Cyber Monday & Black Friday are They Real?
Dear eBay Queen;
I’ve been hearing a lot about Black Friday and Cyber Monday. What is it? Is this something that affects eBay?
I’ve been thinking about selling items on eBay again. I really don’t have anything here in the house to sell. It’s only a week until Thanksgiving, is there any way I can get some stuff to sell before the Christmas rush? Do you have any suggestions on where I could buy things to sell?
Old Seller
Dear: Seller;
Black Friday is the kick off to the big Christmas shopping season. Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The term “Cyber Monday”, refers to the Monday right after Thanksgiving. Cyber Monday is supposed to symbolizes a busy day for online retailers. The idea behind it is that buyers would go back to work on Monday after the Black Friday weekend, making purchases online that they were not able to make in stores. Cyber Monday first came to life in 2005; many people think Cyber Monday is a fake day, invented by internet retailers.
Traditionally, this time of year has always been good for me on eBay. With the economy down, it might not be as good as it has been. I go out every Black Friday to purchase Christmas presents for my family. I’ve also been known to pick up stuff to sell on eBay when I go out early the day after Thanksgiving. If you think you’d like to acquire some stock that way, you can always check out what toys retailers think will be hot this year hotchristmastoys.org and compare it to the Black Friday retailer sales circular; blackfriday.info.
You can also acquire stock to sell by going to thrift stores, vintage shops and antique stores. I have a friend that purchases a good portion of her stock from the Dollar Store. I believe she shops first; making a note of the items she thinks could sell well, then goes home and looks to see what the completed listings are ending for. There are also liquidators or wholesalers.
I think the week after Thanksgiving has always been a good week for me on eBay. I wish you lots of luck finding your inventory and Happy Thanksgiving.
Dear eBay Queen;
I’ve been buying on eBay for six years. I have 2489 buying feedback. Normally I ask my seller to send my items out via USPS parcel post, that way I can save money on shipping. Lately I’ve had quite a few sellers give me a hard time about doing this. Do you have any idea why? My latest seller absolutely refused to use parcel post shipping. What is the problem?
Barb; Ottawa
Dear Barb:
I think the sellers are concerned you will be unhappy with the rate and speed of parcel post shipping. Since eBay has instituted the Detailed Seller Ratings, a buyer can express their feelings like never before! I believe the sellers feel you could ding their DSR stars, or give them a negative or neutral for slow shipping.
Some sellers use only priority mail because they receive boxes free and it is so easy and quick to use. It could cost your seller more time and money to ship it parcel post. Depending upon what you are buying, your seller may have to purchase a plain box or packaging, clear tape and labels.
I know I would be afraid you would be unhappy with the time it takes to send an item via parcel post. I have had buyers ask for parcel post and I upgrade them to Priority because of this. I think to alleviate a seller’s fears, I would let them know upfront that you realize it will take 5-10 days for your item to arrive, and you will not grade them on the post office’s shipping time.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 280282939567
(Enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page) Have you ever wondered what it would cost to sit in the Grandstand at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Wonder no more! Here is a set of 6 tickets sold for $3000 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item280282939567
Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained Education Specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com.
Suzie Eads
Recent Comments