This seems to be an online trend, though. When Internet shopping first got big, Buy.com was the place to go. Prices were so utterly low you saw the future, and it didn’t have retail stores. And that may have been the idea; get people used to online shopping, then jack the price up. Now, Buy.com not only carries few, if any deals price-wise, and in my experience, their customer service is among the worst of online retailers.
EBay is great. I do love it; buying and selling. Lately, I have backed off due to the powers-that-be at eBay raising the prices, getting an earful from members, and then lowering prices. The flip-flopping I can do without. But I still enjoy shopping there and selling the occasional item to make a few extra bucks. Still, I think twice before buying from a PowerSeller with 9,000 feedback but only 92% of them positive. And I don’t think I will be paying $24.99 shipping on a 1.5 pound digital camera any time soon either.
Article comments
1 - Jamison
Another example of how eBay buyers are getting dumber.
Look for gift cards on eBay.
You will find a $50 gift card (as an example) to a famous resturant chain selling for over $50...
HUH???
Then the buyer has to pay shipping...
2 - Bennett
We too sell on eBay, but in a very narrow market. Our customers pay lightning quick, and we ship just as fast. Our emails are semi-personal at this point... No need to type the same words over and over again.
There are still great people on eBay, and folks just might get lucky and do business with one of us.
You made lots of good points in your article, eBay isn't what it used to be. But if you want to buy what WE sell, it's either eBay or direct from our web site.
We use eBay as a way of advertising, and end up with most of our sales direct (and no ebay fees). In that way, eBay is a BIG advertising bargain.
Cheers!
3 - Joanne Huspek
You're so right about eBay. Before, it had a community feel. Back in the day, I actually bought items and sometimes met the sellers to pick up my purchase. I'd be afraid to do that now. And you're also right about the customer service. I bought something from a big eBay seller, and it took me six weeks before I received my item. It only came after I had emailed them many times and finally had to file a complaint. Now, I only buy or sell there as a last resort.
4 - Bennett
I must say that up here in Northern Vermont, it's impossible to find clothing for our 2 year old boy. LOTS of cute dresses in the stores, but nothing for our lad.
On eBay you find clothing for a tenth to a half of the price of the same items via retail (if it were available here).
That works for us.
5 - Jamison
Hey Bennett you are so right.
eBay is really good for clothes (for a pair of True Religion jeans for $80. Retail for $250.) and BOOKS! My wife and I love to read and I can get books for a penny (with $5 shipping of course).
We just had a boy this year, and we have hardly bought a thread of clothes for him. We know so many people in town and we go to a large church, so EVERYONE is giving us clothes all the time :)
But, yes, ebay is a great place to buy clothes. Bad place to sell them though for the same reason that it's a great place to buy them.
6 - Stevie Wilson
Ebay is really an interesting cultural phenomena. As a former seller and random buyer, I now check things out and find that one thing that you can't sell one month-- wait a few and then it would sell for something a couple months later.
I do find that you have to ask a lot of questions, People don't read auction listings completely.
It's definitely about smart marketing to get your product sold. ACCURATE photos are a must and clear, concise descriptions are important.
7 - Steve Wills
we've been successfully selling on ebay for 9 years. we're not rich, but we love what we do. No one likes change. If you are in any business and want to grow and make money you HAVE to constantly learn and adapt.
If people are buying from you and not bothering to answer your emails then there is no excitement in what you are selling. or you aren't targeting your product to the correct audience. the problem is not the buyer, it is the seller.
For those who want to know how to sell on ebay, here are a couple of tips: two sales have to be made. one is to get enough visitors to your listing so that the odds are working in your favor. that is all about the title of the listing. you must test and then test and then test some more. try different wording. just like a newspaper ad, it has to catch peoples' attention. use counters to see what heading works best. the 2nd sale is the actual wording of your listing. again test and test more.
I look at listings and people just have no energy in what they are selling. they just state the facts and expect people to buy. you have to tell people how your product will benefit them. use testimonials. in other words 'sell'. it's not a dirty word. nothing happens until someone sells something. everything in your life has been sold one way or another. even your spouse(or you) had to be sold on the other.
if people aren't checking their mail box every day after you shipped your product and asking you when you shipped it then it's time to sell something else. find a product that helps people solve a problem or something you are excited about.
The opportunities are enormous, I wish you the best!