Question for GENUINE SMALL PRIVATE SELLERS re Sales.

[vintique*violet]

I was wondering if GENUINE small private sellers would share their experience of their sales for the past few months particularly November / December as this is supposed to be the busiest time. 

No need for details, just the completed successful orders, the total amount, postal service used and how the delivery went? 

November 

Order total  11 - All posted using RM Tracked 48 all delivered safely and fast.  

December

Order total 7... My last sale was 11th December 2024 , Marked as despatched & posted 13th, and delivered  on the 16th . Royal Mail Tracked 48. 

All completed orders and feedback left except for a few  as through experience I find  not everyone likes to leave feedback. 

2023 Nov/Dec Sales were nearly double.  

There has been nothing since and I have taken off many higher value items and deciding if  I will list or re-list for the rest of January before the BPF kicks in. 

Thank you. 

[vintique*violet]

It doesn't matter if you are used to leaving money in to accumulate - you would have immediate access for when you want/need to transfer to your own bank account and that is your choice.  The " new " way would mean that you or anyone else has no choice but to wait and eBay have declared one of the reasons is so " private sellers can manage their earnings better?"... Really? 

For them ( eBay ) to inform potential buyers that the BPF they now need to pay is a "benefit"  because private sellers are no longer paid straight away and payments are on " hold" until " considered successful delivery"... how  is that a " benefit"  exactly? There is no further " protection" for items purchased, they are still only covered by the MBG.  An explanation is needed  for  private sellers and buyers to understand how this is a " protection" and why eBay have introduced it, because so far there is nothing I can see other than the 24/7 customer service for buyers, which is new. 

Simple delivery will not work for many of us for many different reasons, and eBay are actually discriminating against private sellers in my opinion. 

[vintique*violet]

That's great...  so far you would have had at least ( according to the new system) 4 UK sales which would show as not delivered and so would be waiting longer for payment. As for international surely if Global Shipping is used, parcels go to the UK centre and really should be marked as delivered, as that is the address on the label. 

[vintique*violet]

I would have thought being a low priced  item that the BPF and the simple delivery would affect your sales greatly... this is so unfair. 

I feel the same as you, I only use RM direct at the post office which has worked well for the past 17years. 

Have you thought of listing a few  for collection,  perhaps a test run to see if any locals are prepared to pick up? 

[podlingsmum2007]

One has reached there and had email confirmation of delivery as it was tracked 48, but it's not showing as delivered because it hasn't got to Italy yet. The other is not despatched yet. I had a delivered status on a large letter. I had written on it 'if you can, please scan the delivery'. I send most things through click n drop.

[vjbuystuff]

thank you, it was my best two month period ever.   i did however work really hard to get stuff sorted out from my piles of kit, test it , document it, and list it all before November started so it was available for xmas buyers.

anyway.

all items showing as not delivered with no feedback from buyer, i chased up with customers via message.

if they didnt respond i tracked the items via relevant service myself, especially the parcelforce ones.

[rugbyguy1960]

Since the changes came into play my items sold has literally become so low it's got to the point that if and when the 5 items listed sell I won't list anymore for the foreseeable future.

[vintique*violet]

I barely sold for the busy Christmas period and only one item at £10 in January... there simply was zero visibility , watchers, offers etc...  So I took a " holiday" break  to " digest"  all the "new" stuff... of which I am not in agreement with anyhow for a number of reasons,  and my trust for the platform is now about on par as the "visibility" of listings...Shame really, it used to be such a great "space." 

[rugbyguy1960]

I've just checked my 5 current listings.

20 views in total, I watcher on 1 item, no offers and no bids.

It has become really Dire.

Plus none of my listings are showing at the starting price I chose.

[rugbyguy1960]

I'd love to hear ebay try to explain that their changes have not impacted me as a private seller.

Oh well the less I sell, the less I'll buy, and that effect from sellers will eventually be felt by business sellers.

[vintique*violet]

I've just checked my 5 current listings.

20 views in total, I watcher on 1 item, no offers and no bids.

It has become really Dire.

Plus none of my listings are showing at the starting price I chose.

Dire is a great word for it...It is as if buyers have fallen off a cliff... the listings probably are to do with the additional BPF added?

I stopped listing, not worth the effort...disillusioned!

Have you looked at other sites which may be suitable for you? 

[vintique*violet]

The changes have affected many private sellers on many different levels...they are not going to explain anything unfortunately.  I no longer buy,  ( or am I selling) source elsewhere and  found 2 of my fave business sellers on Amazon so can continue to support them there. 

[rugbyguy1960]

I am definitely looking because there is no way I will list any further items for sale in the foreseeable future.

As I only sell signed cd's from my personal collection so I can buy new ones if these 5 items sell they sell, if not they'll stay in my collection.

[rugbyguy1960]

I have used Amazon for ages lol.

I have now also started buying from companies direct too. So much less hassle.

[rugbyguy1960]

That would make a good thread.

A Dire Future For Private Sellers.

[vintique*violet]

I think the " new" system has  also affected many collectors as they'd sell off to buy a new item for their collection using those funds... 

There is a site I saw the other day, but its new items only,  "onBuy dot com" and obviously the more well known ones. Is there not a specialised site for CD's and vinyls? 

[vintique*violet]

🤣..........

[podlingsmum2007]

Dec, 8 sales, used Royal Mail click n drop collection, 7 deliveries confirmed on ebay, 3 +ve feedbacks which included the item that has no confirmed delivery on ebay, and 2 were promoted sales.

Jan, 11 sales, Royal Mail click n drop collection, except for a heavy one I dropped off at delivery office, and one Evri, 11 confirmed delivered, 2 were international through GSP, 6 +ve feedbacks.

Feb 3 sales, all Evri, 2 confirmed delivery, the 3rd one was international and is delivered to GSP but not showing delivered on ebay, 1 +ve feedback. No sales since 14th Feb so none with the added buyer fees.

[rugbyguy1960]

I wish there was.

A option is gumtree but that is so much more of a local area coverage.

[vintique*violet]

I dislike Amazon but needs must  😃 

There are lots of websites out there, some sellers on here have their own so I noted them down for future use...I have some furniture to sell and was going to list it but then with all of this decided to go to a brick and mortar auction house .. I think it will be easier. 

[rugbyguy1960]

Looks like the changes might have started affecting you too.

I hope nut but this does seem to becoming a trend.