Seller Diversity and Massive Loss of Sales

[namtrag1]

I'm just wondering if my Diversity Profile (or lack of) does not meet eBays expectatons thus making all of my sales disappear

Allow me to quote eBay ....By measuring the diversity of our seller community and your inventory, we can better meet the diversity of our buyer needs.

Anyone  anyone

[rolenboy01]

Honestly OP where are you coming up with these prices? all jokes aside there is something seriously wrong there we are genuinely trying to help you.

[namtrag1]

I understand.

May I ask a question?

How can an item sell for lets say $125 at a local boutique and the customer is happy....then if that same person goes to a discount retailer and pays $65?  In each senerio the customer and the seller are happy.

As a certain ex-candidate says ...What does it matter?

[orangehound]

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@rolenboy01 wrote:

Honestly OP where are you coming up with these prices? all jokes aside there is something seriously wrong there we are genuinely trying to help you.

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It is called dropshipping or "online retail arbitrage", which is a business model that relys on customers who might only shop on one site (eBay) rather than across multiple sites on the internet.  When a pair of shoes sells, the seller simply buys the product much more cheaply from another internet site, has it shipped to his customer, and pockets the difference ... probably something like $30 to $50 profit on every pair of shoes sold.  If the buyer wants to return, then no problem ... the shoes go right back to the original source which has free returns.

When the customer gets the product, they think "Wow, this came in a DSW box?  You mean, I could have saved $40 on these shoes if I would have just purchased them directly from DSW?  What a rip-off."    The customer is upset, and eBay just lost another buyer who now knows about DSW and their prices.

This is why eBay has recently begun obscuring the listings of dropshippers, assuming that they can identify them.   Places like Amazon and DSW are competitors of eBay ... eBay doesn't want its customers to be duped on eBay and then abandon eBay to go to Amazon, DSW, Walmart, Home Depot, etc. for their future purchases.

[rolenboy01]

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@orangehound wrote:

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@rolenboy01 wrote:

Honestly OP where are you coming up with these prices? all jokes aside there is something seriously wrong there we are genuinely trying to help you.

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It is called dropshipping or "online retail arbitrage", which is a business model that relys on customers who might only shop on one site (eBay) rather than across multiple sites on the internet.  When a pair of shoes sells, the seller simply buys the product much more cheaply from another internet site, has it shipped to his customer, and pockets the difference ... probably something like $30 to $50 profit on every pair of shoes sold.  If the buyer wants to return, then no problem ... the shoes go right back to the original source which has free returns.

When the customer gets the product, they think "Wow, this came in a DSW box?  You mean, I could have saved $40 on these shoes if I would have just purchased them directly from DSW?  What a rip-off."    The customer is upset, and eBay just lost another buyer who now knows about DSW and their prices.

This is why eBay has recently begun obscuring the listings of dropshippers, assuming that they can identify them.   Places like Amazon and DSW are competitors of eBay ... eBay doesn't want its customers to be duped on eBay and then abandon eBay to go to Amazon, DSW, Walmart, Home Depot, etc. for their future purchases.

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I know what drop shipping is I just didn't know that was what the OP is attempting, they obviously aren't suceeding at it very well thus the complaints, even a drop shipper has to know their limits haha.

[namtrag1]

How do you explain 100 percent feedback then?

[imakesugar]

I looked at Your items and IMHO most things look good. 

• Listing is simple good for mobile
• Great Feedback
• Nice product lines
• free shipping
• 60 day returns
• comes with shoe box
• experienced seller 

I also see things that could be inproved...

Listing title IS too short. I was looking at Vans Lo sneakers...it only says Van Lo Sneaker Mens. You should check out listing titles for other sneakers within this same Brand. for example Camo, skaters sneakers, sizes listed in title or something like all sizes available, suede/canvas, etc. titles seem to be the main thing eBay uses to PUSH Buyers to Your listings. 

item specifics why don't you have the manufacturing numbers on the item specifics? That is what eBay is using to send Buyers to YOUR listings. Leaving them out only hurts You. Why haven't You added other item specifications to Your listing? Do You know how many times I look for something I buy on eBay after seeing them in stores in My area? Without the numbers associated with this shoe how can I find it? 

Descriptions? If I am just looking for a good pair of sneakers why would I want Vans sneakers? Are they comfortable? do sizes run true? What is the advantage of buying Vans sneakers over any other skater sneaker? They just look like Deck sneakers to me, that might be what I would put in a description search box as I am not a skater.  good grip? I like shoes with a good grip they keep me from falling. I know We are limited to first 800 spaces but SELL ME ON YOUR shoes.

Price point. I think as others have said Your price point seems high to me also. When those sneakers get into a buy box then people who don't really care about this Seller they buy from then They buy from the cheapest Seller. That is going to cause you problems...

Pictures chances are You are Drop shipping. why don't You purchase at least one pair of every shoe You sell and take good pictures of the item? As a buyer I don't mind dropshippers If I can get the items in a timely manner. Your handling and shipping times are OK. I do however like seeing more than the Bland generic photos. All things considered, I would be more inclined to pick a Seller that has More Non-generic pictures than one with generic pictures. Be sure and add a picture of the shoe box so I see I get that also some tennis shoe buyers collect the boxes or like to store their shoes in boxes. 

I guess IF I was to Diversify listings to Your store things I would add would be shoe laces, socks, shoe polish, sneaker wash product, anything that is worn on the feet OR goes with shoes. Many times I am looking for something and I will add to the order. If I am looking for socks then I might find a pair of shoes that I like or visa versa...

If You need to keep Your prices high offer a free pair of socks that are HIGH quality for FREE. I only buy a few pair of shoes per year...but IF I find a quality pair of socks I like then I purchase them Over and over. In fact I'd probably order them real soon IF I liked the socks. I know that You probably couldn't add it to the sale because of dropshipping...But You could send it first class with a postage stamp IF they were the right size... Sugar

[tweetystwades]

I sympathize with you, my sales are way down too. Especially in the last 3 months. I do agree with the other posters, YOU HAVE TO ADD SIZES TO YOUR TITLE.   

[sockmonkeydave]

@namtrag1

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@namtrag1 wrote:

I understand.

May I ask a question?

How can an item sell for lets say $125 at a local boutique and the customer is happy....then if that same person goes to a discount retailer and pays $65?  In each senerio the customer and the seller are happy.

As a certain ex-candidate says ...What does it matter?

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At the end of the week boutique and discount are having a cold brew, and talking shop.

Boutique is happy with a sale for 125.00

Discount is happy with 2 sales of 65.00

Discount has 5 more happy bucks from his sales.

All joking aside, if buyers are searching by lowest price, chances are good they will not see you.  

[gracieallen01]

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@cs43ls wrote:

Thanks for the info. I had no idea Ebay is collecting this kind of data. I wish they would concentrade on how to run their business which is sorely lacking. 

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Collecting data has become their business.

[percgrabbe-0]

His point is ebay may one day start ranking your listings based on how diverse (skin color or belong to certain groups like LGBT) you are. 

How do you feel about that? They may be doing it already for all we know.

Dont think they can buy that information from someone like social media sites or your local government?

Think again. 

[whatmorefabric]

Ebay has a demographic problem in that the buying base is skewed to older white people.

No one made anyone fill that form out.     Nascar,   has the same problem.    They also have an outreach program to get a larger demographic.     Most large companies have a diversity outreach programs.   

They are trying to drive a drive a larger demographic  to the site.  This is just one way.

Your problem has NOTHING to do with diversity. 

[namtrag1]

Thank You for your input.

Much appreciated.

Peace

[d-k_treasures]

If the buyer wants to return, then no problem ... the shoes go right back to the original source which has free returns.

If the buyer wants to return, it should be going back to the address that the seller has their returns set up to go to in ebay.

[emerald40]

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@namtrag1 wrote:

How do you explain 100 percent feedback then?

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Yes, but why are your customers not coming back?  Why aren't you attracting new buyers?

When I first started here, I probably overpaid in the beginning.  But as I became more acquainted with ebay and more sellers came on as competition for the items I wanted, I then left those overpriced sellers.  When I search, years later I still see their items sitting here untouched

Obviously what worked for you in the beginning is no longer.

[emerald40]

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@percgrabbe-0 wrote:

His point is ebay may one day start ranking your listings based on how diverse (skin color or belong to certain groups like LGBT) you are. 

How do you feel about that? They may be doing it already for all we know.

Dont think they can buy that information from someone like social media sites or your local government?

Think again. 

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Again, why oh why would sellers even divulge that info unless they think it is going to push them up in listings and help with sales.

I immediately deleted mine.  If I could I would have returned it with "none of your business."