Ebay sales down 40% over the last 6 months....need suggestions of what to do

[m.goodson]

Hi everyone, and Happy Holidays.

I have been a seller on here 15+ years (mostly car parts with fixes price listings) and it enjoyed it over the years. But over the last 6 months my sales have dropped considerably compared to previous years. I finally did join promoted listings, have been paying the extra fees, and have sold a few items. But I am becoming very discouraged as a whole, and feel I may need to reconsider if this is worth my time anymore. As I have a full time job, a family, and this takes time as well.  I did try Customer Support but they didn't seem to have any suggestions to help.

I guess my question is...Is this a problem due to Ebay's new marketing campaign, or are my type items losing interest? Anyone else having this problem?

Any positive advisement  would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Mark

[m.goodson]

I am learning from many replies that I need to apparently expand into other platforms.

I would like to ask everyone, when sellers say the have their own website, what platforms are they using?

In researching, I see some still want extra money to advertise the items.

[baantiques]

I use Shopify.  It's mainly just a holding point for products.  I sell most everything on Ebay although maybe 5% comes from the actual store.  Non parts items go on Etsy.  I have third party synch software that lists and keeps track of inventory among all the platforms.

[samsmoke]

Good luck m.goodson. I think ebay policies have overtime caused people to stop visiting. I know I now rarely come to ebay after policies they have introduced over the past 10 years.

I was a casual seller on ebay but threw in the towel when they made me pay for return shipping for an item the buyer lied about being defective. They then removed paypal as an option to receive payment followed by requiring me to give them my drivers license. Well, I don't trust them to not eventually get hacked. I come back every so often to find out if it's any better but it never is.

I've tried facebook marketplace over the past few months but so far it seems marketplace buyers want everything at yard sale prices. It could be that I only list items as local pickup only.

[ocean-state-mint]

I noticed my sales slowly dropping as well. I took some time to do a few things to get it back on track. This is what I did, maybe you could incorporate some into your business as well. I did my business part time as well until I was laid off, so not I do this full time, but if you can find some time to do some of these things, they will work out eventually.

1. I started by analyzing each one of my listings and looking at what my competitors were offering them at and made adjustments accordingly.

2. I send offers every Thursday and Friday of each week. This not only puts your products in front of people, but it also could add traffic to your store.

3. Utilize the Newsletter in your store. Sending out several a week also increased traffic.

4. Use social media, hook up with other businesses and cross promote.

5. Use the sale promotion and pick 10-15 products weekly, incorporate the sale with your newsletter.

6. Offer a coupon to buyers only. Such as percentage off next purchase or $ amount off certain amount.

7. Auctions-They bring an incredible amount of traffic to your listing and eventually your store. Even if you break even on a few, it's a goof way to increase your footprint.

Hope some of these can help you! Good Luck!

[m.goodson]

Thanks very much for the suggestions.

I have recently started and audit, and sold some existing items by modifying them (without promotions). As some my ads are stale, outdated, or need more description/keywords.

I agree that I need to get some atttention one way or the other, lol!

Thanks again,

Mark

[baantiques]

Interesting development. I tried a 20% sale, except I made it for Thursday AM through Sunday PM/  Sold about $800 or so.  Sales dropped off after it ended but I have another that started this morning.  So far some good sales.  I'm up 30% since last month.

[psfhobbies]

Hang in there... 27 years selling here. Its been hell & heaven over these years. Last 3 years worst we ever had on Ebay in % of daily sales.It will get better with the new people in charge of this country..be patient 

[thebi1724_m0ltlhf]

In my case, it is simply a matter of the low quality of parts I have been receiving lately, the faulty description of the parts, the fit of the parts, it all speaks of POOR QUALITY CONTROL. If I give examples they'll get picked apart as they do, however I personally, am done purchasing auto parts, or motorcycle parts or lawn mower parts or any of those expensive items that must be precisely made and quality checked via eBay.

It sucks to pay so much, then wait for the part to arrive only to find it doesn't fit, or worse yet, it does fit! I've learned that if it does fit, it means you will be replacing it again all too soon as everything seems to be second rate JUNK.