Now, I will admit, I haven't been doing much listing. We're trying to get our school year wrapped up, and the weather's nice, and you all know the excuses. So I absolutely take responsibility for this. But it's a vicious cycle. I haven't been listing, so I haven't been selling. I haven't been selling, so I don't feel motivated to list. Yuk. I have this monstrous pile of Build a Bear stuff sitting beside me. I listed a few of them tonight, and I put almost all of my clothing on a 50% off sale. I'm hoping the clothing sale will spark some actual sales, and that those sales will spark my enthusiasm again, so I can get the rest of these Build a Bear outfits listed.
I had gotten pretty far down in my to-be-listed pile, so I don't have a whole lot left to list. What I do have is really great stuff that I've gotten from my Facebook group. It's just a matter of doing it.
Anyone else in the same boat? Can we partner up and encourage each other to list, whether we've been selling or not, and whether we feel like it or not? I've got to get out of this slump!
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edit: Oh, and I forgot to mention. I just got ANOTHER message about a return for something that doesn't fit. That makes FOUR in 48 hours. That's SUPER-discouraging to have to shell out $90 in refunds when I've not even made half of that in the last 3 days. Siiiiiiiiiiiiighhhhhhhhhhh
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ReplyDeleteI know what ya mean! Been sitting on 50 plus auction items for 6 days without a bite and barely any hits. And I KNOW I have items that sell well. I think May is a slow month... Lots of people recovering from their payment to Uncle Sam in April. Besides - while we are all out hitting the yard sales, so are a chunk of our customers. I am optimistic that June picks up as Summer vacations start. Keep your spirit- our good days have to balance out the bad. Love your blog, btw - great info and laugh out loud commentary. I especially get a kick out of reading about your "scores" - That AG one was the best. I was so jealous! Although, I couldn't have made any money off of them - my daughter would have wanted them all for herself. Regards - Anne in MD
ReplyDeleteMy motivation is MIA as well. I just participated in a consignment sale that seems to have been a huge waste of time, and instead of being thankful for having eBay to fall back on, I'm not wanting to do anything at all. Which I know is just going to make things worse. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI think it's that time of the year - spring cleaning done, summer just round the corner, lots of thoughts & money spent on the garden - good times will come around again - just keep on listing - it's a numbers game!
ReplyDeleteI sold 2 items last night, each with one bid only. One of the items had 10 watchers. As for buying...good stuff is getting harder and harder to find these days at reseller's prices. I'm almost at the point of giving up. I need a spark to get me motivated again.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling the same way, but I know success usually involves perseverance. I am going to make time today to list the stuff I haven't felt like listing. Anonymouns/Anne is right that bargain hunters are attending yard sales - we had a lot of them on Saturday. I think May is very busy with Mother's Day, graduations, recitals, sports, etc. which may keep people away from eBay. Maybe the Facebook Yard Sales, Craigslist, and the like are taking their toll as well. But I need to do what I can do, which is to list the stuff I've been ignoring. I'm with you Jessica, thanks for the inspiration. I hope you have better days ahead.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your encouragement. I'm going to spend this week regrouping and focused on listing. I have this great stuff just sitting here. It can't sell if it's not listed. We've decided to spend our last 2 weeks of school just doing half-days, which will free up a lot of time for me. I'm going to try to spend less time on the Facebook group and focus on what I already have. I can DO IT!
ReplyDeleteSo can the rest of you who are down here with me. Let's report back Monday with how many new listings we got up this week!
I'm sorry you've been in a slump :( I bet things will pick up as soon as you start listing again. I'm going to try to list 50 items this week...Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHere comes the grave digger. I hate to break it to you but I know another Ebayer who has sold over $5,000 of clothes this month. I wish I knew her secret. Some sellers are still raking in the dough. Go figure.
ReplyDeleteSiiiiigh. That wasn't very helpful! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI took last week off from listing and was so excited to get back to it this week. Then I logged on and saw that I got my first negative feedback from a woman AFTER I had offered her a full refund. What a (insert bad word here.) So, there goes my motivation. :( I will try to get it back, though. Hang in there, Jessica. All you need is one good sale and you'll be "back"! :)
ReplyDeleteI never sell anywhere close to the numbers you do so I can't really compare but I think for most people sales have been slow recently. March and April where my worst months ever. I have set a goal for myself this week. I have not been motivated to list and I'm hoping setting a goal and being vocal about it will help. I have to list 40 items this week. Do you have a number in mind or just get through your pile?
ReplyDeleteI definitely want to get through my Build a Bear stuff, and get a good start on that big ugly overflowing laundry basket that sits in the corner of the living room staring at me. It's mostly bulky stuff, so it shouldn't take too long. I think I'll have over 30 new listings just with the BABW stuff. I'll aim for 50.
ReplyDeleteMy sales have down significantly during May - I thought it was just me. I think it's that time of year - people are busy with end of school stuff - graduations, etc & it's getting nice outside - who wants to e inside on the computer? I am really hoping things start looking up.
ReplyDeleteI loaded up on adorable new purses today at a salvage/discount store. They were 99 cents each! I got 35 and them hit Salvation Army and left with two stuffed bags. I'm going to aim for 40 items minimum this week.I love your blog Jessica and your store being so full is motivation for me! Leigh
ReplyDeleteMy rule is 4-5 items a night. If I can do more, that's great, but 4-5 every day is what it takes to keep the lights on. You'll get it back and be so busy shipping that you'll be wishing for it to slow down again. ;)
ReplyDeleteI am definitely in the same situation as you! Why bother listing if nothing is selling? I still try to list a few things each night just so I can clear it off the dining room table and take it to the garage for storage! I should be used to this life! My husband and I are both self-employed, which ends up being a lot of stress in our lives! It just gets old and tiresome!
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