posted on April 8, 2004 10:19:19 AM new
What ever happened to the big time sellers and buyers on Ebay. People I always dealt with are no longer on Ebay. And as a seller, I notice a lot of bidders with 30 or less feedbacks. What ever happened to all those old timers? Rarely do I come across a bidder with 100 or more feedback.
posted on April 8, 2004 05:40:51 PM new
A lot of the old time serious sellers and buyers have left, that is why we now see less bids, lower prices, and more deadbeats. The new blood is not growing as fast as the old that has left.
It's amazing that with ebay being a world market how pathetic the selling environment has become.
posted on April 8, 2004 06:26:49 PM new
Yup,,,,I use to start everything at $9.99....they went through the roof.....now,,,,,you start a $9.99....yer gonna get,,,,,,$9.99.....I changed my Business plan...
Everything is Beautifully enhanced as far as E bay is concerned. They break it,,,Chubby Checkers said it best,,,That's the way it goes,,, Have A Beautiful E bay day.
posted on April 8, 2004 08:49:47 PM new
The words [i]"old time seller"[i/] are the definitive words. They are gone because they are old. It is time for the newer buyers and yes some are dead beats and I bet the old ones were in the beginning. Now all a buyer does is register bid and never reads. I am in favor when a buyer or seller registers there is a pop up sheet that explains everything before they bid or sell. If they read it at the bottom of the page they click continue and then finish the registration. If that would happen I think we would have some recourse with NPB. Will eBay do that no I doubt it.
posted on April 9, 2004 04:02:55 AM new
Don't like it don't sell there...
pretty simple.
I am guessing the economy has nothing to do with the fact people are not buy from eBay or the fact that most anytime you see eBay in the paper it is because some "seller" scammed people out of money.
and now that eBay has been around so long now, most items that sellers were toutuing as "rare" really are not and the price now fits that.
posted on April 9, 2004 06:46:23 AM new
Bluroks, I really can't believe how stupid and rude some replies to your question are. About where the "big time sellers" on ebay have gone. I believe that a lot of sellers had what I call EBAY DREAMS, you know dreams like hoop dreams or playing pro sports dreams, they thought and a few still think that they could only sell on ebay and make a great living. For most EBAY DREAM sellers it didn't work out that way so they are gone. Yes the ebay market is weak and the prices on many items are very low. I have never put all my eggs in one basket like only selling on ebay. In my field there is a lot of markets to sell from and I try to place my junk in a market where it sells best. One example is better estate jewelry. I sell a lot of my better jewelry off ebay at prices 2 to 3 times what the same piece brings on ebay. Ebay is a market but far from the only market.
posted on April 9, 2004 07:10:49 AM new
Some of them are still here, just not so obvious.
I have had several ID's over the years and change periodically. I currently sell with a 45 feedback ID but have a 1000+ and a 600+
ID in limbo. I may go back to using them -but probably not.
Why? In my case competitors at local sources
tracked my ebay ID and found out why I was buying this or that at auctions and VOILA -
items I used to buy as the only bidder suddenly have become contentious. The local auctioneers liked it- but I hated it.
Now, only 2 close friends know my ebay selling ID and it's gonna stay that way.
posted on April 9, 2004 08:36:34 AM new
Hello all,
I am an old time seller (1998-2003) with a 758 number. I have slowly shut down selling this year on Ebay and have not listed anything on Ebay or elsewhere in a month. I am keeping the door open however I may never list again.
The reason is that the profit trend has reversed. I sold stamps, Postal history, Postal cards, Revenue stamps and paper and occasion books, and a few consignments.
In the beginning of my run I used to locate material and usually would list it and make money, sometimes a great deal of money. In late 2003 I noted that my buys and listings were often just a break even deal. I changed my approach to Ebay several times but it really made no difference. Then in early 2004 I noted I was loosing money rather often on my lots. I also noted that I could sometimes buy material on ebay cheaper than my non-Ebay sources. I have changed from a Ebay seller to a Ebay buyer. I loose many lots I bid on but the ones I get are far cheaper than any other source in the world. I picked up some rare books for about 15% of there true value.
It is my believe that this buying opportunity on Ebay will soon pass as sellers become more disenchanted and remove there good stuff. I also think the good old days may return to Ebay but will be 1-3 years from now.
Kind regards,
David
posted on April 9, 2004 08:46:23 AM new
O.K. Where on e bay is there,,,,,,a place? list? that shows what are hot selling items? And NOT that silly HOT ITEM page. I could make no sense out of that. $40.00 to $50.00 range.
posted on April 9, 2004 09:10:42 AM new
I've been on for about 4 or 5 years now. Does that make me an old timer??
I still make money but don't have a store or a website. I may set up my own web site but can't decide. I can't do it as well with volume now and must depend on quality and unusual items. I sell most antiques and collectibles but if I can find new biker boots for $5.00 and sell for $100.00 - I'm there!!
I know I am getting a lot less for "some" of my ebay items but not all. I still have the occasional item I expect to get $15.00 for end up at $150.00.
I plan to sell in lots for awhile until a get rid of my so so inventory.
My bidder lately are below 20 FB's or above 200 FB - don't know why.
I still love it most of the time so I'll be here as long as fee don't get too much for me.
posted on April 9, 2004 09:58:07 AM new
Hi, one of the main contentions on this board has been that the buyer can not or will not read the descriptions or sellers terms of sales. lately I would say since the beginning of the yeasr I am getting more and more buyers that fall in this category, the sad thing is most of these people are also sellers with feedbacks of 50 or less, if they respond to their buyers in the same manner that they email their sellers I can see where both buyer and seller can be disenchanted.These sellers, when making a purchase are petty want the moon, sun and stars, and one even admitted she sells in my category and the purchase was made just as an observation. When you check these buyer/seller feedbacks some negs a lot more neutrals all referring to the lack of reading & understanding the auction, or product not as advertised, not shipped in a timely fashion, no response to emails etc. I sell predominately in one category and this can get frustrating.Other sellers want a piece of you and buyers are not getting what they thought they were.
reenie
I don't get even....I get even better Jimmy Hoffa
posted on April 9, 2004 10:21:37 AM new
Hi Fluffy, I can understand that, but sometimes when someone emails you from the tone of the email it does not sit right. This one happened to be one of them.This email was sent to me in response to a shipping notification email sent to her, along with her observing, she also added she will be the judge of the merchandise when she receives it. I have had a competitor email me after receiving a pair of tweezers bought from me, then he told me he sells them also, was always reading about my good packaging and thought he would like to see for himself, The only little extra I did was wrap them in a little tissue paper to protect the point, now he is doing the same thing. That does not bother me.
reenie
I don't get even....I get even better Jimmy Hoffa
posted on April 9, 2004 10:46:21 AM new
some of these sellers are selling under a diff id,a high feedback say above a few hundred does not really do much for the seller.
it may even send a message to the bidder -why bid high,more will be coming my way soon,if the seller is selling new items.
if they use a new id with low feedback,it gives the impression they are newbie sellers who dont know how to play the ebay game.
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on April 9, 2004 11:11:36 AM new
hahahaha, I am gonna insist that no buyers leave ANY positive feed backs. The negs,,they will come Hell er' high water...I wanna appear niave....
Everything is Beautifully enhanced as far as E bay is concerned. They break it,,,Chubby Checkers said it best,,,That's the way it goes,,, Have A Beautiful E bay day.
posted on April 9, 2004 02:29:16 PM new
Hello
Just a note that I just had an item close to me for $145.00 which is worth $400.00 (and I KNOW my prices in this area). You don't have to believe my prior message however don't ever say you were not informed......David
posted on April 9, 2004 03:11:32 PM new
They went the way of the free reserve auction listings.
You’d be crazy to list high end antiques at a low price in hopes it met your reserve. Listing at your reserve price does nothing to generate excitement or encourage bids.
posted on April 9, 2004 04:45:15 PM new
I would consider myself a big time seller. I list 100-125 auctions a week, have been on ebay for 5 years. I hit my peak about a year and a half ago. I still sell on ebay, but I have started buying more on ebay as well. I also started my own store in Portland from the money made from Ebay. The store is on the rise, and Ebay is still earning me a living.
As a seller, I try and get every last penny out of a transaction if possible. It has become too cut-throat out there not to cover yourself. I add about 20% to shipping fees and I make sure I list items so that I make enough profit. The fact is that my sales are less frequent, but I also admit I became comfortable in what I am doing. So, I haven't worked as hard to promote ebay sales this year so far. Holidays come and that is a different thing altogether.
As a bidder, I try and save every penny possible. I will ask a seller to ship items in the least costly way possible (with insurance of course). I use sniping software when I cannot be there when the final seconds wind down. I win some, I lose some, but I always stay within my means. I always make sure to pay promptly, and send clear instructions to the seller with my address, auction id #, and title in all payments whether they are through Paypal or by mail.
The real problem lies in the greed between Ebay and Paypal. Fees continue to go up, yet what as a seller do we reap from it? Nothing but more headaches. Deadbeats, whiners, late payments, chargebacks, etc.
Ebay is unique in that they don't charge bidders anything for bidding. Not that they should, but Ebay does need sellers to attract bidders. I predict that Ebay will go to seasonal fees within 3 years. Summer listings will be lower than winter fees. They should also look to providing Power Sellers a discounted fee structure. We are Ebay's bread and butter. It would encourage others to care about being a Power Seller. How many times have we read, "I'm a Power Seller during the winter, but I don't sell during the summer when it's slow"?
