Definitely useful information. You might want to review the "New price records" thread, as it looks like some people are very interested in seeing price performance split out by individual item, if it's possible.
Thanks for the seller info ... I'll try it out sometime. Here's a couple tips of my own to sellers to maximize your visibility:
* Putting your rarest/most desirable item (such as the ever-cliche Deities & Demigods w/Cthulhu) in the gallery and possibly in bold (if running 100+ auctions) does seem to increase the overall bid response. There's no need to make more gallery items, though; just put a link in your auction description encouraging people to check out your other auctions.
* Reserves hurt you, unless you're selling just a few big-ticket items all at once. People tend to bid less when there is a reserve, unless the item is exceptionally rare.
* Alphabetize your listings and print out your entire offering list on your About Me page. I'm serious - people are actually lazy enough that if you don't alphabetize your items, and they're looking for a specific item, they won't look past your top 20 items or so.
* If you can afford to, bid on a lot of high-profile items during your sell period. If you have a high feedback rating, people get curious and like to click on your About Me page when they're reviewing the bidders. This leads them to your items for sale.
* My personal favorite time to run auctions is on Thursday afternoon-evening, 10 days. This gives you two entire weekends of exposure (Friday-Saturday-Sunday) for just $0.10 more per item. This is most effective if you have 100+ items to run; for less, Jon's 7-day trick is probably better.
* Grade all items conservatively; brighten the graphic to clearly show flaws, and point them out in your descriptions. You may hurt your bottom line by 1-2%, but you'll get almost zero negative feedback and you'll soon find yourself flooded with pleased repeat customers.
* If you have a passion for the item, say so, and why. People get bored looking at 20 identical auctions; they're going to go with the one that tells them something the others don't, and someone who's clearly happy doing what they're doing.
* This shouldn't need to be said, but for God's sake, don't begin your auction with a litany of threats against deadbeat bidders! Welcome people to your auction, don't shout them out of it.
* Offer to answer all questions and give people the potential to receive more collector information on request. This opens up real-life trade routes where you can swap with people and get lots of face-to-face o rin-the-mail transactions, and you can often get first crack at some rarities. (Watch out that you don't solicit outside of eBay's policy, though. Let them come to you and don't coerce.)
* Offer series if you can. If you put A1, A2, A3, and A4 up for bid, you're going to get higher bids on all of them than if you just put up A2 and A4.
* Open yourself up to international bidders. The dollar sucks right now, and there are good people overseas.
* Start all of your items at a low price, and you'll attract more bidders.
* Happily sell items that under-perform, even if you're operating at a loss. The long-term increase in loyal customers makes up more than the difference. Never refuse a valid sale.
* Offer unannounced bonuses (
B2's, X1's, catalogs, etc.) to new collectors, as long as you don't increase their shipping charge.
* For a real frenzy, try opening one wave of auctions at the same time that another is ending. Warning - this is a headache for you!
Lots more, but those should get you started. The hobby thrives when both buyers and sellers are at the top of their game.
