I think I know the answer and it is not pretty at all.
I have done an analysis of my last 30 days of sales & not sold and a disturbing trend has developed. I used to always auction items but of late have tried to utilise the best match feature and aim for Buy It Now items.
Some general info beforehand will help. I used to get a 99.4 % sold rate through auction prior to best match.
After best match this dropped to 81% auction style.
After going to best match and using BIN format it has dropped to a lousy 52.44 %.
Now I am no genius but to me a sell rate of 52.44% then subsequent relist and possible 3rd relist is tantamount to demise as a seller. The worst bit is that ebay cannot lose as each relist or non sale still results in ebay getting their cut.
It is impossible to master best match as a seller of collectables as each item is usually unique whereas best match relies on volume sales of like items using best price, low postage and a combination of feedback, DSR's and star ratings.
Individual / unique items can be listed ad infinitum but won't even be seen by the majority of buyers due to best match positioning.
I have experimented with features such as using keywords, highlights and specifics and my items are still not showing on first page. Obviously the item finishes before the buyer even gets to see it.
more to follow ...........
PS - I sell under juddernauts on ebay. My stars average 4.97, I have never had a dispute raised, I have never had a neutral or neg. This still does not postion me above somebody with 98% feedback and 4.6 stars. I find this all very bewildering.