| This is a question which every eBay seller asks | | | | considerations. If your item is of a higher price, and |
| themselves from time to time. | | | | you have more than one to sell, it may be worth |
| As you will know, you have a choice of a number of | | | | running 3 day auctions. With higher priced items the |
| days for your auction to run. These are 1, 3, 5, 7, | | | | listing fee is a small percentage of the item cost. And, |
| and 10 days. | | | | by running 3 day auctions, your item will be |
| Now you might wonder why you would never give | | | | consistently higher up in search results. |
| your auction maximum exposure? In the UK, for the | | | | Also, if you have items that usually get a good |
| same fee you can run your auction for any length of | | | | number of bidders, it is to your advantage to list for |
| time from 1 to 10 days. Surely 10 days of traffic is | | | | longer periods. |
| better than 1 day? | | | | You can also do your own research into other sellers |
| On there is a slight difference in that 10 day auctions | | | | who offer similar products to yours. Take a look at |
| attract a small additional listing fee. But even here, a | | | | their selling history and see what auction durations |
| 7 day auction incurs the same fees as an auction of | | | | are proving successful for them. You can do such a |
| 1 day duration. | | | | search by noting your competitors eBay ID, go into |
| However, different auction durations can be useful to | | | | Advanced Search, select Items by Seller, and ask to |
| you. | | | | include completed listings. |
| For example, if you want a quick turnaround on your | | | | A further factor for you to consider is the popularity |
| auction, choose the shortest duration. The potential | | | | of your item. For example, if it's an item related to a |
| downside is that you may be sacrificing profit. But if | | | | holiday period like Christmas or Easter, you can try |
| quick cash is your priority, a fast auction could be to | | | | shorter term auctions. |
| your benefit. | | | | The final word on this topic has to be a general one |
| If you're patient, and have no particular reason to sell | | | | which applies to pretty much everything you do on |
| quickly, then a long auction will normally perform | | | | eBay. And that is - test it out. Try different durations. |
| better. | | | | After all, you are the best placed person to see |
| The number and value of your items are other | | | | what works for your items in your eBay market. |