Just over 8 days ago I learned about the new Steembay bot that helps you manage a virtual auction right on the Steemit platform! And I jumped right in!! It was what I had been waiting for!!!
Well, I wasn't the first auction up and running, but I do believe that mine was the first auction to be completed, paid, shipped, AND RECEIVED. HERE is the proof from my happy customer! And that makes me pretty happy!
Had you heard of Steembay before this post? Have you listed or bid? What do you think of it so far? Do you have any suggestions or compliments? Learn about the Steembay bot HERE
Here is my brief Auction "How To", with suggestions, followed by my experience and thoughts.
First, choose your item based on three things: market value, demand and shipability. There are some items that have a high price, but low demand. Or a high demand, but the size or cost of shipping will make it uneconomical. You must choose items wisely.
Next, determine whether to include shipping for free(and to which destinations/countries), or to charge it seperate(if so, how much? Please specify)?
Now you need to decide on a starting price/bid. If you decide to charge shipping seperately, and you are okay giving fellow Steemians a super good deal, you can start your auction at 1SBD. You must decide what is the lowest SBD amount that you will happily accept. If you are shipping for free, never start your auction for less than the cost of shipping unless you are 100% sure it will bid higher (and you can bare the loss if it doesn't). And KNOW how much Shipping will cost!!
You will want to take some clear and descriptive photos of your item. Additionally, you will want to give more specific details about the item which the photo doesn't show. Measurements, condition, anything extra rare or value-added about it?
Finally, are you okay with just anyone bidding? I asked that the bidders have at least a Reputation of 47. For lower Reps, they needed to meet me in chat for approval.
Now remember, with any sale it is best to put your best foot forward!!! A short or vague description and blurry or dark photos will get you LOW or NO bids!! Take time to present your item clearly and correctly, we do all want happy customers, right!? And don't forget a catchy TITLE as well(not misleading, but attractive).
My Thoughts and Experience:
- the bot is fairly intuitive. It interfaces with your post well and isn't too complicated.
- Since Steemit comments get ranked by upvotes, a few excited curators can get the auction progression all jumbled up.
- the bot's response time seemed to be very quick(not sure if 1000 auctions are running if it would keep up?)
- i bug tested it and it passed. Auction owners aren't supposed to bid on their own auction, and I couldn't.
- This isn't eBay though. The bot is just a facilitator, it is not a manager, handler or auction service. The Original Poster, and the winning Bidder must complete their ends of the bargain between themselves.
- hey, it's free! Just a couple upvotes on the auction bot's comments and say goodbye to eBay and Paypal's 12% combine fee!!!!
- I like it a lot! Definelty have more items coming, so please keep an eye out!!!
I hope you have enjoyed the post!! Are you going to put something up for auction now??? Let me know in the comments below!!
** All pix from Pixabay **
Peace