Greengate
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posted on January 10, 2005 07:50:39 AM new
Sales from the 10 cent listing were fantastic. I decided to relist and auctions will close in two days. One sale out of 91 auctions. It is a major slump.
Only 1 or 30 odd hits per auction mostly under 10. No one is even viewing the listings.
Any one else notice a change? I generally do fairly well when there is snow and rain as lots of folks play on the computer and my items are impulse buys. This past week Nata.
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cta
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posted on January 10, 2005 07:59:13 AM new
I would agree with you. I hadn't listed for about 5 weeks with the holidays and all, but just tested the waters with auctions ending Sunday night. I had some good stuff listed - pottery, glassware, nice vintage stuff, but worst auction responses I think I can ever remember - and I've been selling since 1998. Are people shying away from eBay with all the bad sellers being reported out there, or is it just a bad time of year? I have tons of inventory of antique and vintage items and I'm very hesitant about listing anything of any real worth right now thinking it won't fetch the kind of money it should. What is going on with eBay?
~ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. ~
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ladyjewels2000
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posted on January 10, 2005 08:02:02 AM new
I didn't list on the 10 cent day so I can't really compare but I can tell you I'm getting the looker now. Tons of questions but not many bids (yet - hope that changes)
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epoweryourlife
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posted on January 10, 2005 08:03:58 AM new
I've been watching auctions a little and I see that ones that end on Friday nights do very well. Going to try it. I have a Haviland oyster plate to sell for a friend and I checked on them in Nov. and they sold for 130-150. One sold Friday night for 214. I don't think Sundays are very good at all. People are at the Mall or out doing something. Haven't had much luck with Sun.
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fenix03
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posted on January 10, 2005 08:10:40 AM new
Since Christmas Sundays have actually been my worst sales day. The best seem to be Thursdays (have been for awhile now) with Tuesdays sneaking up fast.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
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CBlev65252
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posted on January 10, 2005 08:12:03 AM new
With me it's Thursday night and people generally pay on Friday. My sales are up, thankfully. Must depend upon what you sell.
Cheryl
"Success in almost any field depends more on energy and drive than it does on intelligence. This explains why we have so many stupid leaders."
-Sloan Wilson
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bluroks
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posted on January 10, 2005 10:03:21 AM new
Yes we noticed it too. Our sales are WAY DOWN. I mean sell thru now is about 29% overall! Was at least 45% two months ago. It is total death.
Check out the latest sell thru rates:
(dont know how to make a link)
http://auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y05/m01/i10/s05
Everything is down!
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tomwiii
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posted on January 10, 2005 10:11:17 AM new
http://auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/y05/m01/i10/s05
Ralphie's UBB Tutorial:
Clickable Link:
[url*]THE_URL_OF_YER_LINK_GOES_HERE[/url*] ...
Cute IMAGE of Mr Ralph:
[img*]THE_URL_OF_YER_PIC_GOES_HERE[/img*]
Remove dem pesky starry doo-hickies & ye be happier than a PIG IN...
VISIT: Ralphie's Eclectic Garden of Earthly Delights & Swedish Marital Aids here:
http://tinyurl.com/3rd5a
[ edited by tomwiii on Jan 10, 2005 10:13 AM ]
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tomwiii
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posted on January 10, 2005 10:16:05 AM new
Holy Guacamole!
"Medved's also tracks the percentage of eBay auctions which receive bids in graph form at http://www.medved.net/cgi-bin/cal.exe?SIND
eBay Average Sell-Through for Week Ending January 8, 2004:"
All Categories - 29%
VISIT: Ralphie's Eclectic Garden of Earthly Delights & Swedish Marital Aids here:
http://tinyurl.com/3rd5a
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neglus
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posted on January 10, 2005 10:27:43 AM new
Glad to hear it isn't just me...sales are back to being dead like they were at the beginning of October. I can't figure out why - last year this was the beginning of the busiest time of year for me.
I agree that Sunday nights - formerly the BEST night to list - now SUCK! I blame Desperate Housewives! Wonder what The Bachelorette will do to Monday nights?? I thought sales would come back once Monday night football was over. One thing I learned for sure is that you don't end Wisconsin postcards on Monday nights when the Packers are playing!
Not only do we have to consult our Astrologer before we list but also TV Guide!
**********************************
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "...holy sh@#...what a ride!"
http://stores.ebay.com/Moody-Mommys-Marvelous-Postcards
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tomwiii
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posted on January 10, 2005 10:31:32 AM new
Yeah, Ralphie's hemmies are all a'quiver over last night...
Since NOV 1, we've sold at least ONE item EVERY DAY -- BUT, nada yestereday
Is this the begining of THE END??
Is the sky falling??
Was DUMBO wired during the debates??
Only TIME will tell...
VISIT: Ralphie's Eclectic Garden of Earthly Delights & Swedish Marital Aids here:
http://tinyurl.com/3rd5a
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bluroks
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posted on January 10, 2005 10:39:40 AM new
Well something is happening. We have been seeing a decline since April 2004. This month now I dont know what is happening. Last January was the most busiest time we had in retail on Ebay and now total death.
PS on Ebay and we keep detailed records back to when we first started in 1998. We are at year 2000 and 2001 totals now. So we lost a lot of business on Ebay the last few months.
I forgot what a paycheck looked like! We have to go beg for a job this week. Hope someone wants to hire us! In our 40's now!
Man have so much inventory left over. Going to box it up and donate it back! (Probably come in a buy it back in a month!)
Went to Ebay this morning, and looked at our auctions from last night and today and looked at each other and asked why bother!
Come on powerball!
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toybuyer
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posted on January 10, 2005 12:11:21 PM new
I've been selling on eBay since July 1997. I loved selling in January since its always been my best month especially the first week into the month. Last nights sales were roughly a 30% sell through rate. I had hope for at least 45-50%.
I think so much comes into play.
+ More sellers
+ Credit Card Debt
+ Not enough snow (we just broke a record for not having our first 1" snowfall this late in the year here in Minn)
+ Collectors are so advanced that they have what they need unless its really rare
+T he next generation isn't going to be the collectors we are today (I'm 45)
+ Wal-Mart Mentality (go for cheap & quantity not quality)
I've been working since 1998 to deplete my inventory. I could see the handwriting on the wall. I'm glad I don't keep the quantity I use to. I am hoping for a good snow storm or two so people will do some shopping in their underwear at their computers.
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herbscraftsgifts
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posted on January 10, 2005 12:28:52 PM new
I am hoping for a good snow storm or two so people will do some shopping in their underwear at their computers.
Exactly. My problem is alittle different. Low sell through yes but lots of hits and either 1 bid or no bids. EX. A skein of yarn got 130 hits with 1 bid. How many times can the same person go back and look at it? So the lookers are there but what will make them hit the buy it button????
Louise
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Damariscotta
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posted on January 10, 2005 12:47:17 PM new
I can only speak for antiques, but if it is great, it still sells (on and off line). Merchandise that is just "stuff" isn't moving anywhere. The "collectors" for a lot of this stuff don't exist in the numbers that people thought. "Cute" stuff, "retro" stuff etc. is fine in a group shop or flea market where people might buy it on impulse, but they are not actively seeking it out.
We opened our B&M antique shop on an impromptu basis last season, just to get back in the swing of things. We did much better than I thought we would, and sold some very nice things; I have determined that lesser things are simply not worth letting in the door to begin with (if they come my way, I have other outlets for them; I am not above picking up money wherever I can).
I don't sell much on eBay any more, but when items are selected as appropriate for eBay, they can bring much, much more than I would easily get for them in the shop.
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cta
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posted on January 10, 2005 01:05:00 PM new
I would agree with you Damariscotta. Unless it is a really rare antique or a very unique item, it's not selling well on eBay. We too have been putting more into the shop and finding that people are buying in the shop more than on eBay recently. We have our own shop in our hometown in downtown, but we are also set up in a group shop in southern Maine that has been in business for over 20 years that always has the regulars that shop there for bargains every week. It's a good place to put the items that just won't sell on eBay and many other dealers buy from us if we price it right.
Damariscotta, are you by chance a Damariscotta, Maine resident (just wondering because of your user name)? If so, you're in a great place to sell in the summer season. We frequent that area in the summer months and love the area.
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pelorus
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posted on January 10, 2005 01:44:28 PM new
Sales always go down the first half of January. People are all shopped out. Happens every year.
OTOH, my sales are always booming right up until Jan. 1. People are in a buying mood and have extra time on their hands.
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Kevinatgrannys
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posted on January 10, 2005 01:59:59 PM new
Same here. A few questions and very few sales. The sell through on the 10¢ listing joke was 28%. I have had a few sales out of my store since then but... I spent Saturday putting a bunch of the no sells from 10¢ day into my store. Last year at this time I couldn't keep up with the sales. Was shipping out a record number (for me) of boxes each day! Amazing what one year will do!
Kevin
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stonecold613
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posted on January 10, 2005 02:00:36 PM new
Sales always go down the first half of January.
What rock have you been living under? I have been around since 1999 and every year, the first two-three weeks of January have been the best sales weeks of the year. People are interested in the clearance items and when searching, they find a lot of non-clearance items as well. Checking sales history for the past 5 years, speaks for itself.
.
.
.
Alive in 2005
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sthoemke
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posted on January 10, 2005 02:12:00 PM new
Views are way down. Now doesn't seem to be the time to list lots of items, unless you know there is a demand for a given item.
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bob9585
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posted on January 10, 2005 02:37:43 PM new
I've sold everything I've listed since October- 14 items- but they are all items I had little or nothing in.
I agree re antiques/collectibles and the future re current and upcoming generations- no big collecting urge there.
I too, am clearing out- and finding 2 things sell- useful tools of all types and LOTS.
I am preparing several LOTS of this that and the other now - I think at least in part their popularity is because of shipping costs- which on many lesser items exceeds the cost of the merchandise - buy 10 items in a lot and the shipping cost is peanuts per item.
True , not as many people want 10 or an item- but all it takes is one.
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Damariscotta
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posted on January 10, 2005 03:49:55 PM new
No. When I first signed up here, the user name I wasn't available, and I liked the sound of it. I usually do spend a lot of time in Maine in the summer, though (but not southern Maine - too crowded).
\\Damariscotta, are you by chance a Damariscotta, Maine resident (just wondering because of your user name)?
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Roadsmith
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posted on January 10, 2005 04:25:13 PM new
I don't know if there's any connection, but I have to mention something I've noticed on QVC. I buy a lot of household items and clothes from QVC because the quality is good and our small town has no clothing stores to speak of--no really good shopping--and we have to drive 30 miles in any direction for the nearest malls.
QVC right now is doing a lot more of the installment payments--two, three, or four months to pay, monthly, for an item--even low-end clothing items like a $25 sweater. I've been shopping with them for years, and this is the first time I've noticed so much of the "two easy monthly payments" items.
So what I'm wondering is if our national economy is taking a nosedive and nobody's telling us.
___________________________________
Is it true that the only difference between a yard sale and a trash pickup is how close to the road the stuff is placed?
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ebayvet
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posted on January 10, 2005 04:31:48 PM new
Last night was my first auctions closing since Thanksgiving. My total sellthrough was down a little, but I did have a lot of auctions running. I had some serious bidding wars that will result in a huge profit, so I am happy about that. Several of my lots went way above what I thought they would.
My parents had an ebay line that went dead last summer. Literally was going fine, and it was like they hit a brick wall. When that happens, it is time to explore another item to sell. They've done that and are now doing better.
There are many reasons why a particular type of item goes downhill. You always have to be on the lookout for something else. I am always looking for something new...
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MAH645
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posted on January 10, 2005 04:38:49 PM new
I'm not posting any auctions until sales pick up. I have had a hard time getting merchandise back in my inventory. One place I placed an order with said they had been closed for 3 weeks and it would be another week before they could ship my order. My booth at the Peddlers Mall is doing good so I'll stick with just that for a couple more weeks. I think the warmer weather we're having is making people shop in the Malls looking for left over bargains. Its going to be bitter cold here this weekend with snow.
**********************************
Two men sit behind bars,one sees mud the other sees stars.
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toybuyer
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posted on January 10, 2005 05:54:52 PM new
There are many reasons why a particular type of item goes downhill. You always have to be on the lookout for something else. I am always looking for something new...
Been there; done that. I was going to preface my first posting that someone was going to say this. Didn't think I needed to but I should be more understanding there are still newbies in regards to eBay. I'm glad there are a few people who have crystal balls compared to those of us that have never thought of the concept of looking for something new...I don't care if its new---you can only hunt for "new stuff" for so long before it really isn't cost effective.
I sell antiques and collectibles. Rare items, yes, they sell, but not like they use to. "Oh we opened up a shop and we're doing so much better than we thought"....okay, let us know how you're doing in July when the dollar drops another 20% against the Euro. Or people are buying necessities to pay off debt and aren't buying the fantastic items you have. If everything being sold in a shop goes (even at a huge! profit) is paying for the overhead, I don't see how every antique shop and mall will survive. Some will; the vast majority will be a thing of the past.
This is a throw away society.
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fenix03
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posted on January 11, 2005 12:55:35 AM new
Toy - the dollar is gaining again - has been for the past week much to my chagrin.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
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Damariscotta
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posted on January 11, 2005 01:37:38 AM new
//"Oh we opened up a shop and we're doing so much better than we thought"....okay, let us know how you're doing in July when the dollar drops another 20% against the Euro. Or
//
Might do even better (since we are in a heavy summer tourist area, and my most profitable Ebay sales last year were to Europeans, for a change). That aside, the antiques business is falling into line with what Christmas sales were: low end and middle stores, flat to decreasing; high end luxury store business was up.
"Antique" gets defined pretty loosely around here and on eBay. Will a lot of antique shops/malls close? Maybe not. When the economy doesn't do well, it is a way to fill the real-estate. Maybe not many people would have the inventory and capital to open a storefront, but will find a box of stuff and $45.00 a month to rent a case in a mall. Even less investment to be an eBayer.
Now as to whether or not these people have ever been within spitting distance of a real antique, that is another story.
I have been hearing about the death of the business since I started in the 70's - it has certainly changed, but, that's life.
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toybuyer
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posted on January 11, 2005 01:39:54 PM new
Toy - the dollar is gaining again - has been for the past week much to my chagrin
Fenix: Ahh...its just temporary, there is just too much debt in this country especially personal. Our local paper is just full of foreclosures--unbelievable amount. I'm glad I've been liquidating. I'm not completely out of eBay--occassional sales in the future--nothing like the late 90's. But I've moved on outside of the stock market and eBay and moved into the next market. My gut feeling has never failed me.
And...without saying, Fenix, I have a hunch you've been investing the same way.
All the changes are still sad. The "hunt" for antiques and collectibles was always and remains fun but just not the same.
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fenix03
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posted on January 11, 2005 03:02:04 PM new
Toy - I think that the recovery is short lived as well but it's still not helping me now. 
Right now about 90% of my income comes from european currencies so a weakened dollar actually means my bottom line increases. I think if anyone is going to survive on their own wits these days they need to start expanding their outlook beyond our borders. Luckily to begin and learn the ropes you can still utilize ebay - my UK sell thru rate is twice that of the US rate in the same catagory.
There are two simple ways to play the game right now. Either you market your US dollar priced items to Europeans exploiting their increased buying power but still competing against other americans doing the same thing or you exploit the advantagous exchange rates and undercut european sellers on their currency playing field while increasing your bottom line thanks to the weakened value of our dollar. (Ironically, this is the same thing we are b*tching about the Chinese doing to us) It's a fun game to play. I just wish I knew more languages to allow me to play it on an even wider field.
Foreign language is without a doubt the magic key for future generations in business.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
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