The Ultimate Publicity Stunt

I've started doing something new lately, something I haven't told you about.

I mentioned in one of my earlier posts (or maybe one of my comments - can't remember) that I've noticed that my auctions are a good marketing platform, in the sense that auctions attract your buyers to other auctions.  To try to exploit some of that, I put a scrolling banner from Auctiva at the bottom of every listing, with pictures of my other listings.

That got me thinking.  Not all of my auctions attract massive amounts of attention.  Some of my items are more ordinary than others.  I've been buying to resell a lot lately, so a lot of them are price at lower but not unbelievable prices.  As a result, I only need one or two bids to do well financially, the auctions stay off the eBay "hot item" radars, and fewer people visit.

To test this theory, I've listed my cousin's pre-owned tan Jimmy Choos for 99 cents.  On the second day after listing the item, it's already been bid up to $5.50 and has 15 watchers, so I have no doubt it will sell for a decent price.  Is it having the desired effect of attracting traffic to my other items?  That's yet to be seen, but it's worth a try, right?

Anyway, I've saved the best for last, because you're really going to love this.  I've decided that if the pre-owned Choos have the desired effect, I'm going to auction off a brand new designer item with a starting price of 99 cents.  If I'm right, it will sell for its true market price and drive enough traffic to my other auctions to cover my losses. :)