posted on February 22, 2004 10:25:06 PM new
Yep, I am done. I told my little boy last night that I decided , atleast for now, to stop listing. I think i need some serious time off. Too tired. Must contemplate if this is all worth it or not. Sell thru's are down. The only things that sold this week are the most difficult things to pack and ship. Oh well.
Anyway, I will be here checking in from time to time. maybe I just need a rest.
posted on February 22, 2004 10:36:35 PM new
I can certainly see why so many sellers feel the same way as you Paloma ( and myself ). We list and list and get few sells or bids or even views. It gets downright demoralizing. The only good thing is that it is a hobby selling on ebay for many sellers but the sellers doing it for a living are in another boat altogether where they have to get bids and sells or face some serious consequences.
I'll miss your posts about your 'finds' but do come back and visit often. The garage sale season may revitalize your treasure hunting/ebay spirit in a few more months.
-------------- sig file ----------- *There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on February 23, 2004 02:24:07 AM new
I think alot of us felt that way during the
Christmas season-we tried to list everything we could,because we knew we'd make money.
I know in January I hardly listed at all.
Lets face it-its additive like gambling,you dont always win,but if theres a chance you will you win, you keep gambling.Same thing with Ebay-you dont always sell,but sometimes you do, and you keep listing.The attraction
of making money is hard to resist.
posted on February 23, 2004 02:42:25 AM new
hubby and i moved the week before Christmas and i haven't been able to get my ebay motivation back since...i listed two things last week and both sold so hopefully i can get the urge back shortly.
i have over 3,000 pieces of jewelry to list and they are just waiting on my energy to build up.
good luck to you paloma and still show us your finds from time to time...a rest will probably do you some good.
posted on February 23, 2004 07:04:25 AM new
Good Luck Paloma, I know how you feel. I did have a great sell through rate last week and everyone has paid me and today I am mailing them, but what a waste of a Sunday. I am selling just my collections I have in my house and I hope it ends soon as I am tired. I am having surgery in two weeks so this week I have to work twice as hard.
Stop back and visit, this is a great place. People are great and the information is better than any books that I have.
posted on February 23, 2004 07:33:02 AM new
Paloma, we will miss you!
___________________________________
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
You read about all these terrorists --- most of them came here legally, but
they hung around on these expired visas, some for as long as 10 -15 years.
Now, compare that to Blockbuster; you are two days late with a video and
those people are all over you. Let's put Blockbuster in charge of
immigration.
posted on February 23, 2004 08:16:06 AM new
Don't worry Roadsmith, I won't be leaving here. Maybe I just need a break. I sell online to make ends meet. My 9 - 5 job is only a contract one and will be up in June but another will start up in august. I'll need to find another job in June or go back to my summer long garage sales and selling on ebay again.
Anyone know of a computer repair or computer tech job in my area, let me know
posted on February 23, 2004 09:22:27 AM new
I have cut my listings down to 10-20 a week. I was listing 50-100 a week. We started doing the Flea market earlier this year and I will be busy with other things until next fall. I don't think I'm missing a whole lot not posting much.The extra money does help feed the cat.
posted on February 23, 2004 10:31:42 AM new
My listing is way down, too. The biggest reason is I can't get motivated to put in the large effort it takes to find good inventory.
Since ebay is just a hobby for me, if I don't enjoy it, why do it? I will most likely continue to list, but not as much.
posted on February 23, 2004 11:13:31 AM new
Oh, geez, I hate to do this, but I recommend you keep a few listings up to maintain the attention of your repeat buyers. It can be a seller set-back to be idle for an extended period. I can sympathize, just be thankful you don't work in a beer factory, or for a candy company. My wife worked at See's, once, and they encouraged employees to eat all they wanted, at that time. The idea was a fast burn-out on candy, which happened.
Just a note, as eBay expands it's client base more and more buyers (and sellers) are going to be less 'user' friendly.
Also, if you are serious, versus a hobbyist, you should have an on-line store and just utilize eBay for the exposure. Run your business, don't let your business run you.
posted on February 24, 2004 12:24:35 PM new
Well, I'm just curious, what the heck do you list that's 50-100 items? Are they all the same one of a kind or a variety.
http://lwright.biz/index.html
posted on February 24, 2004 12:46:37 PM new
If I am not mistaken, Paloma is selling antiques, collectibles and curios.
The inherent problem with that market is that you can't just go down to Ye Olde Antique Mart and rustle up a couple of pallets of eBayable stuff. I've said it before: after years of selling at flea markets and antique shows, I just got tired of the constant hunt for good stuff to sell.
Not that it isn't fun to visit thrift shops, go to auctions, garage sales, etc. but it is very time-consuming. Plus, you are betting on your knowledge and your taste. If you're mistaken about either or both, it is not going to go well. Either you're going to buy crap or you're going to give away good stuff because you don't know what it is. I saw this a lot with novice antique dealers when I was doing shows and I made a few of those mistakes myself.
I think the eBay selling experience can be much more fun when you don't have to worry about merchandise streams.
posted on February 25, 2004 06:10:07 AM new
Yes, hunting for inventory at garage sales, etc. can be difficult and time consuming. Also, it is important to deal with what you know (books, in my case). My extensive knowledge about books enables me to select more hits and fewer misses, whereas when I delve into collectibles or something else I am lucky to get my money back at all.
posted on February 25, 2004 06:18:19 AM new
I know what u all mean about getting burned out and not having the energy to list-it happens to all of us at some time or another I'm sure. I usually take my break between July and August. I only have maybe 30-40 items at a time during those 2 months because my experience is that my stuff doesn't sell too well during the summer months. From previous threads on this board it appears that summer months aren't the best for a lot of sellers. During the remainder of the year I'm usually hard at it but there are times when I just say the he@@ with it and walk away for a day or two. It can make you nuts!!!
posted on February 25, 2004 07:42:11 AM new
For me, going out and finding things is the best part of it. That is what I *enjoy the most. I have a hard time putting it to list, and hate packing the stuff!! I should just be a finder for somebody else! lol. edited to add: I think a good 65% of my sales are for resale. This am sold a pfaltzgraff piece. Woman tells me its for her grandmother, right? So out of nowhere I peek at her ID, she is a PW with over 5,000 FBs specializing in Pfaltzgraff!! haha. Yeah, right for your grandmother!
posted on February 25, 2004 08:01:47 AM new
Hi paloma, I am sorry to hear that also, I enjoy your posts and pix. Also Libra, good luck with your pending surgery. I have yet to find the perfect ebay day, or routine, I do know one thing, there are times I am "not in the mood" to list certain categories and I just put it aside for "when I am in the mood" but that pile keeps getting bigger. Also, If I do errands, chores, post office etc, in the morning it is very difficult for me to come back and get into the swing of things. I am lucky my husband does the post office for me most of the time. Lately I find myself playing beat the clock so I can do what I have to do and then get myself out to take care of odds and ends. I envy the people that can take care of what needs to be taken care of then come back home knowing that part is done then get into the ebay routine. I am usually up between 7:00-8:00 A.M.
reenie
I don't get even....I get even better Jimmy Hoffa
posted on February 25, 2004 09:26:01 AM new
The only items I'm posting now is DVDs and CDs. I do have alot of repeat auctions but I also get alot of a one of a kind.
posted on February 25, 2004 10:03:09 AM new
I just list the same 3 things over and over 100 times - they you can autolist and not waste time describing your items.
