Sellers with Higher eBay Feedback Earn More Money - By Doug Feiring

According to economics researchers at the Universities of Bonn and Aachen, an eBay seller’s feedback level positively correlates to higher final sales prices. Professors Oliver Gunter and Christian Grund concluded that a one percentage point increase in eBay feedback translates into an average final bid price increase of four percent.

Feedback ratings are public comments that buyers and sellers provide on each other regarding completed auctions. A positive comment adds one point to an eBay user's feedback score, while a negative comment deducts one point from the score. Feedback provides fellow auction users an insight into an eBay member's reputation as a buyer and/or seller.

VNU Network reports that the two professors analyzed DVD sales of six popular films last fall, including Madagascar, Star Wars, and War of the Worlds.

This is something most of us have suspected, however, now we have the data to back up the hunch. Interestingly, the study also found something that contradicts one of my personal maxims about selling on eBay -- which is to always close your auctions in the evening.

The study suggests that evenings are no longer the best time to close an auction. The researchers hypothesize that although bidding activity is highest at that time period, the sheer volume of auctions closing at this time period (as sellers attempt to cash in on the bidding frenzy) exceeds the demand. According to Gurtler, “Our study shows that the returns in the evenings are ... lower than normal.”

Building Your Feedback

As the study shows above, feedback has a tangible effect on your sales. Therefore, it pays to build your feedback as rapidly as possible.

If you are new to online auctions, consider bidding on numerous auctions first in order to build up positive feedback ratings. It is important to remember that some sellers don't bother to leave feedback. When I am considering bidding on an item, I will check the timeliness and quantity of feedback that seller has left for others. If the seller shows a trend of not leaving feedback, I’ll often move on to another seller who does.

When someone doesn’t leave feedback in a timely manner, basically all you can do send a reminder, respectfully requesting them to leave feedback. If they can’t be burdened with it, let it go. If you pester them, you might just get the kind of feedback you don’t want!

When selling, it pays to be proactive. Enclose a handwritten thank you note with the items you ship. In the note, request that the bidder leave a positive feedback for you if they were satisfied with the auction. I've discovered that these notes result in a significant increase feedback I've received as a seller.

Take a moment today and consider if there's something you can do to increase your eBay feedback. Doing so just might have a tangibile effect on your bottom line.

Doug Feiring is the creator of http://www.Template-O-Matic.com. Create professional looking eBay templates and great looking auction listings with this FREE automated Ad Generator. Read more articles like this at his blog -- http://www.auctioninsights.info.