Where to set starting prices?

[Nekrokat]

normally when i sell on eBay i set the starting price at or close to what i want, but doubt that'll work for comics. from loooking around it looks like listings that get a lot of bids start the bidding very low, but then i don't wanna get screwed. seen that happen before too. so where do you folks start your listing at?

like if i'm selling a comic that guides for about $100 would you start at $9.99, $39, or maybe $79? any help appreciated!

[marvelguy]

If it was up to me, I'd start low and maybe have a reserve price in there. That way, if it went too low, you wouldn't regret it.

[dhennen]

The problem with ebay is once you add reserve and paypal fees your 50 cent listing can easily turn into a five dollar listing...

For a book that guides at $100 I'd start at $9.99 ONLY if you can deal with a winning bid at that price and promote the auction (subject to the site rules) here at the Corral, on the CGC forum list if you're a member, and any other comic fan sites (I'd love to see a list of those)

Dave H

[razorz000]

Nek

Set the book at what your willing to let it go for..being if you can handle selling it for less than $50 then start low OR set it at a higher price in hopes that someone will come along and bid on it..

You might also want to try here first as it's free and the only fee is pay-pal which still saves you in the long run.

[comicstock]

Speaking of setting a reserve price...
I consistenly get potential bidders checking in with me asking what my reserve is.
I never tell them and some go away mad, I'm sure.
I figure if they want the book bad enough, they'll bid.
I also think it's not fair to interested others who wouldn't ask.

Thoughts?

[68 Guns]

Speaking of setting a reserve price...
I consistenly get potential bidders checking in with me asking what my reserve is.
I never tell them and some go away mad, I'm sure.
I figure if they want the book bad enough, they'll bid.
I also think it's not fair to interested others who wouldn't ask.

Thoughts?


Since you ask- I think anyone who takes the time to email you a question about the reserve has already indicated they are a bit serious.You are punishing them because you want to be fair to those people too lazy to bother asking? I generally bid as high as I'm willing to go,so if that doesn't make reserve,no big deal.
A few years ago,I placed a bid for $517.76 on a book,and it didn't meet reserve. I emailed the owner and got a response to the effect that the reserve was hidden for a reason.I ended up high bidder and the seller offered me the book for $525,the reserve price. I passed.He offered it to me for the $517.76 I'd bid and got very upset when I passed.Had he answered my first question with the $525 reserve,I'm sure I would have bought the book.Instead,he lost the sale and a future customer.

[jaydeebee]

Nekrokat,
I would set the reserve at the least you are willing to part with the comic...if that's $100 or $50 or whatever, then set the opening bid at .01 (why pay FeeBay more than you have to?)

At 1 cent you're sure to start getting bids and watchers and that often is enough to drive something above the reserve. JMHO. :)

[disneyteddies]

Personally I HATE reserve bids...I'd rather they start it at what they can afford to let it go for. JMO. But it is usually a deal breaker for me. If I ask a seller the reserve and they won't tell me what it is, there's no way on earth I would buy it or bother with any other of their auctions unless it was a deal I for sure couldn't find anywhere else.

[fastballspecial]

Reserves on comics are tough all around everyone wants it cheap. Its been a long time since I have even used a reserve. I suggest either opening a store and charging what you think is either fair market, full market, or will be market and add a best off function. Or do some research find what book sells for and put your starting bid at low end and advertise. Auctions just in my opinion should be only for hot books that are gonna see the bidding action. Its how I do it, but you will find some will disagree with me based on what they sell.

[fastballspecial]

Just cuz I got some time to kill here. Here are a few words of wisdom from my experiences over the years. (Illum and Ken will be in here soon to crack on me.)

Do you research. Until you get very good with books I suggest getting both a subscription to Wizard and the newest Overstreet Guide.

Check completed ending auctions for the stuff you want to sell price accordingly. Always offer best offers on stuff unless its as cheap you want to sell it.

Take advantage of FTP or Photoshop to hold your pictures. Anybody using ebay for the pictures is getting hosed.(Scares me to think they might cut it off someday.)

Both advertise and offer advice/information on comic related boards. I post regularly on 3 and do a 4th when I have time. The more you get out the more you will sell. Of course you get drag alongs like Ken and Illuminated#cheers#, but after awhile you learn to ignore them.#poke#

Include readers with your buyers books. Seems simple, but most dont do it.

Pack the hell out of the comics you ship. Either that or you get to read more about Ken's poor packing comics he gets in the mail every week. Remember this mantra
boarded, bagged, bubble wrap and cardboard sandwich taped shut and you cant go wrong.#superman#

[Poe]

You can use a buy it now paired with best offer. This allows you to set a higher price somebody might go for while still allowing yourself to field offers on the book.

[razorz000]

You can use a buy it now paired with best offer. This allows you to set a higher price somebody might go for while still allowing yourself to field offers on the book.


If you have noticed FEEPAY is headed this way as many books haven't made much in auction form. Might be the smart way BUT keep in mind the hefty fee's that go with it as well.

[vathgar]

I personally find reserves irritating. If the reserve price is the lowest you want for your item set the starting price at that and don't mess with the confusion of a reserve. imho