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Geeezzz, it has only just occurred to me that with a Basic Store and even allowing for the fact I'm unable to get the 3 Free Auto Re-lists, I would be better off without a store at all given the number of Free Listings non-stores are being given.
Basic Store 200 Free Listings per month - nothing more.
Non-Store by my recollection this month have had initial 40 PLUS promotions for 100 & 150 = Total 290, no Store Fees and what 1% ?higher FVFees.
Time to shut the store me thinks . . . . . . . . .
@imastawka wrote:
Have you actually done the math?
Might be cheaper, (with the fvf) to open another basic store - just sayin'
You just know as soon as you fold up your tent, that the free listings
for non-stores will dry up
Edit: Ermagerd!! You're paying the same fvf''s as a non-store?
Aaaah - maths ain't my strong point, but did do some basic calculations !
Aha stawks, have actually already started a new ID and of course have all these new blurdy restrictions, so figure it's not worth up-grading that to a store yet as they won't let me list more than 100 items - not 100 listings, just 100 items. So basically 33 different items - 3 of each = 99 +1 single item !! Got past the 21 day hold with paypal but had to go to FOS to have that lifted (that was more about the principal - made me see red, lol.) Have had number of items permitted to list lifted once, but they are so far refusing to raise any further. Have tried to politely encourage Feedback, but these days a lot of buyers seem less inclined to leave F/B, so looks like it will be a long haul to get that ID to basic store level.
And yep, in the main category I sell in fvf's are the highest I believe & there's little saving with a store - I could stand to be corrected on that.
You just know as soon as you fold up your tent, that the free listings
for non-stores will dry up
So true & a great way of putting it, that's partly why I started the new ID & wanted to get that up and running before I take a backward step with this one 
Have had number of items permitted to list lifted once, but they are so far refusing to raise any further.
They're a killer aint they?
Told it was 50 fb or 45 days before you got the full listings
But they're still resisting. No matter how much you argue. 
@digital*ghost wrote:Basic expenses wise, it can definitely be cheaper without a store, but I just thought it might be worth mentioning the $19.95 subscription fee can be worth it for the additional (non-monetary) benefits you gain by having a store - namely, store design and organised store categories (sometimes just spotting the name of a category in the store menu will draw someone to explore a store further), GTC listings, which I know can both help and hurt rankings but - despite everything - can potentially inspire buyer confidence through established sales history, and the new promotional tools, which can encourage people to browse / spend more on other items.
Thank you digi, I'm sure you are correct about the store categories, never thought about that aspect & given I introduced products other than basic charms & bracelets for that very reason, I should have !! 
Funny you mention GTC listings, I only had one & just a couple of weeks ago ended it because sales from it had come to a grinding halt - but if I think about it - lol, most sales had come to a grinding halt !! Have always used variation listings in an attempt to list more, but likewise, sales from them have died also, so have tried a couple with new photos & different layout and hopefully that improves sales, and I will gradually update them all, although I do honestly believe listings for individual items seem to sell better.
I haven't had a thorough look at the new promotional tools, so that is definitely something I should do.
@englishrosegardens wrote:You've forgotten that non-store listings only run for a maximum of 10 days, whereas store listings run for 30 days.
Thank you englishrose. Oh, yes, I certainly had forgotten !!! Hahaha, I did say I was dumb
To do the maths, even IF you got 290 freebies in a month (which is definitely not the norm), that equates to 2,900 "listing days" if you can't get AR. A store gets 200 x 30 = 6,000 listing days, which is more than double the exposure.
Yes again englishrose !! I never even considered calculating it that way. Seems obvious now you've pointed it out
If you don't feel you're getting enough sales to justify paying $19.95 every month, only you can decide whether to keep the store or to reduce your number of listings and their exposure and perhaps get even less sales. It all comes down to what you're selling and how much you need to get rid of it, and how much you rely on the money from it.
And that's the hard part. Earlier this year I was even considering going to the next store level as sales had been really good consistently for about 6 months and I have the stock to list heaps more - but all of a sudden sales just dropped away. I come to the boards to hear what others are experiencing and to look for explanations, but honestly I think there are many contributing factors & we will never know many of them
Let's say, I have quite a bit of stock, so one way or another I want to sell it - I don't rely totally on the money from sales here, but I did start selling to create a supplementary income & one that I was hoping would be established & that I could continue with when (if ever) I get to retire
@beautbots01 wrote:why not go with another id and see how you go. You might have the angst of PP holding your dough if you in fact do get any sales. And buyers treating you like you NO NUTTIN. But it could be a good exercise.
Thank you beautbots, started a new one about 8 weeks ago, selling mainly the same items in a different way and to a slightly different market - got over the paypal angst very quickly - they didn't want to consider I have had an account for 5 years without a single blemish, so the FOS fixed that quick smart 
It is so funny getting messages from buyers who clearly think, as you said you NO NUTTIN - have picked a couple who sound like scammers a mile off - one reply indicating you actually know what you're talking about & they're gone, hahaha. It has been good in some ways going back to basics, but now have to break through the selling restrictions barrier - slow and tedious
