Coronavirus - Are your sales up, down, or no change?

[andrew547]

I'd like to understand how this virus situation is affecting ebay sales generally. I want to see what's happening, figure out what to expect, and survive this thing as a seller. Generally, are people buying on ebay more, less, or no change?

So, are your sales up, down, no change? To what do you attribute it to, if anything?

I'll start. My sales are up significantly the past week or so. I sell things that are not at all related to health or the coronavirus. However, there could be other reasons for the uptick. I got sick a year ago and didn't ship a bunch of orders, and that blew my top seller status and ebay handicapped my listings for a year. I just got top rated seller status back, and that could explain the sales increase.

[luckythewinner]

Re: Coronavirus - Are your sales up, down, or no change?

No one seems to be buying any Coronavirus from me at all.

I even dropped the price and promoted it!

[inhawaii]

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@luckythewinner wrote:

Re: Coronavirus - Are your sales up, down, or no change?

No one seems to be buying any Coronavirus from me at all.

I even dropped the price and promoted it!

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That's because prior to his price drop, he was price gouging!

[6101angler1]

Yes down for me for sure.  It seems people don't want to part with their money right now for fear of a global economic breakdown. Stock market collapsing not helping either.  Things that I've put up in the past that have been gone within 2 hrs to 48 hrs have been lingering now for a week.

[loveyourimagination49]

Do roaches and beetles kill the virus.

[chapeau-noir]

Chugging along here, though my computer stuff is selling faster than usual (considering what a small player I am in the market, almost half of my sales have been computer peripherals).

Bought a new washing machine today and the sales person was apologised for not being able to shake hands on the deal.  I said we should practice yumi in the interim and, since that's not all that uncommon around here, it might catch on!

[femmefan1946]

A quick look at my (paper) record for this time last year shows the number of sales being steady, even though I actually had removed all my book listings because we were reflooring the area where the books were shelved.

The value of sales during the fortnight is actually a little lower, but both numbers are based on a very small sample.

On the other hand, anecdotally, Promoted Listings seems to have been bringing in a lot more Views although the PL items themselves don't seem to be selling. (I spent 26c on PL fees since January/20). Since PL costs me nothing until a PL item sells, I'm willing to allow credit for steady/increased sales to Promoted Listings.

But anecdote is not data.

There are several factors here. Promoted Listings started in November for me. An employee is doing auction listings which I have avoided for ages. I took down about half my listings for reasons unrelated to online selling.

And then COVID19 and now the stock market drop (which has less to do with daily commerce than the media would have us think).

[southern*sweet*tea]

My sales are up 40% from what they were last year at this time. I'm sure it's nothing to do with covid-19 and all to do with the fact that I'm listing more desirable and higher dollar items than I was last year.

[uncseniorsportsfan]

First of all I don't sell anything in the ballpark of creepy crawlies.   And I don't know if the coronavirus has much to do with eBay sales,  but I am still waiting for my first March sale on three of my four accounts. 

Things were this bad the first part of March last year, but there were many technical issues muddying the waters then.    

[andrew547]

"I don't know if the coronavirus has much to do with eBay sales."

There may be an increase in the number of people staying home and shopping from home, from either fear or necessity.

There may also be economic troubles on the horizon - potentially serious ones for the global economy. I heard the word "bailout" several times today, for the first time since 2008.

Depending on what happens, this could be very serious. It's already widespread. Italy just self-quarantined.

[sdiorvintage]

VERY SLOW, HOPING IT GETS BETTER! 😇

[sakic92710]

No change.  eBay sucks now.  2020 has been lousy.  Good luck to all sellers.  🙂

[merica139]

sales all down

[moondogblues]

" Generally, are people buying on ebay more, less, or no change?"

I used to buy a lot here, but have slowed down. However, because of this viral outbreak, and because hubs and I are in the age danger zone we have chosen to stay home for a while. I found I can get dog and cat food here for about the same price as the store in town. I also found birdseed for a decent price. All with free shipping!

We have food for a long time, but if necessary will order more here or from catalogs. We are far from town so there is no delivery option locally. EBay and other online sites, and catalogs may be a solution to fighting hordes of fearful shoppers. Just my opinion of course.

[fuzzface50]

"There may be an increase in the number of people staying home and shopping from home, from either fear or necessity."

yes, I was thinking the same thing.  

The sales at the B/M store I work at has really been slow lately. I am new there but the supervisor said the numbers are way under what they should be for entering spring and we are located in a state with only 2 confirmed cases now.

did anybody see the gas prices on the tv? prices are as cheap as $1.749 they said.  Not sure the last time I saw it under $2.   I paid $2.199 yesterday