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Opening a Ebay Store

I'm looking to open a ebay store. wanted to get feedback if getting a ebay store is worth it. I'm looking for any positive or negative feedback.(pro's-con's). 

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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

The decision about whether to have a Store subscription is based mostly on costs and benefits.  As a new seller, you probably have some strict listing limits that would impede you from taking advantage of the extra free insertions that stores get.  

 

So your very first step would be to check on your listing limits. You'll probably decide to stick with the 50 free insertions that non-stores get each month, until you're well-established as a seller.

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Message 2 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

The decision about whether to have a Store subscription is based mostly on costs and benefits.  As a new seller, you probably have some strict listing limits that would impede you from taking advantage of the extra free insertions that stores get.  

 

So your very first step would be to check on your listing limits. You'll probably decide to stick with the 50 free insertions that non-stores get each month, until you're well-established as a seller.

Message 2 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

@marrie-69

 

You are a new seller with only one feedback and 27 items currently listed. Your items are not big-ticket, pricey things.

 

Right now, you aren't paying any insertion fees. Your Final Value Fees are at 10%.

 

You haven't been selling long enough to even request a higher selling limit (90 days). Opening a store does not automatically raise yourlimits, you would still only be allowed to list up to your limit, even with the store.

 

I made a chart a while back ... it doesn't include text new "Starter" or "Enterprise" level stores ... but it shows what the "tipping point" number of listings is per store level.

 

storelevel.jpg

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

Message 3 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

@penguins_dont_fly, thanks for the chart. So I Should wait to subscribe to a store for a few more months? my wife and I used ebay before but was restricted due to dropshipping.(total bummer). we recently was reinstated to sell again and now have inventory on hand and was looking to get basic subscription. but waiting for now does seem like the feasible thing to do. thanks again.
Message 4 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

I've had a store 3 times.  Never found it worth it price-wise or exposure.  Stick with the free listings.

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Re: Opening a Ebay Store


@marrie-69 wrote:
@penguins_dont_fly, thanks for the chart. So I Should wait to subscribe to a store for a few more months? my wife and I used ebay before but was restricted due to dropshipping.(total bummer). we recently was reinstated to sell again and now have inventory on hand and was looking to get basic subscription. but waiting for now does seem like the feasible thing to do. thanks again.

Your selling limits will be restricted for 90 days, at least (especially if you have been suspended previously).

 

You need to prove to eBay that you can fulfill your obligations to buyers and "keep your nose clean" 🙂

 

After 90 days, if you have had no issues, you can call eBay and request higher selling limits. After that, you can request a limit increase every 30 days, if necessary.

 

Get through your 90 days. Ship on time, avoid defects and complaints. Then reevaluate your need for a store subscription.

 

Good luck 🙂

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

Message 6 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

Fwiw, that is a great chart. Shows everything a person needs to evalute store benefits at all levels of listings & sales. Thank you for taking the time and effort to create it. 

Message 7 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store


@threshold.sales.group wrote:

Fwiw, that is a great chart. Shows everything a person needs to evalute store benefits at all levels of listings & sales. Thank you for taking the time and effort to create it. 


It's a comprehensive look at listing fees, but doesn't address final value fees, which can range from 3.5% to 10% depending on category and store subscription level.  A seller in a 4% category will find a store worthwhile at a much lower sales volume than a seller in a 9.15% category.

Message 8 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store


@penguins_dont_fly wrote:

@marrie-69

 

You are a new seller with only one feedback and 27 items currently listed. Your items are not big-ticket, pricey things.

 

Right now, you aren't paying any insertion fees. Your Final Value Fees are at 10%.

 

You haven't been selling long enough to even request a higher selling limit (90 days). Opening a store does not automatically raise yourlimits, you would still only be allowed to list up to your limit, even with the store.

 

I made a chart a while back ... it doesn't include text new "Starter" or "Enterprise" level stores ... but it shows what the "tipping point" number of listings is per store level.

 

storelevel.jpg


Love this chart, so much work that is so helpful to see on paper. One quick thing I noticed though, you need to update your individual listings cost per listing as they recently increased. Don't know how much that affects your chart, but to be the most accurate.....

Message 9 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

@flyinhawaiiangirl

 

I'll work on it ... I just wanted to show the OP a general idea 🙂

 

I have to add the new Starter and Enterprise level stores, too 🙂

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

Message 10 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

@penguins_dont_fly
I understand and LOVE your "general idea". I feel as a small seller, we do an awful lot of work for Ebay for free just trying to understand the venue.
Message 11 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store


@nobody*s_perfect wrote:

@threshold.sales.group wrote:

Fwiw, that is a great chart. Shows everything a person needs to evalute store benefits at all levels of listings & sales. Thank you for taking the time and effort to create it. 


It's a comprehensive look at listing fees, but doesn't address final value fees, which can range from 3.5% to 10% depending on category and store subscription level.  A seller in a 4% category will find a store worthwhile at a much lower sales volume than a seller in a 9.15% category.


That is very true .... and on my original post of this chart, (last year sometime, before the changes) I made that same disclaimer 🙂

 

The numbers need to be crunched by each individual seller according to their categories and needs ...

 

Heck, there used to be a snowbird that posted here ... they had a store just so that they could put their 100 or so listings on vacation for 4 months out of the year and sell on their secondary account when they were in Florida or Arizona or wherever. They didn't care about the monthly fee, they just wanted to be able to get up and running quickly when they got back north 😉

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

Message 12 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

Ebay has changed so much since I started selling 5 years ago.  I just dont find it worth it anymore.  I stick to the listings itself instead of having a store.

Message 13 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

 @marrie-69

 

This is a bit off-track, but I wanted to post it here ...

 

In another thread you recommended a 5 year old book about selling on eBay.

 

Throw it away. It is obsolete and might get you in a lot of trouble if you are following the advice in it.

 

The past 5 years have been full of upheaval for sellers. The past 3 years have seen the most changes to policy and procedure than the previous 10.

 

I suggest you start reading here ... Click on "Getting Started" and read, read, read ....  if you have any questions, ask us here BEFORE doing anything:

 

https://pages.ebay.com/seller-center/index.html

penguins_dont_fly is a Volunteer Community Mentor
Buying and Selling since 2013

Message 14 of 16
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Re: Opening a Ebay Store

Will do thanks allot.
Message 15 of 16
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