posted on September 10, 2004 10:03:40 PM new
Not me, Jack. I pretty much hate stuff from China. Except for maybe a few things,...I dont even try to sell that kinda of stuff. But it does seem the most profitable anywhere. -Did you say Walmart?
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~~ Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues(forces)of life..Proverbs 4:23~~
posted on September 10, 2004 10:07:32 PM new
Jack,
EXACTLY!! All the more reason for Ebay to split the site like they did with Ebay motors. Get all the new stuff and the cheap imported crap from China off Ebay onto a seperate venue. Return Ebay to those who just want to engage in a gigantic electronic yard sale. It would be a simple matter to develop a search engine that could serve either or both sites (buyers choice). Ebay will suffocate under it's own weight if they don't start addressing some immenent problems very soon.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on September 10, 2004 10:13:58 PM new
I don't feel it's the end for listing on eBay, but it has become a bragain mall. So, I would recommend doing more direct selling and list either better things or group lower end stuff to move. Don't list the same stuff that you see all the time, but rather try to list different things. I find my sales increase.
I'm also trying to form a listing service so, anything people don't want to bother with, they're welcome to contact me.
I do agree ebay is getting too gimmicky and thus, charges for borders and stuff we all really don't need. It's nothing new, the small mom and pop guy/store will struggle against some dealer with $50 grand and resources to start with. However, mom and pop stores can give the larger eBay stores a run for they're money. You have to buy what's hot, then drop out when you see a decline.
ePier I tried, but it sucks since the buy rate is too low. Pyles Postcards, If I have not tried, but $30 a month kind of turns me off. However, if I'm not getting hit with relisting fees, and lower seller fees, then I would try it. I would be currious as to how much someone is making vs. listing on eBay.
Thanks for reading my message and also, before we all #*!@ about eBay. The economy is playing a major role also. Also, you have to consider a lot of good stuff is not popping up on ebay as of late compared to years past. Remember who was a good seller and if you made money with them - stick with them.
posted on September 10, 2004 10:30:09 PM new
Did anybody hear John Edwards talking about ebay sellers today? I just heard a bit, but the inference was the repubs want to count ebay sellers as 'working' and the said that was ridiculous? for some like me its ridiculous.....not so sure about big time sellers, though!
[ edited by neroter12 on Sep 10, 2004 10:34 PM ]
posted on September 11, 2004 08:06:47 AM new
Mike: Playle's is $30.00 per month only if you want to become a dealer. You can list items much cheaper than that. No charge to join. The dealer price of $30.00 per month, is cheap if you are listing thousands of items as many are. Some dealers have as many as 30,000 items. No charge to relist. Re-listing thousands of items takes only a couple of minutes. And the best thing is they don't have a stupid, useless feedback thingy. I have never had a non-paying bidder on Playle. If anyone causes a problem they are gone. and you can't shill on you own items. The system won't let you.
And hey, I don't work for Playle's or get any commission. I had better quit talking about them or I'm going to ruin a good thing.
Look at it again.
Bill
[ edited by etexbill on Sep 11, 2004 08:11 AM ]
posted on September 11, 2004 08:18:59 AM newI just heard a bit, but the inference was the repubs want to count ebay sellers as 'working' and the said that was ridiculous? for some like me its ridiculous.....not so sure about big time sellers, though!
Talk about typical democrat. Ebay sellers technically already are business owners and technically already owe income taxes on items which they sell. For a democrat to state that about a democrat law, makes you wonder what else they will try to do to raise taxes even more.
posted on September 11, 2004 08:33:41 AM new
Mike: in answer to you question of how much someone is making on Playle's in relation to eBay. One of the dealers was featured in a national magazine last year, like Newsweek, etc. I don't remember which. He was a big seller on eBay and went strictly to Playle. The article was about alternatives to eBay and the eBay problems.
He is doing great.
I just counted his sales for less than two weeks last December and they totaled over $600.00. This was strictly on postcards, nothing else!
And remember, his costs are $30.00, plus a small sellers fee.
[ edited by etexbill on Sep 11, 2004 08:36 AM ]
posted on September 11, 2004 09:00:25 AM new
I disagree that 'all the attics are now empty' .... there will ALWAYS be attics that need emptied as people pass away, and there will be collectible saleable things there.
BUT, they won't bring quite as much, overall, as they used to.
Damariscotta, said that eBay reflects the general market, and that is probably true to a point – ALTHOUGH we have found we sell a GREAT DEAL MORE, consistently via our web sites, than any postings on eBay. We only post on eBay during good selling periods, free days, ½ price days, or to test items. eBay produces from time to time, but we put in time on our web sites which produce daily.
Oddly, our eBay Store produces, even when we aren't running auctions.
On major purchases, I imagine many folks are like us, we are reserving any major purchases, or investments till AFTER the Presidential Election.
Depending on who wins the Presidential Election, will determine where and in what we invest.
posted on September 11, 2004 09:51:07 AM new
Someone said:
"You have to buy what's hot, then drop out when you see a decline."
Personally, I totally disagree. I've been on eBay since 1996, and early on learned to NOT deal in "fad" items, as it is such a volatile market. Without, almost moment to moment attention, and daily study (beyond eBay) trying to gage the run time of a fad item, is high risk, like the rolling of the dice - PLUS, you are fighting major discount stores like Wal-Mart.
We found handling unique, but accessibly redundant items was the key for us in selling on eBay.
posted on September 11, 2004 02:40:41 PM new
... That is because most of the real world antique dealers simply haven't accepted that ebay is the new standard when it comes to antiques...
Oh, they have accepted it all right. In some of the shops I visit they have to turn up the music to drown out the tapping of the keyboard in the back room (although some do their listing right at the counter).
In spite of eBay, in the "real antiques" arena I would estimate that at least 80 percent of the merchandise is simply not suitable for on-line selling. Do collectors and dealers look for their antiques on-line? Sure. But on the other hand, at least here in New England, we don't enjoy a nice weekend by sitting in front of the computer.
In any event, eBay is not magic, any more than group shops, shows, etc., although they all create a lot of activity when new.
posted on September 11, 2004 04:48:38 PM new
jwpc: I know you've mentioned before that you run several web sites, I was wondering if you deal in new or used (collectible) items. Without specifically stating what you sell, can you give us a general idea? I'm really curious if anyone is successfully running a site that deals in collectibles, not new common items.
posted on September 12, 2004 11:26:55 AM new
My main business is selling collectables(coins etc.). I have a web page where I list all my collectables with pictures and descriptions. Ebay is only a side issue with me. I list there on FLD, 10 cent listings, free buy it now listings and etc. On these days I may list up to 1000 items or my whole inventory. I then contact those that bought from me and drive them to my web page which is free and sell from there. This makes a great way to be profitable. Although I may not sell a large quanity at least I am profitable. If I had to pay all those listings fees I would go in the hole. I am seeing more and more people go this route. Listing fees on ebay is the difference between success on the internet and faliure.
Also Yahoo has FLD once a quarter, we list there also, It take a lot of time to get ready for FLD on both yahoo and ebay.
I use to list every week on ebay and did not care about the fees because I had a 95% sell thru rate. Now that rate is 15% or less. you have to do what is profitable not what looks like it should work. Use ebay to your advantage not against you. Remember running water takes its own course. You can't make water run up hill
posted on September 12, 2004 01:07:04 PM new
dbest: As long as you are getting your auctions ready for FLD, why not launch them to an ebay store ( 9.95/mo) + .02/month list+ .01/month gallery and at least have them get SOME exposure...then bomb them with Vrane's auction bomb to end them and list on FLD as planned?? Run a few auctions a week with links to your store and see what happens??
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Sig files are too much trouble! http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards
posted on September 19, 2004 08:12:22 AM new
this is not as hard as it sounds ,sure ebay has higher fees etc.,etc. but if post cards are not selling for you,sell something else,diversity is the way to win DON'T GIVE UP.
posted on September 19, 2004 09:49:17 AM new
Here's the thing I don't understand:
"The constant raising of fees, new fees for this and new fees for that, changing this and changing that, and the lack of buyers has brought me to this decision"
1) Constant raising of fees
I can remember 2 fee increases over the past few years. I believe it cost 25 cents to list an item when I started in 1997, and the final value fee was 5%. Today, it is 35 cents (though items listed at under $1.00 only costs 30 cents, and final value fee is 5.25% - Those are the base costs. Yes, you can do gallery, multiple categories, etc., but to sell an item, especially a low priced item, those are the basic fees. If you list 200 items a month, and sell $2000 a month, you are paying $25 more a month in fees in 7 years. If that drives you out of business, it isn't because of the raising of fees (which is not constant)
2) new fees for this and new fees for that
This is what keeps overall fees down in my opinion. I rarely do anything other than the basic listing fee, and the final value fee. I've had another online business for 9 years now, and I've made MANY changes to my business model, added extra options to raise revenue, etc. I've had some clients over the years who take advantage of this, others who have the same setup they did in 1997 and never change. Just because something different is offered doesn't mean it fits your business model. My ebay business model of not using the extras has worked well for me. I used to run 10 day auctions, I no longer do because of the cost to do so. I changed my business model a little to keep costs down.
3) changing this and changing that
Well, that is the way business works. With my other online business, if I stuck to my original business plan and customer base, I would be on the roadside a long time ago. I am constantly making changes to stay on top of things. Same with ebay sales. I am constantly trying to make changes in marketing and product to expand sales!
4) lack of buyers
There is no lack of buyers, just too many sellers in my opinion. There are some lousy sellers who turn customers off to ebay, but overall I think it is the increase in sellers, and people who think they will make a fortune on ebay. That will work itself out, if you have a crowded category, try something else!
Friends don't let Friends say stupid things like Friends don't let friends vote Republican!
