It's too hot to make beads right now, so I am here, in my cool office, looking around on ebay. Since there have been a few posts on RCB and other places about difficulties on eBay lately, I was going to write a bit about what makes a good auction in my opinion, but I have done that before. And rather than posting any more thoughts on why some people get bids and others do not, I am going to post auctions that I think are wonderful - not only the beads in the auction are wonderful, but the auctions themselves. And when I say "plain auction layout" that's a GOOD thing. Yeehah!
formatting link
- always on top, because her beads are wonderful, and her picturesare nice and clear. I wouldn't recommend her layout to anyone who is notalready successful on eBay. She doesn't have one, and obviously doesn't needone. :)
formatting link
Symons - stunningly flawless beads, clear pictures, nice, unobtrusiveauction layout.
formatting link
Ann Williams - Flawless, unique boro beads, plain auction layout andgorgeous pics!
formatting link
Pierson - was Glasscreek, and changed their auction layout for thebetter. Stunning beads!
formatting link
very own Kevin Duggan (sp?) - always gorgeous and flawless beads,perfect pictures, plain auction layout.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2645691124&category=34070Gina M. DeStevens - gorgeous beads, wonderful pics, plain auction layout.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2645411239&category=34070CuteChaBeads - another person who does not need a layout. Lickable beads,and top notch pictures!
formatting link
Esper - Amazing and unique beads, spectacular pics and nice layout.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2645218809&category=34070Lori Robbins - perfect, unique beads, lovely pics and nice layout. The onlything I would change is the animated banner at the top. It's doesn't seemto slow her down, though.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34070&item=2645963697Canterbury Keepsakes - always yummy beads, beautiful pics and wonderfulauction layout.
formatting link
Lindsey, Beadworx - Adorable beads, and layout and pics are great.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2644706286&category=34070Annie, Seamist - Gorgeous, unique beads, simple layout and lovely pics.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2645465471&category=34070KYBEADMAKER - very simple layout, stunning photography and lovely beads.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2645282822&category=34070Deb Crowley - flawlessly gorgeous beads, wonderful pics and simple layout.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2644731553&category=34070Melanie, Glass Valley - very pretty beads, wonderful layout, nice pictures
formatting link
Lampwork - Unique and pretty beads, plain layout and nice, clearpics.
formatting link
- delightfully unusual beads, wonderful pics, layout iscomplicated but still appealing. I would lose the animated gif.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34070&item=2644920137http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=34070&item=2645248072Dan-O, Jenn and Koregon - Stunning pictures, wonderful beads, easy layout.http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2645517760&category=34070Cathi Milligan, Pixie Ind. - Amazingly pretty beads, stunning pics and nicelayout.
formatting link
Geldard - Absolutely stunning unique beads, perfect pictures andsimple layout. Of course, there are more and more lampworkers out there that have stunning beads, and auctions, but I am done looking and listing for now. If I didn't list someone, it's not because I don't like them, it's because there's not enough room to list everyone I like. :)
See a pattern? All these people listed have nice bids on their auctions, and sell on eBay pretty regularly. They are pretty successful, in my view, compared to most. Why? Wonderful, unique, technically good beads, plain, unobtrusive, uncomplicated auction layouts with complete descriptions, and crystal clear, detailed pictures.
eBay is slow right now, and that's the truth. eBay is competitive and volitile, and that's the truth. But success is not impossible, if you are willing to put in the effort. This opinion of mine is directed toward those who have been posting lately about the difficulties of selling on eBay. It's an opinion, MY opinion, and your experiences may differ. I say this with the utmost respect for my fellow artists and eBay sellers: success will only come if you're willing to put forth that extra effort. Everyone above has.