Online Selling On Accessories - Page 2

Bambie

Hello Felisthestore,

Care to share some experience on ebay selling? Coz I always feel that for things to sell at eBay an Yahoo, prices must usually be very cheap. How much do you usually price your accessories at??

felisthestore

Hi Bambie

Well I did some selling on eBay Singapore. That was free at first when I started in early 2005. But somehow they added like to make it bold you need to pay this much, if you need to highlight your picture so it will stand out, you need to pay this much. It's pretty pricey so because of that you need to increase your selling price.

I had a monthly store costing me $24 per month. But because of that I have to increase my prices by like a dollar more. Sometimes I didin't make any profit. One advantage of having a store is that you have an URL but disadvantage is that you need to cover up your store rental prices.

It's kinda hard to maintain my stuff as my working schedule got in the way so that's why I'm opting for blog website to sell my stuff. Just need to work harder to advertise it.

cashmere

It is still free to sell on EBay..
It's just that you have to pay to set up a store..
But for normal listings with no specialty (e.g bold words/highlight), it is free..

felisthestore

That's the problem. You need to set up a store so as not to continuously keep relisting your items every week. It took up 1 hr of my time just selling at least 40 items if I don't set up a store. Having a store you have a choice of having your items on the site for as long as you want.

But that's another problem. Usually when you keyed in something in the search engine, eBay will give results of those items that will soon expire. So if you have your item for 30 days, nobody will bother to look for it at the bottom of the list. Anything that catches their eyes first they will buy it. But if decided to list the item for example 7 days, at the end of the 7 seven days you need to relist it just so somebody will buy.

cashmere

Yeah, I agree...
It is troublesome to relist the whole lot every week.
But well, that's the hassle you have to go through for free things..
Otherwise, maybe people won't even pay to set up a store there.

shortcake

what type of accessories are well sold? i also have problem selling off my accessories such as bracelets, earring and necklace online. how can we take nice pic of a pair of earrings? to lay them on the floor or to hanging them up? what about bracelet? to wear it on the hand or to lay it flat on the floor? Seems that the pic i taken not so appealing to online shoppers lei

jewelry-fan

You have to attract the customers first, then you have to earn their trust.

tarandip

yupp. but how to attract the customers?

FF Fashion

For those who are serious about being an online entrepreneur, my suggestion is to start by selling through both ebay/yahoo auction AND your own website. In Singapore, it is really difficult to sell via your own website unless you are prepared to throw in some $$$ to do effective advertising.

For newbies, tap on the existing pools of browers &/or buyers in ebay/yahoo. If your website is new, people are either not aware or even if they know of your website, may not necessary buy from you. Selling thru' ebay/yahoo has its advantage because there is buyers' protection.

Each time someone buys from your ebay/yahoo sale, direct them to your website so that in future they can go direct to your website to buy. Keep prices the same though. In fact, in your ebay/yahoo sale, you can in your product description highlight the existence of your blog. The feedback rating will also help to create the right impression.

And if your accessories are really good and prices are reasonable, word-of-mouth will bring you the customers. For those with limited stocks of accessories may wish to consider selling a variety of different fashion products eg apparels, bags, belts etc.

It is also important to know who your competitors are. Drop by well-known accessories shops (eg Xcessories, Diva, Sinma, etc) or accessories corners in big departmental stores, and compare their products and prices with your own. If you have not already done this, spend some time in town first before you say 'hey, not comparable lah, their stuff must be more expensive because of the location and rental". You will be surprise.

Finally, do not attempt to do a blog when you don't have enough stocks. If a potential customer is to drop by your 'nothing much to see' blog/website, you are wasting both parties' time, hers and yours, and your traffic hits will just head south... meaning you can get ready to close down even before you start. Not trying to be sarcastic... it is really not easy... heard of 创业难,守业更难?

Then again, never give up, if you don't try, you never know... may be your business will be the next Breadtalk, 77th Street or Charles & Keith

Good luck gals

dirah77

Hi all,

I'm new here and just started my online biz for accessories.

I agree that word-of-mouth is the best marketing strategies for a start. It will be easier to promote to your families, friends, relatives and colleagues than an outsider. Once you have proved your products are worth the buy, they will keep coming back and of course spread the words around. That will help a lot with having your blog or website to showcase your products who have been introduced to, because the guarantee is there.