Should I open a store?

[firefly_landing]

I bet this question is asked a lot, but i don't know yet how to search, so i apologize in advance for repeat content. 

I have had a personal account since 2000 and have 100% rating. Mostly I have been buying on it, but I have sold a few things. Now I am looking to be a more active seller and I'm trying to decide if it's worth it. I currenly have 48 listings for sale and I wondered how I will transfer those into a store. Is it easy or is it going to be a hassle to transfer stuff over? I worry about losing that 100% rating too and starting back over from scratch.

Are the benefits of a store that great for someone just starting out, and if it's better for bigger sellers, what's a good threshold to start switching over? 

Thanks!

Beth

[mantle1951]

Are you going to list more than 250? If not don't get a store just wait until you get near the 250.

Have a great 2024!!

[kensgiftshop]

Depends on what your listing limit is and if you can sell enough to pay for a store subscription.

As long as you open the store on this account, nothing will change as far as your feedback.

Your listing will be automatically put in your store, so you don't have to do anything with them.

[wastingtime101]

Hi @firefly_landing . A Starter Store comes with the same number of "free" listings as you currently get without a store, so the only reason to get one is if you're willing to pay a monthly fee for store features, such as the ability to run sales and promotions. With only 48 listings I'd say you have a ways to go before you're ready for a store. The Basic Store is often a better option, but you need to be listing enough (and have high enough listing limits) to make it worth it. Hope that helps.

[luckythewinner]

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@firefly_landing wrote:

I currenly have 48 listings for sale and I wondered how I will transfer those into a store. Is it easy or is it going to be a hassle to transfer stuff over? I worry about losing that 100% rating too and starting back over from scratch.

Are the benefits of a store that great for someone just starting out, and if it's better for bigger sellers, what's a good threshold to start switching over? 

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Subscribing to a store adds some benefits, removes some benefits, and changes the fee structure. You do not need to "transfer" anything and you will retain your current feedback and rating.

That aside :

• Only you can decide whether the new benefits are of any value to you. 
• Only you can decide whether the lost benefits are of any value to you. 
• Only you can decide whether the fee structure benefits you.
• Different store subscription levels have different benefits and fees

I would ask these two questions:

• Why are you considering a store?
• Have you read eBay's page explaining the costs and benefits of a store?
  https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/payments-and-fees/subscriptions-and-fees

[fern*wood]

About the only reason I have one is due to the number of listings I have.  The math worked in my favor to pay for a basic store.  There are a few other benefits, but that's the main one for me.  How many listings to you plan to carry?

[ckimodog]

@firefly_landing 

Since you don't have very much listed, I wouldn't advise it right now.  It costs money for a store and to be honest unless you use promoted listings, it's probably not going to get much more visibility than what you are getting now.  You're selling a lot of things others are selling, so you have that competition as well.  Good luck what ever you decide.

Happy Selling.

[tobaccocardyahoo]

The motivation for opening a store should be one of two reasons.

1. Your listing fees are offset by paying the store fee. If you have exceeded your free listings, a store comes with more listings.

2. You will be offering enough similar or related items that a buyer will follow your store, and become a repeat buyer.

You currently seem to be selling "stuff", I see no way to categorize what you sell in any specialty or niche. There is nothing wrong with selling "stuff" but your likelihood of having repeat buyers is lower than if you were a specialist.

You would need a big jump in listings to justify the cost of a store.

Although your listings will automatically be placed in a store, you might find you would be well served by creating store categories which promote repeat buyer interest rather than displaying Ebay categories. In other words promoting a specialty or niche. This required editing your listings, as well as managing a store.