With my experience as a buyer (100% rating), I have no doubt that eBay is like any other marketplace where the smarter buyers pay less and the smarter sellers are paid more. As a buyer, I prefer the less-than savvy seller, especially when I’m looking at an auction. There’s nothing better than making that first bid at the end of a ten-day auction and I never, ever feel sorry for the chump who couldn’t think of a better way to word his or her listing’s title.
Amen and absolutely! I routinely sell items for 30% more than others are selling the same items for. I know seller ratings, feedback, and photograph quality plays a big part in that.
On the other hand, as an eBay buyer, I pay less than others do, too. There are certain quality items that simply don’t do well as Auction listings. I target a specific group of those items. I look for auctions with nominal opening bids and poor photos. I buy those items and then relist them as Fixed listings with great photos. It’s actually easy to turn a buck or two into $50-$150 using that strategy. 90% of my sales come via Fixed listings.
Knowing how to buy is key to success as a seller.