I am done

[Horse with no Name]

selling children's clothing on Ebay. I have a 100% feedback, take great pictures, reasonable shipping rates, etc...but just sold two new pairs of brand name infant pants for $2 and an almost new pair of Gymboree shoes for $2.
I don't know why children's clothing prices are down, but very few things are selling for what they used to sell for. I've realized this this year. I do have an Obermeyer snowsuit that I will list but only because I live in an area with little snow and I doubt I can sell it.
I'll still sell other things, but I think I can make more (after fees, shipping, etc.) to consign them at a children's consignment shop.
Anyone else having any trouble with this?

[Vinca]

1. I've had a couple of good weeks selling "stuff," but it's been the

more interesting finds of the summer. Anything that isn't something special seems to sit there and do nothing. I try not to list anything for under $9.99 just because it's such a pain to pack the stuff, but I put a Boy Scout patch on for $5.00 today and I'll be surprised if it sells. I'm noticing I'm getting more foreign buyers than American buyers - a direct result of the dropping dollar.

[Horse with no Name]

2. I don't ship internationally

My schedule makes it difficult to get to the Post Office.
Last year, a pair of Gymbo shoes like these would have brought over $20.
I was literally in shock when they sat for $2.

[Vinca]

3. It doesn't make it worthwhile at all, does it? After listing fees and

final selling price fees and PayPal fees you haven't got enough left for a cup of coffee.

[CountAllVotes]

4. that is what I've decided

maybe a possibility if you are dealing in items worth a minimum of $50.00. Otherwise, a waste of time.

Move along ... no money to be made here!

On edit: eBay needs to get their act together. Soon they will find they will have no more two-bit sellers like myself to suck off of while the Power Sellers move happily along ripping people off with their junk.

:mad:

[Vinca]

5. They should definitely consider lowering their fees.

Sometimes I think they go out of their way to make life miserable for sellers. Today I noticed even more boxes to fill out when listing an item. It drives me crazy. Unfortunately, it seems from talking to other dealers, business is down in all the shops, too. I just heard today of a couple of group shops closing and there's a rumor about the shop I'm in. Let's face it, there isn't much disposable income these days and the collectible you couldn't live without yesterday you can live without today.

[CountAllVotes]

6. I buy specific items on eBay

and only specific items that I cannot find where I live.

Otherwise, I buy from places like:

shoplet.com (excellent btw)
sierratradingpost.com (ditto)
drugstore.com (ditto)

If you register with this place (www.ebates.com) they have links to stores (like drugstore.com and overstock.com as well as abebooks.com). They send you a check every 3 mos. So far, I've made close to $400.00 from them (I've had an acct. there since 2001).

They have a link to lizclaiborne.com. (7% cash back). I placed an order the other day for a couple of items. Will let you know what the items are like. They used to make lovely women's clothing. We'll see if that still holds true.

I think that the way things are going with eBay and the many very hostile people seemingly to be found on there, that they might not have such a rosy 3rd nor 4th quarter.

They get sellers coming and going.

Buyers are often intimidated into leaving positive feedback or no feedback when negative feedback is warranted.

IMO the whole thing sucks big.

[Vinca]

7. Thanks for the link. I'll definitely check it out. nt

[CountAllVotes]

8. if you decide to register, PM me

I'll send you my email address. If I get any referrals that actually pan out and the person buys something via one of their links I think I get $5.00.

No one has ever taken me up on this idea.

However, ebates.com is great IMO.

I had to order flowers for someone and got them via this link and saved abt. $20 if I remember right.

Also, the computer I have - I got it when they were paying 7% cashback via overstock.com (they now give 4% I think now). That extra $85.00 sure came in handy! :D

[Horse with no Name]

10. Today I took about 150 clothing items to the resale shop

All name brand, excellent condition children's clothing. Lots of holiday stuff. Stuff that normally would bring a small fortune on Ebay. I still have some more to take tomorrow.
However, I just can't trust Ebay and I don't want to spend all the time taking pictures and listing only to get a $2 price AND if you start the bidding higher, chances are you won't even get that in addition to having higher listing fees.
I can EASILY get $4-5 after their cut at the resale shop without any more hassle than taking time to put something on a hanger.
They were THRILLED to get the clothes.
She was displaying some of the holiday stuff in the window as I was leaving.
I had a few good years on Ebay selling kids clothes...but this is prime season now and stuff just isn't selling.
I also run a bookstore with some great titles and great prices. I do a lot of research on each book to come up with a fair price. Even those sales have slowed drastically.
I have just brokered a deal with a guy I work with that has a VERY established store on Amazon to buy my entire inventory for a pretty good price. So that takes care of liquidating my clothes and books.
As soon as I clear out some of the collectible stuff, I am thinking I will just buy on Ebay when I am in the mood. No more selling for me unless something changes drastically.
What you say about putting everything on the seller is correct. Ebay is going to have to ease up on them somewhere.
When I can barely buy a cup of coffee with the sale proceeds, it isn't worth the time washing, listing, packaging and mailing.

[grasswire]

9. what about amazon's auctions?

Are they any good?