On October 11, I wrote a blog post about Elmo Live, as it was due to be released that week. It has been almost a month now, and eBay is absolutely flooded with listings for Elmo Live. A few observations:

As of today, there are 983 active listings for Elmo Live, 1,795 listings for Elmo Live or Elmo Live related items have been completed

According to Terapeak, from the period of October 29 – November 4, 823 listings sold for a sell through rate of 31.35%.

Average selling price is $73.09.

Average start price is $19.25

475 of these listings were bid auctions.

I am wondering if sellers feel that Elmo Live is worth the trouble. Most retail shops sell it for $59.99, with tax the cost is around $63. Add in the fees, and profit is less than $10 to ship a rather bulky item.

Are you selling Elmo Live, and what has been your experience?

[Image Source=Flickr, eBay Coach Photos]

Post from: EveryJoe

Elmo Live Update

The holiday selling season on eBay is right around the corner. Will you be ready? Here is a quick and dirty checklist of tasks to complete before the holiday season gets into full swing.

Use Buy It Now on all auctions from November 1 until Christmas.

Add Best Offer to all inventory items. You don’t have to accept the offers, but you will give your customer more options.

Order packaging early. Go to the USPS website and order plenty of boxes and Tyvek envelopes. Check your supply of packing materials for your particular products. You don’t want to have to stop in the middle of a busy shipping day because you have run out of something.

Know the shipping date deadlines. Again, visit the USPS website for this information.

Stay focused on your business – complete your income producing tasks first.

Stay current with your shipping. You will be tempted to keep listing items when sales are in full swing. Take care of customers who have already paid before listing new items.

Find the balance. Don’t get so sucked into your eBay business that you can’t spend time with your own family and enjoy the holidays. Sometimes, you will have to walk away from eBay and take a break.

[Image Source: Flickr}

Post from: EveryJoe

eBay Holiday Selling Checklist

Believe it or not, sellers are already chatting about what toys might be hot this holiday season. Will it be the Wii, Batman toys, Speed Racer, Harry Potter, or Transformers? I don’t have any answers for you yet, but below are some resources where you can gather information about hot toys as we move towards November and December.

eBay Toy Forum

Toy Directory Monthly - Top 10 Toy Lists

Jenni Hunt’s Toy Guide

Top 10 Christmas Toys 2008

eBay Pulse – Toy Section

As I hear actual tips on what toys to sell, I will post them here in the coming months. Be sure to subscribe so you won’t miss out!

[Image Source: Flickr]

Post from: EveryJoe

Hot Holiday Toys 2008 to Sell on eBay

Evel Kenievel toy, 1970s.

[Image Source: Flickr.]

Post from: EveryJoe

Wordless Wednesday – eBay Collectibles