Not getting views I used to

[collectiblecards215]

Most of my items are barely being seen, didn't use to be like this.

[mam98031]

Just FYI, when you hit the blue reply button, it shows you are replying to that specific poster.  One exception is if you reply to the OP's original post.  The In Response To spot does not fill in.

Whenever you are on a thread and you don't want to respond to anyone specifically, the first words you type can be GENERAL POST, or just drop all the way to the bottom of the thread there is a grayed out box that says something like "Start typing to reply to the topic".  Once you start typing in this box it will no longer be grayed out and will look like any other posting box.  HOWEVER, posting in this box is NOT responding to ANY specific post and no poster ID will appear in the In Response To spot.

[johnrj1226]

Hula Hoop  sales are not as pop as they were in the 1950s either.   All the stuff on the tables at flea markets, yard sales, estate sales, thrift  stores don't sell other.  Ya' gotta find what  is selling that everyone and their  brother isn't selling things  like clothing, collectable, Christmas Ornaments in June, July or bikinis in  Dec -thru  Feb in Minnesota - but might be pop in Rio de Janerio or Hawaii. 

Maybe the  credit card debt has some thing to do with  the sales activity as people have less  funds to  spend on on I'd like to  haves and as must  haves have  significantly increased.  check out this link 

https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/credit-card-debt-statistics/

Have noticed  yard/garage sales signs have increased significantly - seldom seen in prior 5/6 years.  Even Goodwill has an on line selling site - they sell the "Choice " no cost, stuff  at  decent  prices or just take it  home and sell it.  Just  means  more competition for  eBay sellers 

True Story:  Recently  bought a  BMX style bike for our grand son at a GW  store  in top shape - near new - for  less than 5 bucks, $100 at  Walmart - apparently it  was intended for a GW employee as two employees approached me at the same time as I started heading to the check out.  They claimed it was incorrectly priced.  I promptly responded like a good 1/2 Italian  might do (am 1/2 paisan) - they  left me alone paid $4.29 and walked out without  further incident. Grandson is happy.  Pura Vida

[mam98031]

So many things have changed over the decades since you started selling.  Competition is stiff.  We have 18 million active sellers worldwide and about 1.5-2 BILLION active listings.  LOTS and LOTS of changes.

[fashunu4eeuh]

Your photos are on the dark side. White backgrounds are preferred for SEO.

Because they are so crucial to the success of online selling, photos need to draw the buyer in. I would spend some time to lighten up the shots overall. 

Good luck and hope things improve for you.

[soh.maryl]

That bike was a wonderful find! You and your grandson must be supremely delighted.

Am a thrift store shopper of at least 65 years duration.  Toys are always one of the best deals for me as well as sewing supplies.  

[toysaver]

Collecting is a hobby for a robust economy not an economy where food and everyday commodities have rapidly increased in price.  Something that has no purpose other than to look at is not as important as milk in the fridge or gas in the tank.  If you collect a lot of stuff eventually it is not anything you own, it owns you.  

[fashunu4eeuh]

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@jonbergfineart wrote:

I sell fine art, prints, drawings, paintings.  Has hardly been a hot category for years, I fully realize, but, that's what I sell and specialize in.  I have 1,542 listings, in  31 pages of inventory in the shop.  Starting on page 24, through to the last page, all items collectively have had zero views in past thirty days.  Of the 1,542 listings, the TOP listing got 47 views in 30 days.  From there it goes VERY quickly down to the single digits.  Most of my listings have from 7 to 1 or 2 views in past 30 days.  They're basically not being seen.  Since I received my first negative on April 11, business is down 65% from prior month.  If you look at bar graph from mid December, it's now off the charts down.  Out of 1,542 listings, haven't had a single sale of any kind in 12 days I believe it is, and that was not a big sale.  I believe ebay has put me far down the secret algorithm due to this one negative feedback, not helping matters.  Tweaking prices/search words has made no difference.  I don't pay extra percentage to advertise/get higher placement.  Is 15 to 20% for ebay not already enough when I'M doing all the work?  You have to price to take this into account already.  This is not your father's 2004 ebay.  Not even close.

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It may well not be the feedback that is the concern—but your follow-up comment instead.

Prospective buyers want to know one thing more than anything else—how a seller handles buyer issues. A negative rating is usually inconsequential in and of itself. Buyers are savvy enough to know that a poor rating in a long selling career is a given state of affairs. One neg doesn’t normally phase a buyer or influence the sale negatively.

But angry, insulting, name-calling, blaming or defensive remarks from the seller in response to a poor rating is a neon sign that says “Don’t buy from me!”. You ticked nearly all those boxes in your retort. If i understand correctly, this was also a repeat buyer? Not anymore.

What works in a seller’s favor is a reasoned response with an eye on what you want buyers to know about you. And they are looking.

They look to see if the seller cares, if he/she tried to resolve the issue, or if the seller was receptive to criticism which can reveal their character (and why it’s best to avoid responding while in emotional upset).

And make no mistake: who is important? What is feedback for? Not as a vehicle to warn fellow sellers, nor as a way to voice one’s dissatisfaction over a rating. For the purpose of feedback discussion, it is future buyers. That is the only audience that matters —not the unhappy buyer, not other sellers. They will not influence the course of your sales. (Except of course, if the unhappy buyer again responds in feedback to your comment. eBay gives buyers the last word. Another reason not to lose one’s cool and sling mud.)

The feedback follow-up comment is the most valuable piece of real estate on eBay, because it is a powerful method for reaching one’s interested prospective buyers. If they are on your feedback page, you have already hooked them, now it’s up to you to clinch the sale. Show your true colors as a seller of excellence with impeccable customer service skills. That’s what needs to be revealed in one’s feedback archive. Leave the angry insults behind. They do not serve your interests. Good luck.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

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@jonbergfineart wrote:

I sell fine art, prints, drawings, paintings.  Has hardly been a hot category for years, I fully realize, but, that's what I sell and specialize in.  I have 1,542 listings, in  31 pages of inventory in the shop.  Starting on page 24, through to the last page, all items collectively have had zero views in past thirty days.  Of the 1,542 listings, the TOP listing got 47 views in 30 days.  From there it goes VERY quickly down to the single digits.  Most of my listings have from 7 to 1 or 2 views in past 30 days.  They're basically not being seen.  Since I received my first negative on April 11, business is down 65% from prior month.  If you look at bar graph from mid December, it's now off the charts down.  Out of 1,542 listings, haven't had a single sale of any kind in 12 days I believe it is, and that was not a big sale.  I believe ebay has put me far down the secret algorithm due to this one negative feedback, not helping matters.  Tweaking prices/search words has made no difference.  I don't pay extra percentage to advertise/get higher placement.  Is 15 to 20% for ebay not already enough when I'M doing all the work?  You have to price to take this into account already.  This is not your father's 2004 ebay.  Not even close.

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This week one of the LIVE auction sites had several lots of signed and numbered prints by Jack Levine. Each lot was two prints. Most of the lots sold on one bid - the $50 opening bid. One lot made it to $150. Interest in Jack Levine is virtually non-existent and he is better known than many of the artists you are offering.  I purchased the folio of his signed  etchings inspired by The Three Penny Opera on one bid, some time back. I paid only $100+premium and shipping for 30+ prints.

Sales are hard to come by for a lot of things and not just on Ebay. Keep hanging in there, if it is worth attention someone who recognizes that will eventually find it.

[redlinear]

Just about every time I walk past something in my shop, and wonder "Why is THAT still here?"
  I start searching eBay and cannot find the item via searching like any normal person would search.

It "seems" that IF I have several 1997 Dodge Ram speedometers listed (same speedo but different miles, different conditions, different prices)........Only one or maybe two can be found.
 
It "seems" that IF I have 1997 Dodge Ram speedometer Bolts or Parts listed also?  That cheap stuff pops up but the actual speedometers are nowhere to be found.

You can do everything eBay "suggests".  Cross all your "t's" and dot all your "i's".....doesn't seem to help.
You can disregard everything eBay "suggests" and list items in half the time, and it still makes no noticable difference.
Appears to be no rhyme or reason as to what it shown in a search, and what isn't.  There's sure a lot of ISN'T though.
Basically, you just have to wait your turn to be seen.

[fashunu4eeuh]

@redlinear wrote:

“You can disregard everything eBay "suggests" and list items in half the time, and it still makes no noticable difference.
Appears to be no rhyme or reason as to what it shown in a search, and what isn't.  There's sure a lot of ISN'T though.
Basically, you just have to wait your turn to be seen.”

I agree with some of what you say. eBay Search seems broken at times, and needs improvement, which is why i prefer to use Google to shop on eBay. Better results.

But beyond that, are you advocating that a seller should not make the effort to put forth a quality listing, because it’s not worth the effort no matter what they do anyway? Forgive me, but with that philosophy, one need not try to improve any listing, ever, at least on eBay, if i understand clearly. 

 It also seemingly does not take into consideration those practices that are suggested by most search engines for listing inclusion in their results.

So i disagree— with respect for your view—that time spent on eBay Best Practices makes no difference. I use them in my eBay selling with no adverse effect. Does it help? Probably. Can i prove it? No. But I usually sell what i list. My view is that sellers disregard SEO st their peril. That’s not just eBay, it’s potentially all search engines possibly ignoring the listings of those that follow your advice. 

[redlinear]

I can show you a seller that'll make your head swim with OMG!!! How??? are they doing that??
  Using one of the worst listing tools out there for sales.
Yet probably by far the fastest listing tool.
Basically no description,  Only one item specific (Brand which is required).
Wrong categories, and not just real good titles.

The listing is mostly just a VERY long and extensive page of disclaimer stuff

This seller is flat out killin' it 
All while ignoring most every eBay "suggestion" that I've seen.  And that's a big list.

I'm not saying ignore Title, Description, Pics.   I think that's important, but that's about it.  

[thelongball]

To help what your saying in the Readers Digest Version:

       People Don't Care What You Know

Until They Know You Care 

[johnrj1226]

"You Betcha"   Wasn't  even a  Birthday or Christmas or Graduation or From K to first grade.  Just a Because Gift....

Thank God for Kids.

Thanks for your thoughts

                   Ciao

                      &

[johnrj1226]

An  example of 1 of 18 million sellers on eBay ain't would not be  very conceiving to many other successful sellers.  From my  personal perspective as both a buyer  and seller a listing  is a sellers best sales representative  - best  foot  forward is  key;  as a buyer - when I go shopping on eBay or other sites the listing presentation will make  me stop and read more when I put my eyeballs on the listing & want to read more - Headline and main picture will make me do that - copy needs to be complete, short  & sweet & FB replies tell a story - esp the neutral and negs.  Don't waste my time on repeats of eBay poilcy or what one thinks will trip my trigger - the only trigger this seller want tripped is the  "Cha' ching" at the register. 

A a young person my best teacher was my Mom (been their done/that for real) - one  day she told me if you want to become a millionaire it is simple - you do it one penny at a time -" it is up to you how  fast you git'er done."  Hint:  PMA** will get it done  faster than other wise along with reading, understanding and making a mistake just one time.  Hey you are supposed to be  at least 18 do d play on most  selling sites - ya' got to put your big boy/girls clothes on  -read, ask  specific questions of others that are knowledgeable - folks on this site for  starters can help some but research on your own will be more beneficial e.g.  a "Goggle type" search on eBay's  "Help and Contact" link is available 24/7/365or366 on your time schedule.

** Positve Mental Attitude

[redlinear]

@johnrj1226 
"A a young person my best teacher was my Mom (been their done/that for real) - one  day she told me if you want to become a millionaire it is simple - you do it one penny at a time -" it is up to you how  fast you git'er done."

EXACTLY.  It's not so much the money, It's the speed it's aquired.  My top prioroity for 40 years.
In my chosen line of product (used auto parts), there's a listing tool that allows a seller to list items incredibly fast (but the listings are severely lacking in all aspects).   I've seen thousands of these listings.  Until recently, looking at their SALES, would make you wonder why they even try. I mean worse than dismal sales.
As an example:  I do not use that listing tool, therefore I cannot list items very fast.  I spend time trying to make Quality Listings.  I usually have 8 to 10 slavage vehicles on site. I have 1,700 listings and average over 400 sales every 90 days.  (far more listings and far less sales than any time in the past)
My nearest competition uses this Super Fast listing tool. They have THOUSANDS of salvage vehicles on site. They have over 2,000 listings, and they sold 16 items in the last 90 days.
This is pretty much normal for sellers that use that listing tool.  
However, I have found one seller that's doing this and their sales are beyond impressive.  Even though their listings are as described above, severely lacking.
   Just trying to figure out how they are doing that. Especially since their listings appear to be ignoring most of eBay's recomendations.  Thus making listing items even faster.