WAHM Forums

Hi all. I am just curious to know if any of you think that the bad economy right now is making it harder to sell on ebay. Ebay has always been very competitive but now it seems like it is even more so because of the economy. I tried selling some items that I felt were very unique. I put up a mug, watch, and earrings, all with a design that I put on them myself. There really isnt much quite like this on ebay, but still they didnt sell. So, are people just buying things that they really NEED now instead of things they WANT? Also another problem I am having is that people seem to copy my products. I put some earrings with a design up that I had not seen anywhere else on ebay , at least not until I looked again after I had listed them. Someone had the exact same thing I did. I know it wasnt there before I listed mine. Anyway, so I just wanted to see if any of you are having any luck and if there is anything in particular that is selling now because I sure dont know what it is right now! Thanks everyone

Jen

Economy is getting worse, but still quite a lot of people buying online. What I guess is local shops closing down trend is getting popular now and it may encourage people to look for good stuff online. At least for my own sales, it can still sustain though it might drop a bit compared to last year.

thanks louis

Hi I have been selling on ebay for a while, one thing I have noticed is you cannot start a bidding war anymore with a 99 cent listing, 4.99 is the new 99 cent auction for me.

If you make handmade stuff you would probably do well with etsy.com
unless you copywrite your design there might not be much you can do about it, but you can try complaining to ebay

Edited by: msaki

Yes!! My sales have dropped, but at least I am still a powerseller, so not bad enough to give up. Certain things though people will always be buying, and if they can get it cheaper on ebay, they will, instead of going to a store to buy it.

Actually, my sales are great. I sell pre owned mens name brand clothes and with people trying to save money.........smileys/smiley4.gif
Edited by: svc281712

What most people are buying are necessary items. Childrens clothing is always going to be popularbut the competition is going to be greater. No longer is price going to be the bottom line - it's service. You have to make yourself stand out from your competition.

I have a question. I don't know if anyone can help me with it or not. Can I use the ebay logo to advertise. I'm wanting to sell other peoples stuff on ebay and I want to advertise this say in a flyer or local newspaper add. Also does any one know anything about have a store or consignment shop and using the ebay name in the window? smileys/smiley25.gif

No, you can't use their logo unless you are one of their affiliates.

It makes sense that people are only buying necessity items right now.. What types of things would that be , clothing mainly? I just put up some Victorias secret shirts that I had.. It has 7 watchers, no bids yet though. what is a good site to buy clothes wholesale??

i think if you have a good product and a good price, you'll be fine even in this recession.

I'm wondering if anyone else is noticing this problem? I have been selling on ebay successfully now for several years. Since about Christmas people have started not paying for auctions they have won. It started out just one or two... but now it's about 3 out of 5 sales. They have excuses; like paycheck didn't come through or had to loan money to a friend... etc. I know I can relist or do second chance offers but it wastes my time and is frustrating me. Any ideas how to avoid it or handle it? I wish you could make it payment required right at the auction end like you can for a buy it now.

Thanks

Most of my items are fixed prices. I use Buy It Now on those listings and require instant PayPal payment.

eBay has made a lot of changes and it favors the buyer (which I can understand in a way - some sellers have not been honest and it's hurting those of us that are). Anyway, that's why you are having more no pays it doesn't really hurt them to change their minds.
As far as selling, for me it's up and down. But I've been putting more time in the makeup I Rep lately. I need to get back full speed on ebay plus I have an Auctiva store (for those that have set prices or sell new gift ideas) and I'm checking out other auction sites.
etsy.com is great for those of you that make items to sell.
My concern is this whole post office mess. If they keep raising prices instead of cutting back and making changes, what is that going to do with online selling?
Best of luck to all of you!
christena

I have sold on Ebay for 5 years. I am a PowerSeller but will probably lose that over the next few months. Even kids clothes (I sell NWT) aren't selling real well & when they do, prices are very low. I can see how a "lot" of EUC would still sell. Ppl need to get the best value. It is very hard to make any kind of profit at this point smileys/smiley11.gif.

I was selling 2-3 items a day on Amazon & got a decent profit, but this week, I haven't had a sale in 3 days smileys/smiley18.gif. Since Amazon doesn't charge just to list, I will just stay there. I do eCrater also, usually get 1 or 2 sales a month, but again, no listing fee.

Just not going to put much effort into Ebay at this point, other than to use for research.

I have to agree with you i have a store and sell mostly used clothing and I have seen a jump in sales.


Actually, my sales are great. I sell pre owned mens name brand clothes and with people trying to save money.........smileys/smiley4.gif

I go to garage sales and thrift stores. My main "supplier is Goodwill as is dept. They sell the clothes by the pound there and I have found prada in those bins. I like the hunt though so it is for me.

It makes sense that people are only buying necessity items right now.. What types of things would that be , clothing mainly? I just put up some Victorias secret shirts that I had.. It has 7 watchers, no bids yet though. what is a good site to buy clothes wholesale??

shellybelly can you pm me your ebay information so i can look you up?

Also for me i have not sold anything for almost a month... this is the first month like this... and on top of that my husband and I where both laid off... times are hard for me.smileys/smiley19.gif

http://stores.ebay.com/Shellys-Clothes-and-More-Store

is my store on ebay

koledust you might want to try eCrater.com, it's not an auction but a FREE store.
I eBay and recently closed my store but still auction - it's up and down but I do it mostly for a hobby.

shellybelly I love you store! I'm going to save you as a favorite.

Interesting responses!

I have a friend who has an eBay store who is doing quite well. I guess it all depends on the merchandise.Used name brand clothing seems to be selling well.

After checking out my friends store I have decided to open my own eBay store. It seems my used stuff has sold better than my new. I am also going to experiment with drop shippers as well.

I know that fees are going to cut into my desired profit margin but let's face it - eBay has the name recognition.

eBay is fun as long as you make money to invest back in. I just went to a warehouse we are members of and purchased some new items I need to get posted. Not sure if I'll put them on eBay or eCrater. I've sold 3 items on eCrater.

koledust you might want to try eCrater.com, it's not an auction but a FREE store.
I eBay and recently closed my store but still auction - it's up and down but I do it mostly for a hobby.

shellybelly I love you store! I'm going to save you as a favorite.



Glad that you like it. I really enjoy finding and selling. My parents had an Antique/2nd hand store when I was a kid so bargain hunting is in my blood.

Check back often I am listing new things about once per week or more.

Check back often I am listing new things about once per week or more.

I will :)

Where do you usually get your items to sell? I get mine at an as is thrift store and garage sales and every now and then on clearance.

I do what you have listed - thrift stores, garage sales, clearance items and then I have some dear friends that pass things on to me especially if they don't want to mess with a yard sale, and we are members of a wholesale place for our gift and seasonal items. Right now a friend has closed her store and I will be putting things on for her. This is going to be time consuming and I keep putting it offsmileys/smiley6.gif hubby has been off this week - at least that's my excuse LOL

My mom and I have a contract post office. If you can fit it into a flate rate priority envelope especially if it has some weight and is kinda small that is the way to go. 4.95 done gone. I sold a bottle of window cleaner and thats how I shipped.

Thursday thru Monday seem to be my big sales days.

Interesting responses!

I have a friend who has an eBay store who is doing quite well. I guess it all depends on the merchandise. Used name brand clothing seems to be selling well.

After checking out my friends store I have decided to open my own eBay store. It seems my used stuff has sold better than my new. I am also going to experiment with drop shippers as well.

I know that fees are going to cut into my desired profit margin but let's face it - eBay has the name recognition.


You have an excellent point. We can try to drive traffic to our sites (and we all should have websites along with our eBay stores) but eBay has paid the big money to get the traffic. We just ride the wave. I think an eBay store is the best thing ever. Where else can you get the kind of traffic eBay pays for on the web for so little cash on our part? Granted we have to be careful how much we pay with the monthly charges in paying for all the inventory. The promo tutorials and newsletter sign up make it so worth the investment. I always say to use them as a tool in your online presence.

I have really never sold on E-bay prior to the bad economy. What has been nice for me, is that the antique type things that I buy at auctions are going for less money due to the fact of the economy. But, as far as online sales, I feel that I am getting what my products are worth.

I hate the shipping and handling. It is so expensive, and when you are selling $20 items and then tacking on $10 for shipping, it seems like the bidding does go down.