- This topic has 71 replies, 32 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 11 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
-
Given the current state of affairs any sale is welcome. With that in mind I had a pretty good first half of the week. From Sunday to Wednesday I sold 13 items (fro an inventory of about 1600) and I have not been listing much lately.
From Thursday till this morning I have not had a single sale.
I sell mostly books, movies, mugs and small knick knacks. Just curious what others experience has been this last week.
I am trying to stay optimistic and am going to start some sales, and take this opportunity to go through my death piles and get everything piling up in this house listed.
How have sales been the second half of this week?
-
Our experience is similar to yours. Strong beginning of the week and slacked off later. I think everyone is still assessing how bad this virus os going to hit daily life. Is it for just a couple weeks or months.
We’re spending time organizing and listing. Tightening our belts. Since we’re always frugal, our daily lives honestly haven’t changed much. Feels like snow days.
-
-
-
My sales have been choppy. Sending out offers has helped on low value items (under $30).
I’ve definitely sold some items that are due to so many people are cooped up at home. My most obvious was a 14,000 (yes, that is correct!) piece puzzle that a guy in Washingon State made me an offer on which came to an agreed price on ($82). He implied in a message it was due to being housebound. So games, playing cards, puzzles, toys, etc. all might do real well right now. I’ve also sold cookware and some bowls which might be from people needing items to cook with and serve more food due to shelter in place.
Those are the kind of things I’d recommend people search there death piles for and list. For example, I’m listing some chess stuff this weekend and some coffee making items.
-
We’ve decided if we can get one or two sales per day, we’re not doing so badly. Most offers that have come in have been low ball, and, despite our willingness to counter rather than decline, most haven’t resulted in sales. We’ve been expecting the low ballers….just as some people are looking to snap up stock at bargain prices, there are buyers looking for bargains on ebay too. I don’t blame ’em.
We’re focusing mostly on getting more listings up and re-organizing stuff, along with doing work around the house and yard. Once I get some of the death pile whittled down, I’m going to focus more on listing: games and other home based recreational stuff, any stuff that can be used for home schooling, cooking and kitchen type stuff, anything tied to hiking, biking or other outdoor activities that can be pursued in a solitary manner, Easter stuff (people will still want to celebrate holidays, maybe even more so than usual, Bibles and other religious stuff (for those who find comfort in their religion), books in general, DVDs and even some VHS, probably some vinyl….We are in no danger of running out of inventory to list. I’m even considering putting together some wholesale lots for other sellers who might not have piles of inventory right now.
We’re in PA, Governor has put some pretty strict rules in place. So far, no cases in our county or the two adjoining counties we do (or did) most of our sourcing at. But I’m sure it’s just a matter of time …I’m sure we probably have some cases here, there just hasn’t been enough testing done to know for sure.
-
I made a guess earlier this week that I’d see a flurry of sales followed be a lull, so I ran a 25% off sale and just got as much stuff out the door as possible while people were buying. That resulted in $300 on Wednesday.
Since then, only a few under $20 items have sold, in addition to some offers coming in for things of a similar price. The good news is that my death pile consists entirely of items under $20, so I’ll continue listing those in the coming week. The bad news is that there’s very little of it. I’m looking at online auctions, but I’ve had very little luck with them in the past.
Our thrift stores just closed with no plan to reopen anytime soon.
Guess I’m taking a vacation?
-
-
It’s a roller coaster out there right now. 1 sale yesterday on my main Ebay store. Currently at 10 items sold for today. Wednesday and Thursday were normal sales days. Last Wednesday through this Tuesday were way slower than normal.
Comics and graphic novels are doing really well for me right now. I wish I had more in my backlog, but I think I’m completely out.
-
Sales have been okay for me so far. My $ amount this week is an average week for me. But I noticed that until today, my daily sales figures had declined 10% each day. Sunday $100, Monday $90, etc.
I sell lower $ items and a lot of craft items, which I anticipated might be more popular now that so many people are home with free time on their hands and not much to do.
I think just like the virus, sales on eBay will get worse before they get better. People have less discretionary income now and will probably start to curb their spending, but when things stabilize I think sales on eBay will rebound. When people start spending $ again but have less $ to play with than they did before the economic downturn they will look for good deals on eBay.
-
I’m down by 20%. I can’t complain in light of everything. Sourcing is a challenge for the time being and I am SO glad I have a profit pile. So so glad! I agree that sales will slow for awhile, but if this stimulus package goes through it could be good for online sales. I am cautiously optimistic.
-
Mostly quiet, but a sale a day. Using the time to actually finish ( lol Start!) the repairs on items I haven’t listed.
5 or six done today.
Never thought I would actually have the time to disassemble and clean electronic switches that are under a quarter inch long.
Time on my hands. -
-
Sales have been down, but they’re steady. I’m happy to make half of my bills right this second. Keeps me from dipping into savings.
Everything has been selling. No real pattern to it. Made $1000+ for the last 7 days.
I haven’t sourced for about 8 days. I think the real slowdown for me is coming soon. Hopefully not.
-
Compared to last year I am up 100% – I also did not do any form of sales this time last year. My sales have pretty much stalled out, but that’ is okay. I need to take time to finally list all of my stuff and figure out the business part.
As frustrating as it is right now, I know it will pass and I am blessed to know that I’m not going to go under. My family has their health, house, and food right now and even if none of it is perfect, I think we will be okay.
-
On Sunday, I listed three lots of jigsaw puzzles. Yesterday I sold the last of those three. They are not big dollars, but they take a lot of space and I pick them up for a couple $s each to work them at the dining table every now and again.
I also sold a lot of crochet flyers, and I have been selling a few more wooden trains than usual. I think everything going out the door has been less than $50. I make up that people are interested in shopping (because they are consumers and stuck at home), but financial worries have struck rich and poor so they are shopping for little things.
BTW, I tried out FB Marketplace for the first time this week and sold a massive two-person sleeping bag (15 lbs) for $100. OMG, I loved just wrapping a bungee around it and walking it to my buyer’s car and putting it inside and getting a handful of cash back! I am starting to look aroud the house at what else can go up on Marketplace.
-
With puzzles, do you only sell sealed boxes? If not, how do you guarantee that all the pieces are there?
-
Puzzles have been selling for me as well.
I only sell them if they are new. Unless they are very old or unique for some reason.
You have to pretty much build them. Even counting isn’t 100% accurate. 1000pcs on the box is an estimate sometimes. It could be 1002.
-
wow. do you build 1000 piece puzzles and then take photos of it? Unless you really like puzzles, is it worth $20?
-
-
-
-
-
We are down 45% per 2 week period right now, and it feels worse. 50% of the gross was from 2 items sold to France and Italy of all places.
I really think we will have major short term declines, then at least resume to normal as people get bored of being stuck indoors. Potentially higher than average for this season in a few weeks as people get tired of being frugal and get back to their “spend every penny” ways. I’d bet a large percentage of these gov’t checks goes directly to frivolous online spending.
I’ve sold a good amount of puzzles as well. The profits are there. I buy any that are sealed, and will entertain opened boxes at the right price. My 4 yo loves puzzles, so we can test them out.
-
Child enrichment type items are the only items that are selling for me. I sold a Where’s Waldo Floor Puzzle that has been in my inventory from almost the beginning of my reselling life. Also sold Mattel Tuff Stuff number and letter blocks that have been in my inventory for almost as long as the puzzle. I also sold Unicorn cupcake liners and matching napkins to WA state so someone is probably trying to add some whimsey to their child’s day while holed up.
-
-
-
Up 8.1% from prior 31 days, up 20.2% compared to the same period last year. I sell primarily new old stock auto parts, I haven’t changed my business plan at all. “Needful things” always sell when times are tough.
-
-
Steven,
I have several long time suppliers who specialize in auto parts liquidations, 2 have retired over the past 11 years I have been doing this. These purchases are generally multi-pallet in the $5000 range plus freight.
I also have several searches on eBay that I make smaller purchases from if the price is right, but those aren’t a big part of my sourcing.
And there is a regional weekly bid lot static auction I go to when I have time, the disadvantage is that I might find nothing worth bidding on or only win 1 small lot (which I don’t know about until the next morning) and still have to make a 200-mile round trip to pick it up.
-
-
-
-
-
With regard to puzzles, it is obviously critical not to sell incomplete puzzles. I buy and sell only puzzles I am interested in working. I sell ones I have completed about as often as I trade them with friends.
One time, I bought thirty 1000 piece puzzles from a single seller at a garage sale. (They were all Wysocki puzzles by Buffalo, so pretty desirable). I only worked a few of them and saw each was complete and felt comfortable listing all.
Another time I bought six puzzles from a jumbo thrift store. One after another, each I worked was missing one piece. After three puzzles with missing pieces, I realized that someone had maliciously removed one piece from each. Those puzzles all went in the garbage and I don’t buy puzzles or board games at that thrift store anymore.
-
I thrifted a used vintage Star Wars puzzle from the 1970s a few years ago that I didn’t put together and just listed as is. It still sold,“no returns accepted” and all. No problem. A few potential customers asked me to assemble it to see if it was complete, but I said nah. Still got $30 for it, only paid $2. I might’ve been able to get $50-60 for it if I had put it together and it was complete, but I didn’t feel like it was a good use of my time, especially if it really did turn out to be incomplete.
-
With a total inventory of 125-150 items, all used thrift-store goods, I usually sell about one item per day — $1,000/month worth. I’m at about $900 so far this month. Sold about 6 things in the past few days.
We like the White Mountain line of vintage theme puzzles and recently picked up about 5 or 6 from a thrift for about $2 each. Did one, took a photo and listed it. Thinking they may all get done and listed before this is over.
My mom gave us a valuable wooden puzzle — worth about $50-$80 used — that she probably got at a yard sale, so I did that one first. One piece missing :(. I have sold a puzzle with a piece missing before. Vintage Springbok round and very neat, but I think that was a one-off.
I’m taking this opportunity at home to do a rigorous home clean-out. Going room by room and finding items to sell, donate and toss. I have listed about 10 things and have a substantial and growing pile of donation items. Sold one large, space-hogging thing for $44 in a day. Organizing my paint cans and planning to do some touch up work once the decluttering is done.
Mostly, just grateful for all the positives I have in my life. Take good care of yourselves everyone.
-
-
-
-
Huh, I’ve got a water filter that I haven’t listed – one that you connect to a faucet. Good idea! Funny, there hasn’t been any concerns about water quality, but, when people panic, they panic.
-
-
Travel tchotchkes are starting to move. I think a lot of people are bored at home and are planning their summer vacations, or just wishing they were somewhere else. Now’s the time to get them listed!
Also, I’m noticing nostalgic items are starting to move again – postcards, old advertisements. Sales of ephemeral items have started picking up again in the past week.
Anything instructional – books, dvds, audiobooks. People are bored and are making an effort at trying something new.
-
-
-
Ok, so.. my eBay sales are way down. It’s a side gig, so that’s ok. But, my regular job is shut down. I’m self employed, so the little bit of eBay sales keeps me from being unemployed. I think if I close my eBay store, then I will be unemployed and I will be eligible to collect unemployment. The added 600.00 a week will be a bonus and I will probably make more than I do on a regular week….. my wife is still working, so we are ok, but the extra money would help… does this sound right? I’m looking into it more before I decide…Stay safe out there, Brian
-
-
-
-
-
I have definitely had an uptick this week but nothing like a $700.00 day! Wow what you selling?
My sales are down over 50% from last year at this time, but I am grateful for the sales I have.
Here are the 14 items I sold this week:
Date – NET PROFIT –
3/22 – $11.56 – Hotels Statler Note pads
3/22 – $17.39 – Book: Quantum Mechanics by Leonard I. Schiff
3/22 – $13.38 – Book: Inside the Danger Zone: U. S. Military in the Persian Gulf
3/23 – $32.39 – DVD: Time Walker Blu-ray 2016 Scream Factory
3/23 – $13.99 – MUG: Gilley’s – Pasadena Texas Urban Cowboy
3/24 – $06.60 – DVD: South Pacific
3/24 – $12.76 – MUG: Jagermeister Metal Mule Green w/ Frosted Shot Glass
3/25 – $09.99 – Sunlight Pure Mild Soap – South African Leaver Brothers Product
3/25 – $17.64 – BOOK: Arnold-N 1977/78 Model Train Magazine
3/26 – $25.88 – MUG: Face Creamer Signed Hass Studio Art Pottery – Hass / dd 1977
3/27 – $11.01 – DVD: Billy Budd (DVD, 2007)
3/27 – $36.70 – Classroom Calculator Set TI-108 Solar 10 Pack Yellow Carrying Case Caddy
3/27 – $13.28 – Sunlight Pure Mild Soap – South African Leaver Brothers Product
3/27 – $10.05 – USB Drive Red Bull RecordDefinitely a weird assortment. But the big sellers appear to be Entertainment, Educations and household staples.
How would have thought the case of South African branded Pure Sunlite soap I grabbed at an estate sale last September would end up being such a hot item during a Pandemic. Are stores running out of soap?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/163864240569?ViewItem=&item=163864240569
-
-
Just a heads up: ebay has added to the list of Prohibited Items. Here’s the most current list of virus related prohibitions. These items are not just items that cannot be sold for excessive prices, they are items not to be offered at all:
Masks, including N95/N100 and surgical masks
Hand sanitizers, gels
Disinfecting wipes
Toilet paper
Baby Forumla
Baby wipes
Tampons
DiapersHere’s the actual text from ebay:
“Since early February, we have prohibited products marketed with the term “coronavirus,” which violate our policies against making unsubstantiated health claims.
Beginning on March 5, we implemented a ban on certain items listed on our site, which includes blocking new listings and removing existing ones that sell: masks including N95/N100 and surgical masks; hand sanitizers/gels; and disinfecting wipes. This week, we expanded the restricted items list to include toilet paper, baby formula and baby wipes, tampons and diapers, which will only be permitted for sale by business sellers in a fixed price format. In addition, we have added a price gouging reporting tool, allowing people to report items that violate our policies in real time.
We also continue to quickly remove any listing that mentions COVID-19, coronavirus, 2019nCoV (except books) in the title or description, and users who search for such items on our site are shown an informational banner with a link to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. We have been communicating these updates to our sellers and directing sellers to our Disaster and Tragedy policy.”
Based on what I’ve read, it is best not to mention Coronovirus, fever, etc, at all. The bots don’t always do a good job of distinguishing. Don’t, for example, run a “cabin fever” sale.
I know many here aren’t fans of ebay’s Community Boards (the Selling Board, in particular, is mostly a waste of time right now) , but I do strongly suggest that sellers keep up with the announcements about the Virus , ebay is collecting them all in one place:
https://community.ebay.com/t5/COVID-19-Community-Hub/gh-p/COVID19
-
Yeah, we always keep an eye on the Announcements. I’m glad eBay, Amazon, and other sites are slowing down sellers trying to profit from the panic buying of standard items.
Im still baffled why everyone is hoarding toilet paper. Our Walmart has everything in stock, but toilet paper still sells out as soon as they open.
-
What the heck? If there isn’t any price gouging, what’s the big deal? Some of these items are completely sold out online and in local stores.
I bet they’re next going to ban certain hard to find food items.
-
-
-
-
Jay, yes, the Announcements Board is good, just mentioning this because it is a new, separate Community Group focused on the Virus that pulls in all the relevant announcements as well as seller discussion (most of which can be ignored LOL).
I’m as baffled by you with the toilet paper thing. I think its mostly herd instinct…people hear that other people are buying toilet paper, then they rush to buy toilet paper.
-
Just want to point out (not that anyone said anything). I haven’t changed my prices on soap since this all began. I bought it because it had funky packaging and I could get a bunch for cheap. Why does September-2019 feel like 30 years ago?
-
-
-
-
I’m surprised yeast isn’t on the price gouging list considering the nationwide shortage right now.
-
-
I wonder if it’s considered price gouging by ebay or the gov’t if the items are sold via auction? I ask because a listing from yesterday on ebay sold 4 cans of Lysol spray for $450.
I also noticed other listings for lysol being sold for a reasonable price but then the shipping is close to $50 for domestic shipping.
-
Here is the link to eBay’s Report an Item page, if you wish to report price gouging.
https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/prohibited-restricted-items/reporting-price-gouging-ebay?id=5105I went ahead and reported the Lysol one since it automatically popped up.
-
-
-
Hi from Canada!🇨🇦 Been very steady and may I say a bit more busier than usual. We sell Vintage Auto parts from 1950’s and older. We thought we would have slowed right down, but not. I guess everyone with car projects in their garages are getting back to them during the stay at home (?) Maybe when people realize that this might take longer to get over – they will be holding onto their money (?)
-
-
My mom gave me a huge stack of puzzles when she moved last year. But after checking the prices on Ebay at the time, I only listed one new one and donated the rest to a senior center. If only I had known puzzles would be the hot new thing… Oh well, at least they went to a good home 🙂
-
-
Top % Increase eBay Item Sales
Included in the report was a list of the top in-demand pre-owned products:
1) Puzzles 813%
2) Strength Training 694%
3) Webcams 673%
4) Painting Equipment & Supplies 194%
5) Cardio Equipment 181%
6) Laptop Docking Stations and Power Adapters 128%
7) Golf Training Aids 119%
8) Wireless Routers 79% and Mobile Hotspots 139%
9) VR Headsets 111%
10) Lego Building Toys 86% -
-
Hi Scavengers. I mostly sell on Amazon but due to recent events, I have switched back to ebay. I sell mostly RA items and am making a few sales a day. I did sell 3 puzzles that had been sitting on my bookshelves for a couple of years. The Charles Wysocki brand. Also sold 1 classical cd that I’ve had for years. I am trying to list 5-10 items a day. I have had to change my handling time to 5 days just to compensate for the slow shipping times. I had 2 global shipping sales for kids toys, which I thought was funny. I have found that gaming headsets are selling well. I sold 3 in one week.
I would like to get back into thrifting but in my state (Michigan) everything is closed. And we just got notice that the stay at home order has extended to May 15.
-
Yeah, its a tough time to start an eBay store or to get back to thrifting. I imagine it’ll be several months before it’ll be easy to safely shop again.
–What kind of Retail arbitrage items do you usually sell on Amazon.
–Are you an FBA seller?
–What has selling like been on Amazon?-
Hi Jay. I love listening to you and Ryanne. 🙂
Basically I sell anything RA that I can find and it will turn a profit. Home goods mostly. I tend to stick to categories that I am at least familiar with. I had heard that tools sell well but I don’t know a thing about them so I don’t bother. Mostly it’s kids games, toys, home decor, cookware, linens. Some small fitness gear, and electronic accessories.
I was doing fba but it has dried up. Amazon is now giving preference to sellers who will do their own shipping. After this is over, I was thinking about trying that model and seeing if it will be less expensive. I wouldn’t have to pay storage fees, for example. People are still buying RA items, just on ebay now because they can’t get it on Amazon. A lot of health and beauty, like hair color, nail polish, etc.
-
-
-
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.