Poor Sales do to the Economy???

[tennesseebootery2017]

I don't know about the rest of you sellers, but sales have petered off for my store from 3 k to less than 1 k per month in the last 24 months. Deduct the fees from that and your in the RED.  Store Promotion Sales do no good, cut prices in half don't help, gave free shipping didn't help, and eBay's return policy is a killer but that is another story horror.  I am about to call it quits and join the unemployed to get all the freebies and give all my stock to local Charity's and churches, then write it all off and say Good by eBay, and  thanks. I have been selling on eBay since 1999 and this last year or two has been down hill all the way.  Been audited by the IRS because the 1099-K received in my mail was different than the 1099-K Paypal  sent to the IRS, that was a $1000's plus fine this month and had to eat that on top of poor sales. The Economy is hurting no question about that, people just don't have any extra money or no money at all. I sell only things people need, not wants, not collectibles, I am swamped with emails "would you take and free shipping" and get plenty of watchers but buyers want it so cheap and free shipping-- there is no profit in that and Can't do that either. I rather give it away to a needy organization, at least there are no fees collected that way.

[tippyalways]

Do you mean 'DUE to the economy ???' ???

I see you sell New Balance shoes, I walk 3 -5 miles wearing the New Balance walking shoes,after a few weeks, the frizz is gone,what happens, it is the brand which is the best for walking?

What should I do? buy Nike?? 

[tippyalways]

3000 more file for  jobless claims last week.

I suspect many layoffs are high paying jobs and new jobs created are low paying low skill jobs.

Americans are downsizing- we enjoy many amenities ,we have too many bills to pay -house mortgage or rent, home insurance, property tax,utilities,cell phone,internet,cable,streaming, car payment,car insurance,car maintenance,gas and AAA membership,sticker,license fees.

Grocery, healthclub,vacation,roof repair,lawn maintenance, precription drug,student loan,credit card loan.

self employment tax,SS ,pet food,pet care.

Feel free to add more.

Oh, I FORGET HEALTH INSURANCE-COPAY,DEDUCTIBLE AND OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES,THAT IS IF YOUR EMPLOYER IS PAYING FOR THE PREMIUM ELSE ADD THAT TO YOUR MONTHLY EXPENSE.  

[mg152]

Well, our house is being foreclosed on. I can't afford to buy anything, barely getting groceries so it's bad now.

[mistwomandancing]

Likely it's a combination of things, but I read of layoffs all over the nation and locally.  That is never a good sign!  This economy hasn't been a good one for years now.  It never got brought back.  I'm old and have experienced many ups and downs to the U.S. economy over the decades, but never one that failed to bounce back up after a big downturn!  This one just sits, stagnant.  That first decade of the New Millenum sizzled here!  Business was on fire and we really were making money.  Everyone was thriving.  After those first years though, the whole economy seems to have just gone flat and stayed even flatter.  We don't have an administration that focuses on business, and spurring it to thrive, so we'll just have to wait and see what the next years bring.  These last few haven't been very.. successful overall for many sellers here. 

Those who have money are just fine.. still buying.. still partying.. still buying the seats behind home plate, etc.  But more and more folks are just eking out a living and just squeaking by with little to spend buying on eBay.  So those of us who sell here notice it!  It takes more listings for us to sell the same number we sold years ago with fewer listings.

While I wait for the return of better days again, I just work harder at putting up more listings, more variety of offerings, more spread between high and low priced merchandise, something for everyone.  So far, that's bringing in pretty decent sales, so overall I can't complain.  Merchandise goes out the door most every day, and all of it is profitable.  Can't complain, but I do know it's slower these past years than previously.

[lex-talon]

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@tennesseebootery2015 wrote:

I don't know about the rest of you sellers, but sales have petered off for my store from 3 k to less than 1 k per month in the last 24 months. Deduct the fees from that and your in the RED.  Store Promotion Sales do no good, cut prices in half don't help, gave free shipping didn't help, and eBay's return policy is a killer but that is another story horror.  I am about to call it quits and join the unemployed to get all the freebies and give all my stock to local Charity's and churches, then write it all off and say Good by eBay, and  thanks. I have been selling on eBay since 1999 and this last year or two has been down hill all the way.  Been audited by the IRS because the 1099-K received in my mail was different than the 1099-K Paypal  sent to the IRS, that was a $1000's plus fine this month and had to eat that on top of poor sales. The Economy is hurting no question about that, people just don't have any extra money or no money at all. I sell only things people need, not wants, not collectibles, I am swamped with emails "would you take and free shipping" and get plenty of watchers but buyers want it so cheap and free shipping-- there is no profit in that and Can't do that either. I rather give it away to a needy organization, at least there are no fees collected that way.

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Sorry to hear about your current situation. Yes, the economy is partly to blame. I sell items that people either want or need. There are some buyers who have extra money to spend, I'm very Thankful to them. Then, there are those families who don't have the extra money to spend on Ebay & are barely making it & live paycheck to paycheck. Like you, I have plenty of watchers.

I lower my prices so they have a fair chance of buying my items. I've had buyers literally "beg" me & offer me their best offer. Usually I accept. I certainly hope the economy improves soon. In 2016, the Presidential elections are going to determine who the next President of the United States is going to be. Hopefully, he or she will make the USA great again.

[tippyalways]

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@mistwomandancing wrote:

Likely it's a combination of things, but I read of layoffs all over the nation and locally.  That is never a good sign!  This economy hasn't been a good one for years now.  It never got brought back.  I'm old and have experienced many ups and downs to the U.S. economy over the decades, but never one that failed to bounce back up after a big downturn!  This one just sits, stagnant.  That first decade of the New Millenum sizzled here!  Business was on fire and we really were making money.  Everyone was thriving.  After those first years though, the whole economy seems to have just gone flat and stayed even flatter.  We don't have an administration that focuses on business, and spurring it to thrive, so we'll just have to wait and see what the next years bring.  These last few haven't been very.. successful overall for many sellers here. 

Those who have money are just fine.. still buying.. still partying.. still buying the seats behind home plate, etc.  But more and more folks are just eking out a living and just squeaking by with little to spend buying on eBay.  So those of us who sell here notice it!  It takes more listings for us to sell the same number we sold years ago with fewer listings.

While I wait for the return of better days again, I just work harder at putting up more listings, more variety of offerings, more spread between high and low priced merchandise, something for everyone.  So far, that's bringing in pretty decent sales, so overall I can't complain.  Merchandise goes out the door most every day, and all of it is profitable.  Can't complain, but I do know it's slower these past years than previously.

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It is interesting, we have a Fed with unlimited money printing and a President who believes in socialism, but few seem to benefit?

Where did all the money go?and where are the benefits? 

[tippyalways]

Could it be we are entering a new era?

In the past, we are not afraid to whip out our credit cards and enjoy all those amenities offered to us NOW and pay them back later.

We have become more sanguine about spending our future earnings as future may not be as bright,  it may take longer to find a job, we may not get steady raises/promotions every year , our skills may become unwanted? despite covering the gray and whitening our teeth and sucking in our stomach?

Our children still have not found a good job, they are in the basement and raiding the fridge at night? and worse we have co signed their student loan?

It is nice to own a large house but heating is expensive and property tax is going up.

But one consolation is that as we get older, we dont eat as much, in some cases, our medicine cost more than our food ! 

[newjerseypicker08836]

My theory is Deflation.

Prior to 2008 you had the largest credit expansion in human history and main street was the beneficiary. After 2008 credit contracted and all the credit expansion was moved to bank balance sheets.

Where before we had too much money chasing fewer products, we now have less money chasing too many products.

[lindiloo21]

'Sorry to hear things are so bad for you, but I cannot say, it is the same here.

Not exactly booming, but it is improving. Houses on my street, sold this summer, in a few days of being on the market, for asking price, or above. Every fast food restaurant, and store has a hiring sign. I know, these are entry level jobs, but it seems to me, that those employees are moving on to better jobs. My son acccepted, one of several job offers, with a very nice starting salary, six months before he graduated last year. When he started college, he couldn't even find a summer job.

So, I think it very much depends, on what part of the country you are in.

[luckythewinner]

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@tennesseebootery2015 wrote:

I don't know about the rest of you sellers, but sales have petered off for my store from 3 k to less than 1 k per month in the last 24 months. 

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OP, 

Over the past 24 months unemployment has dropped from 8% to 5%, underemployment has dropped from 14% to 10%, personal income has remained steady, and the consumer confidence index has risen from 80 to 100. 

I see nothing about the overall economy that would seem responsible for a 2/3 drop in sales over that time.

Unlucky 

[sharingtheland]

The precipitous drop in sales many say are occurring to them?  Number One Reason is ebay and its many issues.   A buyer can't buy what a buyer can't see or find.

Also, there are so many more sites now that sell "things".  In other words, competition is stiff and ebay isn't the only game in town.

The economy?  I agree; it has not "bounced back" to those artificial heights.  But I did read in the paper today (Washington Post; some guy named Bezos owns it) that people in this area are feeling better and more confident about their chances at employment.

Not sure of the actual percentage (8 out of 10?), but most of the top paying jobs for college graduates are in engineering.  My daughter and son-in-law have those degrees and were hired immediately after graduation.  Is it going to be difficult for someone with an undergrad degree in social work to find a job in that field?  Ummm, probably.  

My sales are very, very good at another venue.  

President Obama is not a socialist.  Geez, that chestnut is starting to grow mold.

[tippyalways]

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@unluckytheloser wrote:

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@tennesseebootery2015 wrote:

I don't know about the rest of you sellers, but sales have petered off for my store from 3 k to less than 1 k per month in the last 24 months. 

---

OP, 

Over the past 24 months unemployment has dropped from 8% to 5%, underemployment has dropped from 14% to 10%, personal income has remained steady, and the consumer confidence index has risen from 80 to 100. 

I see nothing about the overall economy that would seem responsible for a 2/3 drop in sales over that time.

Unlucky 

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if you are reading the Q cards, then you forget  the forecast that this Xmas shopping season will be less robust.

Third Quarter earnings will begin soon with Alcoa . 

[tippyalways]

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@tennesseebootery2015 wrote:

I don't know about the rest of you sellers, but sales have petered off for my store from 3 k to less than 1 k per month in the last 24 months. Deduct the fees from that and your in the RED.  Store Promotion Sales do no good, cut prices in half don't help, gave free shipping didn't help, and eBay's return policy is a killer but that is another story horror.  I am about to call it quits and join the unemployed to get all the freebies and give all my stock to local Charity's and churches, then write it all off and say Good by eBay, and  thanks. I have been selling on eBay since 1999 and this last year or two has been down hill all the way.  Been audited by the IRS because the 1099-K received in my mail was different than the 1099-K Paypal  sent to the IRS, that was a $1000's plus fine this month and had to eat that on top of poor sales. The Economy is hurting no question about that, people just don't have any extra money or no money at all. I sell only things people need, not wants, not collectibles, I am swamped with emails "would you take and free shipping" and get plenty of watchers but buyers want it so cheap and free shipping-- there is no profit in that and Can't do that either. I rather give it away to a needy organization, at least there are no fees collected that way.

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Most sellers have seen their sales decline, many reasons cited here-Google, economy, competition,cassini .

May be the thrill is gone, unless you are selling true antiques and collectibles, or anything people want but hard to get, there are just too many places to shop. 

Recently I was looking for walking shoes, I always buy New Balance but I need a pair with better support, it never dawn on me to look for any on Ebay?

Why? Because I dont know what brand and what style would be best ?And if you dont know, you cant buy on Ebay.

[sharingtheland]

Almost every place in the universe takes returns (yes, I exaggerate but you get my point).  Tonight I was looking - here - for golf shorts.  Almost every listing's description was "Excellent condition." 

That was it.  No measurements.  No returns.  Some with only one photo.

Did I buy any of those?  No way, and I was looking at two particular brands only; I am very familiar with both of them.

Will I go to a different site(s) and pay more?  Yes, I will, because I can return them at no cost to me if they don't fit.  

I'm not going to lie and claim SNAD to get return postage paid by an ebay seller.