Question about closing my store

[thepatchmasters]

June 1 is my store renewal time but I'm thinking of selling it as I only list about 40 items these days. 

Anyway, upon closing my store will I receive 50 free listings every month without fail? And I see some of you talk about promotions sometimes. What is that all about? How does that work?

What can I expect once the store is closed? Am I missing anything I may need to know?

One last question. Would you guys close or keep your stores?

Thanks bunches. 😁 

[orangehound]

The store gives you the ability to put your items in vacation mode, do sales, and (of course) get more listings without listing fees. 

With 40 items, I wouldn't have a store.

Also, if you don't have a store, eBay may auto-insert Best Offer into your listings ... which is annoying.

[luckythewinner]

---

---

upon closing my store will I receive 50 free listings every month without fail

Yes, you will get 50 free listing insertions.  

And I see some of you talk about promotions sometimes. What is that all about? How does that work?

First off, promotions have nothing to do with having a store subscription. Both store subscribers and non-subscribers receive them.

Generally speaking, eBay gives you extra free listing insertions. You have to opt into the promotion, and you have to read the terms carefully because there are sometimes conditions (ex. you must have best offer, they must be auctions, only certain categories apply, etc.) You generally have only a few days to use them before they expire. 

Would you guys close or keep your stores?

A store subsription is nothing more than a monthly fee that buys you a different fee structure and a few extra features. So for me, that would primarily be a financial decision based on the numbers.  But I've bee selling here for almost two decades and have never had a store. 

[thepatchmasters]

Very informative. Thanks so much. I think the decision has been made. I'll try no store for awhile.

[abfabvintage]

You need to close your Store not later than May 31, 2018 so as not to pay an eBay penalty. And I believe if your store anniversary start date is June 1, then it needs to be (I think) cancelled prior to June 1 start date.  I had a Basic store with a start date of January 1 and eBay renewal notice came like the last week of December to opt out or stay in.

on May 3, I downgraded from Basic to the new Starter Store for the yearly script of $4.95. $7.95 for a monthly.  100 free listings per month, either auction or fixed. But there are some reservations about categories that apply and the FVF is at 10%, not the lower FVF like a Basic Store.  

[fab_finds4u]

 June 1 is my store renewal time but I'm thinking of selling it

You're barred from buying or selling an eBay store without the consent of eBay.   

For good reason since a new owner would not have earned the feedback. Buyers trust the feedback and it would be deceiving them. 

[abfabvintage]

@fab_finds4u

Hi, I never in my wildest dreams you could "sell" your store. I just assumed OP did a typo and meant to say "closing." I live and learn on these forums. Thanks for the info. I googled it and read where you sort of can sell it but with severe restrictions and with eBay's consent. 

As a funny, I would have LOVED to have sold my Basic store along with all the free listings I never used. lolol. 

[kathieskorner]

A store is an unnecessary expense if you are listing less than 50 items per month.    The only exception would be if you are selling higher priced related niche items that would attract repeat buyers. 

I closed my store in March, and it hasn't affected my sales.   I opened two new accunts - one for crafts and one for books, and transferred some of my store listings there.   I'm slowly combining some of my single items into lots.  My goal is to get down to 75 or less prevously  listed items by September so that I will have at least 15-20 new listings each month.   I don't want to depend on free listing promos for relists as I have been. 

[castlemagicmemories]

You need to decide if your sales justify the expense of having a store.

The number of your listings should also come into play.

[castlemagicmemories]

---

@thepatchmasters wrote:

Very informative. Thanks so much. I think the decision has been made. I'll try no store for awhile.

---

Sounds like a plan!

[castlemagicmemories]

---

@fab_finds4u wrote:

 June 1 is my store renewal time but I'm thinking of selling it

You're barred from buying or selling an eBay store without the consent of eBay.   

For good reason since a new owner would not have earned the feedback. Buyers trust the feedback and it would be deceiving them. 

---

I could be wrong, but I think the OP meant she was thinking of closing it.

[nobody*s_perfect]

---

@kathieskorner wrote:

A store is an unnecessary expense if you are listing less than 50 items per month.    The only exception would be if you are selling higher priced related niche items that would attract repeat buyers. ... 

---

Or if you're selling items in the categories where Stores get a significant discount on Final Value Fees.

[lindac871]

Yes, but one advantage to having a store is I don't have to go to every listing & add vacation settings as it is done for me. This saves a LOT of time!