posted on September 23, 2000 05:11:26 PM
Last Sept. I thought I did pretty good for myself on Ebay. I am not power seller material, but I did alright. This Sept Stinks!
How do the 2 months add up for all of you?
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."---Mark Twain
posted on September 23, 2000 05:22:23 PM
I'm having the same experience as you, jwoodcrafts. I'm hoping that this September's slowness is simply due to the Olympics. Time will tell...
posted on September 23, 2000 05:23:24 PM
I have a brick and mortar type business, and have only been selling on ebay for a little under a year, but I might shed some light on the September problem. I have a few friends in various states across the country, who have brick and mortar businesses also, and they are all learning what I have also found out. Most retail started taking a major hit starting with this past August.
All of our manufacturers, distrubutors, and sales reps, acrosss this nation, who only sell wholesale are moaning, as their orders are way, WAY down, and this is the time of year that retail businesses usually stock up for Christmas shoppers.
The point is, why should Ebay selling be any different? Other then the Walmarts of this country, retail took a huge downturn starting at the end of summer. Some as bad as 50% off/down in sales. So I am leary of my items drawing much on Ebay or anywhere else for that matter.
Sorry to sound pessimistic, but I do think that it is written on the wind.
Soldbyj.
posted on September 23, 2000 05:55:40 PM
Are the big hypes about xconsumer confidence propaganda? Perhaps we are finally seeing some cyclic behavior in the economy.
posted on September 23, 2000 05:56:48 PM
Gosh, SO, go away, that is soooooo depressing! LOL
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."---Mark Twain
[ edited by jwoodcrafts on Sep 23, 2000 05:58 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2000 06:49:16 PM
When I read threads like this all I can think of is that if Americans only knew what was going on in the real world.Instead of being inudated with American news propaganda.
What do I mean let me explain..I come from England and live here and I would never go back.But one thing I really miss is International News it is so one sided here.
What does this have to do with this thread bare with me and you will find out.
There is a possibility of a major World recession in the offing.The International Money Fund made such a statement last week.
Why its called an oil crisis.This has caused major problems in Europe people are sick of the high price of gas over there.Too the point that the started blockading the oil refineries.Too bring this attention to the
Goverment.Within 2 days this there was no gas to be had in England.This has know ended
but there is still a supply problem over there.
What does this have to do with sales everything,look at the price of gas in the pumps here,I can see it at 3.00 a gallon within 12 months if this is not brought under control.
This affects sales people start spending too
much money on fuel,they then have less to spend on retail and less on going out of the house.Americans like gas guzzlers so it will affect us.
I think this is starting to show over here and will affect international sales too.
The stock market will be affected by it and so peoples stock will not rise as much as they had wanted.So less cash to spend.
Etc,etc,etc.
I really hope things do get better but we will just have to wait and see.
On a brighter side if people stay at home more then maybe they will spend more time browsing ebaY and therefore buy more items.
If Britain had not allowed the BP/Amaco merger, the world would be much better off right now. (Sure the US could have stopped it too, but that type of thing just doesn't happen here.)
Anyway, the BP/Amaco merger put a tremedous strain on the oil industry and caused BP, as well as all the other companies, to do some ridiculous things like shutting down refineries when prices dipped last year.
Now, there simply is not enough refining capacity to meet the world's demand, and there's no clear way to solve the problem.
The refineries that were shut down can't be re-opened without going through the environemtal assesments, and it's virtually impossible for them to pass. And, for the same reason, plus other prohibitive costs, establishing new refineries is not a possiblity.
So, I agree that there's a real chance this could lead to a global recession.
-----------------------------------
All rights reserved. All wrongs reversed.
posted on September 23, 2000 07:17:30 PM
imabrit, do we really have to 'bare with you'? I'm really shy, heh heh!
Well, I'm surprised at how things were brisk up until just about a week ago. Now it is slow slow slow! Tonight is falling flat, and usually Saturday nights are pretty good for me. AAARRRGGGHHH! I hope it picks up.
posted on September 23, 2000 07:19:34 PM
I have been following this on www.bbc.com
in the news section.Its quite interesting as it started over in France.Then went into England and then to Scandinavia.
It also looks it maybe starting to affect Israel as well.
I think Clinton just this week mentioned something about tapping into emergency oil reserves.
This does affect us eventually as it will lead to a higher price in both domestic and imported goods.Due to high fuel prices.
Which in turn affects buying power and so forth and in turn affects sales this winter.
I think Oil fuel is already up 50% over what it was this time last winter and that has to hurt folks.
As they say its a small world.
Plus what with the G7 propping up the value of the Euro Friday and indicating doing so again.
It all has a trickle down effect and eventually affects us to.
posted on September 23, 2000 07:21:40 PM
My business is better than ever. Things really picked up in the last few weeks. So now you know where all of your customers have gone...I'll shut up now.
posted on September 23, 2000 07:40:33 PM
I have to agree with "imabrit' i also think that we are headed for a recession. But maybe he found the bright spot, people will stay home more, and perhaps spend more time browsing on Ebay. Of course that could also lead to more sellers in all categories, as people try to sell off old items, to pay for higher energy prices.
I truely think that most of Americans live pay check to paycheck, and can't absorb the increase in gasoline, natural gas, heating oil, and yes also electricity. If our gas prices hold even where they are today, it will drive up consumer costs of everything delivered by trucks, which is most everything.
The one other bright spot, is that eventually we will come out of any recession.
Just my humble opinion.
Soldbyj.
Yes, we will be tapping in to the Domestic Oil Reserve. A one-time, 30 million barrel deal. US domestic consumption is about 18 million barrels per day. So it's not much more than a drop in the bucket, really.
But the root of the problem really isn't the oil supply. It has much more to do with refinig capacity.
I suspect that what will happen is that oil companies will soon start greatly increasing refining in third world countries where the environmental restrictions are lax, to say the least. They will probably over-burden the refineries, causing all kinds of accidents and injuries, none of which we will ever hear about.
And, yes, this will effect everyone's business, if it hasn't already.
-----------------------------------
All rights reserved. All wrongs reversed.
[ edited by amalgamated2000 on Sep 23, 2000 07:49 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2000 07:57:16 PM
America needs to be able to refine all of the oil that it needs to progress in an international world. Without this capacity, we will soon be the third world country, but boy will our air be 100% clean !!!
I'm happy with 95% clean air, and a viable business.
Just my humble opinion.
Soldbyj.
do YOU mean to tell me that you do NOT own a shortwave radio?
Even born n bred Americans who are NEWZ JUNKIES realize that the states live under a news blackout, and so, we rely on shortwaves.
HOW can you possible stand being over here without access to some decent INTERNATIONAL commentary, as opposed to the info-tainment fluff of American """"news"""" shows.
PleeeeeeeeZ, go and bid on a decent shortwave: NOW!
And, listen, if you think THIS is bad, let me tell ya, we are in PEACE -- not like during the Gulf War when the info-ENTERTAINMENT hit a new height in gaucheness & stoopidity -- indeed, thankfully, the BBC had really good radio spots about how appalling the shows were that being broadcast to Americans.
Get a shortwave radio, NOW, pleeeZ -- it is painful to think of you, who have a basis of comparison, relying on a website for news.
posted on September 23, 2000 08:09:20 PM
Radh.
You should know me better than that right know.Its always been a bone of contention my
Shortwave Radio.
I arrived here in 95 with 600 dollars and a suit case of old books on a fiancee petition.
Within 2 weeks I spent half our life savings on a short wave radio from Radio Shack.
I actually like listening to the BBC world service and their web site is wonderfull as it has some great news stations.
I can listen as to what is going on and play on here at the same time.
Sure its probably biased but not as much as the American International News is if you can call it that.
i.e. The World Series in Baseball,where are the other countries.Oh yeah forgot their is none America is the World my mistake.
All those die hard AMericans who are about to flame me and say go back to England if you do not like it here.I am not complaining take it tongue in cheek.
posted on September 23, 2000 08:12:51 PM
I seriously question the report that said we have only 9 years of reserve left. Hell, Alaska alone probably has enough reserves to supply the entire world for many decades.
Of course, much of it can't be touched.
But new exploration and drilling methods are being developed every day, and many people believe that these methods could easily produce enough oil to last another 100 years.
But we would probably be better off if the reserves did run out pretty soon. Though anything less than 20-30 years would probably cause the worst depression the world has ever seen.
-----------------------------------
All rights reserved. All wrongs reversed.
posted on September 23, 2000 08:14:54 PM
Adrian,
Please stay here in the U.S. we need more people like you. I have always enjoyed your thought-out views.
You are not bashing America, the truth can never be called "bashing" and I am a born and bred 52 year old, female American.
Keep up the intelligent posts.
Soldbyj.
posted on September 23, 2000 08:27:29 PM
Good Grief.
When I started this thread I had no idea of the direction it would take.
I ask people to compare this month, this year, with this month last year, and all of a sudden we are in a recession and talking about oil prices.
For crying out loud, maybe I am just in bad mood, I have had a kinda rough day, but this was not meant to be the nature of this thread.
Okay, I'm finished. Now you can slam me.
(edited because I left out a word.)
"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first."---Mark Twain
[ edited by jwoodcrafts on Sep 23, 2000 08:34 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2000 08:39:57 PM
OK, we're not strictly on-topic for the thread.
But you and others seem to be reporting that their sales are down. And it's my understanding that Soldbyj is correct about retail sales in general being down.
I think it may be because we are in, or heading in to, a recession, caused mostly by the oil crisis.
Then again, maybe that has nothing to do with it. I would certainly be interested in hearing other explanations.
-----------------------------------
All rights reserved. All wrongs reversed.
[ edited by amalgamated2000 on Sep 23, 2000 08:40 PM ]
posted on September 23, 2000 09:10:51 PM
This kind of reminds me of the Y2K crisis. Even though it didn't amount to much. This has been coming for a long time and things could be different.
Why the heck, with all the available technology, are we still dependant on oil?
There are many other fuel sorces out there that could be just as good and are more environmentally friendly.
posted on September 23, 2000 09:13:00 PM
It sure doesn't help that people are driving around in chevy expeditions and their ilk. I hear people take those things to the gas station and have to drop $50-$60 just to fill the tank, and that doesn't even last long.
posted on September 23, 2000 09:29:23 PM
jwoodcrafts
You raised a question a good one and it was mentioned that this seem so be a national problem on the retail level as was mentioned.
I forwarded a possible explanation as to why as the oil prices are affecting the stock market and do in turn affect the buying power of people on ebaY.
So it is ebay related but your question was fair.My sales where in the toilet 10 days ago but right know are doing great and I am off buying more stuf.
Why are we so dependant on oil who knows but I think its all about the control of money.
Ever heard of people who had invented carburetors many years ago when we still had them that got 100 miles to the gallon.Well I know one of those inventors he wanted to patent it etc but the oil company got wind of it and threatened to give him cement boots.
This is a very sane and rational individual too not some mental nut case.I know of other stories as well.
On the 9 year reserve apparently this was printed in the New York Times in the last a year a friend up there was telling me about it.It sounded like Black Helicopter material too me but the friend again is a very well educated individual too.
Sounds like I have been drinking too much don't it.Well off to bed.I have lots of more things to say on this one but I could be up all night.
posted on September 23, 2000 09:45:26 PM
From oil country or state--the word is we are refining at 100% capacity and have been for years. I have heard there has not been a new refinery built in 20 years--but there is plenty of oil still under the ground. We in America are controlled by Opec, no matter what. Besides Clinton has been wanting to use those oil reserves. He tried to do it last winter--only the winter didn't cooperate. What we really need to do is allow American drilling companies to begin drilling again. Just drive through West Texas and see only about 10% of the pumps working---
Also, we probably are headed for a recession, this economy has outlasted anything anyone could have predicted--but we usually have a slowdown before an election.
It seems to happen every time.
I do not believe any thinking American really believes we are getting anything but propaganda from news media. They just spew out anything they want and there is no one (here anyway) to challenge them.
Not on thread, either huh?
Of course, people are watching the Olympics, also.
posted on September 23, 2000 10:09:59 PM
I can honestly say that the gas prices haven't affected me to much, at least not negatively.
My answer to the oil crisis is to stay at home and save your money.
I only drive about a quarter of what I used to (my personal protest against high gas prices). Since the prices have gone so high I never fill the tank but stop at $10.
If you have to commute to work there is always vanpools, carpools and public transportation. The traffic in the Seattle area is terrible anyway. We could use a few less cars on the freeway, highways and residential streets.
posted on September 24, 2000 01:09:30 AM
fiestyone,
Do you produce all of your own food? If not, that food was probably brought to you by truck from somewhere quite far away. Those trucks require fuel. The increased fuel cost will enventually lead to increases in the cost you pay for food.
Same goes for ANY product you buy.
And if you sell on eBay, how are your products delivered? If gas prices continue to rise, it won't be long before postal rates rise dramatically to compensate.
And then your customers, who are already faced with higher prices for their necessities, will have to make a choice as to whether they can afford to bid on eBay. And every item they buy will end up costing more because of the increase in postage costs.
If the increases in gas prices haven't affected you yet, they will. Even if, like me, you don't even own a car.
-----------------------------------
All rights reserved. All wrongs reversed.
posted on September 24, 2000 01:36:22 AM
I agree on the retail slump cycle. At my florist, I began to notice a pattern several years ago. Every July my sales would slow with the worst total sales in August and early Sept. I began to notice too, my good paying house accounts would fall behind.
I attribute this to people taking vacations and back to school time. People are spending their money on their kids clothes and school supplies.
What is so strange every year in mid Sept. my sales go back to normal.
I have talked to other retailers and they have noticed the same pattern.
Due to this pattern, I quit selling on e-bay in July and resumed selling this past week. I also did not buy as much as I normally do as my customers were not paying me!
Concerning the oil situation, It has already affected my wholesalers prices. My plant man raised his prices by $1 a plant because of the higher fuel prices. Not only does he deliver his plants to us by truck, he heats his greenhouse with oil heat. Lauren
posted on September 24, 2000 04:45:21 AM
HI all - on the news thread, I don't have time for TV but I do listen to National Public Radio and some of their world programming and I have heard about the situation in Europe. So some non-drivel does get through.
I think it always helps to give some sort of clue about what merchandise you are selling when commenting on ups and downs in sales. Are you talking about items that fill basic needs, or "luxuries" that people can do without if their budget takes a whack?
For myself, it's used books. I'm a librarian book-buyer and I've never understood why people buy books when the prices are so inflated. eBay and half.com make SO much sense to me. Books sell on these sites for more realistic prices. My sales generally putter right along, an occasional "wow!" but usually just bread & butter, with a little help from our international buyer friends.
The ebay push start big two years ago, and has been going downhill since. Most of my buyers are low-feedback, and they will surely leave as soon as they have been cheated a few times.
Buying old stuff has also gone downhill. Antique malls and shops are closing, as most folks have lost interest in the Antiques Roadshow and ebay.
It may pick-up in a few years, but the bottom of the slump is still ahead . . .
