Belt Auction

What's the best way to sell on eBay with low feedback?

I've been dealing in sports memorabilia and vintage collectibles for years and seeing as how the economy has gone to hell, I find myself with an office full of autographed baseballs, helmets, hats, antique books, Madame Alexander dolls, etc. to looking for a way to expand my clientele. I only have 15 feedback scores as of right now and I believe that's why people aren't bidding on alot of my items. Take into fact though that I have 100% rating, I ship the day after they pay and leave them feedback. What can I do to get people to trust me? Is there something I should put in my ad or just wait around for the feedback to build? Please someone help! I only have 15 as of right now. Honestly, if everyone I've ever bought from and sold to left me feedback, I'd have around 30-32.

Public Comments

1. You might just have to buy a lot of low priced items to get your feedback score up. I go by the percent rating more than the numbers when I look to buy things. You should put in your listing body that you ship immediately and leave feedback right away and expect the same from buyers. You can invite buyers to read the feedback comments. You can list in more than one category. You have to figure out what makes you and your things stand out from the rest and say so. Right now till Jan 7 no insertion fees for one category. It is very competitive now. More people are desperate to sell their things for money.
2. Really, I think feedback has nothing to do with it. Your percentage or shipping time doesn't either. I would think it either has to be your merchandise or pricing. If there is an item I want, it doesn't matter if the seller has 0 fb or 4,500 fb, I still want the item. If the seller will deliver the item in 2-3 days or 4-6 weeks, I still want the item. I think the main problem is that you are selling autographed stuff. Ebay is littered with 1000's of fake auto's. People buy stuff, sign it themselves, put it on ebay as authentic for a profit. People don't trust autographs,especially from ebay. COA's don't help. The only way one could be sure is if they were a hand writing analyst with another signature to compare it to. If the hand writing expert had a Joe Montana signed ball and bought another from you, they could at least compare it, but why would they want it if they already have it. Even with the comparison, there is still room for human error and cannot 100% be authenticated. Antique books and dolls are another story. You should be able to sell these, no faking issues associated. Maybe the price is stopping the buyers. Always make sure that if you have any competition from identical items, that your item is the lowest priced. Dont' compete with auctions, they won't be there long anyway. Under cut the competition from stores, people always go with the cheapest option and it will guarantee you sales.
3. With 15 positive feedbacks, that cannot be the reason. Ebay has become the walmart of the internet. No one wants to pay your price anymore. I have many collectibles that I want over $100 for but am not going to list them because everyone else has the same thing on there for $5. Price is the #1 factor, feedback next, then shipping cost. A huge selling point also is a quality photo and detailed description.
4. Ebay isnt the place to be,.. sorry. I sold baseball cards, memorabilia cards, autographs etc etc for YEARS on Ebay (since 1998). Nowadays you are extremely lucky to get half of wholesale on there. It really has turned into a buyers market. Keep churning at it... sell low cot baseball cards at 10 cents each.. and make of the diff in shipping. It takes time, but eventually you'll get there...-