posted on October 24, 2000 05:11:12 PM
Hi everyone - I must admit that I've found this to be a fascinating forum - read it every day. But I think I'll be stopping in a couple of weeks.
I'm going to stop selling as soon as I clear out what I have. I'm just a small seller so I'm sure eBay won't even miss me. But it's just not worth the aggravation and time. I don't know how most of you do it. But I give you credit. I don't see how any seller can make money on what people are willing to bid. Oh well - at least I haven't *lost* money <grin>
Anyway, best of luck to everyone.
(But I'll still be buying - can't pass up all the wonderful deals.)
posted on October 24, 2000 05:18:18 PM
barbarake...I don't sell much on eBay anymore either. It used to be really fun a couple of years ago (and even as late as last year), but the competition is so fierce and the bidding is so pathetic, that it's not worth my time and effort. Plus the aggravation factor was taking a toll as well.
But I still like to buy off eBay...it's definitely a Buyer's Market!!
*********************
That's Flunky Gerbiltush to you!
posted on October 24, 2000 05:22:43 PM
For starters I never start an auction at a dollar. I start it at a price I can make a profit.I am not listing to lose money,and I will not jack up my shipping to cover my loses.I move alot of merchadise therefore I make money on E-bay on everything I sell and I am a Happy Camper.Worth it to me.
posted on October 24, 2000 07:12:13 PM
about 3 months ago I knew that if I didn't get my act together to make a better profit on ebay I would have to work doing something else. (can't face going back into direct sales) I worked incredibly hard, and long and it paid off...really.
Bids aren't so bad. I sold a troll for 100.00 the other day...that's great bidding.
I found you've either got to sell lower value items in volume, or spend more time hunting for the better selling items and make a better profit listing less.
As cold weather sets in I'm a little concerned...the best items so far have been from garage sales.
The point is I think everyone reaches a place where they either become a seller on ebay on a very serious level, or they become buyers on ebay.
posted on October 24, 2000 07:25:19 PM
Bids are great, plus I seem to have an unlimited supply of merchandise due to the slow pace at which I am able to get them listed. I sell from the attic, and shop for additional stuff.
eBay is just the perfect hobby for me - former flea market seller and avid collector turned computer consultant. I never had to invest a dime in computer hardware or computer learning curve to do this. I'll be here until it's over.
posted on October 24, 2000 07:44:23 PM
I've jumped a few hurdles myself in the last year or so. My business is more efficient as a result. Bidding on my auctions is steady, and despite the brownouts of late, prices are very healthy, I'm happy to say!
I've adjusted and adapted because I plan to stick with it. The thoughts of going back to a nine-to-fiver are all the incentive I need to keep working!
FYI, my bids the last two weeks have been excellent, brownouts and all. Christmas buying has definitely begun! woo-hooo!!!
posted on October 24, 2000 08:10:17 PM
I think these auction frist and formost must be a hobby you love if you dont love what you do you wont be happy in life.
if the challange of finding that 1 in maybe 100 Items that will catch fire and make you big $$$ then this selling prolly wasnt for you.
WWW.dman-n-company.com
posted on October 24, 2000 08:32:13 PM
first and formost must be a hobby you love if you dont love what you do you wont be happy in life.
I agree with that, I love fooling with my junk and couldnt be happier doing anything else I know off. I've had to make some adjustments, but if doing something you like is really important and job satisfication means the world. Heck I wont get rich having this much fun, but damn I happy! Beats that 9-5 corporate world any day. The stress, well theres no comparison. Theses outages and new fees are pain in the butt, but I can live with those. You'll just need to make some adjustments, think about what your doing and it will all come together. Remember getting up, fighting the traffic to get to work and home again in the evening, getting chewed a new one by customers, hey that isnt for me any more!
posted on October 24, 2000 11:32:36 PM
I cut way back selling online and decided to try the local flea market where hundreds of vendors sell their junk and get there anywhere from 2 - 5 a.m. to get a good table. I was paying $5 a table which if I figure that in ebay costs, that would be 20 listing fees if I start the bidding under $9.99. Then I realized that people who go to these flea markets want everything for nothing or close to it anyway. I don't have the patience to sit there for four or more hours waiting to make a sale and when I do, it's next to nothing. Most I made was on average $50 a day, and sometimes just made what I paid for my tables. I find selling online is much more profitable. I rather pay the listing fees and make three or four times what I make at the flea markets. The items that I've been getting generous bids on lately would have most likely gone for a couple of bucks at the flea market.
Granted, there are those people who make out pretty well at the flea markets, but they're usually the people who have collectible items and can do ok by selling to dealers or people who like old dolls, etc.
posted on October 25, 2000 03:19:15 AM
Hi again - Don't get me wrong, I've had a lot of fun with this. But I have a *real* job where I make a very good living so this is just part-time for me. It just isn't *fun* anymore. Yes, the odd item going for way more than I spent is exciting but it doesn't happen enough.
Heck, who am I kidding - I'll probably always do some selling but I'm cutting it way back. My life is just too busy - something has to give and eBay is it.
posted on October 25, 2000 05:54:55 AM
eBay is definitely profitable; the problem is that too many bidders view it as a something for nothing venue rather than a way to save some bucks or to find that rare item.
You do have to build a profit margin into every item. Not to do so is tremendously risky given the cheapskate bidding and outage prone tendency of eBay.
I have much more stuff right now on Yahoo. Seems easier to just relist until somethng moves rather than to keep paying eBay and wondering why no one is bidding.
