As I at least intimated, don't get sucked in.

Price your products at realistic prices and they will sell. It might take a while. I have sold a dozen items that had been listed for 6 years in the last fortnight. It's about waiting for a buyer, not getting sucked into eBay's game. Which promoted listings definitely is.

If you are getting sales of promoted items but not when they aren't, perhaps adjust your prices.