What size for eBay?

[maverick]

I've enjoyed painting some 16x20s for eBay lately. Previously, I stuck to selling 8x10, 9x12, 11x14, and sometimes square 12x12 depending on the subject. I've learned that on eBay price does not automatically increase proportionally to size (i.e. price per square inch drops on larger sizes). The 16x20s get more bids and attention, but the price hovers around my current upper limit on 8x10s. I'm afraid that if I keep doing 16x20s, it will devalue my smaller paintings and I won't be able to turn back, but I like the fact that more unique bidders are interested in the larger ones and I've received a few compliments by email. I may have got a new collector also.

Since I like painting larger rather than smaller, I was thinking of settling on 11x14 for the majority of work, but occasionally mix it up with a larger one.

With all factors considered, what size do you think is best for selling on eBay?

[Toadie]

Well I must start off with Maverick your work is stunning !!!!!

I am finding I like to paint VERY BIG.......:) Now if they sell is another thing..:(

I have done well with 16x20...so far. But as of the las three weeks I dont look like I am selling anything !!!!! :crying:

Now I am working a 22x28. And have a 3 foot by 4 foot lined up ...:) I just have found I LOVE to paint huge (maybe I should do Murals hehehehe)
So I guess I will see if it sells..:)

[TeAnne]

I wouldn't have a clue. One minute, they want one size, the next another size.

[wayfarer]

My mini watercolors (4x6) usually do pretty well. I regularly list 7 x 10, but they didn't seem to move that well. I have noticed several people find me doing a search for 8 x 10, which they find since I mat the 4 x 6" paintings to 8 x 10". I'll be curious what other people have to say too--and how this varies with the medium, if there is a difference.

Chris

[jocelynsart]

i feel anything above 8"x10" to interest more people. However, my own experience has contradicted my belief. My 2 highest sales, over $220.00, have been for 6"x8" pieces.
Before this ID, I did sell a 32"x36" celeb portrait for $565.00, but that was yrs ago and on my old original ID.
With the way I paint, I can't always go by size of surface to price my work. So, I put the minimum I feel I can take as an opening bid, regardless of size. I generally only get 1-2 interested parties, even when I had really low start bids.
Jocelyn

[imaginethat]

16x20 is my most popular size - and I find when buying art, I prefer big to small because I have a lot of wall space to fill.

[madmum]

I sold almost every floral watercolour at 7x11 size, and have done great at 11x14 size with florals. I'm wary of listing anything larger in watercolour as framing costs put so many people off. I'm considering doing some mini watercolours as an experiment.

Ruth

[maverick]

Well I must start off with Maverick your work is stunning
:o

I've started a 24x24, but don't think I'll sell it on eBay now. I need to start keeping a few for other venues as I'm getting to that stage.

I wouldn't have a clue. One minute, they want one size, the next another size.

Probably a good reason to mix it up once in a while.

I'll be curious what other people have to say too--and how this varies with the medium, if there is a difference.

I didn't think about that, but it's a very good point.

My 2 highest sales, over $220.00, have been for 6"x8" pieces

I think I tried to win one of those. :D Wish I had.

So, I put the minimum I feel I can take as an opening bid, regardless of size

I've decided to keep the opening bid the same for everything and see how it goes...$39.

Thanks everyone for your responses so far. Very interesting!

[Noble]

I've decided to keep the opening bid the same for everything and see how it goes...$39.

Thats what I do, it's all $39 and 11x14, 9x12 or 8x10. I can't ship larger than 11x14 without special boxes and I like 'em free! lol :evil:

[maverick]

I wish my post office gave away free boxes!

[Noble]

I wish my post office gave away free boxes!
Apparently FedEx will supply free boxes, Rita who is in Canada ships with them to the US all the time. You can search the forum for shipping boxes or something like that and get loads of info...

[maverick]

Apparently FedEx will supply free boxes

This is true. I was using FedEx up until recently when the US$ caused the cost to go up (Rita's prices justify the extra cost better than mine). Once I had a painting ready to go by FedEx, then the buyer requested the post office, so I wrapped the box in kraft paper. I kind of felt guilty about it.

I've tried building some boxes from scrap wood and plywood. It seems that getting the dimensions as small as possible saves more money than getting the weight down. But once I run out of wood, it won't be "free" :( .