How long do you keep items listed?

[rockthetouritinerary_7]

how long do you keep items listed on Ebay, and do you think it lessens the value if it is listed for over 2 years?

[brightlightbookseller]

Mostly we list for a little over a year, largely because we simply start running out of space.  We're a medium sized seller by eBay's standards, I think, so some people wouldn't have that issue and some would have more problems.

I don't think the listing being old matters if it's relatively unique, as you're simply waiting for the right person to find it, but the more competition, the more it might benefit you to end it and list it again sometimes.

[baantiques]

Ebay's search engine hates things that don't sell, and hates sellers that have things that don't sell.  Having too many things that don't sell hurt your sales because it affects your search rank.  Having listings that don't perform is par for the course, so you have to deal with them.  I start dropping prices after 3-6 months, either directly or through a sale.  Even if you break even on something, that's still better than letting it sit unsold.  If that doesn't work, take it down, throw it away, donate it, group it with other unsold things in an auction.

[baantiques]

That doesn't do anything.  Ebay has a very long memory when it comes to listings that have been on the site.  You don't get the same new listing bump from relisting old items no matter how you do it with the exception being making a completely new listing with new photos title and description.

[mr_lincoln]

@toomuchstuffagain35 

Yes, the sales profile for each Seller will vary.  My Selling on eBay is not full time ... it's one reason I like Auctions, they end on weekends when there is more time to pack and ship on Monday morning.  

I am considering some changes for this venue for later this year ... the next few months will be interesting to see what the venue does with some of the changes I have already made.  

[redlinear]

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@baantiques wrote:

That doesn't do anything.  Ebay has a very long memory when it comes to listings that have been on the site.  You don't get the same new listing bump from relisting old items no matter how you do it with the exception being making a completely new listing with new photos title and description.

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I'm going to agree, then disagree.
I do this once a year.
End the listing, wait a month, change up the title, swap 1st photo for a different photo, drop the price or RAISE the price, and while you're at it...might change up the item specifics a bit and give the description some attention (just cause you're there anyway, not to trick an eBay bot).   Then submit as a new listing.
That seems to work fairly well.
   I prefer to raise the price, seems to work better than lowering it for some reason.

Almost Anything will sell, if it can be seen/found (applies to what I list). 
I'll leave items on eBay indefinitely as long as I have storage space, and as long as I don't have several of that item.
If I have several of them listed and none have sold I'll throw them ALL away after a couple of years. Odds are, eBay is loaded up with lots of that item anyway.

[luckythewinner]

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@rockthetouritinerary_7 wrote:

how long do you keep items listed on Ebay, and do you think it lessens the value if it is listed for over 2 years?

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I have had items for sale on eBay for 10 years before they sold.

I am not sure what you mean by "lessens the value". An item could remain unsold for any number of reasons - including lack of demand, a poor listing, or it just being overpriced.

[laststopgeneralstore]

Doesn’t matter, by the time they get their,  they’ve been bought and sold many times over. It’s just money in my pocket at that point. Cheaper than taking the time to pull them out of inventory, loading in my car and going to donate them. Not to mention, it helps with multi-orders and enticing customers with good deals which has also created more repeat customers that have come back and purchased more items. 

[chariot_badges]

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@inhawaii wrote:

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@chariot_badges wrote:

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@rockthetouritinerary_7 wrote:

how long do you keep items listed on Ebay, and do you think it lessens the value if it is listed for over 2 years?

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NONE of my listings are two years old.

I end, and 'list similar' every 30 days.

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 Just curious, why?

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GABcnQM8u6I&t=163s

I don't know why ... but, it helps.

[chariot_badges]

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@baantiques wrote:

That doesn't do anything.  Ebay has a very long memory when it comes to listings that have been on the site.  You don't get the same new listing bump from relisting old items no matter how you do it with the exception being making a completely new listing with new photos title and description.

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Wait a minnit .... 

so, you're saying that the 80% increase in Listing Impressions YOY is not happening?

53% increase in page views?

Sales conversion rate up .4% -- didn't happen?

Cost of sales from 44% to 31%, not true?

Huh.

I better get my calculator calibrated. 

.

[oaklandmaryland]

Since I have a store I let them listed until they sell as it costs me nothing to do this. Sometimes things are unique and take a long time. Ex: just sold a pair of men's pants 42x24. Had to wait for a guy with short legs.

[evry1nositswindy]

I sold a book last night that had been listed since January 20, 2021!  This has happened a few times recently.  Older books are getting much harder to find!

[sperch]

Everyone seems to have forgotten the time-value of money. If the item were sold at a lower price, it frees up money to buy more items that will sell at a better price. Unless someone has unlimited funds and unlimited storage, a faster turnover earns more.

[keziak]

I am in the minority, apparently, in that I don't hang onto inventory for years. Space constraints is one reason. Mostly I get tired looking at books and media that have gotten stale and dusty