Halloween Items Not Selling - A Race to the Bottom? Christmas Going to be Like this Also??

[katzrul15]

We have never had a Halloween sales slump like this - not in all the years on here.  Our Halloween items are not selling and there are so many items priced well below our wholesale pricing AND they offer FREE Shipping with that Race to the Bottom, Sandwich ~ THANK you so very much!  (We offer Free shipping, but I cannot sell something for $8 + free shipping, when our cost was $5.40/per and MSRP is $24.99)

Everything from Disney Princess costumes, wigs, flashlights - even Buzz Lightyear costumes and accessories are not selling like usual and we're not going to sell a full costume for $12.95 + free shipping.

I am concerned.  Is this what Christmas is shortly about to look like?  This Race to the Bottom (several items today from Sellers I have bookmarked have again lowered pricing by $1-$3 per item to try and get them to sell) is really concerning.  At least we sold several more Pokemon oreos today - 4 less packs I do not have to eat.  🙂

[my-cottage-books-and-antiques]

@nuclearomen I don't know how big an impact the holiday category change is making, but that is one reason I hope to revamp my ebay store categories...at least, if I can get a buyer into my store, I'd like him to be able to find my stuff easier....

[sextons-sweet-deals]

hang in there! 

I think Halloween will be big this year unless the full capacity sporting events provide a surge in cases. 

we are still 46 days days away from Halloween. When those cooler temps hit and leaves start turning, people will get in the mood. 

I'm hoping Christmas will be good with the logistic issues of imports and shortage of truck drivers. I was in Kohl's recently and they are thin on everything. Not sure if that is their new model plan, but just seems everything is low in stock. Their sports fan area is probably less than 12' x 12'. never seen that before!

[nuclearomen]

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@my-cottage-books-and-antiques wrote:

@nuclearomen I don't know how big an impact the holiday category change is making, but that is one reason I hope to revamp my ebay store categories...at least, if I can get a buyer into my store, I'd like him to be able to find my stuff easier....

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Yeah, idk how many buyers actually shop off the store but I would hope the people who follow me check it. I do make store categories and try to keep them organized to type of item, vinyl of course is my most sorted store categories but I make them for every item type, even if it is a one time item I have no intention to ever carry again. Ebay search maybe a mess, no reason for my store to be though. 

[evry1nositswindy]

I was having the same thoughts @katzrul15 .  I listed some of my Halloween items early with not much interest, so I haven't listed the rest yet.  I have started listing some Christmas items as well, just to try to feel a little joy.  My stock is very low because last year, the stores didn't have many Christmas items to snatch up after the season.  I will NEVER match my sales from the last holiday season.  It was fantastic...until the slow shipping messages from upset buyers began.  I do not want a repeat of that!

[pickingthesouth]

Do you use "Promoted Listings" feature?   Raise your price to cover the fee and then use Promoted feature.  For example, promote your listings using 9% as the ad fee.  Raise purchase price by same amount to cover the fee.  Your items will appear at top of list and you will make sales even though people are selling for cheaper.   Try it for a week and see ...

[meme6253]

No Competing With China!, To Many Factors!, COVID, Natural Disasters, Terror Threats!, ebay Picked the wrong time for all of these changes, Sky-Rocketing Grocery Costs, & On & On!, Sellers Actually need to start Raising Their Prices!!, I Know that doesn't sound like the ebay thing to do, but It may be the only solution for many of us!, Example, I sell Many Hot Wheels, Tons Of Competition!!, But I would rather sell one at $5, Then Sell 5 at $1 each, Less cost factor for me!, I Hope Things Pick Up Drastically, But I did Point Out In Another Post To Expect A Dismal Fourth Quarter, But I Hope I'm Wrong!!, Good Luck To You!!

[ed8108]

It's possible this year, eBay may not be the gold mine that it was in previous holiday seasons

[coastaltechsolution]

@katzrul15 

Happy Halloween

[meme6253]

Great Advice!, But You Don't Go To The Top Of The List All The Time, Sometimes It Doesn't Help At All

[katzrul15]

@coastaltechsolution 

Just too cute!

Hopefully this Halloween thing catches on!  lol

[katzrul15]

Yes, you are correct - no competing with China Sellers.  Nor, should you even try.  Would rather just give it away.

[libersales]

Customers may be concerned that you are not selling from stock you have on hand and that orders will be delayed coming from over seas.  With the shipping problems all over the news they may be a little hesitant.
I think that Christmas may present a similar problem for items coming in from China - or rather sitting in containers still in Chinese ports or in port cities in the US.  The problem I see for Christmas is the USPS putting a "temporary" increase in place (they have already said it would only be from the end of October until the end of December) and having staffing shortages like last year.  People have gotten used to Free Delivery and 2 day delivery (thank you Amazon) but like you I can't offer that so they won't shop early and they will still expect fast delivery.

Good luck to all of us!

[yuzuha]

I don't have much Halloween left (didn't really stock up last year for obvious reasons) so I don't have much with which to judge, but I did just sell three Halloween things last week even despite that so some people at least are still buying.

I sell decor and not costumes, though, which may account for the difference.

[jewelbiz]

Will someone post for me a pix from last Halloween 👻 of me having fun 🤩 with a bride to be.

 I keep trying to post it but it keeps showing up on the side…

Halloween is for having fun!

[yuzuha]

I should also note that most of my specifically Halloween-related plush toys sold earlier this year, way before the season even started.