Ebay Sales Down

[beauspencer]

This month has been up and down for me.

Sales (by volume)
January - 2,677
February - 3,279
March - 2,308
April - 4,161
May - 3,069 (to date)

[jamcas997]

JAN 242 , $1178 90% ESE
FEB 347 , $1355 96% ESE
MAR 606 , $2107 97% ESE
APR 433 , $1463 96% ESE
MAY 248 , $1726 96% ESE as of now.

Versus 2 years ago

JAN 440 76% ESE $4,715.23
FEB 376 84% ESE $4,269.06
MAR 439 79% ESE $3,747.16
APR 617 90% ESE $5,548.21
MAY 453 88% ESE $4,075.73


A Slow Economy really does stink.

[rwperu34]

May ends up my best month ever in dollars and second best in items sold. If I compare it to April, 2023, I was up about 35% on an inventory that is 45% higher. I can live with that. Quite frankly, this is the type of performance I expected in March and April and didn't get.

If I can repeat this in June, I will be in very good shape heading towards The National. The overall outlook hasn't changed. I'm in solid position to make a profit, but am an underdog to hit my target margin.

[Raleigh504]

Up 6% from last month in $ sales but down 1% in volume

Net sales has been consistent the past 4 months with January having an amazingly large sales amount.

Not getting too much new inventory since we will be moving by the fall/late summer so trying to keep in thinner and then will add more (increase the store) after that. Just trying to move items that have sat for a bit too. Overall have been doing consistent which is always nice.

[rwperu34]

Odd scenario here. I made a sale. One sale. Paid for at once. I know this because they got the 20% off from Buy 1 get 3 20% off.

For some reason, eBay broke it into two orders, so I got hit with the 40¢ charge twice. I am thinking it's because of the different handling times. One card had GA shipping and one day handling, the other three were ESE items with 5 day handling.

If so, this is one of the dumbest things eBay has ever programmed into their software. To me it seems like it should be obvious that the whole idea behind combined shipping is everything goes in one package.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

Odd scenario here. I made a sale. One sale. Paid for at once. I know this because they got the 20% off from Buy 1 get 3 20% off.

For some reason, eBay broke it into two orders, so I got hit with the 40¢ charge twice. I am thinking it's because of the different handling times. One card had GA shipping and one day handling, the other three were ESE items with 5 day handling.

If so, this is one of the dumbest things eBay has ever programmed into their software. To me it seems like it should be obvious that the whole idea behind combined shipping is everything goes in one package.

Were there shipping charges tied to each item and did the buyer pay shipping with each item (with you having to refund)?

I ask because I just had a similar scenario earlier this week where the buyer purchased one item GA ($4.99) and another item ESE ($0.99) and paid for them from their cart at the same time, but my shipping is capped at $4.99, so they only paid 1 shipping charge and I only got charged 1 $0.30 FVF.

[beauspencer]

For some reason, eBay broke it into two orders, so I got hit with the 40¢ charge twice. I am thinking it's because of the different handling times. One card had GA shipping and one day handling, the other three were ESE items with 5 day handling.

If so, this is one of the dumbest things eBay has ever programmed into their software. To me it seems like it should be obvious that the whole idea behind combined shipping is everything goes in one package.

Yes, it absolutely is because of different handling times.

I had a HUGE issue with this about a year ago. I was able to escalate my issue to actually get on a Zoom call with an executive that has been on the Managed Payments team since it's inception. I wish I had recorded the call, because he told me that's not how managed payments operate on their end, and that it had to do with customers buying separately. I had dozens and dozens of examples, including messages from customers, stating they absolutely paid in one transaction. The two executives I had a call with back tracked their original statements from the call.

All of your business policies must be the same, otherwise the transactions will be broken up. It's F'ing stupid.

[rwperu34]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

Were there shipping charges tied to each item and did the buyer pay shipping with each item (with you having to refund)?

I ask because I just had a similar scenario earlier this week where the buyer purchased one item GA ($4.99) and another item ESE ($0.99) and paid for them from their cart at the same time, but my shipping is capped at $4.99, so they only paid 1 shipping charge and I only got charged 1 $0.30 FVF.

It was 3 ESE items that combined properly. The GA item was actually free shipping, so no need for a refund.

Originally Posted by beauspencer

Yes, it absolutely is because of different handling times.

I had a HUGE issue with this about a year ago. I was able to escalate my issue to actually get on a Zoom call with an executive that has been on the Managed Payments team since it's inception. I wish I had recorded the call, because he told me that's not how managed payments operate on their end, and that it had to do with customers buying separately. I had dozens and dozens of examples, including messages from customers, stating they absolutely paid in one transaction. The two executives I had a call with back tracked their original statements from the call.

All of your business policies must be the same, otherwise the transactions will be broken up. It's F'ing stupid.

Thank you.

I have seen this in the past and just assumed they were paying separately. The only thing that clued me in this time is I'm running a sale and they got the proper discount. I have been considering changing all of my handling time to 1 day to grab the extra 1% off on ESE items. This might be the straw that breaks that camel's back.

[rwperu34]

I have decided that refreshing listings is much more powerful than running a sale, given the choice of one or the other.

My project for June is to clear out most of the stuff in the Profit Box from last year. I need the space. I have a store category "2023 Inventory" that is all cards that have been sitting there for at least 11 months. This is about 850 items listed for $2200 (so a lot of $1 and $2 items). Here is my plan

Week 1: Buy 1 Get 1 20% Off (effective 10% discount)
Week 2: Buy 1 Get 3 20% Off (effective 15% discount)
Week 3: Buy 1 Get 1 40% Off (effective 20% discount) <---You are here
Week 4: Buy 1 Get 3 40% Off (effective 30% discount)
Week 5: Buy 1 Get 1 Free (effective 50% discount)
Week 6: Buy 1 Get 2 Free (effective 67% discount)
Week 7: Everything that hasn't sold goes in a box and gets auctioned off. This auction should end by the 9th or 10th of July, plenty of time to get it to someone for their quarter/dollar box for The National.

I might run a few 99¢ auctions on items that are currently listed for $3 or more.

I'll be happy if I get $500 in sales from this inventory. I'd be really happy if I can get $750. If I get $1000 I will be over the moon. I haven't been tracking meticulously, but I'd say I'm at about $125 so far.

[BGT Masters]

After having one of my lowest weeks since Covid last month. Just had I believe my best week ever. I'm sure I'll have a flood of remorse returns but I'll enjoy it for now. Couldn't come at a better time as I have some major HVAC/Plumbing work I'll have to pay for soon.

[AJBU]

Been real slow for me. I got 5-10+ watchers on several items. Tried throwing them offers but nothing. Big $$$ items are not moving well imo from what I have seen on solds

[shrevecity]

Originally Posted by AJBU

Been real slow for me. I got 5-10+ watchers on several items. Tried throwing them offers but nothing. Big $$$ items are not moving well imo from what I have seen on solds

5 to 10 watchers time to end and relist as similar. Not all watchers are buyer's but eventually they start hurting you more than helping

[BGT Masters]

Originally Posted by BGT Masters

After having one of my lowest weeks since Covid last month. Just had I believe my best week ever. I'm sure I'll have a flood of remorse returns but I'll enjoy it for now. Couldn't come at a better time as I have some major HVAC/Plumbing work I'll have to pay for soon.

I was right. After going through a great stretch without a return. I have 5 yesterday. All remorse minus one which I had somehow unintentionally set at "No returns" so they had to lie to return it.

Also had someone from Ohio ask where their item was. They purchased it back in May without an update to tracking. It updated that day in Puerto Rico? I'm not going to question USPS's method but doesn't seem very efficient.

edit: Make that 6 returns. "Just didn't like it". Wrong part number than what was needed.

double edit: Now up to 7. Ordered by mistake. Knew it was coming. This online retail crap needs to reel in the return problem. Geesh.

[BGT Masters]

Well just got one return back today according to my email. I was looking everywhere for it but it wasn't on either of my porches and there is no way it would fit in my mail box. Well it damn sure will if all they did was tape the return label to a white piece of paper folder in half.

That is a new one. I am hoping somehow its just some sort of giant mistake. I'm surprised the PO even delivered something like that.

[rwperu34]

I just did my monthly inventory report and I am down another 14% over the last five weeks. That makes three consecutive reports that I'm down 14-15%. I had strong sales over this five weeks, but I was also spending like crazy. If I held all prices constant from last month, inventory would have probably risen. That means all of the loss was due to slashing prices.

For those that haven't followed along, I have a box system where I keep track of my purchases and net sales. At any given time I can take the total inventory and divide by how much I still "owe" for that box and see what kind of shape it's in. Once a box gets to $3.00 in inventory for every $1 still owed, it is a lock to end up in profit. To break even I need roughly $1.25. To make my goal for profit margin I need about $1.67.

Now, imagine you buy a box for $100. Once you're done listing everything you see that you have $108 in inventory. Given the impending fees and shipping, that box is a loser. Well, I've got a box in that exact situation right now. Yikes.

The good news is after having had only three boxes turn to profit all year, I had three in two days. Then another one somewhere along the way. That takes me to 7 out of 29. I've got another one that is on the precipice ($50 short), and three more that are very close (under $300 to go with $5+ inventory for every $1 still owed). This is where I should have been two months ago.

The other good news is at my last update is I identified four boxes that were in trouble. Two of those four are now in good shape. The bad news is another box has moved into the danger zone due to slashed inventory and hardly any sales. The really bad news is I've got a 2nd box that is in really, really bad shape, having only $1.28 in inventory for every $1 still owed. This one has some backup inventory, so not a lock to lose quite yet, but it's hurting.

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

I just did my monthly inventory report and I am down another 14% over the last five weeks. That makes three consecutive reports that I'm down 14-15%. I had strong sales over this five weeks, but I was also spending like crazy. If I held all prices constant from last month, inventory would have probably risen. That means all of the loss was due to slashing prices.

For those that haven't followed along, I have a box system where I keep track of my purchases and net sales. At any given time I can take the total inventory and divide by how much I still "owe" for that box and see what kind of shape it's in. Once a box gets to $3.00 in inventory for every $1 still owed, it is a lock to end up in profit. To break even I need roughly $1.25. To make my goal for profit margin I need about $1.67.

Now, imagine you buy a box for $100. Once you're done listing everything you see that you have $108 in inventory. Given the impending fees and shipping, that box is a loser. Well, I've got a box in that exact situation right now. Yikes.

The good news is after having had only three boxes turn to profit all year, I had three in two days. Then another one somewhere along the way. That takes me to 7 out of 29. I've got another one that is on the precipice ($50 short), and three more that are very close (under $300 to go with $5+ inventory for every $1 still owed). This is where I should have been two months ago.

The other good news is at my last update is I identified four boxes that were in trouble. Two of those four are now in good shape. The bad news is another box has moved into the danger zone due to slashed inventory and hardly any sales. The really bad news is I've got a 2nd box that is in really, really bad shape, having only $1.28 in inventory for every $1 still owed. This one has some backup inventory, so not a lock to lose quite yet, but it's hurting.

That system actually sounds really good to better track the profit of items bought. I track in total vs various collections bought and sort the cards via an inventory method. When areas within the inventory get low, then I add more cards to that section. Granted it is hard to then track if I had it listed for a week or a year that way. Still converting it to this method from my old (by year and sport method) so after I finish that up then can address if I want to change it up or not with a box method. Also is harder since I do sell at shows and will shift items between the two.

[jamcas997]

My 2024


2024
JAN 242
FEB 347
MAR 606
APR 433
MAY 274

JUNE is in the dumper. just broke 100 items this past week.

JUN 105 as of this post

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by jamcas997

My 2024


2024
JAN 242
FEB 347
MAR 606
APR 433
MAY 274

JUNE is in the dumper. just broke 100 items this past week.

JUN 105 as of this post

Same for me with June. I had an away message up 6/9-6/16, so that certainly didn't help.

[beauspencer]

First half of June for me was in the dumps, but this week has me set up for a record month. It's all about what you buy, and the margins achieved in those purchases. Fortunately, I was able to find an amazing estate sale that will lead to this month's bump as well as future months.

[jamcas997]

Originally Posted by beauspencer

First half of June for me was in the dumps, but this week has me set up for a record month. It's all about what you buy, and the margins achieved in those purchases. Fortunately, I was able to find an amazing estate sale that will lead to this month's bump as well as future months.

Most of mine is autos and color getting listed that I have stocked for years. I am listing at below everyone else and before Oct. 1 I will be getting the Fujitsu or whatever it is called now along with the subscription to be listing more items faster. My goal it to bump about 1000 to 2000 items a month .

[rwperu34]

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

That system actually sounds really good to better track the profit of items bought. I track in total vs various collections bought and sort the cards via an inventory method. When areas within the inventory get low, then I add more cards to that section. Granted it is hard to then track if I had it listed for a week or a year that way. Still converting it to this method from my old (by year and sport method) so after I finish that up then can address if I want to change it up or not with a box method. Also is harder since I do sell at shows and will shift items between the two.

If I'm understanding correctly, it's not so different. You call it a collection, I call it a box. The way I track profit on specific cards is via the spreadsheet. That's got to be much easier for me because I buy mostly singles.

The reason I started the box system was to help with motivation. It makes it like a game and easier to get "wins". That and I like having a thing called The Profit Box.

[Raleigh504]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

If I'm understanding correctly, it's not so different. You call it a collection, I call it a box. The way I track profit on specific cards is via the spreadsheet. That's got to be much easier for me because I buy mostly singles.

The reason I started the box system was to help with motivation. It makes it like a game and easier to get "wins". That and I like having a thing called The Profit Box.

It is similar but I tend to buy collections (slowed down with a potential moving of homes/updating of the house) and would go through multiple collections and tier them. I would pull out cards that would move quickly/sought after, then go down to the base stars that move for cheap profit. I am pretty much down to those now but recently did buy a collection that will see a nice product jump next month.

I like to get my listings out a week in advance and scan out to about a month out or so.

[paparoke]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

If I'm understanding correctly, it's not so different. You call it a collection, I call it a box. The way I track profit on specific cards is via the spreadsheet. That's got to be much easier for me because I buy mostly singles.

The reason I started the box system was to help with motivation. It makes it like a game and easier to get "wins". That and I like having a thing called The Profit Box.

I started a system similar to yours(thanks for the idea). It helps me move "dead" inventory that I have assigned a cost basis that can no longer be moved at a profit. For example, I purchase a lot of cards and I initially assign a cost basis for COGS. Once a card sells, I've been adjusting the cost basis to what equals a 25% profit. Once I raise the cost basis, I can then lower others in the lot, making it easier to sell them at a lower price. If the card I initially sold can't meet the 25% profit, I don't adjust the basis. This allows me to scoop decent profits while allowing me to move dead or falling inventory.

[rwperu34]

Originally Posted by paparoke

I started a system similar to yours(thanks for the idea). It helps me move "dead" inventory that I have assigned a cost basis that can no longer be moved at a profit. For example, I purchase a lot of cards and I initially assign a cost basis for COGS. Once a card sells, I've been adjusting the cost basis to what equals a 25% profit. Once I raise the cost basis, I can then lower others in the lot, making it easier to sell them at a lower price. If the card I initially sold can't meet the 25% profit, I don't adjust the basis. This allows me to scoop decent profits while allowing me to move dead or falling inventory.

This was part of my reasoning as well. Once a box turns to profit, then I'm more aggressive in moving the dead inventory. For example right now I'm in the process of moving everything from last year's Profit Box. That's about 40% of my listings by volume. About 20% of my total listings are 99¢ cards from that box. I've been steadily raising the discount to BOGOF right now. Anything that hasn't sold by Tuesday is going to 99¢ auction (over $5) or delisted and put in a flat rate box (under $5).

The flip side is I can also be more aggressive in raising the price/holding longer term (Junior Caminero would be a good example this year) because in my mind the card is already paid for.

[paparoke]

Originally Posted by rwperu34

This was part of my reasoning as well. Once a box turns to profit, then I'm more aggressive in moving the dead inventory. For example right now I'm in the process of moving everything from last year's Profit Box. That's about 40% of my listings by volume. About 20% of my total listings are 99¢ cards from that box. I've been steadily raising the discount to BOGOF right now. Anything that hasn't sold by Tuesday is going to 99¢ auction (over $5) or delisted and put in a flat rate box (under $5).

The flip side is I can also be more aggressive in raising the price/holding longer term (Junior Caminero would be a good example this year) because in my mind the card is already paid for.

Definitely a good system and can chisel down lots to reach pure profit(simply gravy) no matter what they sell for. I also like what you're saying about being able to raise on some, because you can now leverage cards to do that once they are in gravy stage. Thanks for the ideas!