If you’re selling something on Craigslist Vancouver and want to run an online auction, you’ll need to take some extra steps to make sure your users are in the know about what they’re bidding on. This how-to guide will walk you through the process of listing your item online and running an auction so that everyone ends up satisfied with their experience.
What is the most common mistake in running a craigslist Vancouver online auction?
Following up on an email from a craigslist Vancouver online auction buyer can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’re worried that you’ll scare them away. There are several ways to ensure your follow-up is professional and doesn’t sound like spam. For starters, avoid using abbreviations in your follow-up message—they could come across as unprofessional and impersonal.
Instead, break down your message into several sentences, which will keep it from looking rushed and allow you more time to get in touch with your customer. Reiterate what you told them initially when they contacted you, but do not use any of their personal information.
What are the most important aspects of running a craigslist Vancouver online auction?
Before you begin, it’s important to know what is most important about running a craigslist Vancouver online auction. You will want to keep in mind that online auctions get a ton of traffic and exposure because they are free. If you are expecting immediate results, you might want to start by advertising offline instead. Even though most people go online looking for cheap goods, there is still plenty of competition.
It is absolutely vital that your products stand out from all of these other websites selling similar items. This can be accomplished through professional pictures and by writing clear descriptions.
Things to look out for in a craigslist Vancouver online auction
- Payment is required within 48 hours of your auction’s close time unless otherwise agreed upon between buyer and seller. Be sure that you have accounted for shipping costs, payment fees (credit card processing fees), packaging costs, and anything else that will require money from you within 48 hours of your auction closing.
- For items sold in an online or craigslist Vancouver online auction, follow up on transactions with buyers by asking for positive feedback for their purchase within three days after receiving payment if your item was shipped via USPS; seven days if it was shipped by FedEx; 14 days if it was shipped by UPS; 30 days if delivered personally or picked up locally.
- Post-delivery or pick-up contact information prominently on each page of your listing so bidders know how to reach you should they need assistance with their purchased item(s).
- Include accurate photographs and detailed descriptions of your item(s) in both your auction title and description field(s).
Clearly specify whether the Buyer pays all shipping costs associated with purchases made through local auctions.
What are the top three mistakes people make while running a craigslist Vancouver online auction?
- Not setting a reserve price. It’s understandable that people don’t want to risk paying too much for an item, but if you’re not willing to pay at least some amount for something, it probably doesn’t make sense for you to put it up for auction in the first place.
- Starting bidding too high: If your starting bid is too high, you’re immediately sending a message that you don’t really know what your item is worth or how much demand there is for it. The result could be getting only one bid and having no idea where it came from—or worse, receiving more bids below your asking price than above it (no sale).
- Listing products/services as new: Too many inexperienced sellers list items as new when they’re actually used. Even slightly used products should not be listed as new. If it isn’t, buyers won’t believe you, hurting your chances of selling quickly and easily. When in doubt about whether to call something new or used, err on the side of caution; if you decide to upgrade later, it’ll cost time rather than money and effort
What types of things should I be selling through the craigslist Vancouver online auction?
This will depend on your city, product availability, and personal preferences. If you’re in need of extra cash, you could try selling gift cards or electronics that you no longer need. If you have old books around that are just sitting there collecting dust (we don’t judge), you might want to make some money off of them. Even though Craigslist is mainly for purchasing used goods, it doesn’t hurt to list something with a slightly higher price than everyone else—especially if it helps get buyers through your listing quicker!
You may be able to sell things at lower prices from door-to-door by checking out garage sales as well. There’s nothing wrong with bringing a book along and making an offer on something – especially since most sellers would probably appreciate getting rid of their items quickly instead of having to put up another ad for something similar. Ultimately, you want to find a balance between setting affordable prices and striking up interest from shoppers looking for deals.
You should also consider what buyers are paying when buying other items nearby; check out listings within 10 miles or so of your location to see how much comparable items are going for. If potential customers can buy them cheaper somewhere else, they won’t have much incentive to purchase yours instead – even if they’re willing to pay more elsewhere!
How to make sure your craigslist Vancouver online auction success?
To make sure your craigslist Vancouver online auction succeeds, first start by posting pictures of what you’re selling. Pictures are worth more than words, and they can help attract buyers who might otherwise overlook your post. To prevent scammers from using one of these pictures in their scammy posts (and thus unfairly stealing potential buyers), take additional photos from different angles.
The more shots you provide, the less likely someone will be able to recreate them with Photoshop. This helps prove that you are actually selling what you say you are selling! Next, set up a payment system. If you don’t have time to meet up with potential buyers or arrange to ship, offer an escrow service as an option. Let sellers set up a deposit account where funds go when buyers win auctions.
Then transfer funds directly into seller’s bank account after items have been delivered and buyer is satisfied with purchase). This prevents fraud by holding on to escrowed money until items are received or payment terms agreed upon—whichever comes first. You could even include local pickup as an option if you don’t want to deal with shipping at all!