topic Re: Sales down dramatically in Selling

Sales down dramatically

roseblack — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 09:52:15 GMT

Hi is anyone else experienceing a dramatic decrease in sales? I changed my listing to "free postage" by incorporating the shipping into the price and that is the only thing I have done differently.

Re: Sales down dramatically

chameleon54 — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:04:26 GMT

My sales have been declining as the week has progressed. Only three sales yesterday and one today. I,m down 40% on my long term average this week and it seems to be getting worse. Hope its just another one of the usual ups and downs we seem to get on ebay. The auction listings I have put up with the freebies are attracting some interest and bids so hoping to pick up some usefull sales there.

Re: Sales down dramatically

subcultureclothingstore — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:38:50 GMT

My sales are really low. It's very worrying to me. I don't know what to do to increase them again. Not enjoying selling on ebay as much as I used to 😞

Re: Sales down dramatically

putney32 — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:40:33 GMT

one of the financial gurus on the tv was saying that since the Abbott Budget was announced, retail sales have slumped and following on from that many of the major retailers Share Prices have dropped.

so its not just ebay, its an aussie wide financial slump in consumer confidence

Re: Sales down dramatically

horizon1907 — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:48:44 GMT

I think it's across the whole retail spectrum also. Folks are worried about EOFY, taxes, budget cuts etc. I certainly hope it picks up ?

Re: Sales down dramatically

outback_blends — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 11:25:19 GMT

Yup. I was selling heaps ...then Ebay put thier prices up and Australia post put thier price up and its like someone has turned off a switch.

I think that ebay has priced itself out of business. It was hard enough to make a dollar before but now ...its just not possible. I have already closed my store. Such a shame because I really like selling here.

Re: Sales down dramatically

chameleon54 — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 11:45:02 GMT

Yippee I can give up ebay and retire now. Just sold my second item for the day !!!!!. I took the missus out to our local for schnitzel night last night. Usually the place is packed but it was deserted last night. Not sure if that answers all of our questions but it was noticable.

Re: Sales down dramatically

king9017 — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 21:17:00 GMT

Maybe it's because all the physical retailers (and also online stores) are having End Of Financial Year / mid-year sales and this is competing with eBay?

Re: Sales down dramatically

clarry100 — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 21:32:52 GMT

We have been down badly for the past 6-months. Up to 90% down!

Just earlier this week it looked like picking back up again with some good increases in sales.

But towards the end of the week has gone back down again.

We are trying some EOFY sales too but that does not seem to be making any difference.

But I agree it looks like its across the board, not just on ebay.

Our Chinese suppliers in our particular category are telling us that their sales across the globe are well down.

Re: Sales down dramatically

2106greencat — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 00:54:28 GMT

In addition, the bargains are hard to find on eBay now.

With all the extra costs involved for sellers, most prices have risen (as is to be expected and understood) - a seller has to make some money despite what eBay and Aus Post seem to think.

Retail is defnitely in a bad way, but many of the larger retailers are importing their own stock now, cutting out the middle man (the importer/destributor) and enabling them to offer very competitive pricing.

On top of that 90% of large retailers also have websites to their own on line stores and as such have access to the bulk posting rates that are offered by AP.

The day of the individual on line seller is sadly coming to an end I think.

Re: Sales down dramatically

roseblack — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 02:40:33 GMT

I agree that eBay is not the place to go for bargains any longer. eBay's price increases have put an end to that and I wonder if it is by design, wanting to shift the used goods and cheaper items sellers to Gumtree? I don't know just speculating. One of the few saving graces for shopping on eBay is that you can buy just about anything on eBay and most people know that, although I know quite a few people that find the whole eBay experience too complicated and will not even consider trying to do it.

I had a phone call from eBay 2 weeks ago informing me of the cheaper postage costs on eBay at the moment and suggesting I take advantage of the savings. I took the opportunity to voice my concerns about the drop off in sales since the last price increase and she said that was why they were ringing sellers to show them how to save money on postage. I explained that was a great incentive IF I could sell my products - no sales - no postage. She didn't know how to reply to that.

I have been considering closing my eBay store for a while as the whole thing has become a giant stress and I think I will soon but I use eBay for a reason one of which is to promote my other website and like many sellers I use eBay to promote my other website by including promotional material with my orders. I feel that eBay has too much of a say in the running of my eBay business and it doesn't feel like my own business as I am at the mercy of eBay decisions that effect my bottom line negatively. One can only be kicked down so many times before it finally dawns on you that it is never going to get any better - I am there now.

Re: Sales down dramatically

bettyboopsadaisy — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 14:36:58 GMT

My sales have been down for months now and not only the sales but also there's been a dramatic drop in the number of watchers on my items.

It feels like everything has just gone to sleep. I've lost interest in even checking my sales page as regularly as I used to because so little changes on it from one day to the next. My enthusiasm for selling has really waned and certainly its harder to find the considerable motivation or energy it takes to actually prepare listings.

Its hardly worth it any more !!

Its a relief to know its not just me although obviously I have sympathy for any other sellers in the same situation.

I don't know how much this is due to ebay's anti-seller policies and how much it can be blamed on a general decline in consumer confidence.

I am sure Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey and their cronies have something to do with it !!!!!

Re: Sales down dramatically

amber-eyed-girl — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 15:19:25 GMT

I bought something on my watch list during the eBay Big Sunday promotion. The 15% discount was an incentive, as it brought the price down to a reasonable cost.

I just bought four items from a different seller, who had a whole 5% discount going on those items (again, on my watch list). Across multiple items the savings were enough to offset shipping...so it was incentive enough.

so, hopefully, eBay promotions and sellers thinking about little discounts could have a positive influence on sales beyond just me as a buyer.

the current government has not slowed my purchases. I was already buying less with the introduction of the carbon tax, as I saw an increase across my everyday expenses beyond ten percent.

Re: Sales down dramatically

j*oono — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 15:54:43 GMT

I have heard that the online buying thing is over and the bubble is about to pop. It is for me anyway, especially after reading the sellers here that complain all the time about their buyers.

I prefer to look and touch and see the quality of things that I buy.

Re: Sales down dramatically

amber-eyed-girl — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 15:58:48 GMT

True, I only buy things online I cannot easily obtain elsewhere. If a test buy works well, with the seller providing what I have paid for, with courtesy, then I am a long term repeat customer.

Re: Sales down dramatically

j*oono — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 16:23:01 GMT

I pretty much only buy from artisans on ebay now. Otherwise, why would you bother? In a millon years I would never buy from a Hong Kong seller flogging usb chargers after the Adelaide woman was electrocuted.

All of the cheap kitchen ware items can be bought from $2 shops without postage. Advertising is everything and some people use it really well.

Re: Sales down dramatically

j*oono — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 16:26:55 GMT

Can you imagine ordering a whole supply of fake Pandora from a Chinese wholesaler? LOL what a laugh!

Some sellers here are a joy to behold. If only all buyers could be told.

Re: Sales down dramatically

amber-eyed-girl — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 17:02:32 GMT

One does have to be careful, and do some research, before buying online. Particularly as you say, one cannot see the goods in person. I have not been tempted to buy electrical goods here, except from an official supplier with impeccable feedback (a Mouse, genuine, with full warranty).

I have had a few little issues along the way...but overall, I have found that there are some very nice people selling special items here...the artisans as it were 🙂

Re: Sales down dramatically

chezzy — Sat, 28 Jun 2014 21:57:47 GMT

@roseblack wrote:
Hi is anyone else experienceing a dramatic decrease in sales? I changed my listing to "free postage" by incorporating the shipping into the price and that is the only thing I have done differently.

Hi roseblack. A little off topic but you could perhaps consider using the 'lull' to check over and fix any listings that need it? I noticed you have a quilling tool listed but it has no description (I had to go search what it was used for). Having more/appropriate words in the description (and title!) could really benefit and get your listings "seen" by more potential buyers. Even adding words like art, craft, scrapbooking might help!

Re: Sales down dramatically

i-love-my-sheep — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 00:17:07 GMT

@bettyboopsadaisy wrote:

I am sure Tony Abbott, Joe Hockey and their cronies have something to do with it !!!!!

I wonder if it's Abbotts fault that my yard has snow on it this morning? I wonder if it's Abbotts fault that the sun sets in the west? I wonder if it's Abbotts fault that my street is busier than normal with traffic this morning? I wonder if it's Abbotts fault my fruit trees had their best crop this year? Sorry, but I am absolutely sick to death of people blaming every little thing on the government. When Rudd was in, everything was his fault. Now Abbott is in, everything is his fault. Maybe, just maybe, people aren't buying because it's the end of the financial year. Maybe, just maybe, people are waiting to get their tax cheques back. Maybe, just maybe, no-one is interested in what you're selling at the moment. Not everything can be blamed on the government. Sheesh.