eBay

andrew547 · ‎03-09-2020

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.

bethiesbarkery · ‎03-14-2020

I agree, small time seller here but typically see an increase thurs-sun weekly, assume its bc people get paid on fridays. Nada this week. Didnt notice at first but the last 10 days I've had 2 sales, typically averaging about 12/week. Even the views and number of people watching my listings has dropped enough that I noticed.

harleypearl · ‎03-14-2020

Mine are down also....just a small seller, but usually sold many of what I listed. I wonder if ebay will grant any type of assistance if the trend is down, such as a break in monthly store fees, etc. I know likely not, but just a thought..

191paula · ‎03-14-2020

This week is about the same as last week.

I am hoping my sales increase with people being at home more.

I sell clothing.

camp969 · ‎03-15-2020

New seller. Was doing good but the laat week ground to a halt.

valuestore · ‎03-15-2020

Rush of sales then zero for the last 4 days or so, im guessing the next few months will be increased claims and near zero sales, joy joy ...hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.

cynda_67 · ‎03-15-2020

I am only a buyer. I usually expect around 7 things in the mail on any given day. But, I have stopped buying lately because I believe we're looking at shipping delays until coronavirus passes.

When I buy something, I pay in full cash up front so, my money is tied up until seller ships and I receive.

Does this help? I dont always research the sellers status (like i know i should) before i buy.

cynda_67 · ‎03-15-2020

I am only a buyer. I usually expect around 7 things in the mail on any given day. But, I have stopped buying lately because I believe we're looking at shipping delays until coronavirus passes.

When I buy something, I pay in full cash up front so, my money is tied up until seller ships and I receive.

Does this help? I dont always research the sellers status (like i know i should) before i buy.

dhbookds · ‎03-15-2020

Down sales here.......Better Half is doing better than I, but not by much. Our gas in PA $2.3something. Last Fri WM had more stockers than I've ever seen in there......not too much out, though thin on TP...... & no powdered milk.

Interesting article (somewhere) about why people are buying up TP........they need to "do something" positive in this situation, not a waste of money as will be used eventually, plus herd mentality......everyone else is doing it so must be "right".

One thing I'm curious about.......since this is a "flu" and the normal (lol) flu dies down when warm weather comes, are the southern states seeing/anticipating a ramp up of this one? Haven't seen much info on that aspect.

dressed-to-impress · ‎03-15-2020

down - big time

homechalet · ‎03-15-2020

It would be nice if Ebay would waive the store fees for a month at least, that would show that they care about "Us" Sellers 🙂

mr_lincoln · ‎03-15-2020

@andrew547

Good post and congrats on your efforts to climb back to TRS ...

IMHO the next three weeks will tell the tale on the real effects of Coronoavirus. Many more people than normal will be working out of their homes and generally BE home. So they will either be shopping more online or they won't and THAT's what I am waiting to see.

I run ONE quarterly Promoted Listing campaign for approximately 30 days and simply stick every GTC listing on it with a set % of promotion ... I started the 1Q20 on Tuesday the 10th. This is my 15th PL Campaign and normally I get a sale or 2 the first day then a few more on the following days. Not this time ... the first sale came last night and one this morning and that's it so far ... maybe more later today (Sunday), we'll see.

Sales have generally been good, the problem is acquiring inventory, its a slow time for auctions here in the northeast but should improve as the weather warms up.

Regards,
Mr. Lincoln - Community Mentor

keziak · ‎03-15-2020

@southern*sweet*tea wrote:
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.

My sales are up because I am running more auctions than last year. I have a ton of stuff to lot up for auctions.

I only sell books and media and will be unable to get in much inventory now that the season library sales have mostly been cancelled, including one in late April. 😓

andrew547 · ‎03-15-2020

@mr_lincoln wrote:
Many more people than normal will be working out of their homes and generally BE home. So they will either be shopping more online or they won't and THAT's what I am waiting to see.

We agree on something. Hallelujah!

@mr_lincoln wrote:
normally I get a sale or 2 the first day then a few more on the following days. Not this time ... the first sale came last night and one this morning and that's it so far ... maybe more later today (Sunday), we'll see.

My first thought is that it's been a crazy week or two for most people. I learned a new term yesterday: Zero Risk Bias, which is the idea that people gravitate toward tasks that eliminate all of a perceived risk versus tasks that eliminate some risks, even if eliminating "some" represents a great risk reduction overall. In other words...people have been busy running around town stocking up on TP, rice & beans, while ebay shopping may have fallen by the wayside. I am hopeful that things settle down and return to some level of normalcy soon.

I'd be interested to hear how things unfold over the coming week(s).

andrew547 · ‎03-15-2020

@dhbookds wrote:
One thing I'm curious about.......since this is a "flu" and the normal (lol) flu dies down when warm weather comes, are the southern states seeing/anticipating a ramp up of this one? Haven't seen much info on that aspect.

I once heard that flu circulates in winter because people spend a lot more time indoors when its cold. Made sense at the time but I don't remember the source. In the tropics, flu season is the rainy season...maybe people congregate more indoors then too. I don't know.

In the US, people travel enough so that once a flu starts, it basically spreads throughout the country regardless of weather. Maybe warm weather offers some protection for some reason. I don't know. Interesting questions.

turquoisetulips · ‎03-15-2020

I went ahead and closed my store, because I don't want to stand in line at the P.O, and I don't want to have to go out and purchase packing supplies either. I figured sales would fall off a cliff, so it seemed the thing to do until we have a better picture, at least, of how this all is going to pan out. dipptydoo

Do you have the carrier pick up option when you create your shipping labels ? USPS offers this service in our area so needless to say I almost never need to go to the post office . The postman just drops by to pick up any outgoing packages I have when he's delivering mail on our street . However you need to request it the day before so they know to come by . My sales are actually up ,, not here on e bay ,, but on other sites . I made only one sale here in the past few days ,, but that's been the norm for months now . It stands to reason when people are avoiding places where other people gather they're probably going to be turning to online shopping more often. Tulips