eBay

justagirl2018 · ‎02-06-2019

After doing the math for my taxes I have found that I brought in a 14% profit for 2018 on here which is not enough to make it worth keeping my store open. I am not one of those sellers who hasn't had any success on here. I have been selling on and off on here under a different user name since 2004. The current store I operate started in 2013 and at one time I was turning a 50% profit. I'm a single mom and at one point when my daughter was little it allowed me to be able to stay home and take care of her even though we were still on a low income and things were tight. So I am grateful that at one time the store carried us through that. However, costs have went up mostly with USPS and my inventory suppliers. It is a tough decision, but I have already been on the fence about it since I also have a full time job, a daughter at home, and am responsible for the cooking and cleaning when I get home. So I am considering doing something else on the side for extra income. At this point it just isn't paying enough for the time I put into it.

tunicaslot · ‎02-06-2019

I'm sorry that it is no longer profitable for you. The past couple of years have seen the rise of so many other sites that buyers use that it often reflects on certain categories here. Your daughter is your main concern - concentrate on her - they grow up so fast so enjoy this time with her!

castlemagicmemories · ‎02-06-2019

I'm really sad to see you go, but I understand you have to do what you have to do. I wish you all the best as you move forward.

second-chance-sa1es · ‎02-06-2019

I understand your frustration. I am struggling hard this month. Last month was pretty rough too but I was making money that month.

A small amount of food for thought on the small off chance that it might be useful to you. (I know you are an experienced seller so please do not take this as an assumption that you dont know better)

I have been buying and selling things for most of my life. Literally I have sold interstate semi truck trailers, diesel motors, big sailboats (last one I sold was 38 feet) and just about every mundane thing in between. One of the best lessons I ever learned is that your profit is decided when you buy your inventory. I have no idea what sort of inventory you are working with, or if there are cheaper alternatives. I dont know if you are targeted category or variety but this one rule holds true and its one of the guiding principals I have used in every inventory purchase I have ever made.

I am sorry to see you go, and I know that many of us likely wont be far behind you as the Chinese/eBay noose continues to tighten around all of our necks. Just food for thought.

luckythewinner · ‎02-06-2019

@justagirl2018 wrote:
After doing the math for my taxes I have found that I brought in a 14% profit for 2018 on here which is not enough to make it worth keeping my store open.

14% of what, if I may ask? People on this board have many different definitions of "profit".

justagirl2018 · ‎02-06-2019

Yes, doesn't help to compete with sellers who sell cheaper than I can. There aren't as many chinese sellers in my category but they are there and some of the Americans I'm competing with can buy in massive quantities and therefore sell cheaper. It also doesn't help that I don't have as much time to market it anymore due to also working a regular full time job. But the regular job pays more so I can't let it go. But like I was saying, I'm grateful for when it was doing well at a time I really needed it to.

justagirl2018 · ‎02-06-2019

Like after subtracting all the expenses and costs to run the business from total gross sales for 2018 14% of it was left over. The expenses to run it ate up 86% of the total gross amount of income.

coolections · ‎02-06-2019

Ebay has drastically changed over the last 20 years. It used to be every person who wanted extra cash could easily make it here. Times have changed and now it is set up for those who truly are in the business and are wiling to spend money to make money and put in a lot of work can survive. Those of us part timers who do not rely on the income can also make cash because we have very little invested in it. Everyone in the middle is being lost because those folks cannot keep up with the other two categories. Sorry you cannot make it anymore but sooner or later people change jobs and ways to make income. Hopefully you will find your way.