Is anyone else experiencing a noticeable drop in sales?

[rookieoftheyear.com]

The last sale I made was seven days ago.  I contacted eBay and was informed there are no restrictions on my account.  I understand variance plays a role in this; however, it has been most unusual.  My store has over 1,800 items and I usually sell 5-10 (sometimes more) items each week.

Is anyone else experiencing a noticeable drop in sales?

I'm asking because my annual store subscription is set to renew Tuesday.  I'm gathering information in an effort to decide whether signing on for another year would make sense financially.

[chapeau-noir]

@rookieoftheyear.com   This is a slow time of year for many (for clothing sellers we call it 'transitional') - try signing up just month-to-month for now and see how things shake out.

[divwido]

Compared to  the last week-ends-yes.  But that last couple have been crazy shipping ten and fifteen items, so this is nice break.

[rookieoftheyear.com]

The "slow time of year" comment makes a bit of sense.

Going month-to-month is something I'm considering.  If the lull in sales is likely temporary, though, I'd prefer to stay the course.

(of course this would happen right before the renewal date...lol)

[rookieoftheyear.com]

I'm in a similar situation.  The lack of packing tape and Post Office trips this past week was noticeable.

[mr_lincoln]

@rookieoftheyear.com    Vinyl sales may be down ... it may be a shrinking Buyer group ...

[inhawaii]

Yes, some sellers are noticing a drop in sales.

Many of them come here to complain about their drop in sales.

It happens every day.

Some sellers are also experiencing a increase in sales.

Those sellers rarely come here to complain about a increase in sales. 

Sales go up and down all the time.  It's normal.  

[m60driver]

Sales on Ebay tend to be rather random and a single week with weak sales should not attract to much attention from yourself.  Best to look at 60 or 90 day totals to see sale trends.

Also, I have found that on my slow selling items that randomly ending the listings for about a week and then relisting using the sell similar option tends to bolster sales a small amount.

[b86fiero]

I switched my store from an annual subscription to a monthly one a few years ago.  Sure, it costs a tiny bit more per month but I have the ability to close my store anytime I wish without incurring a big cancellation fee from eBay. I would never go back to a yearly commitment.  

[chapeau-noir]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@rookieoftheyear.com    Vinyl sales may be down ... it may be a shrinking Buyer group ...

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Vinyl is getting so popular that vinyl for pressing is getting in short supply. 

<<...the vinyl shortage is being compounded by unprecedented demand for records. Vinyl revenue nearly doubled in the U.S. during the first half of 2021, according to the RIAA – with 2020 having delivered a 23.5 percent year-over-year revenue hike for the global vinyl industry, per the IFPI. As a result, 2021 appears poised to keep alive the more than decade-long trend of growth for vinyl.>>  2021 - but it hasn't changed.

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2021/10/04/vinyl-shortage-2021/

ETA:  It may be WHICH records, but I think it's just the winter version of the dog days of summer.  Without the mosquitos.

[mr_lincoln]

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@chapeau-noir wrote:

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@rookieoftheyear.com    Vinyl sales may be down ... it may be a shrinking Buyer group ...

---

Vinyl is getting so popular that vinyl for pressing is getting in short supply. 

<<...the vinyl shortage is being compounded by unprecedented demand for records. Vinyl revenue nearly doubled in the U.S. during the first half of 2021, according to the RIAA – with 2020 having delivered a 23.5 percent year-over-year revenue hike for the global vinyl industry, per the IFPI. As a result, 2021 appears poised to keep alive the more than decade-long trend of growth for vinyl.>>  2021 - but it hasn't changed.

https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2021/10/04/vinyl-shortage-2021/

ETA:  It may be WHICH records, but I think it's just the winter version of the dog days of summer.  Without the mosquitos.

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@chapeau-noir   In all likely hood you are right about which records ...

[mr_lincoln]

@rookieoftheyear.com   Would like to add, my inventory is down so my sales follow that.  If I add sales from other venues to eBay's Feb total sales are fine but I am currently running behind in inventory so that drop is being felt most on the eBay part of the business ...

Competition for inventory has stiffened since Covid ...

[bbravo65]

...since I stopped selling Chanel perfume, my sales are just occasionally...

...I still have many items to list but...too old and too lazy...

...no complaints whatsoever...!!!

[double2trouble]

I stopped trying to run eBay like a business. Done with trying to figure out the mystery algorithm to keep sales going, or investing in inventory that looks like it might sell, but then sits for months. I list things with the understanding that they may not be shown much, if at all, and do not jump through any hoops. My handling time is now 3 days. I used to really care about my account and the customer experience I provided here, but now I just don't. I package the stuff well, and it goes out in my handling time. Beyond that, my efforts are much better rewarded through other ventures. It is still a place to dump the tailings, but not a place to try and work myself into the ground in order to achieve a never materializing greater visibility or following. 

[chapeau-noir]

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@mr_lincoln wrote:

@rookieoftheyear.com   Would like to add, my inventory is down so my sales follow that.  If I add sales from other venues to eBay's Feb total sales are fine but I am currently running behind in inventory so that drop is being felt most on the eBay part of the business ...

Competition for inventory has stiffened since Covid ...

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I'm in the same boat - inventory I'm willing to sell is getting harder to find and my sales are down because my listing is down.  And absolutely, competition for inventory has risen since Covid.  My sources started selling online themselves.  I knew this gig would eventually peter out so I was prepared for that.