what to look for if you think you're being "throttled"

[password9019]

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....you get the picture.

[ifyouloveit]

I believe you 100%. I am not using my freebies, total waste of time. I am pretty much dead in the water here, and everything you wrote I see everyday. I have watched a pattern of sales, no sales, I can almost predict it now. Clearly I am not the only one who sees the pattern, many are, it is so obvious.

Those who are going through this mess KNOW it is happening. Those that are unaffected think the MASS of sellers saying the same thing are all whiners and have bad prices, bad products, bad something.

The majority of the sellers this is happening to are just fine with everything they sell, their prices, their photos, everything. If it isn't happening to you be happy and stay quiet, because it is happening right now.

eBay is a giant broken mess for some sellers. Period.

eBay is fine if those affected close shop and never come back.

eBay does not care. It cares about profits and there are thousands coming on to sell here everyday to replace us.

That's our #1 problem and it isn't going to change. We are replaceable. Buyers will look on other sites to find the odd items they can no longer find here. Small sellers are already migrating in mass and going to some of these smaller sites. Like I am doing. Buyers are following as they cannot find the collectibles and items sold by small sellers. Those buyers are already following the sellers to these other sites.

Will it affect eBays bottom line. Time will tell. This last seller update combined with the non stop glitches and technical issues that are hurting a huge amount of sellers is causing a HUGE migration. Those sellers are taking their buyers. I have read on other sites boards that sellers are putting cards in their outgoing eBay orders directing them to these other selling platforms so that the buyers can buy their items CHEAPER on these sites. Without all the eBay fees, the sellers can offer their items for a good price and still make a nice profit.

Many sellers are directing their current eBay buyers to whatever platform other that eBay they are selling on. eBay WANTS to lose some sellers. It is trying HARD to lose sellers. Some sellers are getting that message loud and clear. They are angry and they are taking their buyers with them. The buyers are going too.

Question is. How many buyers will migrate with their sellers to these other sites? If they leave eBay for sites that are filling up with the original types of sellers eBay is famous for, small sellers with collectibles and one of a kind items, will there be enough buyers of the new items? Nobody knows yet.

[ifyouloveit]

Your theory would hold true if my items that do not sell here are not selling on other platforms. But some are. Items that sat and sat here. Buyers writing to ask if I have another one.

I can't KEEP a couple of items in stock on another site I am selling on, they go the second I put them up. Here-nothing.

Whatever the reason, eBay is no longer selling my items. So I have gone to other venues. So far so good. eBay is good for some sellers now and not others.

Too many sellers here and not enough buyers. Diversify everyone, it may save your skin.

[ifyouloveit]

Semantics. You know what everyone means. Who cares if they use the correct word? Throttle, hide, rolling blackouts, whatever. If eBay does ANYTHING that prevents any listing being seen 24/7, then it is manipulating what sells. Period. And eBay is, does, and admits it.

[rixstuff]

My mom makes out like a bandit scarfing up mispelled items. Raph Laren anyone?  Maybe a **bleep** purse?  Or a sterling necklice?

[ifyouloveit]

A seller I know on the opposite Coast refuses to listen to me about spelling. I think he is just lazy, thinking it doesn't matter. I told him it does. Told him how to spell porcelain. He is still spelling it porcelin. They he writes me asking to Pinterest his items as they aren't getting any views.

Sigh. Spelling does matter! Go look for his porcelin. Even though he won't make any money, he will at least get a sale! 🙂

[rixstuff]

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@ifyouloveit wrote:
A seller I know on the opposite Coast refuses to listen to me about spelling. I think he is just lazy, thinking it doesn't matter. I told him it does. Told him how to spell porcelain. He is still spelling it porcelin. They he writes me asking to Pinterest his items as they aren't getting any views.

Sigh. Spelling does matter! Go look for his porcelin. Even though he won't make any money, he will at least get a sale! 🙂

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No thanks - someone who cant be bothered to learn how to spell it may also be unable to research it and make sure IT IS porcelain.

[binderzz]

I tried to search for one of my items and this is the results ...

[binderzz]

The definition of "throttle" via merriam websters ...

[sourced_direct_sd]

I believe that eBay doesn't per say throttle you, maybe apart from any recent technical issues that they've had recently.

A few things to consider when making your listings known to others, and factors that can control it.

Seller rating plays a role on if your listing is viewed: 

If you're top rated and offer a return policy with free returns, you're going to go the top more. 

Ebay wants to show those with good seller performances, although they do give those without one a chance to come back.

Keywords are important but remember not to keyword spam. Also, if your item has a UPC, enter it, fill in as much as possible in the item specifics, to help people when they are searching.

Also, every type of item as a time at where it sells better. For example tents sell better in the summer, portable heaters in the winter. We are going through a season change, as not many people are buying stuff for summer purposes anymore in July. 

If you have any additional questions just reply and I'd be glad to help!

[zamo-zuan]

Anyone who has recently seen a decline and thinks they are being throttled, could you please answer a question for me?

Can you check your sellers hub > performance page > sales (31 days) section. Do you have any messages bout "Active Listings Decreased" that are not accurate?

The reason I ask, is when we ran in to our problems earlier this year, we received notices saying Active listings down. Now that we are returning to normal, today we have a notice "Active listings up 30%".

If we can find a correlation between this and the issues, we might have found the culprit causing the technical issues. 

Please let me know! I hope we can resolve this problem once and for all.

Thank you!

[password9019]

I also tend to think that small sellers selling in niche marketplaces will come up less, first, in search results, if their buyers don't leave feedback.

I have not had much luck with feedback so far this year. SInce January, I've been only getting feedback in 25-30% of my sales, with the most recent two month average being even less than that, like 1 out 8. That plays a role, imo. If nobody leaves you feedback, Cassini takes that to mean you did a sub-par job, as a seller.

Of course, I am certain that's not why I am hardly getting feedback, but I am of the strong opinion my sales would be double what they are the past 60 days and MORE, if I have a feedback receipt rate of 80% or better.