Sales

[kingnothing1597]

I have reached out to ebay about sales/views on several occasions.  Zero help. Ii was advised to get a store I did no sales increase no more views.  I have promoted items per ebay suggestion. No additional sales. It is now costing me more in fees then my sales are. Just saying.  

[susanb1872]

As others have pointed out, your listings and photos need work. Here are a couple of specific examples.  For the "Woodland Surprises" figures (I see at least 2), you should have more info in the title like "Woodland Surprises Duck 1984 Jacqueline B. Smith Franklin Hand Painted Porcelain". You should also use a ruler in your photos to show the size and at a minimum include the measurements in your description. Your description should be more than just the title. Include the condition-does it have chips or cracks or none? Another item is the "vintage porcelain vase floral". Your first picture does not show the floral pattern. You need a better ruler because I had a difficult time reading the length. Again, put the measurements in your description. You have several white vases/figures that were photographed on a white background-you need a contrasting background and it is better to have the item standing up rather than lying down (when possible).

[deltilogical]

I'll just offer that you should review your book selling.   Most of those are $1 items at a library sale.  Otherwise, as  a potential buyer, I think your net prices are good but as always the shipping and tax will add a lot to a total and there is nothing we can do about that.   

One skill I've been learning this year is patience.  it doesn't necessarily work, however 🙂

[spreadlovelikefire]

As other people have pointed out, your description needs expanding.  Ebay works with a search engine and that is how people find your items.  If you are using just one word "jewelry" then you will be at the bottom of the list as people search with more specific words.  Think about when you search for any item online, do you just use one general word or do you use several more specific words?  Your sales will improve if you put more detail and time into your listings.  The search description line is the most important as that is what brings people to your listings.  

[isaiah53-57]

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@theteamsetguy wrote:

@isaiah53-57 ,

What most sellers mean when we have the buyer pay the fees is. The seller should factor in the fees in the selling price. In order to be successful you have to source inventory at prices that allow you to factor in the eBay fees at prices the items are actually selling for and still make a good profit.

Example earlier today I spent $100.00 for items I will be able to sell for at least $500.00. I will rarely spend more than 33% of my selling prices. I also charge my buyers shipping fees.

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I know exactly what they mean and it is easily seen in my posts - You are stating the obvious like many other people who post here so love to do for some reason.

Right off the Bat: EVERYONE charges their buyers shipping fees - you state "I also charge my buyers shipping fees" like its privileged information.

That out of the way, the point of my previous posts regarding this matter is that in a properly run business, you cannot just "Factor-in" your fees - It has to make sense fiscally and sustainably - If you have an item that is WORTH or RETAILS for $20+Shipping, and you figure your fees are going to be $5, the laws of competition dictate you CANNOT list that item for $25+Shipping - You cannot just arbitrarily try to sell an item for more money than what your competitors have it listed for because you want to FACTOR-IN your fees - Your business will cave to the guy who has the same item listed for $20+shipping - If you didnt take into consideration what your true selling costs would be up front, thats your mistake - you cant push your mistakes to the market - You will just need to sell it responsibly and take less profit than you had hoped.

[ms.rodriguez*]

I would get a 2nd ebay ID before I paid for a store.   Anyway, others have given you great advice. Some of your photos are awful.  You have some 4 piece action figure in the package.  The 2 photos do NOT show the entire box. One character is half visible.   You put it on a dark wood table.   A buyer will not bother trying to figure out what the figures are.  NEVER put anything on a floor unless it's something like a car tire or boots .  It's a huge turn off. You have something that is for making donuts. It's on a tile background.  It could be a floor tile or tile on a counter.  Don't use that background because honestly, it looks more like floor tile.   Jewelry, you have something on a brown table. I don't know if it's gold jewelry or what.   Get some poster boards.  Write better titles.  Some items are hard to sell.   The wipers, that one is going to be hard unless it's a weird size.  

Some things are hard to sell.  There is too much competition now from other selling sites.  Frankly, I think that there are more sellers here now than buyers.  I have items listed that can take a year to sell.  Goodluck.

Write longer titles.  The one that you wrote toy truck.  Look at the truck.  Who makes it.   Hot Wheels?  Tonka? Buddy L ?    Write the manufacturer.   Do you know if the truck is a Chevy or a Mack truck? Write that down.  Let's say that the truck is a dump truck write it.  Do you see Hong Kong or USA on the base? If yes, then you know that it's old and vintage .    So let's make believe that this is your truck.(I actually did not look at it)

Vintage Buddy L  FORD  Dump Truck   made in USA    

vs. your title of  Toy Truck.

You can add more details too like the size or the scale.  Like someone posted, you get 80 characters. Use a much as possible to write a great title.

goodluck.  It's actually very hard to do ebay now for a living.  Years ago, I would ship up to 20 packages a day!    I also feel that today's younger people buy less stuff than past generations.

[luckythewinner]

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I have reached out to ebay about sales/views on several occasions.

eBay cannot make buyers want your items.

I was advised to get a store I did no sales increase no more views. 

Of course you were, because that means eBay gets more money from you.

I have promoted items per ebay suggestion

Of course you were, because that means eBay gets more money from you.

It is now costing me more in fees then my sales are

That was your choice to take advice from the people with a vested interest in taking your money.

[stevemartin60]

A shockingly refreshing and truthful post!

What would be an option to just rolling over and raising the white flag though...?

Hmmm....?

[stevemartin60]

The truth is you could have the best listings, with perfect descriptions, amazing photos, everything just as attractive and maketized to the nines, but if eBay turns off your views,  none of that matters.  You can jump through every hoop and every suggestion customer service or the cheerleaders suggest, and STILL, NONE OF THAT MATTERS.

Not until we come together and demand fairness....

Tick, tock...

Will eBay revert to being fair and sane, or will they go out of business first...?

[susanb1872]

@stevemartin60  True -if you have great listings but the OP's listings need a LOT of work. When the OP lists jewelry as "Jewelry" --one word --with no description of type of jewelry, type of metal or type of stones or length, then that item is going to sit around a long time.

[coolections]

Whoever told you a store will get more sales mislead you big time. A store has NOTHING to do with buyers wanting your stuff.

[kingnothing1597]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions and advice.  I appreciate all your support and wish the best for each and everyone of you.

[coolections]

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@stevemartin60 wrote:

The truth is you could have the best listings, with perfect descriptions, amazing photos, everything just as attractive and maketized to the nines, but if eBay turns off your views,  none of that matters.

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Ebay DOES NOT turn you off. OP, please ignore this conspiracy, people can see your stuff if they choose to do so. Most people pass by this poster because he is asking 50x more than people are willing to purchase his listings for.

[baantiques]

Here's what I've been doing lately.  For the last 3 weeks I've been putting up 10 new items a day.  That seems to be the magic number.  Any more than that doesn't seem to help any more than 10.  Do it every day.  I've also been going back and putting old items on closeout - 40% off, sometimes 60%.  The goal is to move it out.  Whatever doesn't sell that way gets taken down and lumped together in lots and put up for auction with a 9.99 start price and no reserve.  I used to do that for things that had been around for more than  a year unless they were regular sellers, but I'm thinking now it has to be  more like 3-4 months.  I've also been  sending offers at least once a day.  Also trying to answer every message. So far so good, my sales are up 42% over the previous 30 days and I just had my best 30 day period ever.  I'm going to see how long I can keep this going.  It's going to mean more money put back in for inventory, and more time spent culling old inventory, and more physical stuff taking up space.

[stevemartin60]

If someone is claiming your items are 50x overpriced, they better have proof.  Putting that charge on a public forum could be considered libel.

[stevemartin60]

And...I wish we could FOIA that contention that eBay does not shut off views of certain accounts they consider to be recalictrant or annoying, but, alas, it's a private extortion racket, so you can't.

Gee....I wonder if we've ever seen PUBLIC examples of how petty and vidictive they can be.

Hmmmm.....

( E Commerce bytes for sure, but they also have some very good and revealing info there...lo.)