eBay

justjillianr3 · ‎12-16-2017

I've been a small seller on eBay for a decade. I usually average selling 5-8 items per month since most are collectibles. I have had ZERO sales in what should be the 2 best months of the year. In October I sold 10 pieces of turquoise. What has happened? Am I alone? I've never posted before but am so alarmed and discouraged that I wanted to share.

kathieskorner · ‎12-17-2017

Dont listen to the cheerleaders Jillian you have very beautiful items, and look worth their price to me.

It's not about "cheerleading" or whether the items are beautiful or worth the price. It is about price and competition. Those that sell in a very niche market may be able to get their price - their buyers are conditioned to them. Those selling in a very competitive market such as jewelry have to be more price conscious.

As more of those in this country have retired on fixed incomes and more downsize or minimalize - sales of non-essentials have been declining, and higher priced items have been taking the first hit from that segment of the buying market. This is not limited to ebay - it's hit estate sales, flea markets, and yard sales where sellers think their items are worth far more than today's market. I went to two yard sales yesterday and walked out of both when I saw the prices.

It's not just us old folks. My grandson (a big ebay shopper since he was a teenager) bought his first house in September - with the exception of a TV, a bed, and curtains the entire house was furnished from local thrift stores, yard sales, and family extras. His whole budget for Christmas gifts this year is $100.

Ebay has changed dramatically since the recession and continues to evolve as does ecommerce in general. I took a big hit in 2007-2008, and never expect to see the good ole days of ebay again. My guy stuff account has grown marginally every year since 2008, and I've added an account just for books this year which has done better than expected so they will be my focus for 2018. This account has been flat for the past five years, and I plan to do a major overhaul and drop the store subscription over the next three months.

Postage rates going up yet again has as much to do with some of the changes I have made in the past and will continue to make as anything happening in the ebay marketplace.

I'll put on an ebay cheerleader hat for a moment. I've sold on at least eight different marketplaces through the years including the river, the moon, Betsy, the ranch, and some that did not survive. Sales on all of them (which weren't that great to begin with) declined over recent years as did the profit margins while ebay has held steady. You will see cheerleaders for other sites on this board, but like ebay they don't work for everyone.

tunicaslot · ‎12-17-2017

Problem is the "cheerleaders" are being honest with people when they come here as far as what they sell and improving their listings. I know many that listened to those of you condemning Ebay at every turn and left Ebay to sell elsewhere - guess what - many of them are back because for their items Ebay works. I've been on various market places - my items sell best on Ebay.

When a seller is having problems - they have to look at their product, their venue and their business/listing policies to see if change is needed.

ed8108 · ‎12-17-2017

@justjillianr3 wrote:
I've been a small seller on eBay for a decade. I usually average selling 5-8 items per month since most are collectibles. I have had ZERO sales in what should be the 2 best months of the year. In October I sold 10 pieces of turquoise. What has happened? Am I alone? I've never posted before but am so alarmed and discouraged that I wanted to share.

In my opinion word of mouth of bad transaction experiences on ebay may also likely have some negative impact on sales.

More policing can be undertaken to remove bad sellers and bad buyers from the ebay marketplace?

Perhaps ebay can offer new incentives for sellers and buyers to promote doing business on ebay?

resry · ‎12-17-2017

Me too! Maybe one item a month. I found all of my items are showing up at the bottom of a search. I'm here trying to find out what's going on. I'm completely missing out on sales. Arggh.

resry · ‎12-17-2017

Where else are you selling?

luckythewinner · ‎12-17-2017

@justjillianr3 wrote:
No Sales in November and December

When I look at your sold items, I see two sales in November.

grasshopperx · ‎12-17-2017

Thing is, I wouldnt take the advice of cheerleaders who have no sales or make a couple bucks profit per item.

savwillsell09 · ‎12-17-2017

use auction,start at .01,,,,guaranteed results,,,,next step,poor house

kattinsanity · ‎12-17-2017

You could do as ebay appears to be pushing~~run everything on auctions instead of fixed price 30 day listings.

I have been UNPLEASANTLY surprised lately when I went to relist some of my fixed price 30 day listings that didn't sell. Later I can't find them because they were changed to 7 day auctions!!! I didn't change them. Now I have to look every time I relist or sell similar to make sure they aren't going to be 7 day auctions. I don't cancel these and relist because I already paid 30 cents to list it and I'm not going to cancel and pay another 30 cents. I just let them run the 7 days and make sure when I relist it's relisted the way I want it.

luckythewinner · ‎12-17-2017

@generationgems1900 wrote:
I see I am not the only one. I have been selling on ebay for many years. I sell Disney Items all new. I have been holding them for this time of year. I keep lowering my prices. last week and a half I have not had 1 sale. Nothing, zip, zilch, Wondering what is really going on here. Why is Ebay so shady. Think it is time toi sell elsewhere. Good Luck to everyone hope you are doing better then I am.

Taking your white Mickey guard nutcracker as an example, it looks like a competitor moved in and was selling the same item for 45% less than even your lowered price.

resry · ‎12-17-2017

Hi Jillian,
After viewing your listings, I would gently suggest better pictures. You have gorgeous pieces and the yellow cast, distracting backgrounds detract from the item and undermine the quality and prices your asking. Great free app if you're using your phone to photograph is ProCamera. You can correct the color and tint to make closer to a clean white. And photograph on a white background or on the rock outdoors like you did on one. Good luck on a better end to the Season. I know I could use a few sales too. :0)

tunicaslot · ‎12-17-2017

@resry wrote:
Where else are you selling?

You have to pay more attention to the 1st four keywords - think how a buyer would search for your item - ex: Gilly Hicks Hoodie XS - that's what they may put in search - they wouldn't put many of the other words in search to start with.

tunicaslot · ‎12-17-2017

Problem is - you have no idea what my sales are as I use a posting ID besides which many of us have multiple selling IDs to keep our stock separated. Don't listen - no money out of my pocket - but these suggestions could add some to yours.

rschissler · ‎12-17-2017

I wouldn't take the advice of the "haters" on here, because they really have no advice! They just like to complain and blame, which doesn't help you at all.

Your titles need some work. The first words should be the main keywords a buyer would use. Titles that start with "NWTS $115", "Circa 1880's", "EUC! $448", or "100% Authentic" tell buyers nothing about what you are selling, and will probably keep you in the bottom of search.

kattinsanity · ‎12-17-2017

"I wouldn't take the advice of the "haters" on here"?? From what I see, your "advice" is exactly what the so called "haters" HAVE given the OP. All you are doing is voicing the same "advice" already given by the "haters"? Can you come up with your own "advice"?