carolinetyler
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posted on February 13, 2009 12:11:41 PM new
This stinks! January - March are my best months and what keeps me profitable and in business. The economy is so horrendous, my sales are about 40% of what they were last year. Over the past few weeks, I've been listing lower end items instead of the $50 and up range I usually do, and am having a little bit of luck with them - but they are so labor intensive that it makes it not worth it.
I list primarily in Antiques & Collectibles - I've had a few tried and true items do OK - things for higher end collectors - Chinese Export, Imari, etc. but decorative arts - and now I've noticed anything usually bought by women (like jewelry and vanity items) are really tanking.
Anybody noticing any trends they care to share....
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 Caroline
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ebabestreasures
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posted on February 13, 2009 12:59:57 PM new
I'm pleasantly surprised that my sales so far this month are on par with last year. Most have been higher ticket items purchased by Best Offers.
Knock on wood!!!!
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otteropp
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posted on February 13, 2009 04:04:15 PM new
I also count on January - March for great sales but not this year!
Pottery & China sales are pretty much non-existant. I am really not doing too much of anything.
Although there is no doubt that the economy is affecting sales, I think the changes that eBay have made over the past month have a lot to do with the Buyers backing away. There are more changes to come too!
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on February 13, 2009 04:10:05 PM new
Fantastic sales since I started listing a lot of 99 cent NR auctions.
People want auctions -- at least my customers do. They're not interested in store or fp. Although store and fp sales have picked up in the last two weeks, it's mostly to first-time customers.
fLufF
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Claim your FREE $5 jewelry gift certificate!
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gina50
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posted on February 13, 2009 04:12:56 PM new
I am having no luck. I sell mostly vintage clothing. I have some real nice things on ebay right now and not even getting many lookers.
I had taken a year off so was excited to get back to selling on ebay but at this rate I think I'll take another year off!! lol
As an original ebay seller from back in the day when everything sold for lots of money it is very depressing the way things have gone down hill.
I am trying 2 other sites but not having any sales there either.
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sthoemke
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posted on February 13, 2009 04:17:27 PM new
Not much luck lately. Seems half the bidders take 2-4 weeks to send paypal.
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agitprop
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posted on February 14, 2009 01:46:31 AM new
Our website collectible sales, mostly to Europe, are growing at a steady rate. However our eBay sales are down year on year... We still list fixed priced items on eBay but mainly to feed new customer into our website (where prices are cheaper since we aren't forced to accept PayPal).
We are in a fortunate position with most of our competitors having closed shop, leaving what was at times a crowded market, now almost all to ourselves. Still get a few big orders every month or so from new customers so people haven't completely stopped buying as the news media like to portray in their "doom-n-gloom" articles.
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roadsmith
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posted on February 14, 2009 09:33:06 AM new
Since early January, I haven't done any listing at all. Too busy with other things, and too discouraged by eBay to even try. Now I'm getting ready to list a few items, just to get juices flowing again.
_____________________
"Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels - men and women who ***dared to dissent*** from accepted doctrine. As their heirs, ***may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion."*** --Eisenhower
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romantiques
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posted on February 14, 2009 03:56:00 PM new
I've been gone for several months but put a group of 14 items up for auction last week. It was a great week for me. 10 of 14 sold and each exceeded my hopes for them. I'm doing the happy dance. All paid for and sent out.
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shagmidmod
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posted on February 16, 2009 08:40:18 AM new
In our retail store, our sales in January were fantastic! Our December was horrible, largely due to the 2 week long snow storm that crippled the city. Our holiday sales traditionally pick up around December 15th, but that is when the storm hit and everything fell apart. Ebay was strong in December, and I took a break most of January with only relistings, but that has also paid off fairly well too.
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on February 17, 2009 04:56:37 PM new
Sales continue to be very strong. I'm beginning to wonder if eBay's changed the search algorithm again, this time to one that benefits me.
Website sales are fantastic.
fLufF
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Claim your FREE $5 jewelry gift certificate!
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fluffythewondercat
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posted on February 17, 2009 05:24:17 PM new
From what other sellers are telling me, it seems clear that new items are selling well, but not so much vintage and collectibles.
In times of uncertainty people want things they can trust, like recognizable brand names. That, and the necessity of a steady supply, are why I got out of the antiques business.
fLufF
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Claim your FREE $5 jewelry gift certificate!
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neglus
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posted on February 17, 2009 05:57:11 PM new
I don't even know! I was on vacation for a week and then spent another week trying to get excited about working again - just starting to ramp back up now.
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http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards?refid=store
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