eBay

woothy · ‎04-14-2019

My sales here continue on the decline. I keep hoping that eBay will fix all the issues but it has been a month since the rollout and things seem to be getting worse instead of better. Lack of sales, bogus views, popular items with many watchers not completing. I have had items listed here for two months with watchers but no sales sell in less than an hour when posted on another site just this morning. I have also cancelled all my promoted listings as they were not seeing much traffic. I know watchers are no indication of sales but not only are the number of them way down but the conversion rate I used to see is way off as well. I hope I am wrong but eBay seems to be circling the drain at least for us small sellers.

In addition, I think the drop shippers are burning a lot of buyers. They have the volume to keep their feedback at a decent rate but if you look at their numbers there are thousands of buyers who have gotten disgusted by either not getting their order. thinking it was in the US only to discover that it was coming from China & taking forever, or having it be damaged by poor packing. I think it is fraudulent to list an item showing a location in the US when it isn't.

Enough venting for one day. Hope everyone has a nice Sunday & Happy Easter to those who celebrate!

gotoguys2000 · ‎04-22-2019

Our sales are down about 40% for last month as well. GTC is a real killer. It doesn't work on many levels for small/ medium but buyers now have no sense of urgency. Many of us will be sending Ebay far less money for April and that should get their attention. If you feel strongly about it contact Ebay and let them know. Hopefully Ebay will quickly realize this isn't working but there's no guarantee of that. Be careful to make certain you don't exceed your free postings. That's the only way Ebay can benefit by this.

luxgoods · ‎04-23-2019

I have had a store for ten years. I received a e-mail from ebay today saying that my store would be renewed. I have until May 1 to decide to continue. I am glad to have a few days to mull this over as I am really thinking of hanging it up. I read the recent letter that Devin Wenig the Bumbling CEO of Ebay sent to the Board of Directors. This Lawyer talks a great game and basically tells the investors what they want to hear. Wening has no clue as to how e commerce works. The fact that he states in his letter that Ebay plans to offer better seller protection basically tells me he has no clue as to how his company works. I hope his days are numbered and Ebay brings in a complete new Management team who is competent and revive this smoldering platform

cardhawkuk · ‎04-23-2019

I've noticed this - as soon as you list an item it has a load of views, which cannot be right. I think it is to do with relisting, where ebay now seems to carry over previous views or something - probably to make its stats look better and to make you the seller feel better, but its really annoying as it makes it hard to track what is being looked at now versus how many views an item has ever had. I guess its part of the disastrous move to GTC for fixed price items. I might be wrong, but that's my take on it. And yes, sales are awful (I have more than one store and have sold on ebay since 1998, and this is an all time low for sure). Good luck!

Anonymous · ‎04-23-2019

This is an extremely low sales, worse I've ever had.

I'm in too deep to throw in the towel right now but I'm getting very discouraged as how much longer I can hang in with low to no sales each day.

Think I'll take out stock in CBD oil...I'll need more of it to calm my nerves !

vintagemax2019 · ‎04-23-2019

Can you tell me what is GTC?
Thanks,
Danielle

vintagemax2019 · ‎04-23-2019

I had complained to eBay a few weeks ago that I had as a test listed 10 items on Offer Up. I told them that I had 100xs more views then eBay. The person I spoke to was shocked as was I. Then I also noticed that all of my new listings were getting 7 or 8 hits as soon as I posted. Something its right and maybe they are bumming the numbers to encourage sellers? It seems sudden and weird to have the change in views. Everytime I call eBay I tell them they need to pay more attention to there sellers and not worry about the buyers. I can not compete with Amazon and offer Free shipping and Free returns which is what eBay requires for me to get my Top Rated Seller symbol! I can't afford to do that, I earned that high mark and I deserve it. Also my sales are way down from year ago as well.
End Rant. - Danielle

sweetpieces4you · ‎04-23-2019

Hi ,I see you have sold many items in the past !! And you are into sports related items,etc. I looked at your listings and personally there are a few things I would change to possibly help a little !! I know let's say a little about sports related items and have sold a little in the past but I have a hard time letting my personal BB cards ,sports related items go !! I did see a few items that your shipping is more than your asking price for a item ??? Why not add the shipping cost to the card and then offer free shipping !! Even lower the shipping cost a few cents !! Selling a item with a higher shipping rate than the cost of the item is in my opinion a free shipping item !! Much better chance of selling with free shipping and that is on a lot of your items !! Free Shipping is always a eye catcher !! Just a thought !! Good Luck

woothy · ‎04-23-2019

Good Til Cancelled It now replaces the option to list A BUY IT NOW for 30 days.

sidgotiques · ‎04-25-2019

I agree 100%. I too have noticed that Ebay carries over prior listing views. Also on Seller Hub carries over relisted as unsold. Count keeps going up. I am not listing anymore till after vacation, so all my sales will be off in a few days. After that, I will have to make a decision to keeping selling or not, I am not making enough money for all the work involved. I may just stick with my local antique mall, where I have a booth and control my own items. cost less too. Ebay please bring back choice on listings. No one likes GTC except. Ebay.

goldxxxsilver · ‎04-25-2019

I'm Right Behind you in June....GTC only works for the Multi Listed and Latest and Greatest Widgets... Sorry I'm not Quite Made the Move to China just Yet!!!...Auctions are Great too if you Want to Sell Quickly....But this GTC Platform seems to put my Items and yours in total Abyss..a Black hole..in the basement only to be seen maybe and if ever a couple times a month....Really Ebay needs give us 1 of a Kind Unique Item Sellers another Option!! ... Good Luck to All!!

neato-burrito · ‎04-25-2019

Really? Your local antique booth rent cost less than eBay? As a percent of sales? I'm not doubting you, don't misunderstand, I'm just surprised, that's all. I guess that an added advantage is that you can cram as much into the space as you want and because there's no shipping, you can charge a little more and it still be cheaper than Ebay for the buyer. But you are limited to the customers who walk through the door when it's open. No 24/7 cashier.

I've explored this for some of my items but the cost/ benefit didn't work out. Also, there's the mental cost of worrying about my inventory left unattended and shrinkage due to shoplifting, breakage, and customer handling. At least with Ebay, my virtual rent goes down with my sales (but also up). I think I need the stable operating expense ratio that Ebay provides. I can't imagine only selling enough to cover subscriptions, but I can imagine not selling enough to cover rent.

cyberontix · ‎04-25-2019

This week has been really down for us, barely any sales. Figuring this too shall pass though.

cordell1 · ‎04-25-2019

Free shipping only got me mass returns and money lost as putting it into the cost of item only is returned to buyer when they return resulting in a loss. Free shipping does not work for me. I'd rather give discount totaling shipping and then if they return I'm not out shipping charge.

neato-burrito · ‎04-26-2019

I listed items that could go first class with free shipping as an experiment about 8 months ago. I didn't see an increase in sales from it, at least not enough to justify the cost. Now when those items sell, I'm caught off guard a little bit. Luckily, I think there are only a few left. Now, I only list with free shipping if I'm selling something that people know they will use (consumables) AND that is also listed by many others with free shipping.....for the exact reason you stated, eating the cost if the item is returned.

Sometimes, (usually) one has to think an awful lot like a casino owner. Yes, there will be payouts. My job is to make sure that the overall odds are stacked in the house's favor.