AAArgh. Why is no-one bidding on my item?

[ChristmasTrulyReigns]

I thought it was a sure fire winner.

24 hours to go - I have 4 watchers and no bidders.

What did I do wrong?

they are waiting to snipe in the last minutes
hold your nerve

Ok I'll try.

What is it?

Oh it's a Cath Kidston messenger bag.

Well I've just looked and there are loads on without any bids. Must be a last minute thing - I'm sure it will go!

Gizza link and we'll give you helpful pointers?

Uh, Yuno, I wasn't posting in the hope of sparking interest - please don't think I was doing this to drum up business.

Here's the bag.

Would you mind just seeing if you think I could have phrased it differently?

I did wonder if I should have used my own photo, rather than Google images? Do you think that's more appealing?

Thanks.

It doesn't say whether it's new or used, for a start, which would put me off bidding.

And yes, I always prefer to see a photo of the actual item, unless I"m buying a new item from a commercial seller.

Blarn and Dast.

Thanks AuntA.

I'll see if I can add that!

Grr.

It may sell second time, not everything sells first time, eBay statistics state an item generally sells on the 3rd listing.

What don't sell this week might next week. etc., etc.,

Its too expensive.

You do need a photograph of the actual item, I generally put in a little bit about how much it has been used and if it is BNWT why I haven't used it , so that purchasers are reassured I'm genuine. I know not everyone agrees but I start everything at 99p because I get better overall prices - people start bidding on something and tend to get carried away. If you list several items at the same time there is a swings and roundabouts effect anyway. I have just sold 7 items of clothing I'd never have worn again this way for £216 so it does work.

Start it at 99p! It really works. I put a pair of Hunter wellies on there for 99p and have already made more than I paid for them with one day left to run!

Ahh, higgle and Dubya - I did start with 99p for a pair of joules Wellibobs and got stung.

I think I'm going to relist it so it finishes on a sunday evening, with own photographs.

Any other tips, please?

I agree with the 99p start price, if you can bear it. IME you end up with a higher overall sale price, on average, by starting low. Occasionally if I can see that something's not getting any watchers I will withdraw the listing before the end of the auction, but on the whole I tend to only list items I think will go for more than the starting price, and generally I find it pays off.

Alternatively, put it on as a Buy It Now listing.

And yes, a Sunday evening finish. If you're selling as a private seller I find it works quite well to explain why you're selling, eg. "I am really sad to sell this skirt but it no longer fits me" or "I am gutted to sell this lovely bag that was given to me, but it's the only way of saving my children from starvation" -- though that might be overdoing it, on reflection. I've had a certain amount of success with the "Doh" approach, eg. "My husband bought this item but didn't realise it was identical to the one I already had. And by the time we realised he'd lost the paperwork for a refund. So grab yourself a bargain!". That kind of thing.