Why all the watchers & no bidders?

kittyluv23 · Aug 14th, 2007, 11:22 PM

I am really new to this selling on eBay thing. So I list a few small items and I notice ALOT of watchers but no bidders....? Why is that? I stated in the auction if there was questions or anyone needed more pics I would be happy to oblige. So, no emails but Alot of watchers. For me, I watch something because I actually want to buy it. I guess I just don't get it. Both my auctions ended with lots of watchers but no bids.

disney16 · Aug 14th, 2007, 11:26 PM

Sometimes I will watch items if I have similiar item that I was considering selling and I want to know how much it sold for.

Lvbabydoll · Aug 14th, 2007, 11:37 PM

Yeah same thing happens to me. I don't sell high end stuff but I end up sometimes with 5+ watchers and think it will be a definite sale, then the auction just ends with no bids. In some cases, someone will email me saying they "missed the bidding" (I half believe that sometimes, I think they just want the item for the lowest price possible) and they'd like to buy the item outright.

Charlie · Aug 14th, 2007, 11:38 PM

sometimes I miss the auctions because I am working or at the gym, autions that usually end while mostly of the people is istill working (8-4) dont sell for too much I think, perhaps not internet available at work, sometimes I watch items and the change my mind about it and just do not bid on it, because I found a better one.. Sorry this happened to you, it happened to me too a couple of times and i hate it because you still need to pay eBay's fees even if the item does not sell. Good luck next time and I hope you sell your items

ellacoach · Aug 14th, 2007, 11:38 PM

Many times I have added an item to my Watchlist so that I could think about if I was really interested, and not lose track of it, but then in the end decide against bidding. I keep it in my watch list if I'm interested in seeing how much it sold for.

kittyluv23 · Aug 14th, 2007, 11:44 PM

Ok-thanks guys! That makes sense.

LT bag lady · Aug 15th, 2007, 10:31 PM

I watch similar items i am selling or plan to sell.
Also, sniping is big, so lots of action in the last minute. I snipe everything, don't bother with manual bidding anymore.

designbutterfly · Aug 15th, 2007, 11:39 PM

My theory is it's the competition watching...

bellacherie · Aug 15th, 2007, 11:54 PM

I read somewhere that for every 7 watchers the is 1 bidder in the lot.

amelie · Aug 16th, 2007, 11:21 AM

If I'm considering buying something, I always watch some items first, so that I can:
a) see how much they go for
b) think about if I really want/need it

I never knew that sellers could see how many watchers there were.

kimberf · Aug 16th, 2007, 03:45 PM

I buy tons of stuff on eBay, but I never bid right off the bat, since I don't want to make an impulse buy and regret it. I always keep stuff on my watchlist for a couple of days to decide if I really want it, look around and make sure it's a good price, get it authenticated here, etc. After a day or two on the watchlist, I'll either bid (or snipe it, in which case it stays on the watchlist) or take it off the watchlist entirely if I've decided it's not for me.

canada's · Aug 16th, 2007, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kimberf

I buy tons of stuff on eBay, but I never bid right off the bat, since I don't want to make an impulse buy and regret it. I always keep stuff on my watchlist for a couple of days to decide if I really want it, look around and make sure it's a good price, get it authenticated here, etc. After a day or two on the watchlist, I'll either bid (or snipe it, in which case it stays on the watchlist) or take it off the watchlist entirely if I've decided it's not for me.

i do this as well...

and of course, sometimes i'll watch an item and it DOES get bids, goes over what i want to pay and so i rule it out.

IWillBeYour419 · Aug 16th, 2007, 05:26 PM

Watchers means nothing, it's the bidders that count.

I once bought a pair of William Rast jeans off eBay for something like $50. They ended up being too small and I listed them on eBay again. My watch list had an upward of 74 watchers at one point and I'm thinking to myself, "score, I'm going to be able to make money off this!" I was very wrong, my item ended up selling for maybe $60 which was just enought to cover shipping and related fees to the sale.

I've also had a lot of BIN Lululemon limited edition items and for the entire week there will be 0 watchers. Then suddenly, over the weekend every one of my auctions will end with BIN.

The watch list is misleading because it only counts people who have added your item to their list, but it tells you nothing about the people who actually have a genuine interest in bidding for your item.

Shopstomuch · Aug 16th, 2007, 05:37 PM

Well, I always bid in the last few min of an auction to not get into bidding wars w/ anyone. I have a set price I have in mind I may want to pay for something and I don't sit and get into the competitive thing. So, if I am watching something, I may also be watching 4 others of the same style and one is a better deal than the other in the end. It just varies.

archer822 · Aug 16th, 2007, 06:42 PM

I have a huge watch list. Generally it's because I have items to sell that are the same or similar to what I'm watching and I want to see approx. what they are going for so I can get a feel for it. You can sort of put your pulse on the way the item will sell if you watch others like it. I have to admit that I don't buy the things I watch. I'll just bid what I want to spend up to and that's that.

Aug 14th, 2007, 11:22 PM	#1
kittyluv23 Member Location: CA	Why all the watchers & no bidders? I am really new to this selling on eBay thing. So I list a few small items and I notice ALOT of watchers but no bidders....? Why is that? I stated in the auction if there was questions or anyone needed more pics I would be happy to oblige. So, no emails but Alot of watchers. For me, I watch something because I actually want to buy it. I guess I just don't get it. Both my auctions ended with lots of watchers but no bids. __________________ 2008 Wishlist Amarante or Pomme Alma Bronze XS Palermo Rubis Bucket Blue Denim Cabby

Aug 14th, 2007, 11:26 PM	#2
disney16 Sofa King Delicious Location: Planet Coach	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? Sometimes I will watch items if I have similiar item that I was considering selling and I want to know how much it sold for.

Aug 14th, 2007, 11:37 PM	#3
Lvbabydoll ♥'s Cupcakes Location: California	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? Yeah same thing happens to me. I don't sell high end stuff but I end up sometimes with 5+ watchers and think it will be a definite sale, then the auction just ends with no bids. In some cases, someone will email me saying they "missed the bidding" (I half believe that sometimes, I think they just want the item for the lowest price possible) and they'd like to buy the item outright. __________________ My Collection!(slideshows on p. 95). My other addiction-Juicy Couture charms! (posts 1779, 1780) Please visit my Etsy site, www.RitzeeRebel.etsy.com (or here for more pics) for my felt pins!

Aug 14th, 2007, 11:38 PM	#4
Charlie ♥CRYLATER3♥	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? sometimes I miss the auctions because I am working or at the gym, autions that usually end while mostly of the people is istill working (8-4) dont sell for too much I think, perhaps not internet available at work, sometimes I watch items and the change my mind about it and just do not bid on it, because I found a better one.. Sorry this happened to you, it happened to me too a couple of times and i hate it because you still need to pay eBay's fees even if the item does not sell. Good luck next time and I hope you sell your items __________________

Aug 14th, 2007, 11:38 PM	#5
ellacoach Resistance is futile Location: East Coast	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? Many times I have added an item to my Watchlist so that I could think about if I was really interested, and not lose track of it, but then in the end decide against bidding. I keep it in my watch list if I'm interested in seeing how much it sold for.

Aug 14th, 2007, 11:44 PM	#6
kittyluv23 Member Location: CA	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? Ok-thanks guys! That makes sense. __________________ 2008 Wishlist Amarante or Pomme Alma Bronze XS Palermo Rubis Bucket Blue Denim Cabby

Aug 15th, 2007, 10:31 PM	#7
LT bag lady Another addict Location: USA and Ireland	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? I watch similar items i am selling or plan to sell. Also, sniping is big, so lots of action in the last minute. I snipe everything, don't bother with manual bidding anymore. __________________ LT Bag Lady

Aug 15th, 2007, 11:39 PM	#8
designbutterfly Member	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? My theory is it's the competition watching...

Aug 15th, 2007, 11:54 PM	#9
bellacherie Enthusiast Location: Australia	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? I read somewhere that for every 7 watchers the is 1 bidder in the lot. __________________ On a quest to find the perfect bag DONE (and eat my vegetables) STILL WORKING ON IT The story so far: Chloe Paddington - 06 Chocolat, 05 Craie, 05 Sable, 07 Argent Baby, 06 Muscade Baby, 06 Jeans Moyen, 06 Blanc Small Front Pocket, 07 Blanc baby, 06 Gris Vert, 06 Whiskey, 05 Grenat, 05 Chocolat Louis Vuitton - Speedy 30, Speedy 25, Petit Noe, Neverfull PM

Aug 16th, 2007, 11:21 AM	#10
amelie Member Location: the Netherlands	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? If I'm considering buying something, I always watch some items first, so that I can: a) see how much they go for b) think about if I really want/need it I never knew that sellers could see how many watchers there were.

Aug 16th, 2007, 03:45 PM	#11
kimberf Member Location: California	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? I buy tons of stuff on eBay, but I never bid right off the bat, since I don't want to make an impulse buy and regret it. I always keep stuff on my watchlist for a couple of days to decide if I really want it, look around and make sure it's a good price, get it authenticated here, etc. After a day or two on the watchlist, I'll either bid (or snipe it, in which case it stays on the watchlist) or take it off the watchlist entirely if I've decided it's not for me.

Aug 16th, 2007, 05:26 PM	#13
IWillBeYour419 Slightly Obsessed Location: Toronto, ON, Canada	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? Watchers means nothing, it's the bidders that count. I once bought a pair of William Rast jeans off eBay for something like $50. They ended up being too small and I listed them on eBay again. My watch list had an upward of 74 watchers at one point and I'm thinking to myself, "score, I'm going to be able to make money off this!" I was very wrong, my item ended up selling for maybe $60 which was just enought to cover shipping and related fees to the sale. I've also had a lot of BIN Lululemon limited edition items and for the entire week there will be 0 watchers. Then suddenly, over the weekend every one of my auctions will end with BIN. The watch list is misleading because it only counts people who have added your item to their list, but it tells you nothing about the people who actually have a genuine interest in bidding for your item. __________________ Lusting: Chanel Video Ipod Holder Finally purchased!!! Woohoo!

Aug 16th, 2007, 05:37 PM	#14
Shopstomuch Member Location: Athens, GA	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? Well, I always bid in the last few min of an auction to not get into bidding wars w/ anyone. I have a set price I have in mind I may want to pay for something and I don't sit and get into the competitive thing. So, if I am watching something, I may also be watching 4 others of the same style and one is a better deal than the other in the end. It just varies.

Aug 16th, 2007, 06:42 PM	#15
archer822 Member	Re: Why all the watchers & no bidders? I have a huge watch list. Generally it's because I have items to sell that are the same or similar to what I'm watching and I want to see approx. what they are going for so I can get a feel for it. You can sort of put your pulse on the way the item will sell if you watch others like it. I have to admit that I don't buy the things I watch. I'll just bid what I want to spend up to and that's that.