Question
I just figured my sell-through % for the last 2400-some auctions I've run on ebay. I'm kind of disappointed. I've sold 70.94%. Yes, I could feel good about selling almost 71% but I think I should have done better. I used to do better, back in the day. I'd like to see 80% or above (wouldn't we all).
That 29% that didn't sell cost me a chunk of change, not to mention time.
How does one get there? Realistically, I mean. Because you could start everything at .99 cents and probably have a 99% sell-through, but I'm not going to do that. The last .99 cent auction I tried sold for .99 cents.
I feel my shipping prices are reasonable, often below some others for the same type of item. My auction pages are simple, without a lot of crud to download. Pics are sized and jpeg crunched. My terms are simple and reasonable (I really don't say much on the auction page, whereas some others have paragraphs of terms and conditions to wade through, with a "Pay me in 7 days or else" and "zero feedback bidders contact me first" thrown in for good measure).
Trying to think of what else to do...
Answer
Your sell-through rate is much better than mine so my only suggestion is to do a little more in-depth analysis of your sales.
For example, my sell-through rate is always better at certain times of the year and is higher when I take advantage of penny gallery promotions.
You could also try an analysis tool such as what Sellathon offers. It's free to try for 30 days and that may be all the time you need.
Answer
For example, my sell-through rate is always better at certain times of the year and is higher when I take advantage of penny gallery promotions.
I can't wait for the right time of year or penny gallery - need to sell practically year-round. I don't list that many auctions, and less than I used to (another reason to try to make every one possible count as a sale). I also try to keep the listing fees down. I never use the ultra expensive features, even for high-dollar items, and try only use a .25 cent gallery pic if I feel it is necessary. Those quarters add up. For example, if you list a popular or hot item that is bound to get plenty of looks, you may be wasting the .25 cents on the gallery pic because you don't really need it. But I don't always stick to that either.
Thank you for the Sellathon link. I will look at that after I get my packing and shipping done, later today.
Answer
Not sure sell through should be looked at by itself.
For example I might price for 98% sell through and lose money but actually make money with 35% ST at higher prices.
On a few items that were not doing well (profitable) I raised prices, accepted fewer sales but made more money.
The marketplace is, in general, very saturated and the broad eBay averages for auctions/fixed price listings (not store items) is about 40%.
I don't want to do 1000 items per week at $1.00 profit each. Could not sustain that effort. One item each week for $800.00 profit would be great. Someplace in between is where I live. Well, more sales than one but not that much profit.
Maybe it would be better to double your profit (raise prices), lower total sales, make more money and have more time to grow.
No one plan fits everyone and finding the best balance for ourselves is a constant search but no one element is separate from other factors.
Lower prices almost always increase sales but not necessarily profits.
Better marketing (a catch all term that can mean hundreds of different things) will increase sales but has a time/cost factor that may not result in greater profits.
I think the questions is "Where am I now and what is the best thing I can do to increase profits and move toward goals?"
Most times the answer is not clear and we have to try things, keep track of results and move toward what seems to work.
I just entered into an arrangement with someone who I call a eBay Store Coach to help me answer just this very question.
Answer
I used to keep track of our sell through rate, but found that keeping track of actual profit made more sense. I don't care if I don't have a 90% sell through rate as long as I am making a decent profit. Our sell through usually runs between 83% and 90% during "season", and right now while in a sales slump of summer, we are running about 64% sell through. But we have more listed in our "Ebay Store" with only a minimal in regular auctions.. (we direct folks to our store from reg. auctions). We take advantage of summer to regroup and reorganize and design new items for the fall season. We also use this time to make ahead a lot of "tried and true" fast selling items. My addiction to home grown tomatoes also keeps me in the garden more in summertime too. Got to have a life outside of ebay you know.
Blessings,
LL