Are You Ready?

[pls-consignments]

Without sounding like a "Debbie Downer" or "Negative Nancy" (sorry to all Debbies & Nancys), this upcoming summer slow-down could have all the makings for one of the worst in many years due to obvious economic uncertainties. The timing of "cause and effect" could greatly impact discretionary spending, putting many vulnerable sellers at risk. Of course, this is just one guy's opinion. 😉

Regardless, what steps are you taking to minimize the impact to your bottom line this summer? Your incite will be helpful to other less experienced sellers.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@meme6253 wrote:

Was only meant as a joke

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I was joking as well @meme6253   

Or was I.......🤫

😀

[chapeau-noir]

The longer away from selling I am, the more I want to get some other job, or stick to doing audiovisual for data companies (not steady). But I do have a house to clear out.

With that addle brain Musk (whose business acumen can be gauged by his shipwrecking Xitter pronto and having an entire team at spaceX devoted to keeping him distracted and away from the levers of power there) letting a bunch of his grubby young fanbois get access to the US treasury, I'm in a wait and see mode to see how fast they loot the treasury and if our spineless politicians do anything about this serious hack.

At least Trump closed the de minimis threshold with China; however, since the Chinese already knew this was going to happen, they've switched more to on-shoring here and they have to pay freight (a whole other fraught subject, but their problem). Still, that stops a lot of the more peripheral stuff. This may make a difference competitively for us.

[meme6253]

I agree 100%, What i will NEVER understand is HOW do they not see him for what he truly is??, It's mind boggling!, Golden economic times is a SAD joke, We will be lucky if he doesn't throw us into another great depression, we dodged a bullet for now with the tariffs, But there is a definite rude awakening coming & perhaps then they will snap out of their hypnotic state of mind.

[chapeau-noir]

I'm tempted to say that the secondary market would actually do better during tight/uncertain economic times, that has been my past experience, but the explosion of online sellers makes me wonder as competition has gotten so fierce and seems to be accelerating. Ebay is trying to save their bacon with their ad scheme, but that already seems to be pricing some sellers out of the market, and that also will just accelerate.

The whole thing reminds me of Yogi Berra "Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded."

[sextons-sweet-deals]

crack me up!

your comment: We've just left possibly the worst period in human history, last 4 years, and are now entering an unprecedented golden age of prosperity.  What a beautiful concept, btw.

We did not lose over million lives due to covid like Donnie did when he was in office. He played it off and then he had the virus. 

Another poster reminded me when Donnie tried to suggest the following:

April 23, 2020, 7:18 PM EDT / Updated April 24, 2020, 10:31 AM EDT

By Dartunorro Clark

President Donald Trump suggested the possibility of an "injection" of disinfectant into a person infected with the coronavirus as a deterrent to the virus during his daily briefing Thursday.

Trump made the remark after Bill Bryan, who leads the Department of Homeland Security's science and technology division, gave a presentation on research his team has conducted that shows that the virus doesn't live as long in warmer and more humid temperatures. Bryan said, "The virus dies quickest in sunlight," leaving Trump to wonder whether you could bring the light "inside the body."

"So supposing we hit the body with a tremendous — whether it's ultraviolet or just a very powerful light — and I think you said that hasn't been checked because of the testing," Trump said, speaking to Bryan during the briefing. "And then I said, supposing you brought the light inside the body, which you can do either through the skin or some other way, and I think you said you're going to test that, too."

You will see no prosperity nor any other normal American! 

[pls-consignments]

Let me just add that this is not meant to be a political conversation. Many newer sellers rely upon the experience and wisdom of other sellers. 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

By summer, the negative news headlines may be considered as old news and people will ignore them.

If people do not feel the level of personal economic pressure that they felt the past 4 years, they will have adapted to whatever fears may be being propagated by the various special interests.

So far, other than a few government employees who are no longer government employees, little has changed economically. And every lost government job is a plus or a minus depending on your point of view.

Some see a chance for a change for the better, others see a change for the worse as inevitable. Nothing is inevitable, yet.

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@pls-consignments  If the traditional "summer slow down" is worse this summer than normal , what insights would you yourself share with less experienced sellers? 

I think if you provide some insights it might help get the thread back on track.

[lux.ra_14]

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@pls-consignments wrote:

Let me just add that this is not meant to be a political conversation.

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I don't recall any discussions about eBay selling before the election that did not include comments on politics and the former president's policies. 

Why the sudden urge to make that verboten? Maybe it's a coincidence, but this is the second thread in two days in which an OP made this objection.

[cardxcraft]

Where did you get the idea I was making an argument?  The OP asked for insight for what they presume will be the worst summer, so I gave my statement of insight juxtaposing their bleak outlook with my optimistic view.

[cardxcraft]

Look up the word lawfare, you're welcome. 

[12345jamesstamps]

I sell items that a lot of  retired people buy...but young people buy my items also.

Retired people usually have a lot of spending power...These people have made purchases long ago...they don't need a house, a car, clothing, shoes, etc., etc. 

I am taking no steps since I picked a good category in sell in...and don't sell a variety of items.

Having items for sale in the same category usually gives you 'repeat buyers'.

'upcoming summer slowdown'...I don't think that can be predictable.

[chevymontecarlo88]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

@pls-consignments  If the traditional "summer slow down" is worse this summer than normal , what insights would you yourself share with less experienced sellers? 

I think if you provide some insights it might help get the thread back on track.

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Sellers should always be planning ahead. 

I find that many sellers source inventory that is selling NOW for them. That of course if fine but I do see many that don't plan ahead. If you're looking to purchase Summer items, start looking for them during the Winter/Early Spring season. Typically, you can find better deals when they are not in season and that can help keep costs down. 

Also remember that any time things slow down, it is an opportunity to buy.

Work smarter not harder!

[cardxcraft]

Wow, do you always make premature judgements?  Are we talking about the admin that officially took over less than 2 weeks ago.  The Senate confirmation hearings haven't been completed.  The paint hasn't even dried and you're screaming and hollering.

The OP asked for insight for what in their view will be a particular slow summer.  I gave my contrasting, optimistic view.  

[cardxcraft]

@pls-consignmenta wrote

Let me just add that this is not meant to be a political conversation. Many newer sellers rely upon the experience and wisdom of other sellers.

"Your incite will be helpful to other less experienced sellers."

I think you had a freudian slip.  The last sentence of your original post, you wrote incite, instead of insight, which I believe were your true intentions.

Of course I'm only kidding.