@davidninetynine wrote:
Unlike ebay, nobody has heard of it, so there's no "passing trade" from people who like to browse.
That will probably change as a result of ebay's sudden unpopularity, but until then it's only really suitable as a shop front for fixed price (i.e. "buy it now / make offer") items.
For example if you have a website or social media channel and want a sales platform. Like an ebay shop, but much nicer to use.
That's their Catch 22. Someone earlier said that they weren't interested in using other sites because they don't have the audience that ebay has. But they never will have if no-one is willing to take the obvious risk of slower sales on a smaller site.
I've been saying for years that private sellers make a site viable if it can get enough of them. They don't have the pressures of needing high / quick turnover to survive as a business. The other site has survived for 20+ years, IMO, largely on the sales of postcards and stamps, although lately a growth area seems to have been magazines and comics.
For the last few years my sales there have been consistently better than on ebay, albeit selling in a Collectables niche. I don't use Social Media and the site never advertises itself, but buyers do find me and buy stuff.
Their dilemma is either raise capital to advertise, get swamped by businesses looking for a cheap outlet and end up like ebay. Top heavy with businesses, high fees because the 'backers' demand returns on their money and the cost of running the sophisticated site that businesses demand to increase their profits.
Or remain small, cheap and easy to use as a basic site suitable for the "List it - Sell it - Get paid" attitude of private sellers. I find it more relaxed and pleasant to use, probably because I'm not constantly pushed to the back of the visibility queue by full-time sellers who have the time/knowledge and resources to do so.
@akemp1 mentioned that it is "20 year old technology". I wonder if that's such a bad thing considering that one consistent complaint about ebay is its rubbish search. 20 years ago is pre-Cassini and key-word based as I've also been saying for years, I get sales there because buyers can find my stuff, unlike on ebay where without a degree in SEO plus a hefty bribe my stuff is at the back of the shelf and rarely seen.
