How to Get on BidAmount and in the NewsLetter
The BidAmount Newsletter, Click the image to see past issues.
This is sort of a HOW TO guide to get on BidAmount and in the Newsletter each week or from time to time. Over the last couple years more and more folks have emailed and called us wanting to know how they can get listed on our site and featured in the weekly NewsLetter. So I thought it would be helpful to explain how we go about picking things for both.
First for the Weekly NewsLetter
How We put it Together and Why We Send it On Saturday Night, The Method to the Madness
We begin running searches midweek for each NewsLetter, it's not based solely on one criteria like highest price, most bids etc. We consider many factors starting first with the object itself, we actually LOOK at every single item we feature one by one after keying in the searches we use. So, if you sell on eBay and want to get on BidAmount and in the Newsletter We use the following criteria:
- Where is the seller located? If he/she is anywhere in Mainland China they never get in. Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan are ok.
Then we go on.
- Is it real, accurately described and a nice example without damage.
- Are the images good and numerous.
- Is it an Auction format listing or Buy It Now. Auctions get preferential treatment ALWAYS.
- If it's an Auction format listing and has no bids, we ask ourselves if the opening bid rational? Opening bids under $20 ALWAYS get preferential treatment.
- If it has a number of bids but says Reserve Not Met, that to us is a turn-off, reserves dampen interest.
- Does the object have only one bid and is at a high price? If so, we generally ignore it as the seller is most likely bidding up his own stuff.
- When does the auction END. If it ends on Sunday, Monday or even Tuesday it stands a much better chance of being included. ESPECIALLY Sundays or Mondays.
Why SUNDAY and MONDAY eBay Closings?
Since it's inception we've found through tracking and click results from our account on Constant Contact we've learned the following things.
- On eBay the biggest closing time period for Asian antiques globally are Sunday's between 9:00 AM US Eastern Standard Time and Midnight US Eastern Standard Time. This time period is hands down by a multiple of five the most active period over any other day for this category. We've also found that items included in the NewsLetter closing after Tuesday night see a rapid fall off in Clicks. So we send the NewsLetter out on Saturday between 4:00 PM EST and 7:00 PM EST.
- Additionally the BEST time period on Sunday to end auctions is after 6:00 PM US Eastern Standard Time. The reason is simple, it's a time period where most of the USA is still awake and at that time is AFTER 7:00 AM Monday in Asia. (where a lot of bidder's are) While it its a BIT late in Europe, they go to bed later than most Americans and will stay up to bid on
Bidamount Asian Antiques and Art
something they really want. Many bidders in Europe also use sniper programs like GIXEN. (I mention GIXEN because in our opinion it is by far the best one, especially if you upgrade to the paid version for a whopping $9.99 a year)
So, if you want to increase your chances for getting into the NewsLetter, schedule your listings to END Sunday or Monday. Which means if you do ten day auctions (you're crazy if you don't) start them on Thursday nights. By doing a ten day auction starting on Thursday's you give your listing(s) two full weekends for lookers which is crucial and you stand a better chance of being on the NewsLetter and you'll get better results anyway.
So, in a NUTSHELL to boost your chances of getting in the NewsLetter it's pretty simple:
- Sell good things,
- Describe them accurately, with many GOOD pictures, (more than 8)
- Use the Auction format with starting bids under $20
- Schedule your Auctions to end on Sunday or Monday
- Do not live in China
To get on the Bidamount website is a bit easier
- Regularly sell good things, a listing every month or two MIN.
- Describe them accurately, with many GOOD pictures, (more than 8)
- Use the Auction format with starting bids under $20
- Do Not Live in China
If you think you are being overlooked for some reason get in touch with us and we''ll take a look at what we've missed. we have in the past been pointed to sellers who we have missed and have added them.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call us, our Contact US tab at the top of the page has all the information.
Email us any way to say hello...
Sincerely, Peter Combs
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