| BEFORE I get into this part, let me say I have noticed | | | | - Buy it Now - YES OR NO? I have used this before |
| that sellers with higher feedbacks tend to get higher | | | | and still do. It is a judgement call. If there are many |
| prices. Once again this is not always the case, but in | | | | auctions with similar seats I may tend to use a BIN. |
| general I believe it to be true. If you have a zero | | | | Post them and get rid of them. However if you have |
| feedback score, I suggest you buy and sell some | | | | one of kind, front row center, you could sell yourself |
| items first before attempting to sell tickets. I have a | | | | short. I usually set a BIN price that I would be happy |
| high feedback rating of 100% and a lot of sales, and | | | | with, even if someone with lesser seats gets more. If |
| still have people email me and ask if the tickets are | | | | you do use the Buy It Now feature, also use |
| real. What kind of question is that. Yet there is are lot | | | | "Immediate Payment Required" otherwise they could |
| of fake tickets out there. | | | | end your auction, stiff you for a week and then your |
| Here is a list of techniques and services I use for killer | | | | tickets are worth less. |
| listings. | | | | - Starting price. Many people would argue with this, but |
| - Listing template. I use a consistent template over and | | | | my preference is to start your auction at face value or |
| over again. All my auctions look the same or have a | | | | slightly less. If I paid $210.50 for a pair of tickets I may |
| "brand" feel to them. If you are just starting out you | | | | start them at $199.95. The buyer sees the value in that. |
| may want to visit eBay and check out some listing | | | | If you have nerves of steel start them at $9.95 and |
| designs. Feel free to search my listings for examples. | | | | save some listing fees. This will probably get more hits |
| - List immediately. I do not wait to list my tickets (with a | | | | and many more bids right away. Once again, |
| few exceptions) If a show goes onsale this morning, I | | | | judgement call. |
| usually have my listing posted within the hour. Time | | | | - Seat Location. I DO NOT list the actual seat numbers. |
| goes on...demand goes down. I obviously wait on | | | | If someone emails me I will give them a general |
| tickets for Bowl games, as the teams aren't | | | | location..seats between 2-8. This gives the buyer some |
| announced until a later date. | | | | privacy and also prevents scams. I do however list the |
| - Pictures. It is important to always show seat locations | | | | row, section etc. |
| via a venue map. If you are selling football tickets for | | | | - Details. Stick to the facts and don't miss the details. |
| example, then you might want to show the view from | | | | Day of show, place, ticket location. Make sure you |
| their seat location. A good site for getting this type of | | | | post your policies, do you take returns (I suggest NO, |
| pictures is SeatData.com, which is only $9.95 for the | | | | unless the show is cancelled), how much for shipping, |
| year. | | | | can I pick the tickets up?, payment methods (Don't |
| - Pictures of the actual tickets. I have read a few | | | | take personal checks!). Make sure you spelling is |
| guides that say you must scan and post a picture of | | | | correct. |
| the actual tickets. I say NO. I have NEVER done this, | | | | - e-tickets. I usually buy actual tickets or "hard tickets" |
| why?, because this is the easiest way for someway | | | | mainly because I buy them at a terminal. etickets are |
| to commit fraud. On each ticket there is a bar-code. | | | | becoming increasingly popular. If I wrote this guide a |
| Each ticket is different. If this picture is lifted from your | | | | year ago I would have said DO NOT buy e-tickets, but |
| auction, a duplicate ticket could be made. When you | | | | now am changing my view. Although they are easier |
| enter the event, the ticket is scanned and only one | | | | to scam/duplicate etc, they are also easier to ship...ie |
| patron will be admitted per ticket. You can see what | | | | just email them to the winner. Try buying a pair during |
| would happen if many tickets were made with the | | | | a presale and see how they sell compared to "hard |
| same bar-code. If you feel you MUST show a scan of | | | | tickets". Do some research online and judge for |
| the tickets "edit out" the bar-code with photoshop or | | | | yourself. |
| similiar photo editing software. | | | | - Always answer emails and questions. Make sure to |
| - Use prefilled information. On the eBay listing page | | | | ALWAYS answer you customer questions in a timely |
| there is always a box that says: "Pre-filled item info:" | | | | manner. If it's a question you think you may be asked |
| Use this everytime if possible. Type in the event name, | | | | several times, check the post to auction box on your |
| and/or venue and date. It will search it's database and | | | | reply. |
| plug in all the specifics for that event. It helps for | | | | - BE HONEST!! One of the most important things I |
| searches on eBay when completed. You can then fill in | | | | have found is that honesty IS always the best policy. |
| the specifics (row, section). It also adds a clickable map | | | | Don't say in your auction "Great view of the stage" if |
| for the venue the event is at. | | | | they are not. If you make a mistake in your listing and |
| - Listing Duration. I like to use a 3 day listing. Others will | | | | you have bids, amend or end the auction. Do not leave |
| argue that a 1 day listing or 7 day listing is best. Here is | | | | a buyer with sour grapes or they will leave you with |
| my opinion. I don't think a one day auction gives you | | | | negative feedback. |
| enough exposure. If you have the hottest tickets for a | | | | I hope you have learned a lot from this post and wish |
| show, list them for longer. However I feel seven days | | | | you luck in your potential new venture. There is a lot of |
| is too long. There are people that want them NOW | | | | money to be made with tickets, don't miss out. |
| and panic and will use a Buy it Now auction or buy | | | | Remember to always have fun and enjoy what you |
| from auctions of 3 or 5 days. I think ticket buyers have | | | | do! |
| a short attention span. | | | | |