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eBay

If you buy or sell items on eBay, you will find tips and advice on this forum.

Original poster

My items aren't selling - should I close my eBay Store?

29 replies

MrsScavo · 15/08/2007 11:23

At the moment, it's just costing me money.

Why aren't my items selling?

Please be honest!

This is my eBay store

OP posts:
jules99 · 15/08/2007 11:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

moljam · 15/08/2007 11:29

i think the bibs are beutiful but tbh i wouldnt spend £7 plus on a bib no matter how pretty.

Dingle · 15/08/2007 11:31

I think they are lovely, do you make them yourself?

Only thing I can think of is price, some people want something for nothing IYKWIM.

One thing struck me, have you thought about exploring the SN market. My DD has Down Syndrome and for a while it was impossible to get anthing large enough that was both pretty and practical and not too babyish.

Sorry, just a personal point of view.

wulfricsmummy · 15/08/2007 11:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

mumfor1standfinaltime · 15/08/2007 11:33

They look nice to me, but I can't see any sizes stated on the one I clicked on.
It just reads 'large'.
When I buy clothes (or anything on ebay really) I like measurements and detailed descriptions about material etc.

Original poster
MrsScavo · 15/08/2007 12:01

I pay someone to make them the bibs, so they cost me £4.50 each. I'll definately put on the actual sizes from now on (The large are 45cm x 28cm, btw)

The SN route is probably a good idea, as they are comfortably fit my 4 year old.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsScavo · 15/08/2007 14:32

I'm desperately re-thinking prices. - At worst I'll need to clear my stock.

How much would you pay for one of these bibs, considering the plastic ones of a similar size, but lesser quality in Boots and Sainsburys are £2.50?

Any advice apreciated!

OP posts:
onlyWotz · 15/08/2007 14:37

Have a look at this seller I found this morning

I am interested in an apron (handmade)

here

price? bibs too

saffymum · 15/08/2007 14:41

Hi, they are lovely, what about expanding your categories, also putting on a 'best offer'?

Catilla · 15/08/2007 14:46

If they are new and made especially for you, I wouldn't use things like BNIB and BNWT in the listing... that sounds like you are passing on something you've bought and didn't like/need. Maybe say "handmade" or "new" instead?

onlyWotz · 15/08/2007 14:48

If you are paying someone £4.50 to make them, and you have to pay for listings and payment fees...its not much of a margin is it?

Original poster
MrsScavo · 15/08/2007 14:53

The total cost of the bibs to make, including fabric, poppers, etc is £4.50. Initially I was selling them for £9.99, and sold quite a few at Christmas fairs. I've only ever sold 2 on ebay though, in the first week I opened the shop. Then I was charging £8.50.

As I'm not selling any at the moment, it's just cosing me money to have the eBay shop.

I could compromise on quality, a sell them more cheeply, but I'd rather not.

OP posts:
Dingle · 15/08/2007 14:58

Not an expert, ony sell a few card toppers on Ebay every now and then because I simply don't have much crafting time ATM. Other MNs on the A&C thread talk about Etsy- might be worth a look.

TootyFrooty · 15/08/2007 14:58

The problem is that you can buy about 1000 bibs in Tesco for 99p (ok, I'm exaggerating!) and people are reluctant to spend much on bibs. We were given some gorgeous bibs when the dses were born but I can honestly say we didn't use them because they were "too" nice. I know that sounds daft but when you have cheapy bibs that can be washed at 60 or thrown out if they are a real mess then it's a no brainer.

Niecie · 15/08/2007 15:07

They are lovely bibs but I think the price might be a problem too.

Have you thought about auctioning them rather than Buy it Now? Put a price starting at £4.99 for a large one.? And maybe put the postage price up by 25p - I know you aren't supposed to make money on it but you could argue that it is the cost of work not just the actual P&P and recoup some of your fees that way.

Can I ask of the ones you have sold, do you sell more of the large ones or the little ones? My DS2 refused to wear a bib after the age of about 18 months so I never needed a large one. The market for smaller sized ones might be better as babies definitely need one and won't argue about it!

How about diversifying into something else child related which might get more traffic going to your shop? Maybe something which coordinates with the fabric on the bibs? Playmats, floor protector mats for under the highchair or picnic rugs could be made of the same material with the waterproofing just cut to a different shape. That would require more outlay though.

I am interested in starting an ebay shop too but worried about making it work so I wish you luck and hope you find the magic forumla!

onlyWotz · 15/08/2007 15:22

Don't get me wrong, they are lovely but 90% of consumers are living in a throw away lifestyle. If the vast majority can get it 5p cheaper and know it might not last as long, they will buy cheap tat!

snowwonder · 15/08/2007 15:29

have you tried putting an age into the title

so it comes up when someone searches eg..

next age 2-3

next age 1-2

i always imagine next to be a popular search on there,

you need to get a popular search word into the title so it appears on searches,

you wouldnt think ebay the first place to buy bibs..

best of luck they are lovely

snowwonder · 15/08/2007 15:31

do you have to have the shop?

couldnt you just look as standard. i hardly ever look into the shops in there

Original poster
MrsScavo · 15/08/2007 17:49

Thanks everyone, you've ginuinely given me some good points to think about.

OP posts:
onlyWotz · 15/08/2007 19:06

MrsScavo, good luck I hope business picks up for you.

Marne · 15/08/2007 19:15

I have found e-bay stores/shops are a waste of time, i sell hand made items and 2nd hand kids clothes and sell alot more through normal listings and 'buy it now' than when i had a shop, i think the bibs are lovely and i would pay around £5-£6 for one.

Try listin one on an auction too see how much people are willing to bid/pay for one also this will get people to look in your store.

I hope things pick up for you soon as they have for me. Good luck

FlameBatfink · 15/08/2007 19:24

www.mumzmall.co.uk you can do a proper store for free, and ebay too - get sales from more angles

Original poster
MrsScavo · 15/08/2007 21:08

Thankyou Falme..... I'd never even heard of mumz mall, but it looks like a really exciting site. I just hope I don't buy too much, like when I first found etsy!

OP posts:
Tillyboo · 19/08/2007 09:43

Hi,

Personally I don't think Ebay is the right place for lovely handmade items and your stuff is lovely !

I'd try Etsy or Mumzmail for handmade stuff.

I make and sell stuffed 'creatures' dogs, horses, cats, rabbits etc, (you can have a peep at my profile) and I know that I wouldn't sell them on Ebay - people want something for something a lot of the time and 'handmade' isn't always appreciated.

Try one of the above stores, I know that some people have done very well out of it.

Good Luck !

hertsnessex · 19/08/2007 09:48

dss now to old for bibs - but i would have bought one, love the fire engine one especiailly.

good luck

cx