eBay

goldrushfinds · ‎04-23-2019

It seems no matter what I look up to sell now, prices have dropped and margins are near nothing. It just isn't worth selling most stuff anymore. Even if an item is super high quality, people want it for near nothing. I just really think I won't be buying anything anymore to sell. O.K. I vented. Best of luck to you all.

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-23-2019

Sorry you feel that way; wishing you all the best in your future endeavors.

Your call, your choice. You have to do what is best for you.

goldrushfinds · ‎04-23-2019

Thanks, same to you.

weschurch · ‎04-23-2019

@goldrushfinds wrote:
It seems no matter what I look up to sell now, prices have dropped and margins are near nothing. It just isn't worth selling most stuff anymore. Even if an item is super high quality, people want it for near nothing. I just really think I won't be buying anything anymore to sell. O.K. I vented. Best of luck to you all.

Yes its tough these days. Fees continue to increase on all aspects of selling, shipping, taxes, etc. Not to mention Ebay makes it a giant timesuck to even bother with money grabs and ever changing policies akin to an IRS Tax code.

tunicaslot · ‎04-23-2019

I can't tell you the amount of items I've donated in the last 2 months because they are no longer profitable to sell due to the race to the bottom. To counter that - I've done a lot of research and watch a lot of videos of what is selling that is still profitable. It's just not worth it to make less than a $10 profit on an item and I'd prefer $20 - so you sometimes have to do a bit of work and find out what is selling.

Also what may sell for little money on this site - sells for more on others and vice versa.

membersinceaug2001 · ‎04-23-2019

If you sell one-of-a-kind collectibles you don't need to play the race-to-the-bottom game. I recently switched all other accounts to auctions and raised the BIN prices and people are still buying.

goldrushfinds · ‎04-23-2019

tunicaslot - So true. If I do sell anything else on this site, it will be very limited and only super high demand items, which will net an absolute minimum of $20. Otherwise, not worth my time.

gamersbaystore · ‎04-23-2019

I know what you mean, and those bare profits are often the result of ebay pitting sellers against each other with the intent to force them to lower their prices. I've noticed how ebay often promotes other sellers identical products within my listings, its super annoying.

No doubt its also getting harder to find products to resell that will actually bring a profit. I often buy game and movie lots to resurface/resell, but at times I'm unable to find anything that will bring a profit. I've spent 12 hour days digging through the depths of ebay's search results to try and find lots that are worth while, and often walk away empty handed. Then its entire days of scouring thrift stores, antique malls, and estate sales.

Its also a poker game getting sellers to budge on their game and movie lots. many will try and charge full retail and want hundreds, they can just forget it. Often times lots will sit there for sale for months before a seller budges on the price, then I have to move quickly to get them before someone else does.

nmemoryof · ‎04-23-2019

I think prices are in the basement and the fault is layered. One layer is that seller's compete against each other to see who is willing to lose the most money. It's not the whole reason, but it's a big part of it.

castlemagicmemories · ‎04-23-2019

Part of it will be what buyers are willing to spend. High prices may not be conducive to sales.

mypostingid15 · ‎04-23-2019

@gamersbaystore wrote:
I know what you mean, and those bare profits are often the result of ebay pitting sellers against each other with the intent to force them to lower their prices. I've noticed how ebay often promotes other sellers identical products within my listings, its super annoying.

No doubt its also getting harder to find products to resell that will actually bring a profit. I often buy game and movie lots to resurface/resell, but at times I'm unable to find anything that will bring a profit. I've spent 12 hour days digging through the depths of ebay's search results to try and find lots that are worth while, and often walk away empty handed. Then its entire days of scouring thrift stores, antique malls, and estate sales.

Its also a poker game getting sellers to budge on their game and movie lots. many will try and charge full retail and want hundreds, they can just forget it. Often times lots will sit there for sale for months before a seller budges on the price, then I have to move quickly to get them before someone else does.

You're lookin' in all the wrong places.

18704d · ‎04-23-2019

"If you sell one-of-a-kind collectibles you don't need to play the race-to-the-bottom game. "

--------

Agreed.

Two (3?) months ago I got a 140.00 offer on a rare one-of-a-kind I had listed for 400.00 here.

I got the same tempation after a month or two listing it, to be tempted.

Well, not tempted at 140, but reconsider my price.

Instead I made myself a firm demand, that this item, which had gotten many watchers (which I believe were resellers, not people who already owned one)

I made up my mind that when it ended at 400.00 I was relisting it next for 450.00

And then 475.00 after that, if need be. I felt that would broadcast a confidence and 'proof' that this item was a rare gem.

Not long later, it sold for the full 400.00 I had asked. FP, immediate payment.

Lynn

Lynn

You love me for everything you hate me for

.

18704d · ‎04-23-2019

"I know what you mean, and those bare profits are often the result of ebay pitting sellers against each other with the intent to force them to lower their prices.

Yes, I've seen price competition in action frequently on eBay. But eBay didn't cause it."

Any marketing class will teach that you must compete with competitors. And Cost is only one way to compete. Quality is another way, Service is another.. etc.

"No doubt its also getting harder to find products to resell that will actually bring a profit. I often buy game and movie lots to resurface/resell, but at times I'm unable to find anything that will bring a profit. "

Same here.
First, it's nearly impossible to pick .. from pickers. Forget estate sales. If they're open to the public, they're already cherry picked. Same with thrift stores. Antique malls too. They've already spent their own hours doing the same research you will later try with their items.

Second,
I've received 'reprogrammed' my thought process .. to steer away from those 'safe', low cost items I've listed here.
You know. The ones I list because "eBayers should only list what they can afford to lose."

So... if I have a lot of 500 items .. which sell for 15 dollars each. Instead of being the Low Cost Supplier of them here, with Free Shipping, (and netting only 8 dollars after fees and shipping) .. well

Instead I'm tempted to list them in Lots of 100, or 250. At a 75% off retail price which I hope will attract a Reseller, who sees big dollars reselling them here.

I'm getting more tempted for 20 Big sales per month, than 200 at a budget price.

Thanks for listening,

Lynn

Lynn

You love me for everything you hate me for

.

goldrushfinds · ‎04-23-2019

nmemoryof - I think the answer for me at least, is to not be so much of a seller anymore on Ebay and then take advantage of the rock bottom prices as a regular buyer. If you can't beat them, join them.