Sudden sales dropoff

[gratescape]

It has been five days since I have had a sale. This never happens.  Is anyone else experiencing this who is a longtime seller?

[biblioboy]

17 years a seller on e-bay 9 days one sale ,someone stick a fork in e-bay I think they are done. Spending alot less time here and more on other sites, cheaper and more sales win win for me anyway.
Peace,

[luxgoods]

I think we are all in the same sinking Ebay boat.  It really does not matter how much you list or how great pictures you take, you are not alone. 

[jklfindings]

I can only speak for myself, but we always have a dip in sales right after Valentine's day.  It's the end of the month too, so people are focused on paying bills.  I expect once people get paid today to see a little spike in sales.  No matter if you have an ebay store, a B&M, or any other online store, there are always weird periods of nothing, and weird periods of sales explosions.  No one gets on the forums to complain about odd spikes in sales though lol.  Don't worry, if you have a good product and price, it always normalizes.

[orangehound]

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@gratescapewrote:

It has been five days since I have had a sale. This never happens.  Is anyone else experiencing this who is a longtime seller?

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It depends on what you are selling, and whether or not a seller is adjusting to the market.

Though I realize you are talking about a sudden drop-off (and others are writing about long-term drop-offs), I think both may be due to a larger condition that is happening in the marketplace.  About once a week, I see a similar thread to this one that you started, and they are most always started by one of two types of sellers: 

1. Those selling vintage items.  It is well known that the sales for vintage items have taken a nose dive because (a) TV shows like Storage Wars have attracted a lot of new resellers looking to join some imaginary gold rush and (b) the market overall is in decline as Baby Boomers downsize/retire and die off, and their replacement generation (the Millinnials) is just not interested in old stuff.
2. Those selling used clothing.   You can probably blame the TV shows and YouTube reseller celebrities ...  also China sellers.  Why?  Because the listings for clothing on eBay have increased by 3X or 4X over the last couple of years in just about every category, and eBay's overall sales are flat.  This means that a used clothing seller listing like they did 2 years ago, and not adjusting pricing/strategy, may be seeing only a 1/3 or 1/4 of their sales due to this heavy competition.

[familyclothingforless]

It has been days since I had a sale. I sell a little of everything but especially clothing and shoes. Seems like ebay makes sure you sell enought to pay them, not nothing for yourself. I'v thought about trying to sell shoes only. Does anyone think that's a good idea? I need all the advice I can get. OR can you tell me some other selling sites. Maybe I'll switch Or maybe I'm just not a good seller. Thanks for any help, Betty

[laurabeardsley]

I do believe part of the problem is that Ebay no longer specializes in used item and antiques. So much new stuff it is not known for what it started as anymore.If they do go the way of mostly new things as they have stated they will, I just hope someone can start a similar site in its place. I still think there is a market for these items but they are not being seen as much because of all the new stuff taking priority.Ebay would do well to create an ebay for used items and an ebay for new items. This would give the sellers of used items a much better chance of being seen.

[rdj831]

I sell on eBay and another platform. They seem to trade off for sales.

When one is busy the other lags. Only Mothers Day and Christmas do they both sell neck and neck.

It is very hard to predict any regularity to sales on either.

[lucy5]

This is now the norm with Ebay, that is why you have to have another out let for your things!!!!

[debbie3369]

I like this reply and I thinks its a great idea!

[richards*collection]

they do sell enough of your things to pay themselves, and I have a store, and they sell enough so I can pay my fees and pay my pp credit payments, but are they stealing my things? kinda of, but not really, it feels like they are, but look at the entertainment I receive. I suppose if I upgraded to the top tier store, exactly enough of my things would sell to make fees. Also, its a capital gains tax thing, If I get into tax trouble, they kind of are in hot water to, but not so much, confused? I am. But its fun, sorta.

[Anonymous]

Well I was doing ok Then my bill came for this month..Got about anough sales to pay, So I paid... Now just dead for 4 days, Just like last month. Right on time!

[Anonymous]

Well alot of the Buyers of Used Items and Sellers, They keep running them off so less and less to sell too.. I  Buy way more then I sell, Never buy New either....

[kensgiftshop]

It all depends on what you are selling and what buyers are looking for.

[Anonymous]

I totally agree!  I sell new sometimes, but mostly vintage.  Trying to figure out how to correctly word titles, what times and days are best to end listings, free shipping??  Help!😌