Any expert shoppers? I think I need some help/pointers.

[NatalieJane]

I have recently set up an eBay shop, selling gifts and homeware type things. It is nice, good quality stuff, and obviously I have paid a price for it. So my selling price has to cover the outlay plus eBay/PP charges, even while these are covered with no room for profit, I don't think I am asking too much for anything?

I firstly set it up on BIN, then BIN with best offers, and now they are all on auctions, but, I have only sold 4 things.

As a new eBayer, I didn't have any feedback, I now have a grand total of 8! But, still nothing seems to be shifting.

Any pointers as to where I'm going wrong?

stores.ebay.co.uk/Natalie-Oliver-Furnishings

Sorry, meant to say, I have asked family and friends and they all just do the usual "oh it's lovely", which is nice of them, but not very constructive!!

firstly I don't think people are spending money at the moment

also you state about proof of postage and no liability - this would send me hitting the back button immediately

it is your responsibility as a seller to get items to the buyer - recorded is for your protection as a seller, and a buyer who doesn't receive, or claims not to receive will get their money back regardless of what you state. You charge £4 for postage which is quite high, for this amount you could send courier like collect plus with a signature.

Also, by advertising you don't use recorded for items under £20 you are opening yourself up to scammers who will pretend not to receive goods

also all the voucher code info, confusing and wordy - I would leave the majority of that out, and just refund any buyer 10% or whatever after payment. That is of course if you are allowed to offer discounts in that way, why not just put a discount on the item until so many are sold?

You sre sellinh lovely things.
Maybe put free p&p? Think things sell better that way.
Could you develop a logo? The name of your company is very small - could go on the banner.
Not sure how you have listed your items but these things could be great mothers day presents - have you put mothers day in the search title

I agree with a pp, the proof of postage comment is meaningless as the buyer will get their money back if they do not receive the item. Your comment would however put me off buying. Also all the voucher codes and discounts is way too confusing and not necessary. If I buy from Ebay it tends to be a one off because I am looking for something in particular, I am not looking for a shop to keep going back to. Fair enough discounts for combined postage. In my opinion the buyer needs to look at the sale and feel they are getting the best offer here and now so I would put the items on at the very least you can afford to. I am no expert but I think some of the best sellers are making small amounts on items but selling thousands because of the reasonable prices they are selling at.

Sorry, had work this morning.

Thanks for all the comments :)

The items are now listed with a starting price made up of what the item has cost me to buy (at trade prices) and then with 15% added to cover the eBay and PP fee's, I can't really lower them else I'd be losing money. I am hoping (probably beyond hope!) that at least a few of the things will get at least two bidders and they bump up the price to at least give me some profit.

The p&p, I can't offer free unless I bump the price of the goods up. Of the 4 things I have sold, I have paid more than I charged to post, and of course that is without the packaging and fuel, time, etc. So, what do I do? Up the cost of the products, or leave the p&p? Problem is, I am selling a couple of things that other's are selling, and so that obviously effects the price I can list them at. Though, luckily most of it is unique to eBay!

• Is there a cheaper way to send small parcels other than RM? I'm not trying to rip anyone off on the p&p, if I can buy it cheaper, then I will charge less p&p.

I thought the voucher thing might be enough to encourage people to leave feedback, should I just get rid?

I will reword/drop the comments re. liability etc.

Thanks again, anything else to consider?

So sorry Uptightmama, completely managed to miss your post!

The shop is the basic £15/month one, (got to start somewhere?!) I don't think it has the same functionality as the better options. My logo should be there though, three little houses?

And yes, most items have Mother's day in the listing title, I put it right at the end, and eBay usually chop the end bit off, but obviously it would still come up in searches.

Try Collect Plus - I find them cheaper than Royal Mail

I would get rid of the vouchers all together - I don't think it would encourage feedback. If people are going to leave it they will - many don't bother. It is voluntary after all.

Thanks Fergoose, will give them a try and ditch the vouchers.

Does anyone know if there is anything I can do now to try and get something moving? It's in the final couple of hours and nothing has a bid on - it's cost me a small fortune to put them all on there, 3 times now!

I think your stuff is beautiful but agree with fergoose people dont seem to be spending.I have listed so much on ebay and I am afraid people are looking for bargains,less than charity shop prices.Perhaps it is the wrong time of the year to be selling your items.I feel for you because I really do need to make money and it has been very slow indeed on ebay,but genuine vintage (like an old fountain pen I had and an old chinese vase) seem to go well.Dont let me put you off because I think your items are gorgeous,so persevere and who knows it might really take off! Good Luck!

Thank you, just wish someone liked it enough to buy it!

Oh well, 8 mins till the first thing finishes, think we'll be carbooting the lot on Sunday! And if it doesn't sell there, our mum's will have a nice Mother's day!

I like your wee things too - but I wouldn't describe them as furninshings.. To me furnishings are big stuff. I hope you manage to sell them. Widh I needed a candleholder and could help you out!

Ha, yes, furnishings, it started off with big things and they got smaller as nothing sold.

And ditto, nothing sold tonight. Pretty pants really!

The next lot finishes tomorrow night, am now not expecting anything to go, so car boot here we come!

Gah! Wondering if it's worth trying to sell the stuff in bigger lots as wholesale?

I did post earlier but forgot to say it is lovely stuff you are selling. I have been watching a few things as have similar myself to sell but they are not going for much at the moment so I am hanging fire for now.

Have you thought about table top sales at Spring Fair's or even Antique Fair's as they sell shabby chic and reproduction stuff at those? Hope that helps.

My second sentence was supposed to say I have been watching a few things on ebay as have similar myself ...........

Sorry Cinders only just seen your reply.

We sold one thing on eBay! I think it is time to hang fire on that, in the meantime, I have been doing some research.

I own a website for my established business (interior design). I have worked hard on it and particularly on the SEO side of it and it comes up on the first page if you search for ID's in Lancashire, now, I am sure I wouldn't get a shop based site so high in the listings, but think I am going to give it a try to at least try and get it established. Obviously with a link back and forth between the old and new sites.

The thing I noticed on eBay was that compared to years ago when we sold the odd household (used) things, now there were a tiny percentage of people even looking at the things. And over the last month or so that most of it has been on eBay, I've had more traffic through my own website.

So, now just need to find the time to build the website... ooh, and I need a name, am going to be very me me me and start another thread... can't remember the last time I started a thread, let alone two in a week!

Thanks again for everybodies in-put, much appreciated :)