Comments by Postal Clerk re Slow Sales

[jt-libra]

The highest sales I had experienced in my 8 years on eBay occurred during February to April of this year.  Between my two selling accounts, my sales were at least twice as high (in numbers and dollars) as any three-month period previously.  I was ecstatic.  But in May and, now, June, my sales have dropped by 75%. I barely covered expenses last month and it looks to be the same this month.

I was at the Post Office yesterday and one of the clerks said to me, "I haven't seen too much of you recently."  I made a comment about sales being very slow and he said many of the regular customers of that postal outlet have been voicing the same concern.

Interesting!

[mdf_jersey]

sales on E bay isn't what it used to be. Back before the American induced economics crash of 2008, I was making unbelievable amounts  of money. Ever since then sales have been really slow and periodic . I do time to time get a nice stretch of sales, but as quickly as they come , they disappear. Today I am making 25 to 30% of what I used to make. I am also working harder for each sale than I used to.

Ebay also isn't what used to be. I would be curious to know the number of Ebay buyers are today vs prior 2008, or maybe they are holding on to their money tighter. I don't know, I wish I knew.

[nudibranch4569]

my sales were lower than usual from jan through april,picked up in may.

[pierrelebel]

'I would be curious to know the number of Ebay buyers are today vs prior 2008"

Actually the information is available from eBay's annual financial statements - linked on eBay.com.

Over the years, the total value of all transactions on eBay has been growing at the rate of 10% to 15% on average.

If you can spare the time, take a look at those financial statements.  It is very educational and will help readers understand the "big picture".

[mdf_jersey]

growing at the rate of 10% to 15% on average

Thats interesting to hear. I would like to look at those stats. Happen to have the address?

If Ebay is growing why are they not buying more. It just seems that many of us can say that sales are down over the years. I dont know how your doing, but I know I could use improvement. Maybe my stuff is just out dated. As I said before, prior to 2008 I was doing great.

[pierrelebel]

Enjoy reading numbers! Lots and lots of them!

http://investor.ebayinc.com/annuals.cfm

For anyone really interested to learn more about the "big picture" that is the address to start.

[pierrelebel]

"why are they not buying more."

By "they" I guess you mean buyers.

They do.  They do buy more. 

However maybe "they" simply do not buy what you sell or they do not buy more from Canadian sellers due to the high shipping costs experienced by Canadian sellers and included in our selling prices.

Take a look at the "electronic" or "cell phones" on eBay.  These things sell like "hot cakes".  However, let's face it: not much is sold by Canadians since we can hardly compete as nothing is built here in Canada. We have to import the "stuff", add exchange, duty and taxes and incoming freight and try to compete with your suppliers: not easy.

Take a look at music and movies: similar problems as we compete with our suppliers.