First dropshipping item

Hi all,

I have started to drop ship my first item on ebay giving that a try and this is my supplier

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And here is my live auction

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Am i asking too much for my item i am dropshipping? How much shud it be?

Thanks,William

Hi William,

Speaking as a buyer, maybe your shipping rates may be discouraging. The dress itself is probably worth what you are selling it for. But the best way for you to start pricing your items is to check out what other sellers are charging. From there, you can decide how much you should charge. Maybe you can lower the shipping rates and hike up the starting bid or Buy It Now prices.

Well, I am pretty much new to the game. But I always compare prices and try my best to give the most reasonable prices. For the most part, I offer Free Shipping...even if the price comes out the same. For example, if I sell something for $300 and the shipping comes up $15; I would try to sell it for $315, with Free Shipping. Or even for $305 or $310. Sometimes it can be a mental thing.

Well GOOD LUCK!

All the best,
Yvette
timelinegoods1

Good advice from TLG,

Competition on eBay is competition against you directly. You have to know what your direct competitors are offering to make yourself competitive with them across the board, not just on price, but on service as well.

Research all your competition in solid detail, it's the only way you will know how to position yourself in the market you are dealing in.

Hi William,

I couldn't agree more with the points pointed out by Yvette! Research would still be a key in pricing your products - that is research the prices being offered by your potential competitors :)

Always, think like a customer - would you buy the dress at the price you listed?

We know that many people easily get attracted to buying something when they see the word FREE beside it :) Also, read something on how customers react positively to prices that don't end up in whole numbers (notice the many prices ending up in.95 or .99 or $299 instead of $300) Try it!

All the best :)

The point Richelle has made about prices not ending in a whole amount is called price pointing in marketing terms. $17.00 sounds much more to a customer than $16.99.

In reality the difference is of course just one cent, however you are using price pointing to promote the number 16 in the customers mind, not the number 17 which you are actually charging in reality.

So in essence, the customer will look at the 16, ignore the 0.99 and think of the item as a 16 dollar item, not as a 17 dollar item.

It's one of the oldest and best marketing tricks I know, absolute classic and it works!

Hi there,

Thanks the item i have selected they dont have any of the exact same items listed on ebay for example i searched for YSL Roady Designer Tote Magenta Patent Leather but didnt come up with anything that sells for 1895 for the listed item but they saying their listed price is 1395 does that mean i shud sell it for 1895 item?

is that i good idea?

What do you think??

i am referring to

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Thanks

Hi William,

I couldn't agree more with the points pointed out by Yvette! Research would still be a key in pricing your products - that is research the prices being offered by your potential competitors :)

Always, think like a customer - would you buy the dress at the price you listed?

We know that many people easily get attracted to buying something when they see the word FREE beside it :) Also, read something on how customers react positively to prices that don't end up in whole numbers (notice the many prices ending up in.95 or .99 or $299 instead of $300) Try it!

All the best :)

Oh yeah, that is true about listing items in whole numbers as oppose to .95 or .99. You see, now this is what I meant that it is a whole mental thing. LOL

The point Richelle has made about prices not ending in a whole amount is called price pointing in marketing terms. $17.00 sounds much more to a customer than $16.99.

In reality the difference is of course just one cent, however you are using price pointing to promote the number 16 in the customers mind, not the number 17 which you are actually charging in reality.

So in essence, the customer will look at the 16, ignore the 0.99 and think of the item as a 16 dollar item, not as a 17 dollar item.

It's one of the oldest and best marketing tricks I know, absolute classic and it works!

Thank you for the marketing trick tips, fudjj...and it sure is a classic. Even on t.v. commercials I used to laugh when they say "You can now get it for less than $30" and the price would be $29.99...no kidding

Hi there,

Thanks the item i have selected they dont have any of the exact same items listed on ebay for example i searched for YSL Roady Designer Tote Magenta Patent Leather but didnt come up with anything that sells for 1895 for the listed item but they saying their listed price is 1395 does that mean i shud sell it for 1895 item?

is that i good idea?

What do you think??

i am referring to

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Thanks

What about this though??

Hi there,

Thanks the item i have selected they dont have any of the exact same items listed on ebay for example i searched for YSL Roady Designer Tote Magenta Patent Leather but didnt come up with anything that sells for 1895 for the listed item but they saying their listed price is 1395 does that mean i shud sell it for 1895 item?

is that i good idea?

What do you think??

i am referring to

Link hidden: Login to view


Thanks

Hi again, William,

To be honest, I believe that there are a lot of competitors on ebay that has an wholesale account with www.queenbeeofbeverlyhills.com. You can pretty much say that I know one very personally ;-) Their items and prices are reasonable

does that mean i shud sell stuff listed at queen bee's listed price on ebay??

does that mean i shud sell stuff listed at queen bee's listed price on ebay??

Oh I don't know, but maybe you can also try alternative sites besides ebay. Their sites offer very low or even free listing and final sale fees. I signed up with a few already.

@William, I agree you should try to exploring your auction platform choices. I did a Google search for the item you are asking about and found quite a few selling for less then the price you are planning on listing yours ($1895). I think you'll need to base your research beyond what eBay has to offer :)

Cheers!

So i shud bring it down to 200 to 300 so price is $1600.00??

So i shud bring it down to 200 to 300 so price is $1600.00??

in the end i decided to do this

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So i shud bring it down to 200 to 300 so price is $1600.00??

in the end i decided to do this

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Good Luck and I wish you the very best! :-)

BTW, I saved you as my favorite seller on ebay.

Hi William,

If you would like to pursue selling branded goods at eBay, better build up your feedback quick. :) Buyers who will be parting with the $1k+ will be looking at the seller's feedback number and rating first, and will certainly make this a big factor in their decision to buy.

Have a read on a long list of tips for building up eBay feedback here - Link hidden: Login to view

Cheers!

You should be selling items under 20$ to start and you are looking for trouble selling any high end item, even with a lot of feedback. Another problem is, Paypal will hold your funds and you will have to purchase the item out of pocket.

Another problem is your setting yourself up to be scammed by a buyer.

And another problem is selling from your source.

Start very small. Even sell items for a 1$ to build up feedback until you reach around 100 feedback. Only then can you begin to consider selling items of that amount and even then you are begging for trouble.

You should be selling items under 20$ to start and you are looking for trouble selling any high end item, even with a lot of feedback. Another problem is, Paypal will hold your funds and you will have to purchase the item out of pocket.

Another problem is your setting yourself up to be scammed by a buyer.

And another problem is selling from your source.

Start very small. Even sell items for a 1$ to build up feedback until you reach around 100 feedback. Only then can you begin to consider selling items of that amount and even then you are begging for trouble.

So even a normal dress for around $150 that includes A CO (Certificate of Origin)

??

This is my latest one i have added. Link hidden: Login to view

Planes has a lot of experience to back his advice so if I were you your shoes I would definitely give his advice/tips ample consideration. He is right, for new sellers feedback should be one of your top concerns - other than price many eBay buyers will consider a seller's feedback score a major criteria before actually buying an item.

If you can try going through your old things from around your home to see if there are a few things you can sell, if there are then list them to help you with your feedback :)

All the best!

Planes has a lot of experience to back his advice so if I were you your shoes I would definitely give his advice/tips ample consideration. He is right, for new sellers feedback should be one of your top concerns - other than price many eBay buyers will consider a seller's feedback score a major criteria before actually buying an item.

If you can try going through your old things from around your home to see if there are a few things you can sell, if there are then list them to help you with your feedback :)

All the best!

I am considering of that as i do have a lot of feedback from my trade-me account would it be considered if i link my trade-me account here in nz to my ebay account?

Thanks,William

Hi William,

I don't think you are allowed to put links on your eBay listings that will direct them to your trade listings. According to eBay's links policy

Links to web pages that offer to trade, sell, or buy goods or services outside of eBay, including other auction-style websites.

are NOT allowed.

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But you can mention in your eBay "About Me" page that you also sell on Trade Me.

Hope this helps :)

Hi William,

I don't think you are allowed to put links on your eBay listings that will direct them to your trade listings. According to eBay's links policy

Links to web pages that offer to trade, sell, or buy goods or services outside of eBay, including other auction-style websites.

are NOT allowed.

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But you can mention in your eBay "About Me" page that you also sell on Trade Me.

Hope this helps :)

i have started to list a couple of items on my ebay here are some

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Do those look fine to you guys?

Thanks,William

Hi William,

I see your now listing pre-owned items, that's good but one draw back I saw is the shipping rate. I'm not sure if anyone in the US would be willing to pay $46 for shipping for a pre-owned skirt.

It might be a bit hard to compete with sellers based in the US, for example this listing is also a pre-owned skirt but shipping fee is significantly lower than yours - Link hidden: Login to view (I saw this skirt at the bottom of your listing under 'See what other people are watching')

Another thing you may need to work on are your photos. For tops, dresses and jackets especially - it would be ideal if you have a mannequin or hang them. For more tips, here's a blog that may help - Link hidden: Login to view

Hope this helps :)

Hi William,

I see your now listing pre-owned items, that's good but one draw back I saw is the shipping rate. I'm not sure if anyone in the US would be willing to pay $46 for shipping for a pre-owned skirt.

It might be a bit hard to compete with sellers based in the US, for example this listing is also a pre-owned skirt but shipping fee is significantly lower than yours - Link hidden: Login to view (I saw this skirt at the bottom of your listing under 'See what other people are watching')

Another thing you may need to work on are your photos. For tops, dresses and jackets especially - it would be ideal if you have a mannequin or hang them. For more tips, here's a blog that may help - Link hidden: Login to view

Hope this helps :)

Hi there,

I have Adjusted my shipping for this one but i do not know why no one has gotten any bids on it does the shipping seem right for you i know shipping from nz to usa is quiet expensive.

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Thanks,William

Hi William,

I think you may need to be a bit more patient :) Just list whatever items you have and see how things turn out. But here are some general tips for getting more sales:

* Work on your product photos. Good pictures convert to more sales. And statistics show that the more pictures you have, the higher the selling price. If you are selling clothing, consider getting a mannequin. For other items, purchase a photo tent. This is an easy way to get a clean, professional background for your photos. Buyers will always choose a professional picture over an amateur one.

Note: When I visited your listing just now there was no photo :(

* Make sure your item description provides LOTS of detail. Buyers like to learn as much as possible about the item before they buy. The best sellers on eBay have lengthy product descriptions to ensure the buyer isn't left with questions that might prevent them from bidding.

* If your feedback isn't skyhigh, then work on it. eBay buries sellers with low feedback ratings in the search listings, so less people are going to see your items for sale. The best way to get your feedback up fast? List as many items as you can and consider having a sale (either reducing the item price or offering free shipping). Even if you lose a bit of money now, you'll reap the benefits in the long term when your feedback is higher and your listings more visible.

Also,might want to consider catering to your local market or somewhere closer probably so you can offer better shipping rates thus increasing your chance of getting bids and actually getting feedback.

* Try offering faster shipping. Ship the DAY payment is received if possible. Buyers have high expectations and getting their item delivered in record time leaves a great impression.

These tips may sound simple, but we see SO many people neglecting these things in their listings, it's just not funny. Nothing turns a buyer off like a grainy, dark photograph or a single-sentence product description.

Hope this helps :)

You should be selling items under 20$ to start and you are looking for trouble selling any high end item, even with a lot of feedback. Another problem is, Paypal will hold your funds and you will have to purchase the item out of pocket.

Another problem is your setting yourself up to be scammed by a buyer.

And another problem is selling from your source.

Start very small. Even sell items for a 1$ to build up feedback until you reach around 100 feedback. Only then can you begin to consider selling items of that amount and even then you are begging for trouble.

So even a normal dress for around $150 that includes A CO (Certificate of Origin)

??

If it's not a brand name where eBay considers it a possible problem with the brand owner you should be Ok.

Hi William,

I think you may need to be a bit more patient :) Just list whatever items you have and see how things turn out. But here are some general tips for getting more sales:

* Work on your product photos. Good pictures convert to more sales. And statistics show that the more pictures you have, the higher the selling price. If you are selling clothing, consider getting a mannequin. For other items, purchase a photo tent. This is an easy way to get a clean, professional background for your photos. Buyers will always choose a professional picture over an amateur one.

Note: When I visited your listing just now there was no photo :(

* Make sure your item description provides LOTS of detail. Buyers like to learn as much as possible about the item before they buy. The best sellers on eBay have lengthy product descriptions to ensure the buyer isn't left with questions that might prevent them from bidding.

* If your feedback isn't skyhigh, then work on it. eBay buries sellers with low feedback ratings in the search listings, so less people are going to see your items for sale. The best way to get your feedback up fast? List as many items as you can and consider having a sale (either reducing the item price or offering free shipping). Even if you lose a bit of money now, you'll reap the benefits in the long term when your feedback is higher and your listings more visible.

Also,might want to consider catering to your local market or somewhere closer probably so you can offer better shipping rates thus increasing your chance of getting bids and actually getting feedback.

* Try offering faster shipping. Ship the DAY payment is received if possible. Buyers have high expectations and getting their item delivered in record time leaves a great impression.

These tips may sound simple, but we see SO many people neglecting these things in their listings, it's just not funny. Nothing turns a buyer off like a grainy, dark photograph or a single-sentence product description.

Hope this helps :)

Couldn't agree with Richelle more. You've got to add some text in the description section.

You are at a disadvantage being from NZ selling to people in the states.

I don't know a lot about the mini skirt you have for sale but from past experience, even 10$ is to much. And no one in their right mind would pay 10$ for shipping.

You've got to think like the buyer or as if YOU were buying the item.

The purse you have up for sale will never sell. You give so little information on the product, your asking the buyer to be a mind reader.

Your only chance to ever sell the purse is to build a good story line. Sell the purse in your description.

You just need some experience selling on the eBay platform. Take a day or two or three and search through eBays completed listings which you can find on their search panel on the left side of the item page you are on.