Sales drop

[teethstore]

I really need some advice.  My sole income is selling on eBay.  I have been selling for the past three years on eBay and making at least $600 a week.  However something has happened in that my sales have all but stopped over the last month.  I mean stopped.  My sales are down 80%.  I am aware that there are highs and lows in selling, but this is crazy!  It’s like something happened that I have no sales now!  I am freaking out!  Nothing has happened with my competitors; as I regularly check others listing the same items.  HELP!  Any advice?

[calntom]

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@teethstore wrote:

I really need some advice.  My sole income is selling on eBay.  I have been selling for the past three years on eBay and making at least $600 a week.  However something has happened in that my sales have all but stopped over the last month.  I mean stopped.  My sales are down 80%.  I am aware that there are highs and lows in selling, but this is crazy!  It’s like something happened that I have no sales now!  I am freaking out!  Nothing has happened with my competitors; as I regularly check others listing the same items.  HELP!  Any advice?

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I would suggest adding some additional products to create more cash flow during the slow periods. Many of your customers are just out of school for the year and traveling, planning and attending graduations etc. Many businesses take a hit when summer activities begin. 

[annindallas]

Welcome to the club.

Are you checking your competitors solds or listings?

Are any of your competitors in China or India?

I've noticed that the sellers I'm watching are adding very few new listings, just relisting. Are they simply relisting?

Yes, I know that panic feeling well. I've basically stopped eating. Anything i have has to go to the basic bills.

[namtrag1]

Sorry to hear about your situation.

I am in the same boat.  My sales are OFF by 80% as well since March 2018.

I can maybe lend an explanation as to why...If the shipping location ( eBay checks this by the tracking # you provide)  is differant than your location listed in your offering you are F*%$#@ed.  eBay will deem you a dropshipper and you are forever blackballed.

Peace

[liquidation-resale]

That happened to me also and all it took for my sales to be regular again was going through editing every single listing by clicking "mobile friendly checker" and then clicking "fix it for me" and then my sales were back to normal. 

[annindallas]

Hi Namtrag1.

He's a dentist in Pennsylvania and making his own items so he's not dropshipping.

But you've brought up an excellent point. Ebay is now hunting down dropshippers. Thats what the zip code is about. Someone in ebay called them "crooks" , so they're pretty serious.

[namtrag1]

If thats the case then he (the Dentist) is a victim of random Throttling of sales by eBay...they do that!

If he has been chugging along making nice sales with a decent product not changing anything  Then all of a sudden he experiences an 80% ( like in EIGHTY PERCENT ) drop in sales....then eBay is holding the smoking gun.

Some may say I'm making this up..that I have no proof...why would eBay do such a thing?..etc etc

But this isn't my first rodeo...if it walks like a duck. looks like a duck, quacks like a duck...then IT IS A DUCK!

Shame on eBay for messing up someones livelihood!

[teethstore]

Thank you for letting me know this!  We have two dental offices.  I did go back and fixed this like you mentioned, but am I too late?  Do you think they black balled me forever?  Not sure what to do 😞

[purple-rain-store]

So are you saying this would apply with even somebody who lives in a very small town with limited post office hours but chooses to ship out of the next towns post office with full business day service window hours that of course would have a different zip code that their listings would also not get seen?

[emerald40]

One product you sold 90+ off.  Another 120+ Another 30+

Seven listings in a very particular niche.

At $100+ per

You are doing well, imo.

[namtrag1]

I wish that I could give you a solid answer but I can't.  If the two zip codes are relatively close to each other then maybe it shouldn't matter.

However the  thing that concerns me is that your sales have already abruptly stopped for "no reason".

The darn thing is that eBay thinks that we are "Crooks" in their eyes.  eBay should realize that we all live in glass houses...For Heavens sake Profit is not a dirty word.

I wish the best for you and I hope that I did not scare you but I can only share my experiences.

[djmovers99]

 Yes, agreed.  I had a wonderful first quarter by my standards.  On April 1st, my sales basically ended and that was my worst month ever.  Today is June 10th, I have had 2 sales this month.  Before I would typically revieve double digit views on all my items regardless of whether or not the item sold.  Now my views are more like 0, 1, 2.  Regardless of all the reasons: schools in, schools out, vacation, holiday, tax season, North Korea, Christmas, etc, I truly believe something has changed.  This has never been a slow time of year for me.  Younger generations say they don't want old junk, OK, fine, but why then did they decide this on April 1st of this year?

Like some have suggested, I am considering taking a break for a couple of months and use my time for some other projects.  I would just relist and ship the occassional sale, but not do any new listings or buy any new merchandise.  Your comments are welcome.

DJ

[djmovers99]

Like some have suggested, I am considering taking a break for a couple of months and use my time for some other projects.  I would just relist and ship the occassional sale, but not do any new listings or buy any new merchandise.  Your comments are welcome.

DJ

[emerald40]

I think the OP was incredibly lucky so far in her sales.

I would never buy this type of product from an ebay seller.

It could be that everyone who would has already bought theirs.  Or maybe she has some new competition.

Ebay was making great money off of her in fees, so why would they stop that cash flow.

[namtrag1]

If a seller has great feedback...that is no accident.  His customers are happy and the seller should be commended.  So, no I personally would have no reservations about buying on line based on the sellers performance.

As to why eBay would Throttle sales is because they can!.. it makes no common sense but this is what eBay does.  They want to spread the sales around.  We could go into a lengthy discussion about Throtteling but it would be an exercise in " I'm Right Your Wrong" discussion.  Just beleive me eBay has NO problem effin with sellers...its what they do.

[gew6463]

This is the first I've heard of this. So what if you practically live on a state line (I live in Washington, right across the bridge) but it is not unusual for my items to ship with an Oregon zip code, especially as the Airport P.O. (major hub) is on an exit off said bridge. Also, on rare occasions my husband drops off mail near his work-place, also Oregon. Or are you talking about more blatant variety than that? 

I have been hearing recently of Ebay customers receiving packages from Amazon, and that is just wrong (basicly shipped as a 'gift'). I am a prime member & ebay customer. If I wanted it from Amazon, I would buy it from Amazon (not to mention if the big A finds out, your account is history). If I ordered from Ebay, it should come from Ebay (sellers).