Topic: Declining values on eBay......or NOT???

Return to Archives of AuctionBytes


Antidepressant Medications
Handle stress, elevate the mood,
treat anxiety disorders.
Casino Classic
Best Online Casino!
Get $500 free on the house!
Weight Loss Supplements
Natural supplements that burn body fat,
suppress appetite and support a healthy diet.
Shared Movies
Over 80 Million Movies and TV-Shows
No Charge per movie, No download limit!


Posted at April 18, 2004, 8:10 pm:

There has been much written on the declining value of antiques & collectibles, as well as most other categories, on eBay over the past couple years. Most articles, rants, etc. have blamed eBay's increasing fee structure, PayPal fees, cost of shipping increases, etc. on the lowering of profits.

In all fairness, eBay's fees have not really increased that much, since the good old days of 10 cent listings. PayPal's fees seem to have remained stable, as well. There was an increase in Postal Fees in June of 2002 (if I remember correctly), but there hasn't been much recently.

Maybe, just possibly.....the decrease in the final sales price and the decrease in profits is a result of the market leveling out??? This is a supply and demand business, isn't it? When eBay first started out, there was literally no competiton to speak of. Those who took advantage of the early marketing days of online auctions made a killing if they were smart sellers. Those who are just now joining are finding it is an entirely different ball game....survival of the fittest (so to speak).

Today, you have eBay, Yahoo, Amazon and several smaller general auction venues. In addition, we have hundreds of small, specialty auctions, private online shops, super online malls like Tias, Ruby Lane and others. Each one of these venues increases the outlets for buyers, thus lowering the value for sellers. Again, supply and demand physics at work. Specialization may be the key to making real money with online sales.

My opinion is that it simply takes better business skills to make it in a world where your competition is everywhere, and could literally be your next door neighbor. I remember going to weekend yard sales and buying up bulk lots of anything, thinking all the while of my profits on eBay. Heck, I even helped spread the word about buying & selling on eBay. At least 75% of the folks I talked to back then had no idea what an eBay was. Sure wish I would have kept my mouth shut. Oh, well.

Any thoughts on this subject???. . . visit our continual online yard sales ... ... click here!

Original of the message was taken from http://www.auctionbytes.com/forum/phpBB/

Replies:

kjp55 - I think you are correct, I believe most of the decline in...

I think it is possible that the market is leveling out.

Well does that not say there is not a market at the moment on Ebay for...

arrad - I think the problem is that with a cup & saucer, unlike a...

In the line of specialization, I've read some pretty good articles lat...

All incorrect.

Sounds like you don't care too much for eBay or they've given you the ...

I think this is a good topic! I've been selling on Ebay for a...

Yada - Where are you getting this data? Ebay sales are growi...

Rich, I totally agree with everything you stated.

I use to be with Ebay, but after getting hit with very bad customers &...

-+But, are you making any money on Yahoo? I'd post there as well if I c...

kjp55 - Regarding specilazing vs.

It depends on what you are selling, some items sell as well if not bet...


Other Topics of AuctionBytes:

Mark ID

West German pieces?

Enterprise Destroyed Glasses

Help with ID Please

TOO MANY Paypal invoices!!

Supreme Court case: MercExchange v. eBay

International Abbreviations

Bid Sniper Software

Anyone used Livedeal.com?

Cast Iron aquarium/terrarium?

Ebay Category Avon

Who made this planter?

Slightly Used Antique Dealer for sale.

Ebay suspended us twise in 1 month

Webster Sterling Silver Baby Cup

Important Forum Announcement

unmarked German Cross

Here's a scam for you!

Bulk Lister script

Want your own online shop? Great software found.

Simple Suggestions for posting "Wanted Ads"

Uncle Remus 78 and Bugs Bunny albums

Ebay Account suspended

Moving Forum Database to Dedicated Server

What are "the" precous metals?

Need Help about Online Auction

Has anyone tried a piece of software called 'Super Seller'

1966 grateful dead poster-is it real or a copy- new member

handbags are hot right now!

Agate Stone?

Just found about 1000 marbles in basement need some help

Sellathon

Sizable savings to ship freight international.FREE estimates

Image Hosting Spyware?

Free online store for auction users


File Sharing Service  Image Sharing Service  Usenet Newsgroups Reader
Guide to Serials and Shows  English Subtitles For DivX Movies  Lyrics Catalogue
Over 5000 Cocktail Recipes  Hot News Archive  Funny Jokes and Anecdotes
Cooking Recipes Catalogue  Cool Online Encyclopedia  Computer Games Cheats
Pets Department  Spam Free Guestbook Service  Medical Catalogue


Free Web Stats