Featured EBay sales way down?

I’ve never sold anything on EBay but get messages from sellers posted on a Facebook EBay complaints page. I suppose I wanted to see just how many people get shafted on EBay and there’s certainly many of them but there seems to be lots of messages about previously long term big sellers getting so few sales now. Algorithms and some change of top management, competition from China who can post cheaply, seems to be possible causes. Anyone finding similar problems? I know some here have completely stopped selling with them now.
I’m selling one or two things via Facebook marketplace but it’s a pain when you get messed about with door pick ups.

 

I don't sell on eBay, but am a buyer (mostly of antique photos). Seems like there have been such complaints from sellers for quite a while, but it might be cyclical. Also might depend on the types of items being sold.

The cost of shipping doesn't help.

 

I used to list and sell a lot. As I slowed down on adding new listings, sales of items dwindled down to nothing.

Are your listings older? If so...

AI overview on how eBay’s Cassini algorithm works with stale listings:

eBay’s Cassini algorithm lowers the visibility (impressions) of listings that do not sell, get clicks, or receive updates for roughly 60–90 days, classifying them as "stale". To revive these listings, sellers should use the "Sell Similar" function to create a new listing ID, which refreshes the listing's standing in search results.
How the Algorithm Handles Stale Listings

• Reduced Visibility: Items without engagement (sales, clicks) for 60-90 days drop in search rankings, with some seeing up to 80% fewer impressions.
• Activity Penalty: The algorithm prefers active, fresh listings. Stagnant inventory is pushed down in "Best Match" results.
• Seller Impact: A high volume of stagnant, old inventory can hurt the overall store performance.

Strategies to Boost Stale Listings

• "Sell Similar" over "Relist": Ending a listing and using "Sell Similar" is the most effective way to reset the listing's age and regain visibility, as it assigns a new item ID.
• Revise & Refresh: Make significant changes to the listing to signal to the algorithm that the item is new. This includes changing the title, updating item specifics, adding new photos, or lowering the price by at least 10%.
• Optimize Keywords & Specifics: Ensure items have complete item specifics, as low-performing, old listings often lack this data.
• Run Sales/Promotions: Using eBay promotions or lowering prices can help increase engagement, signaling to Cassini that the item is desirable.

Key Takeaways

• Do not just "relist" an item; it keeps the same data and low-ranking history.
• "Sell Similar" resets the search engine’s perception of the item's age.
• Consistently adding new items, rather than just waiting for old ones to sell, helps the overall store health.

 

Excellent overview, Sabre...thank you!

 

There was another explanation in that lots more people are selling things now, trawling the Charity shops and markets etc for things to resell so EBay is oversaturated.

 

This complaint has popped up from time to time over the last 20 years or so. Sales always seem a little off when there is a bad economy, or eBay changes things, like the search function. On my sis's blog we were discussing how to avoid buying from Amazon, because everyone hates Bezos now. I suggested eBay because it's always my first choice over Amazon. Maybe because I'm familiar with it, but it feels better to me. I think some of the problems now are: relying too heavily on AI for item descriptions (frequently incorrect), shipping costs being too high - free shipping is always better even if incorporated into the price of the item (I think that's what Amazon sellers are doing), unprofessional looking photos, failure to take advantage of the current desire of young people to upcycle old stuff, and the fact that eBay doesn't advertise. I've always had an issue with that. Ebay needs to spend more on advertising because people are bombarded with an unbelievable number of companies wanting to sell you stuff. Ebay is really dense about understanding that fact.

@sabre123 I never knew about the algorithm dealing with stale listings. Was that information shared with sellers?

 

eBay doesn't advertise

they used to.............so much so that it became a joke..

here's the original parody ! ..... sing along !!

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5fy8

 

I think a few things are going on.
People are strapped for money now.
Shipping is so costly.

And the people that run these selling sites are messing with things so much that it is often hard to find what you may want to buy.
I can say Etsy has ruined the search beyond belief.
Many sellers there are complaining that sales are way way down.

I do note that people who buy jewelry are still buying. I don't sell jewelry but some of my friends do.

Lastly, the new sites like Vinted and a few others that sell things for next to nothing are probably stealing some of the thunder.

 

Komo I have seen numerous ads for eBay on tv and on my computer of late
They have started pushing vintage again and parts for a car.

Vinted must have a lot of money as I see their ads many times a day on many channels here. I rarely see commercials for etsy.. mostly they are on the lifetime channels and reality channels.

 

I guess it depends on where you're looking !!!!!!!!