eBay

mpcac · ‎03-15-2019

My sales started to drop in August 2018 and continued thru the end of the year. So far this year my sales are off 70%. I realize that maybe the market for what I sell could be changing, but this has been a very sharp decline and I would expect a more gradual decline with the loss of interest. I was wondering if my sales on Ebay are off because I'm not participating in the " Promote Listing " option?

sakic92710 · ‎03-16-2019

Although, I'm at the point, where having 5 days without sales within the last 8, that is really tempting to give up on this one with fees & just try my luck with the free one.

djmovers99 · ‎03-16-2019

nothing for me in 10 days...

mpcac · ‎03-16-2019

Thanks for taking the time to reply. My past sales were pretty consistent until August of last year..... now the loss of sales ( approximately 70% off ) is also consistent, and I'm not happy about this. Something has changed. Either the interest in what I'm selling has changed, or maybe the slump in my sales is because of my choosing not to participate in the " Promote Listing " offered for a fee by Ebay. If the interested in what I'm selling was falling off, I would expect a more gradual decline in sales and not such a sharp drop off in sales.

weschurch · ‎03-16-2019

As a buyer, It has beem rapidly declining for years but in about November it pretty much fell off a cliff for me buying wise. Hardly nothing listed in the categories I buy from, where as at one point stuff was getting listed about every minute. I don't know but I am a daily buyer and have been for several years. Its now been 5 days since Ive bought anything because I can't find anything to buy. This site is becoming a dumpster fire

63benz · ‎03-16-2019

The "free one" works quite well depending on what you're selling and size of your market. I can't afford to keep encountering the "try and I MIGHT keep" types here wasting my time/$$

lindyslucky · ‎03-16-2019

Try promoted listings on a few items.

We just raise the price to cover the extra fee.

We have been able to move a few things.

if it doesn't sell, you don't pay.

Worth a try....

turquoisetulips · ‎03-16-2019

@greg5000 wrote:
Had to wait for the punch-line ...... but I Fully Agree!

I'm a very frequent buyer since 2010 and and I'm ready to jump ship too. The reasons are the perfect storm of too many recent Technical Issues, Poor Customer Support, and lack of any Real Leadership.

You made me want to see that movie again - it's right up there with the Green mile . 🙂 tulips

turquoisetulips · ‎03-16-2019

@mpcac wrote:
My sales started to drop in August 2018 and continued thru the end of the year. So far this year my sales are off 70%. I realize that maybe the market for what I sell could be changing, but this has been a very sharp decline and I would expect a more gradual decline with the loss of interest. I was wondering if my sales on Ebay are off because I'm not participating in the " Promote Listing " option?

I don't know anymore about sales . I use the promotions and they seem to help a little but I've given up trying to figure out if I'm doing well or sinking in quicksand . There are days when I think I'll be cemented into selling on e bay forever then there are days when I want to throw in the trowel . tulips

clu3 · ‎03-17-2019

I had a realization this morning. I was listing a $40 item and got to the shipping section. After determining the BEST cross country rate I could get for a package under 3 lbs was $18 retail, and knowing I would likely take a hit on part of that eventually (who wants to pay 1/2 the price of an item in shipping unless it's a really good deal?), plus the FV & Paypal fees. I deleted the draft, put a tag on the item for 20% less and I'm taking it to my vendor space at my local flea market. I saved myself a ton of time and the in-house storage space.

I think Ebay selling has to be highly selective for me going forward.

atikovi · ‎03-17-2019

Don't think I've bought a CD or pen in ten years. Plus you're shipping charges are a turnoff. There is always a market for outdated tech, but it's pretty small. Cassettes and VCR tapes were still strong a few years ago, but now you can buy a box of them for a few bucks.

mpcac · ‎03-17-2019

That's interesting. Ebay started out providing a listing service only. They always say that they are not responsible for any problems between the seller and buyer because of this. You say that they now discriminate by listing the lowest price items. I wonder how else they discriminate against their sellers. I've been selling on Ebay for over 20 years and have been thru all of the frustrating changes that Ebay has forced on the seller. They may claim no responsibility for my listings, but they sure like to control them.

mpcac · ‎03-17-2019

Well, that's probably true, but almost all of my auctions have the " Buy Now or Best Offer " option which allows for a negotiated sale. I wonder if charging sales tax has hurt everyone's sales. Ebay will tell the seller to adjust the asking price to solve the sales tax expense...... I wish they would help the seller out and adjust what they are charging me .... but that's not going to happen.

mpcac · ‎03-17-2019

I do accept returns..... for up to 60 days. In fact before Ebay made me include this in my listing, I always stated no hassle returns in my descriptions. I have never refused a return in my 20 years of selling on ebay. When ever I complained to Ebay about their increases in my fees, they always encouraged me to add this extra expense onto my asking price. I instead added this onto my shipping fees along with the cost of shipping materials. Yes, my shipping fees are high, but I've paid higher shipping fees.

weschurch · ‎03-17-2019

Of course, thats everyone solution to all the nickle and diming. Just Add it on to your item. Sure, as if its that easy. "Hey I have a toaster for sale its only 5.00 bucks but I have to add on my Ebay fee, paypal fee, free shipping fee, insurance fee, label fee, ebays employees lunch break fee, internet fee, shipping supply fee, fee fee. After that its only 29.55." I'll only make 1.75 off it though, run to the post office on your command, spend 20 minutes packaging it only for you to return it on my dime 6 days later because you thought it put butter on the toast for you.

grasshopperx · ‎03-17-2019

Weschurch your right. I always search for the same thing. Often. I Never see anything new being listed. It's just not worth the sellers time anymore. When mangled payments comes, I'm gone. and I'm taking my shopping with me too. which is down to NOTHING lately.