Ebay Sales Down

[BostonNut]

Sales, views, and impressions have come to a grinding halt.

Just going to have to grin and bear it and list, list, list I guess.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by BTBCards79

As we head into the latter part of Q3 and into the holiday season, have the veterans here experienced a meaningful increase in sales during Q4? If so, is everything selling well during this time, or are sales just more pronounced in the in-season sports such as football, basketball and hockey? If you sell memorabilia or other collectibles, how are sales in these categories during the holiday shopping season? Part of my questions come from curiosity, but also, my time is limited and I want to maximize my listings now in preparation for the holiday shopping season. I have a lot of cards that I need to list, but also memorabilia, toys, video games, etc. and want to prioritize the best that I can.

Q4 is always my best but also the most stressful. Most veteran use the typical summer slowdown to prepare for q4

[rwperu34]

Originally Posted by BTBCards79

As we head into the latter part of Q3 and into the holiday season, have the veterans here experienced a meaningful increase in sales during Q4? If so, is everything selling well during this time, or are sales just more pronounced in the in-season sports such as football, basketball and hockey? If you sell memorabilia or other collectibles, how are sales in these categories during the holiday shopping season? Part of my questions come from curiosity, but also, my time is limited and I want to maximize my listings now in preparation for the holiday shopping season. I have a lot of cards that I need to list, but also memorabilia, toys, video games, etc. and want to prioritize the best that I can.

I sell baseball cards only and I can tell you, with certainty, that sales will be slow from now until late January. I am currently in the process of stockpiling cash for the Oct/Nov/Dec buying season.

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

I sell baseball cards only and I can tell you, with certainty, that sales will be slow from now until late January. I am currently in the process of stockpiling cash for the Oct/Nov/Dec buying season.

I will move some decent stuff during Q4 if I price it to move aka literally taking a $0.01 profit (after eBay fees and such) or taking 65% of current comps. Realistically I should just price it at 90% in Q3 to move it, but holding out for a little more profit

[premium1981]

Get some football in your store if you are seeing slow sales this time of the year. Football is the perfect thing to balance your sales if you want to do away with the baseball dips. I do my best to balance my store to where I don't see slow months. It isn't foolproof, but it definitely works. I'm a baseball fan above all else, and don't really watch much football. But that move really took my store to the next level when I started doing it.

It really helps with buying too. Sales for baseball are up in the spring, bringing in good cash, which can be put into football while sales are sluggish. Sales for football are up in the fall, which creates more cash to buy baseball during the dip.

[beauspencer]

I honestly don't see any slow down throughout the year. I am heavily baseball, but my store is very diverse even though it skews baseball. The slow down in Q4 baseball is current players and prospects. Retired players and vintage moves just as well during the offseason as any other time of year.

Take advantage of slowdowns if you experience them. If you're not shipping...list more.

[nam812]

Originally Posted by beauspencer

............vintage moves just as well during the offseason as any other time of year..........

That's over 85% of my inventory, and I completely agree (as long as it's not ridiculously priced).

[premium1981]

Originally Posted by beauspencer

Take advantage of slowdowns if you experience them. If you're not shipping...list more.

That solves the majority of people's issues. The only way it doesn't is if you are listing hot garbage and asking a premium for the junk you are listing.

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by premium1981

That solves the majority of people's issues. The only way it doesn't is if you are listing hot garbage and asking a premium for the junk you are listing.

yeah thats the main cause of slow sales. Not listing... I am gulty of that this past week so am shocked ot see my sales are up this week and impressions are up as well. get stitches cut out today so hopefully I will have some more freedom in movement.

[rwperu34]

Originally Posted by premium1981

Get some football in your store if you are seeing slow sales this time of the year. Football is the perfect thing to balance your sales if you want to do away with the baseball dips. I do my best to balance my store to where I don't see slow months. It isn't foolproof, but it definitely works. I'm a baseball fan above all else, and don't really watch much football. But that move really took my store to the next level when I started doing it.

It really helps with buying too. Sales for baseball are up in the spring, bringing in good cash, which can be put into football while sales are sluggish. Sales for football are up in the fall, which creates more cash to buy baseball during the dip.

This really is the way. I simply have not been able to force myself to dip into football due to my pure apathy for the pro game.

[rwperu34]

The week ending August 29 was my lowest for sales in all of 2023, not counting the the two weeks my store was completely shut down. It was 20% of July peak and one third of my average for the year. My four week rolling average is the lowest since last October, although there is still a zero in there. The last week in August 2022 was also a downer, beating only two weeks in January.

Whoever suggesting using store categories to get extra items involved in the sale is a genius. It took a little time because I separated singles and lots and older and newer inventory (based on purchase date), but from this point forward my store will be that much more organized. I've already got a plan on how I'm going to handle my 2024 inventory in this regard. For the next six days I will have a Buy 1 Get 3 50% off sale running on a little over 1,000 items that were purchased in April 2023 or earlier (ie The Profit Box).

The next step is to go through my graded inventory and lower prices. Then I've got to get a couple of bulk lots listed.

The final step will the biggest undertaking of all. I am going to go through my raw inventory and make a decision on each item from these four options; 1) Cut the price, to as low as 1¢ free shipping auction, 2) Roll it in to my 2024 inventory, possibly with a higher price, 3) delist and add to a bulk lot, 4) Check for grading (maybe, maybe not on this one).

By the time I get all that done, it should be time for me to make my prospect list. Once that's done...BUY BUY BUY!!!

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by premium1981

That solves the majority of people's issues. The only way it doesn't is if you are listing hot garbage and asking a premium for the junk you are listing.

Originally Posted by shrevecity

yeah thats the main cause of slow sales. Not listing... I am gulty of that this past week so am shocked ot see my sales are up this week and impressions are up as well. get stitches cut out today so hopefully I will have some more freedom in movement.

Funny thing is you would be surprised on what people will buy. I buy collections and there are always meh cards in them. When I get low on inventory I will list those cards (mainly random rookies from 8+ years ago or HOF/HOF caliber/Fan favorites) and will always get either someone buying them (get a few sold each week) or someone will add it to their bulk buys.

Sometimes it does pay to be the only person who has that card listed on eBay, even if you get $0.50- $1 in profit. Sometimes takes awhile and also not in my 1st or 2nd tier of listing items too. Sometimes you need fillers to get your daily listings (or meet the CDP threshold before it expires while you wait on your next collection).

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

This really is the way. I simply have not been able to force myself to dip into football due to my pure apathy for the pro game.

I held off for a long time with NBA/NFL, but slowly built that into my store. Mainly just list rookie cards, HOF/Stars/QBs for Football or vintage. Baseball definitely moves more (and I have more listed than both combined) but it does help boost sales during their seasons and get some other inventory for shows if you set up.

[packman80]

Is not the easiest way to get Ebay sales up is to get some so-so looking women to hold up the item while wearing a bikini in the photo? LOL

[premium1981]

Originally Posted by packman80

Is not the easiest way to get Ebay sales up is to get some so-so looking women to hold up the item while wearing a bikini in the photo? LOL

Why only a woman? If I put on a bikini would it not sell as well?

[byronscott4ever]

Originally Posted by premium1981

Why only a woman? If I put on a bikini would it not sell as well?

There’s only one way to find out….

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by packman80

Is not the easiest way to get Ebay sales up is to get some so-so looking women to hold up the item while wearing a bikini in the photo? LOL

Assuming the sales are BIN ones, The easiest way are auctions of New Release Cards or Hot Players

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

The week ending August 29 was my lowest for sales in all of 2023, not counting the the two weeks my store was completely shut down. It was 20% of July peak and one third of my average for the year. My four week rolling average is the lowest since last October, although there is still a zero in there. The last week in August 2022 was also a downer, beating only two weeks in January.

Whoever suggesting using store categories to get extra items involved in the sale is a genius. It took a little time because I separated singles and lots and older and newer inventory (based on purchase date), but from this point forward my store will be that much more organized. I've already got a plan on how I'm going to handle my 2024 inventory in this regard. For the next six days I will have a Buy 1 Get 3 50% off sale running on a little over 1,000 items that were purchased in April 2023 or earlier (ie The Profit Box).

The next step is to go through my graded inventory and lower prices. Then I've got to get a couple of bulk lots listed.

The final step will the biggest undertaking of all. I am going to go through my raw inventory and make a decision on each item from these four options; 1) Cut the price, to as low as 1¢ free shipping auction, 2) Roll it in to my 2024 inventory, possibly with a higher price, 3) delist and add to a bulk lot, 4) Check for grading (maybe, maybe not on this one).

By the time I get all that done, it should be time for me to make my prospect list. Once that's done...BUY BUY BUY!!!

I have to take the credit because one of the eBay selling gurus called me a genius

[jamcas997]

So August was down from July which was ok for July

Net sales down 15%

Ave Sale Up 48%

and quantity sold down 44%

I did get my listings up over 3155 and will have 3200 by the end of the day.

[prospectorgems]

August was the second best month in sales this year. Just needed another $100 in sales to edge out April. Just hoping it keeps up and ebay doesn't make any more site changes that hoses things.

[Clemsonben]

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Sales, views, and impressions have come to a grinding halt.

Just going to have to grin and bear it and list, list, list I guess.

Exactly what I am experiencing. I have over 11k listings and continue to list and run auctions. My auctions are killing me. Stuff that should be selling decent will not even get a bid @0.99. Just curious if this was happening everywhere.

[beauspencer]

Exactly what I am experiencing. I have over 11k listings and continue to list and run auctions. My auctions are killing me. Stuff that should be selling decent will not even get a bid @0.99. Just curious if this was happening everywhere.

Auctions absolutely stink...unless you're a buyer.

I have more than 40,000 listings, over 3,200 users following my store, and I still get skunked when I occasionally run auctions. Every once in a while you'll get some items sell higher than they should, but in my experience it's less than 5%.

[prospectorgems]

Originally Posted by Clemsonben

Exactly what I am experiencing. I have over 11k listings and continue to list and run auctions. My auctions are killing me. Stuff that should be selling decent will not even get a bid @0.99. Just curious if this was happening everywhere.

Originally Posted by beauspencer

Auctions absolutely stink...unless you're a buyer.

I have more than 40,000 listings, over 3,200 users following my store, and I still get skunked when I occasionally run auctions. Every once in a while you'll get some items sell higher than they should, but in my experience it's less than 5%.

Auctions are horrid. X people need to be watching for that auction and get into a bidding war most likely to drive up prices but still will most likely not come close to comps unless it is a super sought after item. I feel as though i am pretty active on ebay but see a lot of items I missed out on that went for dirt cheap via auction. Due to that, we never run auctions anymore, always play the long game with BIN/BO.

[smanzari]

Originally Posted by beauspencer

Auctions absolutely stink...unless you're a buyer.

I have more than 40,000 listings, over 3,200 users following my store, and I still get skunked when I occasionally run auctions. Every once in a while you'll get some items sell higher than they should, but in my experience it's less than 5%.

Originally Posted by prospectorgems

Auctions are horrid. X people need to be watching for that auction and get into a bidding war most likely to drive up prices but still will most likely not come close to comps unless it is a super sought after item. I feel as though i am pretty active on ebay but see a lot of items I missed out on that went for dirt cheap via auction. Due to that, we never run auctions anymore, always play the long game with BIN/BO.

Yea they stink when it comes to bottom line, but there's no arguing that they assist in sales and getting views. (its night and day for me, my weeks are like 20-30% higher when I have new products running at auction, even if they're just commons)

[fungi2510]

Originally Posted by smanzari

Yea they stink when it comes to bottom line, but there's no arguing that they assist in sales and getting views. (its night and day for me, my weeks are like 20-30% higher when I have new products running at auction, even if they're just commons)

So you are saying sell some commons at auction and your BIN will increase?