Question:
I have noticed a definate slowing up of sales on Ebay thiese last couple of months. I sell Tools and I am normally extremely busy during November and December. This year however has seen a definate downturn in sales. Could this mean that Ebay is less popular owing to recent bad press here in UK or perhaps because there are more and more sellers. Perhaps Ebay is in decline. Has anybodt else had a similar experience ? John
Response:
I have noticed a definate slowing up of sales on Ebay thiese last couple of months. I sell Tools and I am normally extremely busy during November and December. This year however has seen a definate downturn in sales. Could this mean that Ebay is less popular owing to recent bad press here in UK or perhaps because there are more and more sellers. Perhaps Ebay is in decline. Has anybodt else had a similar experience ? John
EBay is not in decline, and many sellers report booming sales. It’s more likely your problems stem from your own marketing efforts. The important thing is not to let a trend become a downward spiral. Here are some things to look at: 1. More competition? Are there more sellers offering what you sell? You need to respond to that competition in ways that give you an edge. 2. How does your Quality/Service/Price triangle compare with your competors’? In particular, check your prices against those of sellers with similar items. Your first instinct may be to lower your prices to match, but a better course may be to *add value,* which will let you sell effectively against cut-rate outfits while retaining your profitable prices, or perhaps, even *raising* them. 3. Fewer buyers? Are you selling something that’s peaked or is now passe? Is there less demand for your particular products? 4. Stale products? I’d rather be selling MP3 players than portable CD players right now, and perhaps the same is true of Tools. You may even have a few products that are no longer worth the effort to sell. It’s better to be looking for new things than waste a lot of time resurrecting a dead horse. 5. Are you using cross-promotions to sell all your items? In particular, items that have lost their lustre can gain new life if you add some fresh products that will attract buyers, and then mention your existing products in those auctions. 6. Stale auctions and illustrations? If you sell the same things over and over, are you freshening your auctions with new descriptions and new pictures every three months, or oftener? There are lots of other marketing principles that apply as well to eBay as to the "real world." Learn to use them, and you’ll have a distinct advantage over your competitors who don’t. Everything I know, and then some: http://www.auctionmyths.com
Response:
I have noticed a definate slowing up of sales on Ebay thiese last couple of months. I sell Tools and I am normally extremely busy during November and December. This year however has seen a definate downturn in sales. Could this mean that Ebay is less popular owing to recent bad press here in UK or perhaps because there are more and more sellers. Perhaps Ebay is in decline. Has anybodt else had a similar experience ? John
It is just that little dip between the fall slack period and the winter slump. — Many thanks, Don Lancaster Synergetics 3860 West First Street Box 809 Thatcher, AZ 85552 Please visit my GURU’s LAIR web site at http://www.tinaja.com
Response:
"Simon Smith" wrote … I have noticed a definate slowing up of sales on Ebay thiese last couple of months. I sell Tools and I am normally extremely busy during November and December. This year however has seen a definate downturn in sales. Could this mean that Ebay is less popular owing to recent bad press here in UK or perhaps because there are more and more sellers. Perhaps Ebay is in decline.
It’s because the number of sellers is increasing, and more and more are using the same wholesale sources, so the wholesaler profits, and prices (and profits for sellers) drop. I’m seeing lower prices, but many more listings of similar items. Good time to buy!! A
Response:
I have noticed a definate slowing up of sales on Ebay thiese last couple of months. I sell Tools and I am normally extremely busy during November and December. This year however has seen a definate downturn in sales. Could this mean that Ebay is less popular owing to recent bad press here in UK or perhaps because there are more and more sellers. Perhaps Ebay is in decline. Has anybodt else had a similar experience ? John
The sell-through rate chart show a slight dip in December which has historically been the case, but overall it is still fairly consistent the rest of the year in the neighborhood of 40%. This chart may be just for the US market, I am unaware if there is a similar one for the UK market. http://www.quotetracker.com/ebayper/Y2004ALLCAT.gif?16828 I don’t know that more sellers (competition) would be a reason to assume eBay is less popular. If anything, more sellers would probably generate more buyers overall, increasing the total number of participants in the eBay system. More sellers of similar items will always mean you have to work harder to beat the competition to get the buyers. Do you know if any of the other categories (beyond tools) have shown any decrease? jim menning
Response:
I have noticed a definate slowing up of sales on Ebay thiese last couple of months. I sell Tools and I am normally extremely busy during November and December. This year however has seen a definate downturn in sales. Could this mean that Ebay is less popular owing to recent bad press here in UK or perhaps because there are more and more sellers. Perhaps Ebay is in decline. Has anybodt else had a similar experience ?
No. My sales were significantly higher through all of 2004. I broke my weekly sales record at least a dozen times throughout the year. From the end of November through mid December, my sales were more than twice my previous holiday high. If you are marketing correctly, you will find that e-Bay is definitely not in decline! mjoann
Response:
"mjoann" wrote … My sales were significantly higher through all of 2004. I broke my weekly sales record at least a dozen times throughout the year. From the end of November through mid December, my sales were more than twice my previous holiday high. If you are marketing correctly, you will find that e-Bay is definitely not in decline!
Is that number of sales? Or cash? or Profit? The number of sellers is definitely up; I’m guessing that the seller to buyer ratio has gone up lately, with lower prices / profits. It swings about; it’ll correct as the bargains bring in more buyers! But none of that suggests ebay is in decline. transaction numbers are rising, as are profits. Look for another fees hike come March. Ebay is thriving! — Andrew eBay Weirdities http://www.weirdity.com/ebay/
Response:
I am selling something that sells constantly all year round
Response:
Gret Reply !!! Thank You.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have noticed a definate slowing up of sales on Ebay thiese last couple of months. I sell Tools and I am normally extremely busy during November and December. This year however has seen a definate downturn in sales. Could this mean that Ebay is less popular owing to recent bad press here in UK or perhaps because there are more and more sellers. Perhaps Ebay is in decline. Has anybodt else had a similar experience ? John EBay is not in decline, and many sellers report booming sales. It’s more likely your problems stem from your own marketing efforts. The important thing is not to let a trend become a downward spiral. Here are some things to look at: 1. More competition? Are there more sellers offering what you sell? You need to respond to that competition in ways that give you an edge. 2. How does your Quality/Service/Price triangle compare with your competors’? In particular, check your prices against those of sellers with similar items. Your first instinct may be to lower your prices to match, but a better course may be to *add value,* which will let you sell effectively against cut-rate outfits while retaining your profitable prices, or perhaps, even *raising* them. 3. Fewer buyers? Are you selling something that’s peaked or is now passe? Is there less demand for your particular products? 4. Stale products? I’d rather be selling MP3 players than portable CD players right now, and perhaps the same is true of Tools. You may even have a few products that are no longer worth the effort to sell. It’s better to be looking for new things than waste a lot of time resurrecting a dead horse. 5. Are you using cross-promotions to sell all your items? In particular, items that have lost their lustre can gain new life if you add some fresh products that will attract buyers, and then mention your existing products in those auctions. 6. Stale auctions and illustrations? If you sell the same things over and over, are you freshening your auctions with new descriptions and new pictures every three months, or oftener? There are lots of other marketing principles that apply as well to eBay as to the "real world." Learn to use them, and you’ll have a distinct advantage over your competitors who don’t. Everything I know, and then some: http://www.auctionmyths.com
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gret Reply !!! Thank You. I have noticed a definate slowing up of sales on Ebay thiese last couple of months. I sell Tools and I am normally extremely busy during November and December. This year however has seen a definate downturn in sales. Could this mean that Ebay is less popular owing to recent bad press here in UK or perhaps because there are more and more sellers. Perhaps Ebay is in decline. Has anybodt else had a similar experience ? John EBay is not in decline, and many sellers report booming sales. It’s more likely your problems stem from your own marketing efforts. The important thing is not to let a trend become a downward spiral. Here are some things to look at: 1. More competition? Are there more sellers offering what you sell? You need to respond to that competition in ways that give you an edge. 2. How does your Quality/Service/Price triangle compare with your competors’? In particular, check your prices against those of sellers with similar items. Your first instinct may be to lower your prices to match, but a better course may be to *add value,* which will let you sell effectively against cut-rate outfits while retaining your profitable prices, or perhaps, even *raising* them. 3. Fewer buyers? Are you selling something that’s peaked or is now passe? Is there less demand for your particular products? 4. Stale products? I’d rather be selling MP3 players than portable CD players right now, and perhaps the same is true of Tools. You may even have a few products that are no longer worth the effort to sell. It’s better to be looking for new things than waste a lot of time resurrecting a dead horse. 5. Are you using cross-promotions to sell all your items? In particular, items that have lost their lustre can gain new life if you add some fresh products that will attract buyers, and then mention your existing products in those auctions. 6. Stale auctions and illustrations? If you sell the same things over and over, are you freshening your auctions with new descriptions and new pictures every three months, or oftener? There are lots of other marketing principles that apply as well to eBay as to the "real world." Learn to use them, and you’ll have a distinct advantage over your competitors who don’t. Everything I know, and then some: http://www.auctionmyths.com
Well, I guess you didn’t top post. Buck — But that’s just my opinion.
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.