Listing duplicates items

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone! I would like to know your thoughts/opinions on this subject.

In my shop, I sell supplies. So far I've been listing individual items one at a time. If I have more than one of a particular item in stock, I've been waiting until that item has sold to relist it again. My thought all along was to list just one of each item at a time and relist them as each one sold out.

Now, I'm wondering if I should just list every single thing I have in stock, even if that means listing duplicates of specific items. I'm not sure which is the better way to go or if it even matters at all.

[Former_Member]

Hmm..to me, I would list additional items as extra quantity, as long as its the same exact item. So, if you're selling a set of 10 red beads, and you have another set of 10 to sell, I would change the quantity available to 2. This way, if one sells, you don't have to relist it right away, because there will still be one available.

As a buyer, I would prefer not to see duplicates of the same item more than once in a shop, unless something is different about it (quantity, size, etc..)

[Former_Member]

I agree with cassandrastephanie. Maybe use the quantity option, instead of creating extra listings, since that's what it's for (as far as I can tell!) and it reduces the clutter a bit.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the input. You're right about the cluttered appearance. I'd rather avoid that.

The reason I didn't use the quantity option in the first place was I didn't want to pay the extra listing fees in case the items didn't sell in the first place.

[IslandPicnic]

I actually had a bunch of duplicate listings in my shop, and I just cleared them out last week. It really does make my shop appear less cluttered, and I'm sure it's less confusing to customers to just have one of each item in there.

[tinawillart]

As I buyer, I like to see a duplicate listing and I also like the quantity option.

cassandrastephanie uses a great example.
I was just shopping for some of my favorite beads, but the store just has one listing of 12. I will ask the seller for a custom quantity, but if she would have a second listing of 12 or a quantity of more than 1, I would have bought them.

TheCraftFloozy - I am totally with you on the extra listing fees! Maybe give both a try. I will check out your shop right now, as I am supply shopping this morning! :)

[Former_Member]

Especially with yarn, I like listings for all that the seller has. Saves me asking if there is more.

[WrappedToPerfection]

I agree and disagree...

By using the quantity option, you will incur additional fees if/when you relist, but I also agree that having a gazillion of the same listing clutters up your shop.

Why not include a line in each listing that you have more available and will make a custom listing if a customer wants more?

[Former_Member]

I agree with silverpirate, as a buyer I don't like to ask the seller if they have more of an item, in fact when I've had to do this in the past I ended up buying something else from someone else instead while waiting on a response, so I prefer if there are maybe at least 2 available of something, whether in quantity section or as separate listing.

When I'm ready to buy, I'm ready to buy, I don't want to mess around with contacting the seller. I recently opened my shop and had someone ask if I would sell her more than a set of 4 napkins, I hadn't yet listed larger quantities yet and I hate to think I possibly missed out on a sale because I didn't have the larger quantity listings up.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for your responses everyone!

Rather than making duplicate listings I went ahead and used the quantity option for the items I have multiple quantities for.

Now, for the items I only have one of, I'm thinking it might be a good idea to make a notation either in the item title or the item description saying "Only one left" or something of that nature. That way the buyer knows for sure what I have in stock.

[Former_Member]

I think your last thought about mentioning you only have one left is a good idea. Not only does it inform your buyers that you won't be able to supply more of the same item, but it may also entice buyers to act a little faster than usual. :) Win win.

[Former_Member]

My thinking exactly :)

[Former_Member]

I don't think I would list duplicates; I would use the quantity option instead. I also agree with TJALAINE ~ Sometimes when buyers see one item is left, they act swiftly and purchase quickly because they know once its sold, its gone for good and they don't want to regret not getting it. Good Luck!

[Former_Member]

I like the quantity option and the one left idea. You could also try a little of both. Maybe a quantity of a lot of 10 and then maybe a different lot size also. That way you have options in your shop, a few more listings to show up (you could tag it slightly differently to help with relevancy) and it gives people options. You could also not list everything you have. That way when the listed quantity does run out, you get a boost from relisting it too.

[HabitationBoheme]

I had this same question the other day and only one person responded.... I had 2 identical pillows and wondered if I should change the qty to 2 or make 2 separate listings. The upside to having 2 listings is you have twice the chance of getting noticed in a search because you can change the tags/titles. I just added links in my shop for the identical item and hopefully the buyer will see it. Also, remember everytime you have more than 1 qty, you have to pay an additional .20 to renew. For example, I do this with my pillow forms, but just had to renew the other day so they wouldn't expire and had to pay .40. Not a huge expense, because I don't renew pillow forms often, but something to keep in mind when you renew often.

[Former_Member]

Habitation - Good point about the added renewal fees. I hadn't even thought of the extra renewal costs for the items I have listed with multiple quantities. Something else to think about for future listings.