Auction Information

USP on eBay


If you have dabbled at all in the world of Internet marketing, you may have heard the term "unique selling proposition" or USP. USP is a technique that Internet marketers use to set themselves apart from the competition. Internet marketing is highly competitive and highly saturated. In order to be successful, it is vital that the Internet marketer present himself as being unique and different from his competitors especially when many of them are selling the same products.

It is also just as vital to have a unique selling proposition on Ebay. I am amazed at the number of Ebay sellers that are either unaware or just don't care about the importance of having a unique selling proposition. A case in point: A while back, I was researching some products on Ebay from a wholesale company called B&F System. B&F System is a wholesale only company that carries a variety of brand name products. One of the brands they carry is called Maxam. I came across several Maxam leather jackets on Ebay while searching ended auctions. Now here's the kicker. About a dozen or so of these leather jacket auctions were exactly the same. They all used the same image of a guy modeling the jacket that was captured from the B&F website. They even used the exact ad copy used by B&F!

What was the result? Only one of the sellers was able sell any jackets. The top bid was only $26. And since he purchased the jackets from B&F for $20, he made about $5.00 profit after Ebay fees. That's a slim profit for an item that normally retails for $95.

Always keep in mind that the amount of effort you put fourth on you auctions will be in direct proportion to the amount of return you get from your auctions. The sellers who put up the jacket auctions put fourth little effort by using stock photos and ad copy from the B&F website, and therefore received little or no sales from their auctions. The sellers in this case might think that using stock photos makes their auctions look more professional. It's just the opposite. These auctions look very amateurish. Using a picture of someone modeling a garment will not entice people to bid on your auction. Using three or four high quality pictures of the actual item along with a detailed description will entice people to bid. Remember that buying apparel off the internet is not like buying music CD's or software. You don't need to worry if a CD will fit. You don't need to see multiple pictures of a box of software to know what you'll be getting. However, when selling apparel, good quality pictures and a detailed description are vital. You should use a good quality digital camera to take pictures of the item from different angles. If you're selling jackets or coats, include a picture of the lining as well. In your description, don't just say it's a large size. Give measurements of the garment including overall length, sleeve length and chest size. If you're going to specialize in apparel, it would be a good idea to purchase a form or clothing dummy to model your apparel. Doing these things will go a long way in setting you apart from the competition and establishing a "unique selling proposition."

What ever you're thinking about selling, always look at your competition and think about how to set yourself apart. Remember that unless you're selling antiques on Ebay, there's always someone else who's trying to sell the same thing you're selling. Establishing your USP will put you on the road to Ebay success.

About The Author

Are You Tired of the scams and the get-rich-quick schemes? Greg Hayes is founding editor of http://www.mammothprofits.com/. Mammothprofits is the website devoted to helping others filter out the scams and become successful in a home based business.

ghayes@mammothprofits.com


MORE RESOURCES:

In need of cash, states auction goods online
BusinessWeek - 1 hour ago
Like most other states, New York also holds traditional auctions off-line for vehicles and equipment and had brought in $3.5 million by the end of October. ...


Tepid jewelry auctions show wealthy holding back
Reuters - 7 hours ago
While one sapphire ring sold for a record $3.5 million, most of the eye candy languished on the auction block and items that did sell fetched prices 20 ...


Extraordinary Art Auctions in Italy for Design, Modern and ...
MarketWatch - 11 hours ago
Pandolfini Auction House has organized at the new office in Milan (Italy) the auction sessions devoted to Design, Modern and Contemporary Art. MILAN, Italy, ...


Industrial Online Auction Company AssetNation, Inc. Formed
MarketWatch - 10 hours ago
AssetNation has created a global marketplace that assembles some of the strongest brands in the online auction community, which include SalvageSale, ...


London Auctions of All Things Russian
Wall Street Journal - 11 hours ago
By LLECTING MARGARET STUDER RUSSIAN SALES dominate the coming week at London auction houses as paintings, royal Fabergé, imperial silver, porcelain and ...
Faberge, Wealthy Russians Face Tests at London Auctions Bloomberg
all 3 news articles


Galleries wonder whether fair will draw collectors
CNNMoney.com - 5 hours ago
Sluggish sales at recent auctions in New York may be a sign that the years where collectors paid exorbitant prices for high art are over. ...
Roundup of events during Art Basel Miami Beach San Jose Mercury News
all 25 news articles


African Tea Prices Fall 14 Percent at Weekly Auction in Kenya
Bloomberg - 20 hours ago
21 (Bloomberg) -- African tea prices fell in Kenya, shedding 14 percent at a weekly sale in Mombasa, according to the founding broker of the auctions. ...
African Tea Prices Post Biggest Fall in 4 Years (Update1) Bloomberg
all 3 news articles


US company auctions 300000 UN carbon credits
Reuters - Nov 20, 2008
NEW YORK, Nov 20 (Reuters) - US-based online exchange World Energy Solutions Inc said on Thursday it has completed an auction for carbon credits that can be ...


BBC News

The painful consequences of abandoning asset auctions
Economist, UK - Nov 20, 2008
Holders of toxic mortgage-backed securities had pinned their hopes on the American government’s plan to buy large piles of the stuff through auctions as ...
Fox Biz Anchor 'Frustrated' by Misuse of TARP Business Media Institute
More Evidence Of TARP Error istockAnalyst.com (press release)
Credit Markets Unlock but Remain Vulnerable to LIBOR, TARP and ... Sovereign Society
Structured Credit Investor (registration)
all 261 news articles


GeoCities 2.0 auctions self on eBay
Register, UK - 1 hour ago
In the summer of 2006, at the height of the digerati's Web 2.0 frenzy, social networking startup Kiko.com sold itself on eBay. ...

Auctions - Google News

home | site map
© 2006