posted on September 29, 2001 05:52:28 PM new
i am just sitting here exasperated....don't know what else to do....i have made my listings beeutiful....listed every thing in the word that i have...this really sucks...i don't think this is going to be able to be the way i pay my bills anymore....don't think i will get to do what i really really love in order to pay my bills....
don't want to sound like a whiny baby but i almost feel like this is the place where you all can certainly understand what i am going thru....but what is worse...is that i am unable to do much else due to my health....and yet i know that there are all other things that preclude others from doing anything so i guess i shouldn't bi&#*; i keep seeing you oldtimers such as myself....having been here almost since day one and one by one we are dropping like flys from ebay....
i am sad...am mad...am distraught...and yet i just keep sitting in front of my terminal and hitting reload hoping that either one of my items has sold....or that one of you guys would post something on this message board that would solve my problem (no money) or make me feel better...very depressing....
posted on September 29, 2001 06:39:39 PM new
Let's start the the old farts club. A chat board where we can exchange ideas and complain about medicare. No joke, if a few chime in here in agreement, I'll do it. (or did you mean an ebay old timer, not a real oldtimer?)
[ edited by rgrem on Sep 29, 2001 06:41 PM ]
posted on September 29, 2001 06:58:16 PM new
Undercovers, we've all been hit with a lot lately, it's easy to get depressed! The WTC, the economy, eBay sales stinking for some of us....But I really do think things will improve if we can manage to hold on for a bit longer. Hang in there.
posted on September 29, 2001 07:04:40 PM new
I have to agree with everyone else! Hang in there. Things WILL get better!
The weather is starting to change too, so be sure to get outside. That always makes things better for me. Take a little walk around the block and see that some of the leaves have already started to fall. Stomp through them even (they make a great sound). I know how frustrating things are right now, so if you need to vent there are a lot of people here to listen. And it is not whining. If it needs to be said that it just needs to be said.
Just hang in there and I know things will get better soon!
"I think it pi**** off god if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it." Alice Walker
posted on September 29, 2001 07:21:28 PM new
thanks guys...it has been a real bad haul...you keep buying 'it' hoping and praying after research that that will be a hot seller....but NOOOOOO...so you are out that bucks...the cycle keeps going...SO, i am painting american flags....maybe those will sell....oh brother
rgrem...i meant ebayoldtimers...the ones that endured a ten minute listing frenzy when ebay would have too much traffic and we wouldn't be able to list till next hour....and so on...
or buying frantically at auctions knowing that you will pretty much make a killing off everything your were high bid on....and even if you didn't make a killing you could sell it to the new ebayer who had the same thing in mind...
anyway....thanks yall...i can't do anything till after xmas i have too much invested to do anything else....anyone need the latest mousetrap i am selling ??!!very cheap...the hottest thing on ebay!!!LOL now i can kinda laugh...
posted on September 29, 2001 07:38:51 PM new
undercovers,
I share your pain. It is something a lot of us understand right now. There are also those who will read your words and will never understand. They will wonder with all that has happened in the world since 9-11 why should anyone complain. Why should anyone feel disheartenment.
There are a great deal of people who sell on eBay for a living and even those who rely on sales to help pay a few extra bills that share your concerns of doubt and uncertainty. Uncertainty right now is the only certainty. The problem here is doubt breeds more doubt.
Right now we all need a little hope in our lives. Hope that things will not get worse, hope that tomorrow will bring a better day. Hope that the next time you look at your listings there will be at least a few bids. We all need that hope. Hope is the anchor of the soul, the stimulus to action, and the incentive to achievement.
Like many here my sales bottomed out starting with September 11th. Everyday I would look at my auctions with no sales and my Half.com’s nonexistent orders. I felt hope slipping away. I saw my financial future disappearing before my eyes. I felt lost and frustrated as I read more and more stories about other sellers problems and lack of sales. I felt angry reading the stories from people posting how great they were doing and thought "why me. I do this for a living. What am I going to do? Heck I haven’t been in a "real job"” since early 1998.
I did a few things to get off this road to hopelessness. First I stopped watching the news on TV every day about the tragedy at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Second I listed a bunch of auctions and decided if they don’t sell I re-list them again. At least a few times before I just give up on the economy, the country to pull it’s self back together, eBay and my faith in what I have built these past few years.
I turned inward and told my self to be brave and to get off this pity party and look for alternative ways of either developing additional income or making additional income right now. I didn’t want to return to work so I started searching for Work at Home opportunities. I did a lot of research and as I found one after another after another to be some sort of a scam to take my money instead of earn me money that darkness of despair started taking over again. But I kept searching and finally found one. I signed up and I am starting to make money at it. It’s a slow process but it is at least PROGRESS in the right direction.
In the mean time sales have begun to improve. Not to the point where they were before 9-11 but they are getting better everyday. So fight one more round. Right now it’s a battle but if you keep fighting eventually you can win it. Right now the cards seem stacked against you. But with perseverance, a little hope and the fortitude to keep a positive attitude you can over come this. Time may seem to be against you but where there is a will there is a way.
When Winston Churchill was asked to give the commencement address at Harrow, the boarding school he had attended as a youth. He stood up, looked over his glasses at the young graduates, and delivered one of the shortest commencement addresses on record.
Never, never, never give up!” he cried out.
With that he sat down.
Find the strength to fight back even if it is just for tomorrow, then if need be the next day and the next and the next. Just “Never, never, never give up!” if you do you truly are defeated.
posted on September 29, 2001 08:17:29 PM new
Remember this: If you list it right now (or recently) and it doesn't sell, think how easy it will be just to hit the relist button in a month or so when sales are hot for Christmas and you're having a hard time just keeping up.
posted on September 29, 2001 08:29:02 PM new
colonel
we should bottle you and sell it ....we would really be rich....gosh...i am staggered by your words....very nicely said and extremly impressive ....maybe you should publish a book....thank you so much
posted on September 29, 2001 08:41:42 PM new
undercovers: I know exactly how you feel. I've been on Ebay since 97 and it sure ain't nothing like it used to be. For me the downfall started years ago when Ebay went public. And I'm thinking it will never pick up to even half as good as it was.
kolonel22: I've been searching for alternatives too and everything I see looks like a scam. I'm sure there's something out there, but I just haven't found it yet. I haven't had a "real" job since 82. I wouldn't even know where to begin looking.
posted on September 29, 2001 09:44:14 PM new
WWWWWHHHHOOOOOO HHHHH0OOOOOOO WHHHOO HOOOO
HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE A BUY IT NOW!!!!
okay i am better....never mind.....thanks for your helps...hopefully there will be lots more....
[ edited by undercovers on Sep 29, 2001 09:46 PM ]
posted on September 30, 2001 04:29:45 AM new
Good Morning Undercovers and all. Congrats on the BIN. I am trying to list only things that nobody else has. Wonder if, with all your stuff you could, for a while, just list stuff that will not show up with the a4a search. I sell some coins and if I list a certain scarce coin by date, collectors get straight to my stuff with their search. I don't think we can compete with a4a, but you must have some good stuff that a4a does not have? Just a thought. BTW, I know the screen-watching and page-refreshing mode. It is like watching water boil. It "ain't gonna", til you walk away for a while. LOL.
posted on September 30, 2001 04:43:02 AM new
undercovers, I cannot really say I know how you feel because I still have my full time job, but this is the one I love the most.
My mother once told me that when things look the darkest for you, look around and see all the people who are worse off. I have never found it hard to thank god for all I have after doing this.
Right now I am listing a few things recently purchased and hope they sell, not doing too bad.
I am writing a lot of listings that I am holding for a few weeks though. I am really hopeful that after a few weeks, sellers will slow down with AFA and the bidders will look at the rest of ebay offerings.
Also, Christmas comes regardless of the economy and those sales will be here. I hope, I hope, I hope.
Good luck to you all that count on ebay for your primary income, and may God bless.
posted on September 30, 2001 08:25:40 AM new
Take heart! I think it will pick up a bit starting today
and hold up into next week - the 1st/15th of the month syndrome ("the eagle flies" and paydays).
The over all uncertainty remains severe with the economy and war senario-the worst any ebay sellers have seen yet. I can't see how 24800 A4A auctions (that's .4% of all ebay listings right now) as of this AM (and dropping rapidly) can siphon off all the sales for very long. I'm in a similar situation as you and manning the same boat. Look to diversifying your material and selling elsewhere - in the meantime BAIL!
and never give up!<p>
"Put all your eggs in one Basket-<br>
Then watch the Basket!".......Mark Twain
posted on October 1, 2001 12:16:38 AM new
undercovers,
First let me say that your post is the only one in a long time that motivated me to post on this over-moderated board.
As someone who pays their bills primarily from online sales I can understand what you are going through.
Much of the current slump is category specific. I sell antiques, collectibles, art and books. At present *only* my books are selling. About $150 worth so far for the coming week. And then there is the money I am making from markets. Where mostly junk is selling, but with enough of it, it becomes profitable.
My 'better' categories are being hammered. Yet my overall sales are up, simply since I am able to diversify - both in merchandise and markets.
The key to sales is both specialization *and* diversification. And knowledge. If you are a typical stay-at-home mom selling children's clothes and beanie babies, you need to understand that there are tens of thousands of others like you doing the exact same thing, and that if the market is either flooded or just plain soft, then prices will plummet, along with profits. There are fools out there selling Walmart type merchandise *below* cost hoping to get the bidding going, and killing the market for all concerned.
Specialization. Find a specific category, say 1840's California Bank Notes and learn everything there is to know about it from books to collectors periodicals. And then find the best suppliers at the lowest cost.
With expertise in narrow categories you can build a clientele of diehard collectors so you might be able to withstand swings in the economy or changes in fads (like beanie babies).
Diversification. Dont put all your eggs in one basket. Select and learn about other categories such as Victorian textiles to Art Deco figurines. Try to purchase these as cheap as possible from people who do not know what they are (even through ebay) and dont just sell them, MARKET them! Give a good description. Get a Sothebies catalog if you want to know what a good description is.
Purchase good general references for these type of items so while you may not be an expert on them, at least you will appear knowledgeable.
Markets. eBay is simply not the best place to sell at least half the items of value you might have. Maybe more. I have seen rare $200 items sell for a dollar on ebay. ebay is good for certain items at certain times that can vary from week to week. To survive you need to consider real life markets, and even maybe auctions for higher quality merchandise. DO NOT think a larger online audience means higher prices. It also means that your 'rare' Rookwood vase that might get $400 at a local auction will only get about $25 since a dozen dingbats have put the same thing up at a dollar-no-reserve.
Avoid greedbays punishing listing fees by not relisting items that do not sell after a second relisting, and instead move them to a 'free' auction such as Bidville, and park them until they sell there, or the matket is right for them to be reintroduced to ebay. Free Listing Day is great for that.
posted on October 1, 2001 05:06:10 AM new
Hi Y'All -
Please remember, that when you believe you are at the bottom of the barrel, there is no where else to go but up........
Keep a tight grip on your seat and a big smile on your face; cause no-one can protect your butt like you can (and the fingerprints can be used for identification later) and when you are smiling everyone will wonder just what the h*ll you are up to.......
posted on October 1, 2001 05:53:26 AM newfind the best suppliers at the lowest cost.
and
Try to purchase these as cheap as possible from people who do not know what they are
Thanks for a good laugh. These are great additions to my "So, you want to be a billionaire?" collection of advice that is so general that it is, for all PRACTICAL purposes, useless.
Here's more scintillating advice:
**buy low, sell high.
**invest in stocks that will do well over the long haul.
**don't fall for scams.
**don't have an accident.
**choose a competent doctor, lawyer, stockbroker, mechanic, computer tech, home inspector....[fill in your favorite]
**stop terrorists before they strike.
"So, you say you want to be a billionaire?" Well, it's easy! I'll tell you exactly how to do it!!! First, get a billion dollars. Then...
(Apologies to Steve Martin)
posted on October 1, 2001 08:03:54 AM new
kelagedart thank you for your very thoughtful words....i really do appreciate it....and i will certainly try the other venues.....i am somewhat diversified but maybe i need another avenue; my B & M is also dieing due to the drought (we live in an agricultural area)...i just hope that i can get thru this with some Bucks to pay my bills
doormat
you made me laugh...and i don't think you were trying to....but anyway, i was just using the term 'mousetraps' was a good description for our items that we sell...sorry i was not more clear
thanks to all of you....i feel more warm and fuzzy....still poor ...but warm and fuzzy...
AND i am seeing some pick up on my stuff so i do hope we can just keep the increase of sales..
posted on October 1, 2001 08:19:50 AM new
Although I am NOT able to use the misfortune of others to make me feel better about my life as someone suggested, I AM able to start feeling like things may be looking up this month on ebay despite a4a and everything else. I don't know, it's just a feeling I have...I DO wish everyone well!
For a while I also felt like we were doomed atleast through the end of the year, but I now feel like things will get better very soon...
posted on October 1, 2001 01:47:52 PM newrgremI am trying to list only things that nobody else has.
Umm something no one else has. my husband! I wonder if I could get something for him. He has lots of miles left on him. <LOL>
undercovers Have faith. Things will get better. Things are slow for me too, but I force myself not to take to heart what I call the chicken little syndrome.
posted on October 1, 2001 05:28:24 PM new
And I was beginning to think I was going to get a good deal on a mousetrap.I thought maybe it was painted up in red/wht & blue with a little flag sticking up.
posted on October 2, 2001 05:14:23 PM new
I can really sympathize with anyone who is having financial problems with the slow down of business. I haven't had a "real job" since 1976. I have been buying and selling that long and used to make lots of money. Oh, for the good ole days! I listed two pictures in my collection that I hated to part with on eBay for a 5 day listing. They ended 5 days ago and no word from either buyer - $400.00 on the line that I need for bills due now. I can't imagine getting a good enough "regular" job to pay my bills (I also have bad health - so selling on eBay has been great and I am getting "older" and have scoured my brain and the internet for ideas and haven't really come up with much. It always seems to be a scam that you have to pay for information to get the job. But if things are not better within the month, I am going to have to do what I hate and go to Manpower. Even then you wonder with employment figures going up too if you can even get a job. It's hard to admit, but the whole world looks very bad from here at this time. I can usually fight the negative thoughts, but this is more than I can handle.
posted on October 2, 2001 05:19:07 PM new
kolonel22, Would you mind sending me information about the job you say you got online? my address is [email protected].
Maybe that would work for me too.
and have scoured my brain and the internet for ideas and haven't really come up with much. It always seems to be a scam that you have to pay for information to get the job. But if things are not better within the month, I am going to have to do what I hate and go to Manpower. Even then you wonder with employment figures going up too if you can even get a job. It's hard to admit, but the whole world looks very bad from here at this time. I can usually fight the negative thoughts, but this is more than I can handle.