How I survived the "no sales", low sales", "where are the sales?" last few months

[bill.purvis2012]

First, let me say that this is what I did. I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV.  

But, so many of us have been seeking successful methods to work with the Ebay algorithm or other solutions to weakening sales over the last month or two.

Let me preface this note by saying that Ebay selling takes time and work. It is not magic. Like any business, you must put the time and effort into it to be successful.  Many are very successful at it. They are the ones who work hard and smart.

Do not fall for the seller who says they spend 2 hrs a week and make $$$. Baloney. 

Okay.  Here's what I have been doing during slow economic times:

1.   I worked hard and long to revise my present listings. Worked on photos, prices, shipping, details.  It put new life into old listing for sure.  I believe the Ebay algorithm is affected by revisions of listings. 

2.   I continue to keep listings as new or recent by using End Listing & Sell Similar. YES, it works. 

3.   I promoted all my listings. Didn't want to. It added costs to my sales. Ebay got more. BUT, I sold more and made more overall. 

4.   I kept some sale going. % OFF or Coupon. Yes, that costs money. I set my sales prices to absorb it. YES, it does work.

5.   I work hard to send out offers. A high percentage of sales come from these offers.

6.   I treat my buyers like family. I work with them. I take the extra pictures, answer the questions, combine shipping, watch the tracking to make sure it gets to them timely, package well. I don't let the goof-ball buyers get to me. Spend no time or energy on them. It's all in the business. 

7.   I offer Free Returns. For any reason. I get a few. But, no big deal. Buyers know they're protected in buying from me and if they're not happy, can send it back no questions asked. This increases sales, gets repeat buyers and protects me against negative feedback.  I can't believe all the energy and time spent by some sellers trying to refuse a return only to lose item and money while getting negative feedback. 

8. I buy low.  Simple. It's never what you're selling something for, it's what did you pay for it. 

Going through these steps has kept me in pace with previous sales numbers. You may not want to do these things.  But, it continues to keep me going at a pace I like.  

I enjoy reading these posts here and have been helped immensely by so many of you.  Wishing you a great 2023 selling season. 

Bill

[chevymontecarlo88]

Thanks for posting! 

Well said. 

[ed8108]

Step 8

And don't give up your day job

[sakic92710]

I, barely, have been surviving it by not relying on eBay for sales.  I have been actively trying to get local sales & use an out-of-town online auction site.  Easily selling items there that go stale on eBay.  Hope your system keeps working for you!

[the-hook-and-the-loop]

That's wonderful and I'm happy for you. 

As I read down your list, every line I cringe at the margins getting smaller.

Shipping rates going up, another smaller margin.

Promoted listings was the biggest margin shrinker as eBay doubled their fees.

You can only charge so much for an item, and you can only buy an item so low.

[yuzuha]

One thing I'm also willing to bet is contributing to your sales is your photos-- you've got great, clear photos that make it very easy for buyers to see exactly what it is they'll be getting.

The other day I saw a seller who was trying to sell $100+ jewelry with photos that were so dark and blurry, they looked like they'd been taken in a cave. They had one piece that was $500 and the photos were so dark that I couldn't even tell exactly what color the stones in the piece were supposed to be. Of course they weren't getting sales-- who would spend $500 on what was effectively a guessing game?

Photos matter A LOT.

[theteamsetguy]

Bill.purvis2012,

Number 8 is the most important one in my opinion. If you know your market you will have a really good idea of what something WILL sell for. One of the easiest ways to lose money is pay too much for your inventory. 

Over 90% of the time I will not pay more than 25% of what I can sell something for. I will pay more on more expensive items and items I can flip for a quick profit.

[theteamsetguy]

@the-hook-and-the-loop the-hook-and-the-loop,

It depends on what you sell. I buy mainly from other dealers liquidating excess inventory. I have been buying from some of them for years and they know what I will pay.