Looming implosion of US economy.

[ampurtle]

With the US economy now officially a basket case, I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise that everyone is going to look out for themselves.

Clearly buyers have been emboldened by the feedback changes and a higher percentage are looking for the free ride so the time has come for me to change my rules.

1) As a general rule I won't be doing auctions of high value items any more unless I can guarantee the expected result.
2) No more listing of items except on listing sale days.
3) No more unconditional refunds, buyers will have to go through the dispute mechanism and prove their claims beyond a reasonable doubt, because one typically gets low DSRs or Negative feedback anyway.
4) eBay will be downrated and used less as a point of sale.
5) Paypal will be downgraded and will no longer be the preferred payment method.
6) Only low value items that qualify for lettermail will be listed so I can absorb the cost of dishonest buyers.
7) eBay will be upgraded to the first choice for orphaned and end of life items.

Unfortunately for eBay, as there is only one discount listing day per month and eBay is being downgraded as a point of sale, I'll probably miss those days more than I will find them...

[pierrelebel]

"as there is only one discount listing day per month "

Actually, eBay just announced a two week "25c" listing promotion (from July 16th to July 29th) for fixed price listings on both eBay.ca and eBay.com .

[ampurtle]

Too much, 5 cent listing days only

[pierrelebel]

"Too much".

You have zero items for sale on the core site.

I have over 300, all listed at $0.25 and I expect to add another 300 to 500 in the next ten days.

Who do you think will sell the most in the next few weeks? .

[coxengines]

the time has come for me to change my rules

... with that attitude, will be your downfall!

Bernie

[ampurtle]

With that attitude I make a profit and survive. It's worked pretty good for 35 years, I even survived the early eighties meltdown when interest rates went to 21%. A savy business continually monitors conditions and reacts appropriately... the rest bleed, become crippled or die... What is appropriate for any specific market obviously is different, some segments are less affected, but not many, and they too have reduced sales, so if you haven't done an analysis in the past 5 months, it's overdue.

Aren't you the guy that was saying you were cheating Canada Post because you needed lower shipping costs to survive and make a profit ?

IF you have put all your eggs in the eBay basket, you are loosing out, it's like saying you'll only sell to people with red hair and only on Tuesdays. IF selling is a hobby to augment your income, it probably doesn't matter.

[ampurtle]

Who will sell more on eBay ? It better be you Pierre, or there is something terribly wrong with the universe.

But thanks for confirming that I have actually implemented my policy changes B-)

[coxengines]

Aren't you the guy that was saying you were cheating Canada Post because you needed lower shipping costs to survive and make a profit ?

My husband never claimed that he was cheating CP. He merely stated (as far as I recall reading) that CP's system has some loopholes that permit one to slightly exceed max. thicknesses and weights for some products without these being returned to sender.

survive and make a profit

Where did he state that?

We have been in the import/export business for 2 decades and eBay is one of our businesses although, at the rate it has been growing, we cannot call it a sideline anymore.

Xena

[pierrelebel]

"Who will sell more on eBay ?"

Millions of sellers have seen sale increases so far this year on eBay.

Overall, sales by sellers are UP 8% on eBay in the second quarter. That may not seem like much to you but considering the state of the economy and average retail sale levels are only up 2% across North America, it means eBay sellers are doing much better, on average, than other methods of marketing.

Now, not all sellers will see an increase. In general terms, those who pay more attention to buyer's needs will: unconditional guarantee of satisfaction or full refund, low or free shipping, great selection of products offered at all times, above average packaging and quick daily shipping, selection of convenient payment methods.

It works for me. :-) .

[cartoonsinabox]

The formula might work for you but not for everyone (that is also using the same marketing you listed above). I don't know if you have Ebay's stats on the 8% increase on sales and for what fields (what is on the up and what is on the down) ?

Frederic

[cartoonsinabox]

Pierre,

I don't want to take anything what from your success. I say keep riding the wave and kept the same formula. I just hope we get back on track.

Good Luck to you.

Frederic

[coxengines]

Thanks Pierre. Your words reflect my thoughts:-)

Xena

[ampurtle]

Yes, everyone has a different experience.

Who here has had an 8% increase in profits in the second quarter over the 1st quarter ?

[toolrackca]

OOOH YEAA A GOOD OLD FASHION CAT FIGHT

[axe_n_gear_music]

Ampurtle-
I have more than an 8% increase, but in my experience, you have to actually have items listed to sell anything.

Axe

[coxengines]

Our increase is probably more in the 20% range.

However, we actually list items for sale...;-)

Xena

[ampurtle]

As it turns out I also have exceeded the 8% increase in profits from 1st to 2nd quarter.... oh, but I don't have anything listed.... I guess that isn't as big a part of the equation as people seem to think B-)

[faerywishes]

ampurtle I'm not sure why you would want to sell in here if you are that unhappy.

With nothing to sell your profits will be 0%, you will lose your Power Seller status. I'm not sure but would that mean you would have no access to the PS boards?

I have only been selling in here about 9 months but I have heard from several sellers that Ebay offers the 5 cent listings to only those that earn it.

But even a savy business person would see the way you are electing to sell is not savy at all.

However a savy business person would be able to come to these boards and make a intelligent assumption of who not to buy from.

I think you will be very sucessful though on maintaining your 0 sales and 0% profit.

Have a Wonderful Day;-)

[ampurtle]

5 cent listings are promotional, it's confirmation that they are stuggling to keep the item listings coming, so it's a loss leader, list for peanuts and get the back end.

Now, to just to prove you are completely totally and irrefutably wrong, go look at my feedback, my customers love me B-)

A "savy" business person doesn't think eBay is the only place to sell.....

[faerywishes]

I am wondering where in my response did I say your buyers don't love you. But then again there was 1 that wasn't feeling the love this month. 😉

I did say though if any were to come to the boards and see your negative attitude and new policies I think it's safe to say those ones wouldn't purchase from you.

Won't it be harder to maintain PS levels if you only list once a month?

I wish you luck in your next place to sell.