AuctionCut

Which do all of you prefer? Going all out with the 7 day auction or keeping it kind of short (say..3 days)?..I'm just curious

I try to use the maximum amount of time so the listing gets the most exposure, unless I'm trying to time my auction to end at the right time.

1 and 3 day auctions are ideal for Buy-It-Now items in high demand.

I try to let my auctions run the full whack but if i'm feeling lazy and want the cash quicker i'll settle for a 5 day listing. I suppose it depends what item you're selling really, some items get bids right from the start of the auction but others tend to hold out until near close. I always try to get my auctions to finish between 6pm - 8pm as i believe more people will be browsing at this time.

3days usually.

I always run my auctions for one week, as this increases the number of bids on my items.

If I am in no rush for the money, and want more traffic around the rest of my items, I will list on a Thursday evening for 10 days. This means the listing is up over 2 whole weekend periods, and gaining page views/watchers all the time.

3 Day Multi-item BIN listings are cash-cows over wet bank holiday weekends - so many people browsing, and the listing is in the top of searches at all times.


A little known trick is to put an auction on for 3 day on a Thursday night - if there are no watchers or bids by Sunday morning (more than 12hrs remaining) revise the listing to 5 days, and repeat if necessary, up to the full 10 days. If it does not sell after so much time at the top of the category, then the listing or price needs some attention.

Ten days for me. I always find this results in a lot of messages from members, looking for a quick buy it now.

For me, that's where the real money is made, especially after they approach you if you deal away from ebay.

i always use 7 days and try to start my auctions on sunday (i read that it is best day for an auction to end)

timing is important. set them so that they end during the day on the weekends.

timing is important. set them so that they end during the day on the weekends.

Sure - is sunday still the best day to end an auction?

I do either 1 day (a laptop in high demand)
or 7 day (a keyboard for the laptop model #852kf that isn't really in high demand)

Start it at 1 day 1 cent and see the prices riiiiiise

7 for me to and I most certainly agree with ending the auction on a Sunday. That way I reckon it will get most exposure as it includes the weekend when everyone and their aunty will be browsing for a bargain. If you go for smaller time periods amke sure you include the weekend in the days you choose.

I've looked into this subject in the past using Alexa page data. It's not definitive, but for a site the size of eBay, it is fairly representative.

This graph shows the daily pages views of both .com (in red) and .co.uk (in blue). Ebay US seems to be decreasing quite dramatically!!



The figures are expressed as a percentage of ALL internet page views, not individual people.
Upon closer inspection of the pattern that peaks and troughs are forming, This is a one month view of the same data.



Looks like the Friday thru' to Sunday period IS busiest, but even more so on .com.

Sure, traditionally weekends have always been the best time to end your auctions - in the past I've read a few reports that recommend between 6 - 9 pm is the best time to end your auction.

Alexa rankings have never been perfect - but it represents a good overview of what's happening online.

if ebay is losing traffic i wonder where these surfers are going instead.

the number of people using the internet seems to be increasing all the time so the people are still OUT THERE. just not at ebay. maybe they are all addicted to myspace?