posted on December 5, 2000 01:04:52 PM new
Well, it is almost that time of year to fold up my tent and steal away from the auction business till after December 25th. Having been on line over 5 years, we finally got smart last year and closed down everything except our web site on December 11th. This year we were going to keep things running through the 15th, but today did it - too many customers wanting things yesterday, packages getting lost, endless e-mail's with stupid questions - when the buyers start getting frantic, I find we do better to shut down till after Christmas.
We do our strongest business from December 26 through April, so I don't particularly care if I'm not selling for the next few weeks. Hysterical customers aren't my cup of tea. Many seem to think we accompany the package all the way to their house - you know, like how am I suppose to know where a package is that I shipped last week, even though it was insured??? If it were just a couple of this type of buyer, but experience has taught us, it only gets worse and worse, and just isn't worth the effort or the stress - after December 25th, everybody is laid back again, customers are again happy campers, with a reasonable amount of intelligence and patience - and we can all have happy transactions.
So, as our auctions run out now, they will stay down till December 26th, except for some smalls which will be accompanied with an ad that there is no guarantee that they will arrive by Christmas (just to be safe). Greed use to drive me to work up to the last moment, but last year was so great when I decided to shut down on December 11th, that when I saw the Christmas panic virus starting again in the last few days - I told my husband that I was going to close down.
My main packer who is on salary + commission, doesn't particularly like it, but she is sweet, and she understands that she isn't the one answering the mail, or being sent endless e-mails from people who bought yesterday and want to know where their item is today. Her Christmas bonus makes up for the shut down time, and keeps us both happy.
posted on December 5, 2000 01:34:15 PM new
I don't have a choice but to hang in there. We need to pay the bills. We're a bit behind right now as it is (unforseen expenses and lower than normal bidding).
posted on December 5, 2000 01:38:14 PM new
you make so many good points that I wish I COULD just "fold up"! Unfortunately for me I want all my old stock GONE before Christmas so I can't!!!
After Christmas I am considering "folding my tent" perhaps permanently. Or at least streamlining significantly.
But I like your idea about "no guarantees". I am already noticing the slowdown in mail delivery. You want it by Christmas, guaranteed? pay for express mail.
posted on December 5, 2000 01:39:33 PM new
Pretty much kicking back after this round. The sewing machine I used for quilting died recently, and as the seller of the new one I just bought on ebay appears to check her email once every 36 hours, I won't be quilting until after Christmas at least. It's arctic at the local flea market and from the dearth of estate sales, apparently nobody dies here in the winter, I sold all my back stock....sounds like a good time to clean out the workroom and wrap up the year.
posted on December 5, 2000 01:42:30 PM new
I have a handful of auctions ending tonight and tomorrow night, and then that's it for me too, 'til the 26th. I have way too much to do getting ready for the holidays to take care of buyers.
posted on December 5, 2000 02:03:31 PM new
Actually, I'll be listing a batch of auctions tonight, and probably through out the week. I will also list a bunch to end between 12/26 and 12/30 later this month.
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Don't take life so serious, it ain't nohow permanent.
posted on December 5, 2000 02:07:17 PM new
I have a handful ending tonight, and a few in two days. That will be it for me until after the holiday, unless I find something that will sell for sure.
posted on December 5, 2000 02:11:38 PM new
I'm going to use the AW Free Listing Day as a way to give some stale stock one last try, and the last of those will close 12/17. Maybe none of them will get bids so I won't have to do any work on the back end! ; - )
One thing I have in mind to start soon: ask buyers if they want their books held for mailing until after the first of the year. If they aren't for gifts and they are paying for slow-mo book rate anyway, they might do well to wait until after the Christmas packages are delivered.
posted on December 5, 2000 02:24:31 PM new
I'm just going to keep pounding and pounding and pounding. I have it in my mind to ALWAYS sell as much as I am able to. I've experienced 100% growth the last 3 years and want it to continue. Somday I'll have that house on a private golf course. Until that time, anyone need sunglasses? Best of Holiday Season to all you AW users.
posted on December 5, 2000 02:37:47 PM new
I've closed up shop here!! I know what you mean. My last auctions for the year ended on Sunday. I was going to start some more and have them end on the 10th, but oh no... not with people "whining" about Christmas delivery.
It plainly states in my auctions that I'm overseas & mail takes 1 to 2 weeks to get here. So, I'm getting all these emails from people this week saying "I'm mailing a check & I hope my order gets here by Christmas because it is a gift." DREAM ON!! Well, you know how to speed things up a little bit, pay via paypal or paydirect.
posted on December 5, 2000 03:15:38 PM new
I love this time of year. Throwback to my days with Frito Lay. I am just like a grocery store, I only shut down for about 12 hours, and I love it! I finished my shopping last month so I could savor every day in December.
posted on December 5, 2000 03:18:53 PM new
I'm staying in the game. I hope to make enough money in the next 6 months to be able to pay someone to fold my tent for me! Big time snow comes this time of year so we have to pay the plowing bids... Count me in!
posted on December 5, 2000 03:35:27 PM new
I'm taking a break for the next 3 weeks or so... Mainly for my own sanity. I've sold over 300 items the past two weeks -- not normal for me.
I'll be back in January....
"My possessions are causing me suspicion." - Neil Finn
posted on December 5, 2000 04:02:25 PM new
My last auction of the year ended last night and I'm already getting the emails of gotta have it now. I won't list anything again until mid January, see what the market is like then, if it's still slow, I'll stay out till it picks up.
posted on December 5, 2000 09:05:26 PM new
WELL, I am glad to see I am not the only one, folding my tent. We personally, don't do the crazy Christmas scene, that is gifts, trees and such, I just don't like to deal with stressed out, up tight buyers, and since we do so much more after Christmas, I know it is time to fold the tent, when buyers start getting antsy and weird.
It is always a temptation, I had some good sales tonight and was almost tempted to relist the items as I have some back up, but kept myself under control, and know they'll sell just as well after Christmas.
We don't do seasonal items, so what we sell we can sell anytime of year.
Staying out of the Christmas storm also helps cut back on "burn out", which can happen when you have been at this for years, as we have. I know I need a break when I could care less whether anything sells or not. Time to recharge the batteries!
Best of wishes to those who are staying in the Christmas battle zone!
posted on December 5, 2000 09:22:01 PM new
Had some really unexpected great sales in the last month, 4 years on ebay, taking a break after the lot I have up finish this week. Starting to feel stressed, time for a break and recharge
posted on December 5, 2000 09:30:01 PM new
Not exactly folding up, maybe concentrate on books, CD's and non-breakables. Seems the P.O. plays kickball the rest of this month to load their trucks faster!
