I just read two interesting articles about using Instagram to grow your small business. One article was specifically geared toward ebay sellers. I found the concept intriguing. I'm not into social media. I have a Facebook account but rarely use it and don't have a Twitter account so for me I don't know if trying something like Instagram would be worth it. I don't have a following...Plus it seems like it takes some dedication and work that I should put into listing. But still I thought the concept of posting photos with hashtags was interesting. I thought hashtags were just used in Twitter but recently have noticed them popping up on Pinterest when I pin some of my ebay items. Now after reading these articles about Instagram I'm even more curious. It seems like hashtags may be a big thing (I know I'm so behind the times). Has anyone tried this? Do you use Instagram? Do you post your ebay items there? Is it just a iPhone thing?
Here are the two articles that I'm referring to.
A while back I was reading a blogpost by Melissa Rose an ebay seller and blogger. She was talking about a sale she made of a damaged item and she made the comment "don't Fear the Flaw". I don't remember what her sale was but it was a good sale. Today I want to talk a little bit about that concept. Too many times I get home from the thrift store and realize something I bought has a flaw I didn't see. In the excitement of finding something cool or the bad lighting in the thrift store I just don't always examine things closely enough. When I read the comment of Melissa's Don't Fear the Flaw, and thought about it it made a lot of sense to me. It can't hurt to list the item anyway, disclose the flaw and see what happens. Since then I've practiced the concept and been surprised by what has sold. Below I've posted some items and their flaws. Often I thought twice about actually listing the item. It's surprised me what has sold.
Vintage American Standard Catalog…had a very strong odor. I tried to get the smell out with baking soda and airing out but it didn't work. Listed it anyway and sold it for 9.99.
Copal Flip Clock. Missing one of it's numbers. Sold for 39.99.
Vintage children's book. This book had a lot of damage especially to the cover but wonderful illustrations. Sold 9.99.
VTech computer. Lots of cosmetic damage scratches and such and didn't work properly. Some discs worked while others didn't. Sold for 9.99.
So although some of the sales weren't for very much I moved the item out of my house and made a few bucks. In each case I described the flaws as accurately as possible and so far have had no complaints. So today's lesson. DON'T FEAR THE FLAW. Don't be too quick to give up on an item because it doesn't work or isn't cosmetically perfect. Do some research, price accordingly, describe accurately and you can sell those 'mistakes' that we all buy once in a while.
timely post. I just bought 2 seasons of Gilmore Girls. 1 season has a couple small skips on 2 discs. I thought about donating but maybe I will try to sell. It doesn't skip anything important just freezes for a few seconds.
ReplyDeleteFunny :) I was just reading your blog this morning about how you were watching Gilmore Girls...Are you working hard today? Get to work! ;) Seriously, we all have those days.
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ReplyDeleteI have a cute planter that I listed even though it has a couple of chips. I don't think it's going to sell though. I beat myself up when I come home and find out that things I've purchased are damaged or missing something. I usually just throw it on the garage sale pile.
ReplyDeleteMe too. I feel like a such a novice when I screw up. I gave up on garage sales when I made $20 at my last one. Lets see about $4 an hour not counting preparing for it. I swore never again. We'll see.
DeleteI'm getting better about not fearing the flaw, but its difficult with my ocd tendencies :) As far as social media, I post some stuff on Pinterest, but not much. I've heard that with Cassini, it can actually hurt your search ranking if you get lots of views without sales, and that Cassini wants your customers to find you more 'organically.' I think for me, a better use of my time is just to list, list, list.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. I too think it's a better use of time to list.
DeleteHow funny, I also just recently posted about selling imperfect items on ebay..as I sold a vintage McCoy planter with a crack in it for $35 plus shipping. I bought a couple of Boy Scout mugs a few days back and when I was cleaning them (1 was really dirty), I rubbed off a little bit of the design on top. I was going to donate it back when hubby reminded me to just listed it with the flaw and see what happens! :)
ReplyDeleteWow. Thirty-five dollars with a crack in it. That's a great price. I hope your Scout mugs do well. It seems like scouting stuff is popular.
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