posted on November 2, 2009 08:20:29 AM new
Getting back into e-bay after not selling for a while. Vintage, Collectibles,New?
No luck on recent auctions.
Isadoras1000
posted on November 2, 2009 08:33:02 AM new
On vintage and collectibles I was doing really well until this week, and now it really sucks. I can't figure out why - just seemed to stop.
posted on November 2, 2009 08:37:28 AM new
Hard to say what sells anymore. Just have to do some research. I doubt anyone is going to let their cat out of the bag.
posted on November 2, 2009 09:36:50 AM new
I am another "once a year" seller. I gather up a batch of stuff that fits my eBay criteria, and I list at 9.95 start, no reserve. And this is not junk stuff, either. I have simply found that most eBayers will not bid if it doesn't start at rock bottom and if there is any kind of reserve. Therefore, only about 2% of my inventory meets the criteria I set, and when I sell on eBay, it is because I want it out of my life.
But over the last year, eBayers have gotten ridiculous. I had one group of items listed where I had ONE of the group sell in my shop this year for 90.00. After three days of no bids, I yanked it. Naturally, I get an email from someone who "didn't get a chance to bid" (apparently clicking that "bid now" button meant he would have to put down his beer for a second), and would I take $9.00 for the lot?
So for most of this stuff, I think I will just donate to charity, take a deduction, and not schlepp it to the post office.
(of course, on the other hand, a bunch of parts I was ready to just toss brought in almost $200).
I find I am doing better with good items on a fixed price venue - and fewer dumb questions.
posted on November 2, 2009 01:25:00 PM new
Every euro $ is worth US 1.47,overseas bidders are shopping on Ebay-USA.
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There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on November 2, 2009 01:55:53 PM new
I think you are right about shipping costs. Even the flat rate box at $10.85 sounds high if you are making a purchase under $50.
I also suspect many people have grown wary of buying many items on ebay after receiving one too many purchases that was damaged, dirty or stunk to high heaven.
posted on November 2, 2009 07:34:07 PM new
Shipping hurts. Think about this... 10 years ago this was the cost of Priority Mail:
"...You can ship up to 2 pounds at a cost of $3.20, or, better still... Prices for larger packages sent via priority mail include $4.30 for 3 pounds, $5.40 for 4 pounds and $6.50 for 5 pounds."
From Google http://www.google.com/search?q=history+of+priority+mail&hl=en&rlz=1T4SNCA_en&tbs=tl:1&tbo=u&ei=EaLvSuD-DYyuswPgmNmJBg&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&ct=title&resnum=11&ved=0CCEQ5wIwCg
People didn't mind spending $4 shipping for a shirt or small object, yet here they are now paying $7-13 for the same 2 pound item. To make matters worse, sellers are being graded on shipping time and shippig costs, even though the accurate measure should be handling time. Shipping time could be 2 days or 10 days. It depends just how lazy the postal couriers are that day. With shipping costs stated in the auction listing the buyer agrees to the shipping costs when they bid. It can be reasonable to assume they feel the price is still within reason, otherwise they wouldn't bid... or they are a complete idiot. That margin is maybe 9:1.
posted on November 3, 2009 04:41:24 AM new
I agree about shipping cost. Most of my mail is from Canada to the US, and the shipping cost really hurts.
When you think about it, the postal systems have lost a lot of business because of email, there has to be far less letter mail. However, this is the era of online shopping, so package mailing has to have increased a huge amount, and the post office is taking advantage of that. I think buyers now weigh up the option of shipping cost over convenience.
posted on November 3, 2009 05:32:44 AM new
Most of my packages go USPS first class mail,and most of my bidders praise me on fast fast shipping, I would not say the postal carriers are lazy!
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on November 3, 2009 05:55:07 AM new
Ditto Hwahwa, my 1st class shipments are often going coast to coast in 2 days. No lazy post people there! Except for the black hole in Texas, whats up with that???
I have also noticed that FedEx Ground has been getting delivered a day or 2 before the posted eta. Does not bode well for the carriers when their system load is so light. I like the quick delivery but suspect that shipping carriers are seeing a serious down turn.
Christmas selling should be interesting this year. If you are selling new staple items you should do well but I do not think the outlook for the collectibles market is going to be very strong.
posted on November 3, 2009 07:07:37 AM new
Has anyone noticed the shipping prices of various auctions to be listed as First Class mail for $3.00 or some other impossible price for items obviously weighting a lot more than a first class mailing? Don't the sellers realize that shipping anything over 13 ozs. has to go priority or parcel post? They must be really taking a bath when they get to the post office. If they add insurance and E-Bay fees, they aren't making any money on the auctions, in fact loosing.
posted on November 3, 2009 07:08:59 AM new
Another bad sign about shipping/sales is that the box outlet I go to is almost out of the business; they would sell overruns, etc. from their regular production. Demand for shipping boxes is way, way down.
posted on November 3, 2009 08:21:54 AM new
First, I was signed on my other account: sputco when I typed that, so to save confusion... it was me.
Second, when I say lazy I was referring to Parcel Post, which I didn't clarify.
Anything over 3 pounds or over 1 sq ft I give a second shipping option to save the bidder money. Up until 2 months ago I was offering Priority and Parcel Post. I had many people choosing Parcel Post to save money, but they didn't realize just how long it could take. I had several packages take the full "10 business days" (aka 14 days) to get from Oregon to places like Arizona, Texas, Iowa, etc.
When you compare prices between the Post Office and Fed Ex Ground... it is a no brainer. First off, Fed Ex ships items within 5 business days. They give an estimated delivery day, and generally are right on the money. Parcel post can't tell you when it might arrive, where it is, or even if it was shipped by the sender, only that a label was printed. Second, Fed Ex provides much better tracking. Third, Fed Ex provides insurance coverage (which gives shipping some value in the eyes of buyers). Fourth, Fed Ex is often cheaper than the Post Office above 4 pounds.
It was quite frustrating having several buyers emailing me wanting their items that haven't arrived after a full week. I couldn't get accurate shipping info online, Calling USPS is aggrevating, etc. Very bad for business, especially when you are rated on shipping time and shipping cost. Hands down Fed Ex Ground/Home Delivery is far better than Parcel Post.
[ edited by shagmidmod on Nov 3, 2009 08:23 AM ]
posted on November 3, 2009 09:02:04 AM new
Fedex or UPS is often cheaper, but I have had too many people over the years insist their only address is a P.O. Box.
If I have anything fragile going Fedex, I now just save myself time and shipping expense by just taking it out back and smashing it with a hammer myself. Over 30 years shipping fragile items (with rave reviews about my packing), never an issue with USPS.
Also, just got another email from someone who "missed bidding". Perhaps that "Bid Now" button is too ambiguous for these people.
And what is it about "no international" that draws international bidders like moths to a flame? Nothing against them, but I am just not going to go stand in line and fill out customs paperwork for a 9.95 item.
I don't think it is eBay or shippers; I think it is just general I don't know what about the public nowadays.
posted on November 3, 2009 07:05:32 PM new
Depends on how much it weighs,light items you dont need to fill out customs form.
And why is everyone going to the post office?
Why cant you schedule for USPS to pick up your packages?If you know your postal carrier well,you dont have to have at least one package to be priority shipment,if it is on her way .
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on November 3, 2009 09:04:46 PM new
all of my usps packages get picked up at my door... at home. rare that i run to the post office anymore.
as for international... i have had no problem with them. custom forms are printed right from paypal or click n ship. i order the free plastic sleeves to put the custom forms in from usps.com. never a single problem having my courier pick them up. in fact, i never have to schedule a pick up. he always parks in front our house and knows there will likely be a package or two.
i will make sure to leave him a bonus pick up for the holidays as it saves me probably a weeks worth of work each year by having him pick them up from my porch.
posted on November 4, 2009 01:58:17 AM new
I am sure I could be more efficient, but am only a sporadic eBay seller.
Since I have a P.O. Box myself, have to go to post office every day anyway, but the box lobby is open 24/7, and I use the automated kiosk to send my things. I have certainly sold many items internationally in the past; I just don't want to bother with even the minor hassle on small dollar value items.
Maybe I just never noticed before, but watching bidding on my items is like watching my grandmother play cards. "Oooh - I raised the bidding fifty cents - I better sit down and rest now".
I think some of these people have never cracked a 20-dollar bill.
posted on November 4, 2009 05:33:23 AM new
I think some of these people have never cracked a 20-dollar bill.////////
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Thats why I wonder what is Ebay thinking when it opens a store in Manhattan selling designer merchandise?Is that designer going out of businss??
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on November 4, 2009 03:00:35 PM new
WOW I thought it was just ME.
I think -- no, I know -- my shipping costs are very fair to the buyer. I don't make money in fact, in a lot of cases I eat costs which I have been trying very hard not to do anymore.
But people seem to have unrealistic views of shipping costs. The boxes, packing material, shipping itself, and even when you use the flat rate envelopes and boxes you still must have bubble wrap.
The person with the FedEx account: You know it! Been there, done that. I have an account and once a package came to me. It was so dirty and battered, it looked like it came from Afghanistan -- in 2002. I took digital photos and emailed them to the shipper, to my account manager at fedex. I figure, if they do this to stuff they ship to me, what in the world are they doing to packages I put my heart and soul into packaging well?
EBay put the fee restrictions on shipping for one reason: to hit the sellers who avoided paying fees with low prices, high shipping. It wasn't to protect buyers.
But the result of that was unrealistic and restrictive shipping fees. People have unrealistic view of what it costs ship items. The post office has done nothing but raise its rates year after year. I can't complain about shipping time; they've done a good job, I get compliments.
But then I learn now ebay goes behind the feedback system and asks yet more questions probing about shipping time etc. Hey, there are just some things we have no control over. I get it out the next day, but who can control a storm or flood in the mid-west slowing down an item?
Well I see it's not just me. There are so many people who sell on eBay, we are helpless to do anything, really.
I also just saw a "green" site on ebay I think it's new. Artsy stuff. I don't know if that is what the last poster was talking about. Some pricey stuff. I guess if a person can afford that, they don't have to worry about shipping costs.
good luck to us all!
gmt
