@ricarmic wrote:
As a note, in the "pre internet" days, it was very hard (for me at least) to break into the USA market, they were very loyal to local sellers. In the early days of the internet, I think most did not realize they were buying from a different country (some today are still surprised that I'm not in the US). I think in the last few years folks have generally gotten more comfortable buying from "wherever", although the Trump era may be reinforcing the "buy local" moreso again.
These are very good observations, and something I've been convinced of for some time now. First, I used to sell far more, and much more regularly, to the U.S. when I was able to list in $US on .ca (i.e. listing on one site only). I theorized this was because I "looked" like an American eBay seller. Working on the same principle (that listing in $US was probably a better strategy for my mostly U.S. customer base), I split my items since that time into about 75% .com, 25% .ca. Initially it helped significantly to list on .com, but lately it hasn't seemed to matter much.
Secondly, the Trump effect: I firmly believe this has had an impact, at least in my "world", which is one of total discretionary spending. I say this because there was a very noticeable slump immediately after he was nominated, then a really serious dry spell after his election and inauguration, and things have remained flat ever since. Keep in mind I sell over 90% to Americans, so any change in U.S. buying habits is immediately apparent in my category.
The reason I think Trump has had an effect though is somewhat different from yours -- I think there is a malaise and worry about the future in the U.S. that may translate into less spending on more frivolous things. I say this because I see my closest competitors complaining about lack of sales too (and they're American). I exist in a very small niche in the online selling market, where we all know each other, at least by name, so it's easy to gauge how larger factors are affecting us. You are fortunate at least in that you have items that appeal particularly to Canadians. That's something I can't really take advantage of.
I've also seen the same slump on the other site on which I sell, which was -- like eBay -- doing very well prior to Trump's nomination. Little has really changed since then. Which leads me to believe it isn't anything either eBay or I have done to upset the apple cart, but rather the orange-faced blowhard mafia boss who currently has control of the most powerful nation in the world.
