I was telling some friends recently about my having sold a few items here at GothAuctions, and they said "oh, but you should really list over at (blah blah blah), it's free as well and...". You know, like they're the experts or something. *rolls eyes*

Their reasoning was entirely based on site traffic. Which, you'd think, would make all the difference. SO... I went to check out a few of the auction sites they recommended, and did some research. One site has a jewelry section which is 18 pages long and has about 20 listings per page. Out of all those auctions (about 360) only 7 items had bids. I compared that to here, where within the first 5 pages of the necklace category there were 8 items being bid on. That doesn't count the rings, brooches, and body jewelry categories (etc.) - over 500 listings!! I compared the digital & lithograph art print categories on two other sites and sure enough, the smaller site had more listings and more bidding going on than the larger one. So it seems it's "not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog". One site may have more people, but definitely not as much action.

WTF?? Are big sites just full of snipers and tightwads or something? Why is nobody bidding? Or is it just that in general sales are crappy lately? Anyway, I'm not sure if I'm going to bother taking my friends' advice just yet. It's a lot of trouble to make up listings and get your ME page/profile (etc.) all set up for nothing. I'll keep watching and see if things pick up. I don't know if many people here run several listings on more than one site all at the same time, but it's got to be a bit tricky to keep track of...

There was an interesting article I read online about how there was 3X times the Sellers compared to buyers on eBay. No wonder eBay is getting so bloody rich! I had a friend tell me about Bidville awhile back. Its all right, again-A LOT of Sellers....not much to buy. I used to sell on 4-5 different sites at any given time, but like you I too got easily confused and it got to be more of a hassle then anything. Not worth the time or money for that matter when its all said & done.
I stick with Goth (sometimes Gothic) because the community here is simply the best. Of course, free listings is a perk. The buyers (many sellers as well) here are fantastic! The site itself is fun to buy & sell period.

I think that's a big part of it - community. On a site that is just so huge, it's difficult to get to know people well and establish a good buying/selling relationship. Fair enough, most sites have chat forums or user groups... but you know, of the 5 I belong to on eBay, only two have relatively active message boards - and it's the same small core of people that do the majority of the posting. One group I belong to has over 1200 members and still, only about 10% actively post. Even so, the 10% who post create so many damned threads it's a real pain to try to sift through. GAH!

Here though, it's a lot easier to get to know people. It's big, but not massive and intimidating. And you probably have a point there - the ratio of sellers to buyers is likely more balanced here.

I dont sell but buy alot(too much!)and I only buy on Goth and Gothic. I know there are alot of loyalty issues for some sellers and dont understand that but some sellers only sell on one or the other, whomever their loyalty is with. I enjoy both. I dont do E-Bay yet. My kids want me to set up an account there but I think my auction budget would be blown in a day! It has way to many listings. It would be auction overload!

First of all, THIS site is free-hope you told your friends that Secondly-I have also noticed other sites where there aren't as many bids as there are sellers. Honestly-I take that into consideration when posting auctions. Let's face it, posting isn't exactly a speedy thing to do. You have to take the photo, which I know can be a lengthy thing to do when you have a lot of auctions to post. Then typing it all out, which is also lengthy (I don't even have a fanciful template, I am sure that's even more work). Then posting your auction terms, etc. If I am going to put forth all of that effort in selling I sure as hell would like it to be worth my while.
I LOVE this site. So far, about 65% of all that I have posted on here has sold which is a really good percentage considering the few auctions that I have posted.
I use eBay as a last resort, but haven't even used them in over a year because I haven't had too! This site, as well as GothicAuctions are both free, and have alot of hits. I think it really depends on what you are selling as well. I will most definitely check out the category for what I am selling to see how it's going.
Another thing to consider is the time of year. This can make all the difference in the world. FEBRUARY is slow for everyone-auctioning or NOT! I don't know what it is. But with the warmer weather coming and people getting their taxes back, it's the best time to start selling now.

Everyone goes through slow times, it's a part of the business. I think if you're comfortable here, then stay here. It's alright to try other sites and if you have success fantastic! Me? I will stay here, honestly. I love it here. The people are great, honest (the vast majority are anyway) and very helpful.

I haven't had any luck on gothICauctions except selling cheap hair falls.. I talk occasionally on their boards.. but its like I'm invisible because I'm "new".

I have ran auctions on multiple sites a few times. It really isn't that hard to keep track of things if you are remotely organized. The more sites you list on, and the more items you list, the more chances of getting bids! I sell on Gothauctions, Laundromatic, epaganauctions, and Gothicauctions. I have had the most luck here though, so when I am selling things from my home, and not my business, I sell them here first, before I try any other sites.

-Aly-

Quote: "I haven't had any luck on gothICauctions except selling cheap hair falls.. I talk occasionally on their boards.. but its like I'm invisible because I'm "new"."

I know that feeling. I rarely post over there. A couple times I asked for help and people read my post, but don't offer any help, even when you KNOW FOR A FACT that they have the answer you are looking for. Then the person who runs the site over there seems to have plenty of time to make posts, but never has the time to answer your questions on the forums. I find it highly annoying.

-Aly-

I sell here & GA. I also appreciate the community feel. You don't get that at ebay ... not to mention GO & GA are free. I'm going through some slow times, too, but it seems to be that way all the way around. A slump, I guess.
Actually, not trying to start a fight but, Seumas has not posted on the boards (save for the admin blog which are posts directly related to the running of GA) for quite a while ... 6 months or more maybe. And call it chance or what you will, but I have had replies to my email inquiries on GA as often & as fast as GO.
Ange

And you post in the help me section? I have yet to get a response. Perhaps it is because I am new, or maybe I ask questions that they get sick of answering. Who knows.

Perhaps the admins blog is what I am thinking of that he posts in then. Regardless... it would be nice to have the help and support over there that I receive here from both Noc and CodeVore.

-Aly-