topic Re: Sales down in Selling

Sales down

bettyboopsadaisy — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 00:31:16 GMT

I was wondering if it just me or whether over the last few months others have experienced a general drop in interest and sales. It could be that this is just the case for my sort of merchandise (new and used designer wear for women) or maybe its true across the board.

I used to have quite a 'following' of repeat buyers and its also possible that since I had a break in selling for a month, while on a trip overseas, those 'followers' who had me as a favourite seller dropped off.

I guess there are lot of variables at work here but there is no doubt that I don't get the same number of watchers as I used to and my final selling prices are significantly lower.

Just interested to hear whether others have had any similar experience.

Re: Sales down

sonya0576 — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:13:18 GMT

I had an extremely slow start to the year but the last two months have been on the increase, especially this month where I have broken all of my own records.

Perhaps it is what you are selling I don't know. But from this end sales are picking up rather than slowing.

Re: Sales down

bettyboopsadaisy — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:22:58 GMT

Thanks. I doubt its what I'm selling since there's little difference in the actual merchandise from previously.

I guess I was relying increasingly on my return buyers who regularly checked in to have a look at my sale items. The more I think about it, the fact that I was 'absent' from ebay for over a month may well explain it.

If prospective bidders and buyers 'tune in' to look at what you've got up and there's nothing to look at for 5 or so weeks, it probably takes time for them to bother looking again.

I suppose I will slowly work up to previous levels over time.

Re: Sales down

putney32 — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 11:36:41 GMT

womens clothing is really difficult area to sell in, in the present poor economic time we live in right now in Australia.

Several clothing labels have gone bust, the latest is the [once] iconic LIsa Ho

so don't be surprised clothing sales are slowing on ebay,. it is across the board online and in shops around Aust.

Re: Sales down

retailtherapist_8 — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 12:50:20 GMT

I am finding it very up and down, I seem to have a good start to the month then its like my listings are invisible. Its a rollercoaster ride but its the same in the B&M stores as well.

My market is pretty similar to yours (designer shoes predominantly), my main focus at the moment is giving the customers I do have extra great & personalised service and hope they will tell their friends.

Good luck ......I hope things pick up for you soon

Re: Sales down

2106greencat — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 20:20:00 GMT

Same here as retailtherapist - up and down and frustratingly inconsistant.

Good Luck to us all

Re: Sales down

digital*ghost — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 03:05:39 GMT

I sold women's clothing for a few years... I still list it, but I rarely sell it nowadays, and I'm winding up that category of my store. There are a number of factors involved regarding why my clothing sales have taken a rather dramatic dip, including concentrating on my own line of products, but clothing just doesn't seem to be as popular as it once was on eBay - there is a lot of strong competition around now, and not just on eBay. For obvious reasons, I can't name other sites, but ones that advertise a lot on TV, offer free 100 day returns etc.... Have had an affect on sales here, I think.

It's not impossible to sell clothing, of course, but I'm finding it's taking a long time to shift the stock I have left, even at virtual give-away prices.

That probably doesn't help, but may provide some insight.

Re: Sales down

waca11 — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 04:46:36 GMT

I have found that sales are down for the last 6 months. Certainly since the election was announced. I find people are not spending. Maybe things will improve after the election whenever that is.

Re: Sales down

buttonxbrat — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 06:32:58 GMT

I've noticed a dramatic reduction in sales the past few months too, which left me scratching my head (after ten years of selling on eBay!). It seems that many sellers are not featuring as highly in the 'best match' search results as they used to. In response I've focused on selling elsewhere (website, other sites, etc). I've also been having more regular 10% off sales in my eBay store which has helped boost my sales back to previous levels.

Re: Sales down

davewil1964 — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 09:13:45 GMT

Mine are up, significantly, the last couple of months. In fact 2 more sales in the next five days will be a record.

However, i supposedly don't count because I am a casual seller and I sell in a category where I only have to contend with millions of listings by dropshippers selling new at less than I can post for.

Pcik 'em up, gc. I've pulled ahead and will beat you to a red star if you don't start selling things.

Re: Sales down

retailtherapist_8 — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 17:04:33 GMT

Dave of course you count! I think its awesome your business is doing so well ! Its proof postive for the thos of us on the rollercoaster ride that making good consistant sales IS possible.

I am just concentrating on my service, I refuse to cut prices to the bone anyone can GIVE somehting away there is no skill in that!

Re: Sales down

retailtherapist_8 — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 17:05:36 GMT

good grief pls excuse all the typos in my last post, brain fast, fingers slow.......

Re: Sales down

*crikey*mate* — Sat, 27 Jul 2013 01:40:19 GMT

@retailtherapist_8 wrote:
good grief pls excuse all the typos in my last post, brain fast, fingers slow.......

meh - I blame the keyboard for mine, I'm sure it is dyslexic!

Before I got the glow in the dark keyboard, I used to blame the kids and say they moved the keys around to try and trick me!

I think that sellers are seeing a lot of variations in their sales simply because of shifting consumer demands. What may have been a "must have" item a few years or even months ago, may be replaced by something new and different.

In all business, we need to keep evolving and changing our product in order to supply what the consumer demands.

For example, I can remember when lamb shanks and other offal were virtually given away as pet food, however lately these products have emerged as high demand products, so retailers adjust to meet those demands and not only sell them at hugely increased prices but in larger quantities.

The same for collard greens and so many other things.

When something is popular and in high demand, it will sell, when the trends change, so will the speed at which it sells.

Re: Sales down

misterforgetfulsbooks — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 03:28:45 GMT

I'm blaming the election, the quicker it's resolved, the better for business

Re: Sales down

baratta9201 — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 04:05:38 GMT

@davewil1964 wrote:
Mine are up, significantly, the last couple of months. In fact 2 more sales in the next five days will be a record.

Am i miss-reading something here? You only seem to have 23 feedbacks.

Things are a little slow at the moment -

Re: Sales down

extra-keen — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 04:34:13 GMT

I'm experienceing huge fluctuations in sales, one day 10, the next day none, however if I look at the overall picture by the month, sales are up slightly on this time last year with approximately the same number of listings.

As ebay changes, I've tried to change or evolve too and it works, time consuming but worth it. If I'm doing well here on ebay I also seem to be doing well on my website - I don't know why, but there it is for what its worth.

Re: Sales down

davewil1964 — Sun, 28 Jul 2013 13:42:44 GMT

I don't post on the boards with my main selling ID.

Re: Sales down

toasty_toes — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 11:21:38 GMT

My sales are down as well. I don't understand it as we sell childrens winter tights and no one else on Ebay sells comparable product as cheap as us and we rank highly on Ebay.

6 weeks ago we couldn't get stock quick enough and were selling loads every day. The school holidays are over now, so we expected sales to pick up again but they haven't.

Just don't understand why sales have not picked up.

Re: Sales down

*crikey*mate* — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 12:04:28 GMT

Toasty Toes, I'm not sure about other states, but the stores here have already started stocking clothes for the warmer weather. Maybe everyone has all the winter clothes they are after for this year? especially for kids, as it is very tricky to buy in advance. Maybe all thoise people have got their little ones toes nice and toasty foir this year and are moving oin to purchase things for the warmer weather?

6 weeks ago, people would have been getting prepared for winter, so in need of the winter tights.

Re: Sales down

aj111003 — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 04:18:17 GMT

I've also noticed sales are slow on Ebay these days. But have noticed an increase in sellers/businesses turning to facebook to promote & sell their products. There are lot of stay at home mums out there selling kids clothing etc on facebook and can do so safely by offering their customers the option to pay via paypal. Maybe something you could try in addition to ebay.