Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

namnie
Community Member

Over the past couple of years my eBay selling success has dwindled to nothing.  From sending 8 parcels a week now down to nothing I am wondering what the problem is.  Earlier this year I stopped selling on eBay, now 6 months later I decided to give it another whirl.  I have started with three listings and 4 days later not one person has looked at my listings.  I have even used AI to write my descriptions - quite disappointing.   Has eBay gone off the boil for anyone else?  Is there another platform that produces some result?   Frustrated seller, Hobart.

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

If I went to look t something and saw the description was done by a bot, I would hit the back button quick smart

 

Why not do it yourself, so you know they are correct?

 

AI is NOT I at all when it comes to eBay descriptions 

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

How do you intend to send a pair of shoes for $8.90 postage. ??

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

Over priced, why would i look at them,

 

AI,  really so many people complain about AI telling lies and end up false advertising.

 

 

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

I’m able to spot AI-generated descriptions and articles in most cases. It puts me off immediately, and unless the item being thus advertised were something I wanted desperately, and its availability were rare beyond belief, I would be departing from the listing in question without a backward glance.

 

Secondly, these are difficult times. People are facing a genuine cost of living crisis. Inevitably this will affect sales.

 

Thirdly, with an inventory of three items, you won’t be reaching the majority of eBayers and your listings are probably going to come down the list for those who might be potential buyers.

 

As you say you have taken a break from selling, be prepared for any funds to be on the “new seller” hold when you do sell.

 

 

 

Take things slowly and don’t watch the kettle, so to speak…

 

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

I would suggest that you make better use of your 'titles'. Fill the entire line....

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

I no longer sell on ebay but I have heard from a couple of sellers that sales aren't what they used to be.

 

I think some of it comes down to what a person is selling-how much in demand it is and what other places it can be bought from.

 

Some of your items have had quite a few views.

 

Looking at your items for sale, I would say they are good brands that someone may well type into an ebay search. 

 

You seem to be selling in a narrow category-shoes.

Plus from the ads I saw, they seem to be auction format.

 

My guess is a lot of people, if they are going to buy shoes online at those price points, would be more interested in a buy it now price and a certain purchase.

 

There is also the problem that shoes can be a bit hit or miss, size wise, unless you are very familiar with a brand. So that may put some customers off because no returns are accepted. I know a lot of people buy shoes online from different companies but usually there is exchange available if they get the sizing wrong.

 

Most brands now also sell online direct to the public. Their goods are brand new AND they have sales.

 

But I think one other thing hampering sales could be that there are a ton of second hand (and some new) shoes for sale on facebook marketplace. Any buyer living in a metro area is going to have a good choice, plus they don't have to commit to buy or pay postage, most of the time. A lot of pre owned goods have moved off ebay and on to marketplace, so maybe there aren't as many buyers looking at ebay as there used to be years ago. No idea about that, just guessing, but all I am saying is customers have other venues these days.

 

It may be worth your while looking at specific facebook groups. You'd have to have a set price but you'd be advertising to the converted. I have seen a buy/sell group on FB for a brand of clothing that is not that well known, but people pay into the hundreds for, but which I suspect would not get a look in at half the price on general marketplace.
Maybe try a few different advertising places, see how you go. You probably will make ebay sales but maybe not as many as previously as times are a bit tougher.

nine west.png

 

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

Be careful with springys suggestion of facebook market place,  it is like the wild west out there, every second person seems to be scammed,  they normally say buyer beware, but with market place it should be buyer and seller beware.

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?

Maybe with high priced items like phones, electronics etc.

 

Not impossible, but highly unlikely to be scammed  buying  / selling  shoes, clothing , kid's toys etc

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Is EBay selling platform no longer working for you?


@*casey* wrote:

Maybe with high priced items like phones, electronics etc.

 

Not impossible, but highly unlikely to be scammed  buying  / selling  shoes, clothing , kid's toys etc


We just had one popup in one of our groups for a $42.00 item,  scammers like any colour money doesnt have to be expensive items.   If they get 42s buck every day,  thats a nice earner.

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