Watchers vs. Lurkers

[GregMitch34]

This is probably old hat here, but I wonder how to judge interest in any particular auction at eBay. I recently had a card up with 11 watchers that earned exactly one bid, at the one second to go mark, but at about half what I hoped to sell it for. My worst single sale in somewhat limited eBay history. And this was NOT a sexy card that people would want to watch to just see how it made out. So 10 people watched, for no reason I can fathom, and did not bid even at low price. How so?

[Matthew H]

If it's common, some of those watchers could have the same card and are just watching to see what theirs might sell for. I do that to cards I'm considering selling.

Also keep in mind, if the card is common, some watchers may have already picked one up or found a better one to watch.

[glchen]

I agree w/ the previous post. Most watchers probably already have that card, and want to see the market price that it's going for. Also, if you did not start your auction at 0.99, but at a higher price, some of the watchers may be seeing that if your auction ends with no bids, to then ask you if you'd be willing to accept a lower price on your card.

[Luke]

I know I sometimes just get busy and don't follow through on auctions I'm watching.

[FrankWakefield]

Some watchers have one that they're considering selling, they're watching to see how yours does... Some watchers intended to bid, but got distracted. The bidder could have been a watcher, still, 11 watchers and 1 bid seems unfortunate for you.

[ZernialFan]

I will follow items I have to see at what $ they close. Sometimes I will
collect a list to follow that I have interest and my final decision on what to bid on may not include all on the list vs $ to spend.

Charlie

[alanu]

I usually "watch" cards that I have snipe bids set to go. It could be that a lot of your watchers had lower snipe bids that never registered because the high bid got in first.

[martingale]

What time did your auction end?

If your auction was set to end during working hours, or in the evening while the Heat/Thunder game was going on, it's possible that watchers either "forgot" or were unable to bid (happens to me all the time).

[z28jd]

I usually just watch items to make people think there is interest in their card. Usually get some friends to do it too so it really confuses the seller when he only gets one bid