As a long-time seller on eBay, and I mean long -time (10 years or so), I can safely say I know a sales trend when I see one. In fact, I consider eBay sales an excellent measurement of consumer confidence - perhaps an even better predictor of the state of the economy than the gauges used by the government (confidence up 1%, down 2 %, and so on).
Last year, my eBay sales were very good, early in the year. Very, very good. I sold off quite a few of my vintage clothing collectibles (designer scarves, sunglasses, even French perfume). I also did well in rare or collectible books - specializing in art books and first editions. I sold to people from many different states and countries (even Iceland). And then, when the economy tanked, so did eBay. Those buyers who bought on impulse or who loved to shop via the Internet, disappeared faster than you can say ice cube melts on a hot summer day. Oh, woe was me! I was starting to pay more for eBay fees than I was bringing in on sales. Gone were the buyers for signed vintage costume jewelry and even incredible vintage designer dresses. Gone were the buyers of vintage Vera scarves (I never thought they would go away). So I decided to take an eBay vacation. I could tell from the site that many other reliable sellers were also not selling and were beginning to sit it out.
I knew for sure eBay sales were in trouble when they took away the Business Line at my local post office. The Business Line was a fast-track line for people who mailed a lot of packages weekly (and they were mainly eBayers like me). I asked my friends, the postal clerks, and they said many of the regular customers (eBay sellers) had disappeared. So here’s what I learned from the clerks about what was still selling on eBay: vintage record/music records and memorabilia and fishing lures.
From my observation post with my 1500+ sales: (1) rare Michael Jackson products, especially those signed by him and especially his signed artwork ,are selling. 2) Vintage clothing from the 1950-70s never worn is selling (but only for a lower than usual price). You see great vintage clothing often going for less than what you’d pay for new clothing in a store or boutique. High-end designer clothing from Dior, Gucci, Chanel generally always sells, but again, for less than previously. 3) Vintage sci-fi movie memorabilia is selling (I just sold a 1960’s sci-fi movie advert). 4) Vintage comic books, in excellent condition (see Archie’s Girls, viewable on my Archie Astrology article–not for sale, because of condition and because I like it). 5) Rare art catalogs priced very cheap ( I just sold one). I am sure there are many other categories, but the buyers are tending to be more practical this year, than last. Impuse buying, say good-bye. Buyers want more items that they can wear, use at work (office supplies) or home & garden supplies. My biggest sale of the month was my first-edition Michael Jackson Moon Walk biography (plans are in the works to re-issue the book soon). I sold this book to a collector from the People’s Republic of China. My smallest sale, literally and figuratively, was for a 1980’s rock musician color-photo button (a guy most of us never heard of).
Believe me, I keep a sharp eye out for what’s selling and at what cost. My new theory is to price everything below $10. I call it near-free, but it seems to be working. I’ve sold a half-dozen items recently. This is no way to get rich slow, but it is keeping me busy and helping me clear my clutter (my husband would say a win-win). At this point, I recommend eBay for buyers more than sellers unless you’d like to join me by selling in the Near-Free zone.
As for consumer confidence, in case the government is interested, in reality, we have a long way to go before consumers start buying on eBay like they used to in the good old days. A few million jobs would be a start.
