eBay

rileyspotofgold · ‎04-11-2017

What is going on with e-bay??? My sales are down almost 50% from last year. I've had two buyers in the last 7 days and no sales in the last 4 days....It's normal for me to have two or three in one day. This is very BAD!!!

Another week of this and I'm out of business, I am paying way to much in fee's to not have any customers.

Hanging on by a thread!

untitledrecords · ‎04-11-2017

Don't worry, it will pick up. My sales go up and down all the time. Try to list some items in auctions to stir up some activity. It will draw buyers to the other items you are selling.

specialaid · ‎04-12-2017

Same here, sales are soooooooooooo sloooooooooooow. I just keep trying and in hopes it will pick up, but with summer coming and most will be on vaction not sure if it will pick up or not. E-bay cuts visibility so that don't help either. I am sure there are a lot of others in the same boat. Just keep trying.

rainbowcolorz · ‎04-12-2017

@rileyspotofgold wrote:
What is going on with e-bay??? My sales are down almost 50% from last year. I've had two buyers in the last 7 days and no sales in the last 4 days....It's normal for me to have two or three in one day. This is very BAD!!!
Another week of this and I'm out of business, I am paying way to much in fee's to not have any customers.

Hanging on by a thread!

If you're paying way too much in fees, is that because of a store subscription?

u_cant_take_it_with_u · ‎04-12-2017

No buyers....Few views.....And low-ball offers on NON-OBO listings.... One conclusion: Would be buyers have just become TIGHT! If something is not uber-cheap, they turn up their nose and walk away. Yet they will chase a ghost elsewhere, to save pennies. I just don't get it.

yuzuha · ‎04-12-2017

@rainbowcolorz wrote:
@rileyspotofgold wrote:
What is going on with e-bay??? My sales are down almost 50% from last year. I've had two buyers in the last 7 days and no sales in the last 4 days....It's normal for me to have two or three in one day. This is very BAD!!!
Another week of this and I'm out of business, I am paying way to much in fee's to not have any customers.

Hanging on by a thread!
If you're paying way too much in fees, is that because of a store subscription?

Even with a store subscription, they've still sold more than enough in April already to be able to cover the fees for a Basic store, so either they have a store level that's higher than Basic (which is pointless as they haven't even used the full 250 for a Basic store) OR they're paying too much for their inventory and their profit margins are too slim.

neveriiold · ‎04-12-2017

Why do certain sellers on this board keep saying "hang in there, sales will pick up, sales always go up and down." If they have read many of the threads on this board they will see that slow-to-no-sales is a growing trend affecting an increasing number of sellers and for longer periods of time. Something is very wrong on this site and it is goes beyond excuses of bad weather, tax season, spring breaks, etc. Instead of suggesting sellers look at their listing (maybe take pictures - really?), maybe it is time eBay takes a serious look at how it is failing its sellers.

dubiousgain · ‎04-12-2017

@neveriiold wrote:
Why do certain sellers on this board keep saying "hang in there, sales will pick up, sales always go up and down." If they have read many of the threads on this board they will see that slow-to-no-sales is a growing trend affecting an increasing number of sellers and for longer periods of time. Something is very wrong on this site and it is goes beyond excuses of bad weather, tax season, spring breaks, etc. Instead of suggesting sellers look at their listing (maybe take pictures - really?), maybe it is time eBay takes a serious look at how it is failing its sellers.

I totally agree. The proof in the pudding, obliterates that Mary Poppins 'tude. I've been selling in the retail market for half a century....Been to the rodeo a time or two. I know all about the up and down pulse swing...But this is a *flat line* many of us sellers are seeing now. And Spring is normally my busiest time....No taxes, elections, economy, or alignment of the stars and planets to blame anything on. Stop making excuses for eBay's poor traffic!

dhbookds · ‎04-12-2017

they will see that slow-to-no-sales is a growing trend affecting an increasing number of sellers and for longer periods of time

those that have been here for years know that these threads are posted every wk or so, month in, month out, year in year out...........Sales fluctuate, it's a fact of retail.........ask any B&M store owner.

Years ago, people would try to help someone like the OP who posted.........suggesting things he might do to help sales........but gradually realized that most are here to rant.......which seems to help in some way I'll never understand...........

Ebay has every reason to want the most sales for everyone.....but what they do may or maynot help an individual seller.......

just thoughts

neveriiold · ‎04-12-2017

The difference it seems to me is that there is little to no traffic now. If I had a decent number of views on my listings, I would be more inclined to think my lack of sales is something I am in fact doing wrong. But buyers have to see my items before they decide they don't want to buy them! Better pictures may help sell an item but potential buyers need to see those photos first!! I have been selling on this site for about 9 years. Yes, retail has ups and downs but I have never seen a downturn like this.

dubiousgain · ‎04-12-2017

@neveriiold wrote:
The difference it seems to me is that there is little to no traffic now. If I had a decent number of views on my listings, I would be more inclined to think my lack of sales is something I am in fact doing wrong. But buyers have to see my items before they decide they don't want to buy them! Better pictures may help sell an item but potential buyers need to see those photos first!! I have been selling on this site for about 9 years. Yes, retail has ups and downs but I have never seen a downturn like this.

EX--actly! And remember....A listings view hitometer ALSO records accidental landings...Those who mistakenly open your listing, through misdirection. I'm not even getting any of those, apparently. My lah--dee--dah, it will soon pass etiology, is being replaced by destitution.

doubledz-a2z · ‎04-12-2017

I say there are fewer buyers because everyone is becoming a seller. Look at all the FB selling groups...... many many for every city. I see it at the flea market.. folks buying items they can take home and list online. I have been taking my ebay wannabee stuff out on Sundays and selling it all. Plus I think folks just don't need stuff anymore. Buying habits have changed.

cad777864 · ‎04-12-2017

All the stuff i could not sell here for the last 2 months i just sold at a show last weekend at a gangbuster pace, and for good money. There is nothing wrong out there. It's here.

As the sellers leave this place that were subjected to the sales rotation, they need another to take there place.

You tell me. This is TAX REFUND TIME. Notorious time for people to let go of money. And there spending.

Same with last Christmas, where did the buyers go then. So, where is that money that is being spent being directed to here. I don't put a question mark because i know what there doing.

They have warehouses stocked full here in Cali, items that ebay OWNS.

Don't sit here and tell me this is slow time. ITS NOT. Everyone should be selling well right now. ITS TAX REFUND TIME and the cassini system is manipulating it.

dhbookds · ‎04-12-2017

@neveriiold wrote:
The difference it seems to me is that there is little to no traffic now. If I had a decent number of views on my listings, I would be more inclined to think my lack of sales is something I am in fact doing wrong. But buyers have to see my items before they decide they don't want to buy them! Better pictures may help sell an item but potential buyers need to see those photos first!! I have been selling on this site for about 9 years. Yes, retail has ups and downs but I have never seen a downturn like this.

Used to be some advice on no views.......if small number, look at picture, price, title, shipping and change something......... for whatever reason, your item is not attractive enough to open...... present advice is to put the most important info in lst 3-5 words of title.....

I know NOTHING about selling clothes, but looking at this listing.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NWT-Maggy-London-Black-Career-Stretch-Knit-Dress-Cap-Sleeve-Sz-14-Flattering...

can't tell from the picture it's a dress........the word dress is buried.

In addtion.......you could entertain the idea of b/o or free shipping to encourage more looks......adjusting the price as needed.......

Those are just some ideas......which may not help.........clothing is a rough category......but trying different things IF you aren't getting views.....certainly can't hurt......

Again, just suggestions, not meant to be critical........

hawkwind5454 · ‎04-12-2017

It was slow for me, last summer, on ebay...So I packed up my vintage car parts, and hit the swap meets...And low-and-behold.... People ACTUALLY spent money there! I sold a lot of stuff. So, the same will happen this swap meet season. So, I'd say, you are correct; The issue isn't with selling...it's with selling on ebay... PERIOD.