Sales down since middle of May. Economy?!

[annisazzz]

My sales have been down about 50% since the middle of May. I realize the economy really stinks and people don’t want to purchase cosmetics which are basically a WANT and not a NEED. But it just seems so odd that it happened so suddenly. One week I had 10-20 sales a day. Literally the next week I was getting maybe 4 a day. It’s just odd that this happened so suddenly. Is there an eBay algorithm that changed? Thanks for any input you may have! 

[gdiesel70]

Ok yeah the economy, inflation, gas prices and the weather didn’t cause everything to come to a screeching halt on the same day in mid-May. Plus, not everyone is hurting. I was listening to a podcast earlier (Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff) and heard that last month Macy’s reported a sharp increase in sales of designer and luxury goods.  Attributing this drop-off to the economy and gas prices is too simplistic, IMO.

Here’s some of my numbers.
I promote my listings at 1.6 to 2.6%. 

My impressions are down 17.3 %.

My views are down 19.2%.

My sales conversion rate has been steady between 0.8%- 0.9% since last November (which most wouldn’t consider great but I’m very content with that because it more than pays the bills.).

By late May it fell to 0.6%.  It has since plummeted to 0.5% which is the lowest my conversion rate has ever been.

My last sale was $19.99 on Sunday which was my only sale I had that day.  I used to take about 15-20  packages  (between my eBay and my husband’s hobby eBay)  to take to the post office on Monday (sales from Friday night thru Monday

 morning). Since Saturday, and over a long weekend, so now Tuesday, I have 3 packages. 

My husband, a small hobby seller, has been selling since 2019 as a way to fund his vintage BMX hobby and clear  his closet of the many new clothes he’s never worn. He sells mostly bike parts, tools,  jeans, shirts, some vintage things from his childhood, Nike and Adidas sneakers.

He keeps a steady 50 listings. Sells roughly 10-12 items a month. He’s down 88% and he noticed the drop off around May 10th (a few days before my sales tanked on May 13), he said “where did all my views go? And why isn’t anyone watching these new listings.” Listings for old school early 80s BMX bike parts typically pick up lots of watchers. Especially when you have desirable brands like Hutch, Redline and Skyway.  A listing will usually pick up 10+ watchers the first day and it usually sells within 3-4 days. But  3 listings each had 1 view after a week so he removed the listings and sold them elsewhere.

His numbers 😞

 

[moondogblues]

"Also C) the number of people who are now working from home and no longer wear makeup everyday. Makeup sales went way down at my B&M job during the pandemic and still haven't really recovered for that very reason."

I'm a musician who has not had a gig since the start of the pandemic.  I have a whole closet full of stage dress and a drawer full of makeup that I haven't worn, except for some DR and Dentist visits for 847 days.  I had a dentist appt last week and joked with him about dressing up just for the cleaning.  It was funny at the time.

[moondogblues]

HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nilis13]

My last sale was 4 days ago - this is not normal and ha everything to do with the recent changes..

[dhbookds]

Been here since 2004..........sales have always dropped in May, June, July and then picked up in later part of August.......selling miscellaneous collectibles.  Your mileage may vary.

[drinkwine1204]

Another experienced seller here experiencing slow sales. Took a year off and started listing again late March 2022. Bad timing on my part, seems things are winding down with the stores opening up and online sales not what they were during the pandemic. 

Used to do pretty well for a small part timer but only a few sales a month now. Listing 5-8 new items per day but still not seeing sales. Used to be a side hustle, as I work about 30 hours per week but now badly needed $$. I have been out of work with no pay for the past 8 weeks, hope to return to work in a couple of months. Really feeling the squeeze with 8 missed paychecks, no disability or vacation time at my job, we are all considered part time. 

All I can do is keep listing and stay positive. Things always change if you hang in there. Good luck to all

[ci1000]

Good luck to you too!  Feeling the same... I still remain optimistic.

[annisazzz]

I was just giving an approximation but my 3 month average in sales dropped by $6,000 which is to me a lot of money since right now I’m the only one working in my household at the moment. Husband is laid off from union job till he goes to a new job, hopefully soon. I’m just hoping we don’t go into a recession.

[drinkwine1204]

thank you. I had major surgery and have been confined to a wheelchair for the past 8 weeks. Hopefully will be walking again in 8-10 weeks. Had to find new creative ways to list in this chair. LOL. If I can do it and remain positive, everybody can. 

Can't wait to go back to work, hoping for mid September. In the meantime, listing a ton of stuff, 10 listings all new today.  The bad times never last. 

[monster-deals]

It was our regularly scheduled brownout for every update.

Hooray for updates.

[krazzykats]

The key differences between inflation, recessions, and stagflation lie in the fact that inflation comes with a rapidly growing economy while recession slows inflation as well as economic growth. Stagflation is a form of recession in which inflation grows with stagnant economic growth.

What Is Stagflation? Causes and Effects Explained | Alexandria (coinmarketcap.com)

[714ricki]

It's inflation & people need to stretch out there hard-earned money on necessities. Depending on the niche, the sales have been dropping quickly or gradually. However, they are definitely dropping in a majority of the niches! Plus, having ebay update item specifics in your category is probably not helping buyers reach your listings. You should double check your listings to make sure they are optimized for all types of search parameters.

Hang in there!

[dm772012]

@drinkwine1204  God Bless You for staying positive! Our health is our most valuable commodity.

now that I'm 61 and falling apart :((( I appreciate your post for bringing your positive attitude back to me. I'm a positive person...lately...been a bit of a downer. thank you for your post. Thankful for my faith. that keeps me grounded...little wine too :>} 

[dm772012]

@drinkwine1204  you have nice merchandise. may I suggest a great shipping tool?

See you have a 71x71 shower curtain for sale. shipping is 11.62  I order priority flat rate padded envelopes.

this really helps with weight and includes free insurance. The discount with eBay shipping is 8.45 in place of the 9.65  this might help your shower curtain sale faster.  free to order. arrive in 1 week. Saved me so much money for my customers. 

[dm772012]

you have really nice merchandise. especially kids' stuff !!!