Major Drop in Sales

[Anonymous]

Since the new Seller Hub (Sept), I've been down 50 to 75% in monthly sales.  As of today, I have 2 sales from Feb 1st thru Feb 13th for a total of $34.98. Last year in Feb, I had 61 sales for the month for a total of $1,604.18. This year I have twice as many items listed. There is a MAJOR PROBLEM of some kind.  Sad.

[my_boston_baked_beans]

Amazon is running away with the market share on many aspects. Amazon bought *Whole Foods* US wide along with expanding a virtual clothing line, furniture, and starting their own freight/shipping service!  eBay is no challenge for Amazon, and I am happy to say that after many years with over paid fees and non sales with eBay! Happy to see another venue thrive:)

[emerald40]

Amazon is killing Whole Foods.

Every time I go there, I have a list of items they no longer make anymore.

[tweetystwades]

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wrote:

Since the new Seller Hub (Sept), I've been down 50 to 75% in monthly sales.  As of today, I have 2 sales from Feb 1st thru Feb 13th for a total of $34.98. Last year in Feb, I had 61 sales for the month for a total of $1,604.18. This year I have twice as many items listed. There is a MAJOR PROBLEM of some kind.  Sad.

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Why do you think Seller Hub is causing that? I don't use Seller Hub, I see no benefit in it. 
I haven't had a sale for 2 days now, I figure because of Valintine's Day. 

[nawlinsron2]

You do have a lot of one off items, which limits your market appeal.
But, everybody has dry spells...hang tough.

[rdj831]

Amazon doesnt allow very many antique or vintage products. They generally stick to brand new products and dont have much of an impact on those categories.

The items the OP is selling dont move as quickly as they used to.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure what is causing the drop(s) in sales. I only mention Seller Hub because when those changes were made is when the large sales drops started.

[kathieskorner]

I've been selling collectibles and vintage stuff on ebay for 18 years now, and I don't sell anywhere near the number of items I did ten years ago, but sales have been holding fairly steady for the past 4-5 years.

There are many reason for that - increased competition,  fewer collectors in the US,  postage rates increasing almost yearly,  baby boomer retirement downsizing,  shifting from McMansions to tiny houses,  etc.    To me the biggest factor is shipping cost - I rarely list anything weighing over 3 pounds any more - many buyers just aren't willing to pay $20-$30 for shipping.   

Another problem can be re-listing the same items over and over again - of 300 store listings per month (250 fixed price and 50 auctions)  I try to have 75 new listings each month and only relist items every 2-3 months.    My monthly sales break down to about 50-50 new listings vs relists.

While I keep stats on month to month and year to year sales - they have never been a very good predictor of future sales.  While annual sales have remained fairly steady for the past few years - monthly sales have varied greatly as has the type of items that have sold.    July was always one of my slowest months until 2017 when it was my second best month of the year.  I have no clue why - nor have I spent a lot of time wondering. 

I don't tend to blame ebay when things are slow - there are likely many factors at play.  I just keep plodding along - tweaking what I have control over, and eventually things usually pick up. 

[ednkarens]

I think that with the Flu going around on everyone's mind and because it is tax time, there currently is a slow down.  The weather sometimes doesn't help as well.

I strongly agree with kathieskorner second paragraph, especially about the rise in postage costs.  The high cost of shipping has either killed and/or extremely slowed down the sales of a lot of items.  I remember the time that if you listed a set of Pyrex bowls like the OP has, they would sell in a couple days!  I am sure that the higher cost of postage steers some people away from heavier items that they would like to buy, as well as small, lightweight items that they collect.

I did notice that if I raise the prices of Buy It Now items, then wait a few days and then lower the prices, I would get more views and some sales.  I wonder if by doing this strategy does our items get a "refresh" in the Best Match views?  

Hang in there Brad!  Usually sales get Hotter as the days get warmer!

[turquoisetulips]

Since the new Seller Hub (Sept), I've been down 50 to 75% in monthly sales.  As of today, I have 2 sales from Feb 1st thru Feb 13th for a total of $34.98. Last year in Feb, I had 61 sales for the month for a total of $1,604.18. This year I have twice as many items listed. There is a MAJOR PROBLEM of some kind.  Sad. OP - Unquote ----------------------------

Feb has always been a bittersweet month for me as far as sales go . At the start of the month it seems buyers may still be recouping from Christmas spending like trying to use any extra money they have  to pay  off credit cards and such.  The slow down  could also be effected by the gifts they recieved . They simply aren't in the market as much. However towards the end of Feb . I've always noticed  an upswing in sales . It's possible that income tax refunds have something to do with that ,, but like you I'm not certain of the reasons ,, just suspicions .Tulips 

[whatmorefabric]

A couple of suggestions on your titles.

There have been changes in the way the search engines work so as to accommodate more people using mobile devices than stand alone computers.

What you sell needs to be in the first 21 spaces of your title.    In many of your titles,  they are way down the end.   Antique Old Vintage Wire Rim Eyeglasses,  should be Antique Wire Rim Eyeglasses or Wire Rim Eyeglasses Antique.

Do   not use words like Beautiful ,  Old Chippy Shabby,   and even New are best left item specifics.

Do not put dashes  slashes or asterisks in your titles.

Use as many item specifics are you can.    You only have 1 or 2 and I believe even in your categories,  there are add  your own.

Try looking at trends,  I believe that Nordic style is the next big one,  so perhaps finding something within the trend.

I do not sell now what I did 10 years ago.   Ten years ago I sold vintage toys and sewing stuff.     Now I look at the large cabinet of vintage patterns that would not get me 1/3 of what they use to.    Perhaps looking for other items that complement what you are selling now.

[krazzykats]

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This was point on..@kathieskornerwrote:

"There are many reason for that - increased competition,  fewer collectors in the US,  postage rates increasing almost yearly,  baby boomer retirement downsizing,  shifting from McMansions to tiny houses,  etc."

And, Too Much Stuff!

[where*you*crowin]

There are many reason for that - increased competition,  fewer collectors in the US,  postage rates increasing almost yearly,  baby boomer retirement downsizing,  shifting from McMansions to tiny houses,  etc.    To me the biggest factor is shipping cost - I rarely list anything weighing over 3 pounds any more - many buyers just aren't willing to pay $20-$30 for shipping.   

You are forgetting ebay's own site manipulation. If they don't want your items to be seen then they will not be.

Long live the Asian and big box sellers for eBay because they are slowly driving away small sellers and it is their own doing.  Sad.

[timemachine777]

Check your seller hub traffic data and check each items impressions vs page views, the compare the page views with the actual listing page view and the items page view posted on the My eBay Page. If you see a huge disparity, than your search placement is being affected. Just an way to throttle your account(s).

[emerald40]

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@timemachine777wrote:

Check your seller hub traffic data and check each items impressions vs page views, the compare the page views with the actual listing page view and the items page view posted on the My eBay Page. If you see a huge disparity, than your search placement is being affected. Just an way to throttle your account(s).

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Nice to see you posting again!