Sales are way down. Anyone have this happening too?

[ombra]

Hi all,  

We have been sellers on Ebay for well over 15 years.  We have a small business out of our home.  We sold over $75,000 last year on Ebay and were on track to sell over $100,000 this year.  Our average monthly sales are right around $6500 - $10,000 a month.  That was until last month.  (July 2018) Total sales - $2900.  This month we are at $3100.  I don't see us selling close to our average.  

I was wanting to know if Ebay changed some things, are long time sellers seeing the same trend or is it just the summer slump? 

Thanks 

Paula 

[mycinderbug]

I see what you are seeing. eBay used to be great for mom & pop sellers. But now they seem more geared to large quantity sellers & sellers that sell new high ticket items. We are so close to leaving eBay. We go days & days without a sale. We are selling a lot of items way below their value. We end up with very little net profit & some months are in the red. It is just not fun anymore.

[mycinderbug]

When I am looking to buy I click search US only. But those sellers from China & Hong Kong pop up as "item location U.S." when they are not U.S. based sellers. I don't want my money going to China & Hong Kong. I don't buy like I used to because of this.

[Anonymous]

Well said and very good pros and cons on the promoted listings. Thank you!!!

[storytimequilts]

I agree 100%, I sell fabric and patterns and refuse to offer 30 day returns.. Not a quilt shop anywhere does that!!  I won't rip my customers off by offering them Free shipping ( ebays suggestion was to raise my prices to cover the shipping) and that my friends rips off my buyers.. after 3 yards I can combine and save them lots of money but I"m punished because I try to look out for my buyers..

It truly seems our businesses are not our own anymore if you sell on Ebay,, They want to control your business and how you run it..

[storytimequilts]

I sell world wide and used to ship a LOT of fabric over seas,, now days,, I"im lucky if I sell 1 item a month over seas.. Have to pay an extra $.50 per listing to be viewed in the UK now.. NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!!

[storytimequilts]

Web site!!!! Thats where I'm headed.. Forget all these fees and control...

[lilprotege]

Sales way down for me and I'm sure it's a visibilty issue. Even with slow sales before I could always at least count on some lowball offers, but right now....crickets. 

[714gorilla]

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@mycinderbug wrote:
When I am looking to buy I click search US only. But those sellers from China & Hong Kong pop up as "item location U.S." when they are not U.S. based sellers. I don't want my money going to China & Hong Kong. I don't buy like I used to because of this.

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Yes, that's exactly what I was saying, except I referred to them as "inernational sellers".  Ebay seems to give them priority over everyone.  And I won't buy from them either.

[2ndhandeverything]

Definitely promote. I have been an ebay seller for 2 years and my sales are up 200% because of promoting and following ebay reccomendations!!! 

[714gorilla]

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@2ndhandeverything wrote:

Definitely promote. I have been an ebay seller for 2 years and my sales are up 200% because of promoting and following ebay reccomendations!!! 

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I'm glad it's working for you.  I think it all depends on what you're selling and the competition....which could be millions. 

Now Ebay is overrun with 'International sellers' posing as selling in the USA which makes it even harder for many American sellers.

[iart]

We aren't selling as much but the sales we are getting are much higher than normal.

So, fewer sales, less work, more money.

Not complaining, it's just odd.

[suziblue52]

Same here. In fact I haven`t had a sale in 13 days. What`s up????

[richardwillardcollection]

Try putting some keywords from your listings title in the box on this website; https://ranktool.bid/index.php
I found that I could not see any results for most of my things.

[714gorilla]

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@richardwillardcollection wrote:
Try putting some keywords from your listings title in the box on this website; https://ranktool.bid/index.php
I found that I could not see any results for most of my things.

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I've never seen that link.  I couldn't find any of my items either, even after I put in my user name. Just like when I tried searching on Ebay for so long and didn't see any of mine there.  All I saw were sellers who were selling many, many items.

I wasn't sure if it was put up by Ebay, but with the "Switch URL" it looks like you have to choose between England or Germany.  I couldn't switch to USA.

[tastesgood]

I sold an item and one of the cards had some minor damage. I told the person to return it for a full refund plus postage. He kept asking for a replacement,which I told him I didnt have. He would not send the item back,but left me negative feedback and also stated in the FB that I had offered him a refund???? Advised ebay and they will do nothing. I think its time ebay thought more of there sellers then there buyers. I dropped my items form 900+ to 400+. Another thing  You have to use your PW every time you try to get on ebay. Click the box to stay signed it???? It dont mean s---.