anyone have a suggestion on how many days to hold an auction?

For shipping I used USPS almost all the time and never had a issue one thing I do ALWAYS is pay for Del confirmation. That way a buyer cannot clain to have never recieved a package.... and they DO try it! Delivery confirmation has saved my but a couple of times! I just was selling a item started at 9.99 with a $60 reserve 7 day auction bids up to $51 no sale..... I re-list with a 4.99 start and a 5 day auction bids steady for 5 days ends at $72 bucks....... That's the way these things go sometimes!

In reply #9 above I said that CALCULATED shipping was ALL I used. Should have said that as it relates to using UPS.

I also use USPS priority mail and flat rates boxes through USPS for some items. Sometimes it is better than using UPS depending on the item.

I use USPS media mail a lot too for books and magazines.  Speciality magazines do well on eBay as they are often not on newstands, and of course mags from past years, 70's 80's etc sell well and can only be found at places like eBay.... media mail gets them to the buyer.

Good info guys! Hey zack what is terapeak?

I second getting delivery confirmation.  Think it is .80 cents more.  I use it on items over $20.  Remember money is tight for alot of people and if they can get an item for free they will try if they don't see that delivery confirmation sticker on the package.  I sold a glass fire extinguisher grenade that went for $155 on ebay and some older lady tried saying she didn't recieve it.  All I had to do is provide ebay with the delivery confirmation number and nothing she could do.  She actually gave me good feedback a month later saying she finally got it, but I seen it was delivered 3-4 days after I sent it out.

Having the auction end later in the evening and I like to end them on Sundays as well.  Alot of people work 2-10  monday through friday and having it end on saturday or sunday night gives alot more people the opportunity to bid.  For 10 cents extra you can pick what time you want the auction to start so it's not like you have to place your ad a week prior when you want it to end.  If you have freetime like noon on friday you can have your auction start on sunday at 8:00 p.m. making it end the following sunday at 8 p.m.

Hey JohnnyG...

Assuming you're still selling Hondas, but what's your latest news on storage auctions ?

Don't drop out on us !

If items you sell are rather expensive, 5 days is perfect. It isn't so long that buyers won't wait and it is long enough to enhance price. 3 days auction is good for cheap products and accessories and I never take part in auctions that are longer than 7 days. You can read very useful information about online auctions here pissedconsumer.com/consumer-reviews/auctions.html