Really sad what is happening on Ebay

[mrconran]

I started my new store here just few short years ago.

First year I did about $15000.00 in sales. The second year I was closing in on $100000.00

Third year at one point my sales were running over 400% over year two. I finished just a little shy of $200000.00

I am pretty proud of that as I am a high school drop out. I was driving a school bus to make a living.

This year I started out Jan - March 32-34% sales increase over last year. I was headed for $450000.00 in sales.

Then May rolled around. I don't have to tell you what has happened since then. 

Discouraged to say the least.

Mr Bill

[siamdao]

Hope things will improve.  With eBay's heavy reliance on computer generated metrics and constant efforts to increase selling fees by any means, things are tough all over.   We have noted a decline in sales also.  Our year end goal was abandoned at the end of July when eBay decided to place 30 day selling limits on most accounts in South East Asia in the Jewelry and Watches category.

[auctionpet]

If you did $200k in sales last year and were headed to half a mill this year, you should have plenty of income to get you though the year, even with a downturn.

There's many sellers who've been here for decades and are struggling to do a mere $1000 in sales monthly. Your difficulty in not reaching half a million in sales isn't going to gain much sympathy.

[siamdao]

Volume doesn't always translate into large profits--there are many other variables that need to be considered.  

[ed8108]

 Be current & realistic, in approaching these times, which may require more effort, accompanied by lower expectations.

[mrconran]

Hello I am not looking for any sympathy at all. I am quite far from making a half million in sales.  I sell a lot but I make very little profit. That is how one sells a lot of products on the Internet. 

I am just discouraged that a one time growing site appears to be committing suicide.  My point was that sales were growing for just about all sellers now we are watching ebay slowly die.

How I have grown sales? I have worked two other jobs and put every penny I could back into my business. 

[gramophone-georg]

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@auctionpet wrote:
If you did $200k in sales last year and were headed to half a mill this year, you should have plenty of income to get you though the year, even with a downturn.

There's many sellers who've been here for decades and are struggling to do a mere $1000 in sales monthly. Your difficulty in not reaching half a million in sales isn't going to gain much sympathy.

---

None of that explains to the OP why what is happening is happening, sorry.

Even if the OP has $1 of every $2 he's sold in the bank for a rainy day doesn't mean he shouldn't be paying attention to his business and be concerned when the "spigot just shuts off".

I don't think the OP is asking for "sympathy" as much as WHY.

OP, the answer is that trying to build a business solely on eBay- or any other "venue"- is foolish because any day they can do something that can affect you adversely- very hard- and their reaction will always be  

The only entity that has your best interests at heart is you.

[membersinceaug2001]

You're lucky to have done that well so recently.  The cash cow for me ended 11 years ago.  I for one refuse to sell tons of stuff for very little profit.

[closeoutdealsusa]

---

@auctionpet wrote:
If you did $200k in sales last year and were headed to half a mill this year, you should have plenty of income to get you though the year, even with a downturn.

There's many sellers who've been here for decades and are struggling to do a mere $1000 in sales monthly. Your difficulty in not reaching half a million in sales isn't going to gain much sympathy.

---

Struggling to make $1000 a month? There's a difference between selling and growing a business on ebay.

[lewisburggold]

Were having such a hard time understanding how the high leval hotshots feel good about all these changes.  Best regards

[pauyo_43]

@mrconran

Not sure why it happened but I clicked on your name and then your listings and it showed me you had nothing. It was only when I clicked on your store I realized how many items you had.

[pauyo_43]

@mrconran

People can get very jealous when they see high income numbers. Just ignore them. It's their insecurity.You've explained that you make very little profit. I applaud what you have done is such a short time. I can just imagine the effort it took from you to pull that off. You have shown you have a great business sense and your customers love you. 

Why this downturn should be happening to you is confusing, but it also shows that high dollar producers are no more protected that the small sellers. Doesn't help, I know and I sure wish I understood the logic behind it. 

If I were you, I'd diversify a bit if you can. I know how hard it is to build one business let alone two, but for your businsess's security, I would consider building my own site.

Good Luck!

[robot-hands]

I have not seen consistent growth in the last two years.

I should be hitting $250-275 daily, but I am barely making 2016 goals of $215-230 with better stuff in more categories with higher ROI

[reallynicestamps]

If not your own site- branch out to other venues.

On some of your smaller items could you move to cheaper shipping services? (I am unfamiliar with USPS rates.)

You are limiting yourself to US only selling. Have you considered , on your more pricey* items, adding International Shipping using the GSP?

Since you believe "Made in the USA " is a benefit for your customers- why not add a flag or other similar logo to your descriptions?

*Low value items are not worth shipping by GSP because your buyer will be paying duty, sales taxes, and a fee to cover the rest of the trip from their plant in Kentucky to their doorstep. 

[djmovers99]

Sorry to hear that.  Its interesting to me that your timeframe for the downturn in business on eBay is almost identical to mine.  As I recall, my numbers went from good and growing by my small scale standards to practically nothing in starting in April 2018.  On September 1st, I was blessed to start a full time job that has gotten me out of financial danger.  Unfortunately, I have not had much time for any new listings yet.  I plan to stick around at least for now because I have always loved both buying and selling on eBay.  Its sad to watch what's happening on eBay.  For a long time it was my full focus.  Now it is just a hobby.  Good luck to all!

DJ