I Know Everyone Is Sick Of This Question

[arlottstreetstation]

Is it just me or is anyone else experiencing a massive drop in sales?

Things died for a while after the increase in FVFs but picked up - But, ever since the lastest "Disaster Release" I've noticed a steady decine to the point where I'm now going days without a Sale. This time of year is normally the other wayaround for me with the lead up to Xmas.

Granted, a lot of my normal return Customers are now contacting me direct because they're sick of paying the high prices I'm forced to charge on Ebay to cover Fees, but there are VERY FEW new Customers coming along.

When they do, I am constantly surprised (and amused) to hear cmments like "I don't trust Ebay anymore", "Ebay is too User Unfriendly" etc. .....

THE BUYERS are telling me that they don't believe in Free Post & in fact even become suspicious when they see something that seems too cheap with Free Post as it usually signals JUNK!!!! They're sick of being ripped off by the Chinese Junk Peddlers & their misleading Listings saying the item is in Australia, only to find it's coming from O/S & will take weeks to get here.

I've taken a wait & see attitude up until now, but alas I'm beginning to wonder if it's all worth it. Some boffin who wouldn't have a clue about my Business constantly telling me what's best for it - what Buyers want when clearly it is not - creating a poisonous atmosphere of distrust by BOTH Buyers & Sellers & so on & so on....

So in the immortal words of "Big Brother" - It's time to go....EBAY!!!!

Sales might be slower on other Sites, or even my own Website, but then, nothing is happening here anymore....

[horizon1907]

Hams, I think many, many folk will wholeheartedly agree with you 100% .

[i-love-my-sheep]

Things are about normal for me.......but I'm far from being a long term seller.

As for people getting sick of being ripped off with Chinese junk, no-one is forcing them to buy it!

[found-in-australia]

I sell collectables, which are not generally suitable as Christmas presents, so I generally experience a decline in Australian sales from about early December (and targeted American sales usually pick up about the second week of December).

The last two weeks has felt like Christmas has come early this year - not in a good way, but a lack of competitive bidding (other than last night) even with decent numbers of watchers on items, and items not selling that usually would, both in a way that the market usually falls for me in early to mid December.

Not sure if it is an economy thing, or an Ebay thing, but I am losing cash flow earlier than I usually do this year.

Kind Regards, Kevin

[character_parties_aus]

Sales are down 50 percent on ebay but my website and shop sales are fantastic, so basically it's the big finger to ebay .:) the sales slump on ebay for us is largely caused by issues with combine post and the free shipping lie. Much easier and better deals if you buy direct,with us so people do. Ebay is becoming a rip,off.

[digital*ghost]

I dunno how much anyone wants to hear the flip side, but I've kinda been swamped lately. 

Once upon a time, all I wanted was to hit 100 sales in a month (took me two years to actually acheive that), but this past month I've exceeded 500 with no sign of slowing down - I know compared to some that's not huge, but for me it is.

I just told someone how much my eBay fees are for this month, and they're still recovering from the choking and spluttering, though (they did manage to gasp out a "that's obscene" at one point). 

It's interesting to hear that people have said they don't trust eBay (as a buyer) - I'm guessing part of that (at least) stems from poor experiences with select sellers, but I wouldn't be surprised if eBay's own actions have contributed. 

[van_werkhoven]

I'm also on the flipside. After three pretty rotten and disheartening weeks, I have $150 in stock to package up tomorow morning (not bad for tues/wed/thur sales, for a mum working maybe 10-15 hours a week on this) and Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon are usually my best days, so here's hoping the weekend goes well for me! I sure need the boost after receiving two defects in one week.

I'm not sure what clothing sales will be like leading up to christmas. I have sold before, but not consistently, so this will be my first christmas in full swing. I know season changes bring on sales, all my kids swimsuits sold within like a week of each other when summer hit!

[kane1417]

Hi Hamsy3, You have hit the nail right on the head ! My sales started nose diving 9 months ago, with a 500 % increase in time wasting non payers, and just lately from 1st November, sale cancellations and refunds to boot.Too many ever changing  rules and regulations and fee structures  have seen  a once enjoyable and profitable  selling platform turn into a long winter of discontent, every day I wonder when the last sale will go belly up for some trivial excuse ! Running a ebay online store today is like trying to sleep with one eye open.I truly believe the lunatics have taken over the asylum and its just a matter of time before someone locks the doors and throws away the key ! and ebay will be a thing of the past for small business sellers.All the best for your future endeavours ! Kane1417

[chameleon54]

I Agree with a lot of what you say. I know I am buying very little off of ebay these days. ( probably 10% of what I purchased 12 months ago ), but I,m in the other camp for sales. I am not spending much time on listing or managing my store, ( working on exit strategy ) but are achieving average long term sales figures at the moment which is pretty amazing with the low listing levels. Many of my sales are coming from existing listings that have sat there for months unsold.

[phorum_junkie*]

I have just reopened my store after a six month break and although I haven't sold a great deal yet I have sold some items that have been listed for a very long time. I have been busy creating listings for my auction id so haven't added any new store items yet but expect things will ramp up a bit when I do. I have only had a few auction items finish so far but only one of them was unsold and a few have multiple bids so I am not complaining.............yet