Downward Trend in Sales- October 2025

[kh-567867]

Hello everyone, how are you doing?

There has been a downward trend in our sales from start of last week . We have a business account and everything has been normal up unitil last week. We are slowly going away from ebay platform due to fees structure but I find it really difficult that some days our payouts have gone to less than £10. 

We have checked everything on our account but still struggling to understand as why there is been this downward trend. 

Hope I am not missing something. 

[cobwebcottage]

It's not just you. The past 2 weeks have been the worst on record for me. 

Let's hope that it picks up around payday as there are only 2 more before Christmas.

[the_book_seekers]

It's very bad at the moment. Traditionally October has been a good month - not this one.

[blackcatbooksuk]

This week has been a disaster so far. But just look at how many IT issue have happened this week. Could it be this?

[custom-giftsuk]

Since Oct 1st our "section" has dropped 50% in sales numbers - thats not our sales number, thats overall sales. 

[mostlylamps]

Yep, same here! But what a coincidence, I keep getting on a daily basis messages trying to sell me advertising, or as they put it "reach more buyers". How very strange that everyone is losing money from lower sales and they just so happen to be trying to flog advertising to us! Getting really sick of these greedy grifters! Not much life left on this once great platform, and with so many other BETTER free sites without a buyer's tax you'd think they would try looking after their ever shrinking number of sellers.

[mostlylamps]

If I wasn't getting their irritating messages every single day trying to flog me advertising I would say possibly, but I think it's clear what they are up to!

[custom-giftsuk]

Its not the advertising, the number of buyers is falling, as is evident by the research data.
Also its not *just* ebay. Other platform numbers are also dropping

[gjalp]

Ive sold better this month than I have in months. Im expecting the bubble to burst soon though.

[twofourdeltasurplus]

I must be the lucky one then, going on 600 orders so far this month, but profit wise not my best month, as alot are low value

All boils down to what you sell, and if your willing to take chances and diversify, I know I have, some have paid of, others have sunk quicker than a famous boat.

Times have changed, no one collects china, trinkets etc etc

[jere-nott]

I have been listing on eBay for 11 years and last week was, for me, the worst week for sales since my records began in 2014. Mid-month blues? Maybe.

However, if the bottom line at the end of the month is more or less constant then I am happy. Sometimes a little growth but then I am only a poor postage stamp dealer.

[vinylscot]

I was on holiday at the beginning of the month, but since I returned, sales, in total,  have been pretty much around the level expected. Slightly higher priced items are going surprisingly well, whereas my cheaper items seem to have stalled somewhat.

I do think this "cost of living crisis" is real, so I infer from my figures that people are just being a little more choosy about what they buy, whereas, in better economic times, they tend to buy less discriminantly.

[cobwebcottage]

You are correct, times have changed.

In a world where were are supposed to be aware of climate change and sustainability, buyers prefer to buy cheaper mass produced items which are made in China rather than a bone china cup and saucer made in Staffordshire. It's quite sad that there are millions of items which can be reused but a lot of buyers want brand new.

I am pleased you are doing well and I would expect you to at this time of year with Remembrance Sunday coming up with your beautiful poppies although I am a traditionalist and buy my poppy from the British Legion where I know it was made in England and proceeds go to towards our armed forces. Just one example of how the world has changed.

Onwards and hopefully upwards and again, it's encouraging that some businesses are thriving as there is hope for all of us.

( PS, I have to mention and hope you take it well, brooch does not have a A in it.)

[gjalp]

Im inclined to agree. Im missing a number of regular buyers (regular as in they have bought from me for years) and some regular buyers, you build a rapport with. Snippets of conversation has revealed that they are feeling the pinch and when that happens, some belt tightening occurs with focus on need rather than want purchases.

[twofourdeltasurplus]

You have hit the nail on the head,eveyone wants new cheap tat from the land across the waters, I have the same issue with some of my lines, buyers would rather buy from china as its "cheaper" but only lasts a few months, then buy it again as its cheap.

I have had this argument with many a buyer at shows and they just cant see the logic, some stuff is made to last years and years, but they dont want to pay that little bit extra.

Well most of the profit from the poppies go in the collection pot when I buy one for myself, get some strange looks, but I just say never know one day I might need help from RBL  or my Corps. They are very popular as we are fiercely proud of having served and under which cap badge. Reminds me best start thinking about digging out my medals etc and start the cleaning process, its not that far away.

Right I have waffled enough for just now, got orders to drop off and a end of week stock shopping trip, that by the sounds of it might be another bargain and a nice little haul.

Thanks for pointing out the typo, will get round to changing it, never noticed it in my rush to get things done, old man, only a few working grey cells left and all that

[redworldtoysandmodels]

Yes Sales are poor at the moment - usually picking up for christmas by now especially selling toys.  Just feel there are some tactics going on trying to get you to take out more costly promotions etc.  Some days we get one sale from an obscure country and no UK sales at all - very odd.

[buy-smart-guy]

We had a great start to October, but the last week or so has been the worst for months. Going to chalk it up to the school holidays and saving up pre-Christmas. Will see a boost mid to late November, fingers crossed. 

[homecomforts2014]

I have put handmade items on for christmas and some of the items have 0 views and they have been on weeks. I tried promoting them and nothing! It got worse when ebay put the extra buyers protection on top of the item price. It could be that people are choosing to buy in shops again. I think ebay (and etsy are the same) have messed about with the site too much and it has put buyers off. I also wondered if Ebay are covering up some items so they are not seen all the time to push the big sellers up because I just cannot believe that nobody is looking at my items even if its just out of curiosity. Last year I did a quite a few sales over Christmas on ebay and etsy and I did great at craft fairs. 

[custom-giftsuk]

Its not that ebay are hiding anything or promoting one item over another, without reason (ie they are being paid to do it) . The number of sales in every aspect of ebay, unless specifically xmas based, are down or at best flat month on month. The traffic is also down.

So either everyone has just left ebay (and other online platforms which are suffering as much) or it is a wider downturn 

[5216elisabeth]

Mine are specifically Christmas and things ain't how they should be!  September gross sales over 40% down YoY for the month, October marginally better by a small fraction than last October but volume slightly down, so overall well down on last year for the 2 months. Who knows what November will bring ... There are some unusual things happening with views, stop/start sales etc.  and it's feeling rather 'not normal' overall.  I rely heavily on this trading period so I am getting a bit worried.  I am crossing my fingers, trying to find ways to drive sales and hoping November will show a big jump in sales.