Ive been on ebay ever since it started and all of the sudden Ive seen a down turn in bids and bidder amounts. Has anyone else had this happen to them this year? I think the bloom is off the rose.
posted on February 4, 2001 09:24:13 PM new
I had heard there was a protest by some ebay sellers because of fees from 1/31 to 2/14 I think. Some are not selling or buying at all for this period. Could be the reason, I know I have been disappointed in some of my sales at ebay and currently do not have any.
[ edited by koofuku on Feb 4, 2001 09:25 PM ]
posted on February 4, 2001 09:27:02 PM new
"You ain't seen nothing yet". California's energy problems are spreading. Just read over the wire that the surrounding states are shutting down plants and mining operations so the utility companies can sell on the open market and are raising rates as much as 300%. It also stated that costs for goods from California's tech sector will be higher due to utility bills. President Bush said it is a "California problem". This guy has "one term" written on his forehead.
Natural Gas prices are up all over.
Our bidders have been receiving their winter utility bills.
Me thinks internet commerce , especially auctions, will be the first thing to be cut from the budget as the economy tumbles.
posted on February 4, 2001 09:30:40 PM new
On the other side of the coin--the higher my utility bills get, the more I'm looking for a good deal on everything else, and what better place to find them than on e-bay? I only wish they sold groceries...
posted on February 4, 2001 09:47:27 PM new
That's just it- eBay is not a market for essentials, even if they were, Wal Mart will beat the auction price.
I haven't purchased anything on eBay that I could not have done without. That's what our buyers are being forced to decide as their budgets tighten due to higher energy costs and lay offs.
posted on February 5, 2001 12:42:57 AM new
Hmmm...I think that this problem is good for us. People will be forced to stay home more..and computer fun is cheap.
It is FUN to bid on ebay...it is fun to win...you don't have to spend a lot of money.
I know that stuff for kids will do well..because adults will do without so their kids don't have to.
Higher car gas prices...utilities...movies...all prices are increasing.
First place they'll look is ebay...I think it will help us.
posted on February 5, 2001 02:23:43 AM new
I know in our area, people who had a $70.00 heating bill in December, have a $400.00-$500.00 bill in January. When you make a choice of heat your home or buy fun stuff, what do you pick?
I have had 5 items in the last week go without a bid in a category that always gets at least an opening bid. I am kind of laying back for a few weeks. I will take pics, write up auctions, watch things progress.
Something very interesting I have noticed though. Women's collectibles, jewelry, glassware, etc. suffer in times of crisis, school starting, christmas, high fuel bills.
However, men's collectibles, diecast, cufflinks, pez, etc, still get what I consider good prices regardless. Hmmmm, makes me wonder.
posted on February 5, 2001 03:15:05 AM new
Good point...looks like a single termer for Mr. Bush.
Re: eBay...buy low, list only at .30cents, start a $5.00 under...you'll get bids...
posted on February 5, 2001 05:41:46 AM new
My auctions have been doing lousy for the past few months. Many items listed without any bids and a few got one bid. Not sure what's going on. I have checked other categories and see hundreds of items without any bids so I know it's not just me and a few others. I think there are the diehard ebayers who peruse the listings all the time and bid regularly, and then the fair-weather ebayers who browse from time to time and only bid on occasion. I think certain items get repeat customers, i.e. bubble envelopes, DC cameras, etc. I only have a few items listed presently and haven't been listing more than a couple of items for the past month.
posted on February 5, 2001 09:14:36 AM new
I am anxious to see as this economic slump widens how the internet will fare. The Net has never seen an economic downturn.
Will Internet access be the first thing to go when a wage earner gets laid off ? Even if they keep the service, their purchases will drop off or cease. As income is eroded by utility bills and/or lay offs, spending cuts must occur somewhere.
We're all net traders and actually make money from the net, but what about others trimming a budget ? Do they view Internet service as essential ?
posted on February 5, 2001 09:35:31 AM new
We are in the first stage of a recession and it will get worse as the year progresses. There will be more layoffs, less temp workers being hired, less overtime, and some companies cutting to 4 day work weeks.
Luxury items will definitely take the biggest hit. Collectibles shouldn't do so well because people pour their money into the stock market as companies cut costs and become more profitable, and interest rates go down making it less costly for companies to borrow and grow. There's not any wealth effect from the stock market right now to help us out.
Books and videos seem like the place to be. People stay home and still want some cheap fun.
posted on February 5, 2001 09:40:59 AM new
Everyone is right. This slow-down is caused by multiple factors. We have not had too many rolling black-outs, but the THREAT is ever-present, and who wants to be shut down in the middle of listing! And yes, every little bit of conservation will help with the Utility bill. bush, if you think it is only OUR (Califorina]'s problem, think again. And NO, it is NOT California's problem: we, the PEOPLE, did not ask for that...YOU, ALL OF YOU Politicians, are the cause...in this case, Wilson, former Ca Gov. So, for you bush, to tell me it is our fault shows what an @*&@$*)*&%$$## you are..Compassionate Republican...my ...eye...
Also, yes, the fee hike will hurt sales greatly. So will the shipping. And now, that TOTAL Email Control by eBaY is another outrage. So, hard to pin-point it down.
I cannot afford to BUY HIGH, SELL LOW
The NET is no longer in its infancy. The end of a Golden era!
posted on February 5, 2001 10:23:44 AM new
My sales have been ok. I think people are cautious, but they still spend if they can get good deal on something they want.
I overspent for Christmas, but I just stick to what I need until I catch up. You don't stop buying except on high priced unessentials.
posted on February 5, 2001 10:33:19 AM new
Regarding YOUR energy problems in California, the problem lies as a result of very poor State leadership and policy...
You see, your state Government allowed politics and policy to negatively impact your energy marketplace by placing unjustifiable price ceilings and controls on both producers and consumers. The end result is a ridiculous imbalance of supply and demand for energy. Consumers aren't paying the correct price for energy as a result of the price ceiling and energy companies are being mandated to purchase energy and a higher price than they are able to sell in in their marketplace. This policy was flawed from the very start and is only now being recongnized as irresponsible.
The above policies are the result of liberal Democratic plicy measures, not Republican, so pointing the finger at President Bush is way out of line. For some reason, the liberal Californian audiance can't figure this out...
Do you think it would be better if Billy or his sidekick Al were in office? Not a chance. I recommend you ask our ex-President himself, as he can now be reached in his new $600,000+ office. Don't worry, us eBay sellers picked up the tab...
posted on February 5, 2001 10:47:23 AM new
My sales have been OK-to-pretty good, too. I am selling books, though, and can offer $2 shipping on most of them, so I'm not zapped by the automatic $3.95 shipping sticker shock. People also don't spend a fortune on books [mine, I mean] so I don't think it's a case of "ebay vs heating bill" for them.
