "save on postage costs". I have done this often with vinyl records - Post 3 for the price of 1. Of course, pack items well, and also include your address. Visit New Zealand Post to evaluate postage costs for different delivery packages within the country.
Feedback...
We all prefer good feed back, so that buyers are confident in what you sell, and that you have done it right in the past. It's about trust, and you can't go wrong, if you describe, present, package ,and post your item suitably. Then communicate quickly and effectively after the sale...
Please send any comments or suggestions...
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All the Best,
pcsourcepoint (Visit my Computer help links/NZ popular links website)
Update Date: 20th April 2008
