Is it market, or is it me? My experiences.

[kcastore]

Well, I've had a bad year last year. 2020 was an exceptionally good year. Since March 2020 when the pandemic started, sales suddenly jumped several times higher than before. But good times don't last. Since April 2021, the sales gradually dropped back down. Now it's January 2022, and I'm back to what it was before the pandemic. And this is not just eBay, I've had the same experience in another online marketplace. So I believe this is the market's doing.

What's your experience?

[divwido]

I'm crushing it, really.   Nine packages today, eight last Friday-they are killing me.

But a lot depends on what you sell.  It's cold out, who wants to fish?   I want to crawl in bed and nap.   Maybe you should branch out, see what else works in your market.   I don't fish or hunt or anything, so I'm really not your target audience.    My vote is always, sell something else.

[chapeau-noir]

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@kcastore wrote:

Well, I've had a bad year last year. 2020 was an exceptionally good year. Since March 2020 when the pandemic started, sales suddenly jumped several times higher than before. But good times don't last. Since April 2021, the sales gradually dropped back down. Now it's January 2022, and I'm back to what it was before the pandemic. And this is not just eBay, I've had the same experience in another online marketplace. So I believe this is the market's doing.

What's your experience?

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Online sales in general are back to where they were pre-pandemic, with the slow increase year over year.  This includes Amazon.  Etailing only accounts for about 18% of consumer spending.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Winter is not really a time conducive to fishing. So it is likely a market issue. Things should pick up for you as it gets closer to Spring.

My sales have been slow. I sell clothes and collectibles mainly. Things not necessarily linked to seasonal sales. But i am not listing new items, incuding over the Holiday season this last quarter. I expected sales to wane because of this.

[shado-x]

What's your experience?

Record 2020 and Record 2021.  This month, I am noticing a lot of buyers asking to cancel bids or cancel auctions claiming "I found it cheaper somewhere else", which is just a false excuse that they don't want to spend the $$ because of high consumer inflation costs (Let's Go Brandon!).  Had one buyer at the opening bid of $5.99 with 6 days to go send me a message to cancel his bid because he found it "cheaper somewhere else, thanks so much", which is impossible at the opening bid.  Banned them all.

You have to focus on the demand, there is plenty of it, and what people want to buy (with the big $$ to pluck down, those jumping away are of no interest to our cash flow either way).  Looking at a Record 2022, higher interests rates for the bad debtors, bare shelves (but not our shelves), it's going to be good year for us.  lol.

[mr.emk]

A year ago most of us got a stimulus check and had a little extra cash.   Under the new administration we get no stimulus checks.    Instead of helping the average American the new admin. wants to help our newest "illegal" arrivals.  We get what we vote for.  Best of luck.

[coolections]

Everyone got free handouts. Some families with kids even got more handouts. Many got unemployment along with all the handouts. Some that were making 25K before the pandemic ended up making close to 50K. Everyone had money to spend thanks to the government handouts. All that money has been spent and most do not want to go back to work now, they like the free stuff instead.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

I love to fish😀, but with 7% inflation rate (food, gas etc.) buyers are less likely to spend $$ from small sellers f shipping costs and no returns for free and more granted by the GIANTS.

I only buy on eBay once I evaluate every venue for a best price, free shipping and returns.

Amazon Prime is the best all-around bar none especially for NEW!

[chapeau-noir]

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@coolections wrote:

Everyone got free handouts. Some families with kids even got more handouts. Many got unemployment along with all the handouts. Some that were making 25K before the pandemic ended up making close to 50K. Everyone had money to spend thanks to the government handouts. All that money has been spent and most do not want to go back to work now, they like the free stuff instead.

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Everyone got free hand-outs?  🙄 Most don't want to go back to work?   Everyone had money?  You're gonna strain your back with that broad brush.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

Not what I see under completed items, but maybe for you.. that is great not for me.

I see nickel and dime stuff not $$ or extensive large commodity items?

Just noting..

[coolections]

@chapeau-noir 

Yes trillions can make a vey big brush. You didn't get anything ? Maybe I am mistaken but I thought most everyone did except for those making $150K or more.

[powell-memorabilia]

Anyone under $200k received something.  $150k was the milestone where the amounts started to go down.

[hawkwind5454]

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@coolections wrote:

Everyone got free handouts. Some families with kids even got more handouts. Many got unemployment along with all the handouts. Some that were making 25K before the pandemic ended up making close to 50K. Everyone had money to spend thanks to the government handouts. All that money has been spent and most do not want to go back to work now, they like the free stuff instead.

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I think you might overestimate everybody's from-whatever-resource slush fund. Too many people suffered Covid-19 related hardships, and that money went toward utility bills, grocery bills, gasoline bills, rent, etc.  Not everyone could afford to be capricious, or esoteric about money; Many people had a lot of payment catching up to do. And the stress...those who had friends and family who were in hospitals, or funeral homes. There were bigger fish to be fried, rather than *That still-life oil would look smashing in my foyer* mindsets.  Just sayin'.

[dubiousgain]

"It was the best of times...It was the worst of times...." ,?? . "Handouts"? if I didn't know better, I could swear there might be some sour grapes in the house.😏

[kcastore]

Thank you for sharing. Yes, fishing is seasonal thing. But I'm talking about a whole year. So, ...