So glad you asked this, we have been watching the community for this discussion. We have thought about it, but right now are undecided.
We have, through trial and error, while taking advantage of free listing promotions, that to have steady sales, we need approximately 120 + items up.
That takes quite a bit of effort, selling small dollar items.
Ebay gets about 20% of total selling price, with the fee on shipping, often more.
We would not sign up for a year, changing policies can have too big an impact, sometimes completely unexpected. We have not yet seen how easy or difficult it might be to open & shut a store, that matters.
Summer sales last year were almost nonexisitant, so paying for that seems to make no sense.
We are no longer buying for resale.( the fun part!) I can work all week on ebay, granted, when I want, how much I want, or, I can babysit one long afternoon and make the same amount of money. Neither is an ideal choice. I don't feel lke paying more for the privilege of working on eBay.
markdown manager offers nothing, I set my prices fairly, if I want to reduce prices, I just do it. Don't know if saying an item is 15% off really increases sales.
Same with vacation mode. With the money we make on ebay, we are not exactly traveling. In an unexpected emergency, such as a hospitalization, one of us can end everything, if it's bad enough emergency, as a seller I purchased from recently, a sudden death, like everyone else, it's beyond thought, vacation mode or not.
And remember, as another posted, it's just 50 more than the free fifty now (until that changes, and it could) I believe that is 16 cents a listing vs what will be 35 cents. Since many things are listed for months before a sale, that could cut deeply into any profit.
A seller had a breakdown about Betsy recently here.. If one is selling vintage, as most of our things are, I believe their listing price is 40 cents for 3 (or4?) months. Not as many photos available, but that is cheaper (few pennies, but with margins so thin, all is a consideration) )than a starter store. And it appears they are getting better prices for vintage, although sales may be slower as well. Do not know what commitment they require.
We have not opened a micro PayPal account, hoping to get above that amount(hasn't happened ), but that might not be available with the new payment company. We also have not opened another ebay account. that could be a better option.
Anyway, we are down to pennies, and not enjoying it. Three years ago, there were 100 free every month. Half were auction, but we were still having some success with them. There was also 3times the ebay bucks as now, and that has cut our buying. There was also a Paypal credit card that gave a boost.
And shipping plus the fee has cut sales and profits drastically. Seems many if not most are scrambling for light weight items to sell. Goodbye pottery, Corning wear & much glassware.
Any other sellers help is appreciated here also. Thanks in advance.
