EBay Selling Woes

[edd_jedi]

It's been a long time since I have sold Star Wars toys on eBay, but I seem to be getting unusually low views and watchers on things I'm looking to move on. Two examples below.

Now I appreciate these are relatively "high end" items and quite expensive, but I haven't even had any silly offers on them, and they've both had less than 10 views in 10 days!

When I used to buy and sell a lot on eBay, I would get hundreds of views and dozens of watchers for items, even expensive ones because people would follow them out of interest even if not serious about buying.

Is the market really this dead, or am I doing something wrong? I haven't paid for extra promotion, is that worth doing? I think I have them in the right category and have the appropriate keywords in the title etc.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[kabuchi7]

I've used ebay for years, mostly buying. I've found the search feature reallly frustrating. Back in the 'good old days' you could search for an item with a general description and the results would give you pages upon pages of items for you to look through which were generally fairly close to what you were looking for.

Now it seems like unless you search for an exact keyword the items don't appear in the results. Then it'll give you results matching fewer words which aren't really that relevant.

I find myself making 4 or 5 searches just to find most the items in the category im looking for.

 

[theforceuk]

EBay have definitely changed the settings if you don't pay for your item to be promoted you get less traffic.

 

[edd_jedi]

I've used ebay for years, mostly buying. I've found the search feature reallly frustrating. Back in the 'good old days' you could search for an item with a general description and the results would give you pages upon pages of items for you to look through which were generally fairly close to what you were looking for.

There used to be an entire category for vintage MOCs, from memory it was called "vintage (original carded)" or something. I would like a stern word with whoever gave that the chop!

 

[lejackal]

The eBay algorithm is getting to be as useless as Amazons by the day.

Search "vintage Star Wars"
Return "vintage cheddar"

That plus a general slowdown and you get 11 views.

 

[Pomse2001]

Today I tried to search on ebayuk and ebaycom for royal guard trilogo and your royal guard does not come up on ebay

I remember years ago ebay made a lot of changes so the search was harder to find vintage star wars toy

I remember in the early 00s there was a thread only for vintage star wars toy from 1977 to 1985, there was more than 100.000 auctions there every day, all that are gone today.

Why not try to sell them on the forum ?

 

[edd_jedi]

I am going to do a list for the forum

 

[Fawns61]

Part of it is because the search facility is so dire these days.
https://community.ebay.co.uk/t5/Seller-Central/Why-is-ebay-so-hard-to-sell-on-now/m-p/7572369

 

[_Lee_]

Ebay is dead. The PayPal direct to bank change turned me right off. 24 years I've used Ebay and its a shame it has turned into what it is - but that is the same with collecting in general.

 

[lejackal]

Direct to bank works well I think, you can have next day, set day or withdraw on demand if the set day isn't suitable. Not instant payout but not bad

 

[Robstyley]

I still buy and sell on eBay all the time, it's fine. I've never understood all the general moaning about it. I've got a Moc on there at the mo with 17 watchers and I've sold several in the last couple of years. I think you have to be a bit patient Edd. Also they are high value and most people are not spending 2.7k on a Moc/card. A lot of people will scroll past, only a small percentage of collectors have those kind of funds. They're fully visible and your listing titles mean they can be found instantly. Remember as well there's tons of selling platforms these days which has obviously reduced eBay foot traffic.

 

[Jez]

I've just searched Vintage Emperors Royal Guard and found your MOC Edd

 

[edd_jedi]

I've just noticed they were all listed in the Science Fiction category will see if changing to Toys > Action Figures helps.

 

[theforceuk]

Let me guess @edd_jedi you were watching England and got bored so thought you'd go on eBay.

 

[Palifan]

I've just noticed they were all listed in the Science Fiction category will see if changing to Toys > Action Figures helps.

I was going to ask what category you had set them in as I know it can make a huge difference. Hopefully now you will get more views on them Ed. I have noticed that my own sales have slowed down over the past couple of months but I'm not so surprised as we are coming into Summer and it always slows down from now until September time.

Best of luck

Ian

 

[DreadMack]

Sadly I think the market is very stale atm, people just don't have the funds. Rarer and high end items are difficult to shift as it's a pretty specific customer you're looking for to need those items.
I'd say just stick with it and good luck.

 

[olisuds]

I wonder whether eBay's new HMRC reporting rules are putting off a lot of UK sellers. Or rather HMRC's new reporting rules for online market places. I wonder how long it will be before they catch up with Facebook.

 

[[email protected]]

It's been a long time since I have sold Star Wars toys on eBay, but I seem to be getting unusually low views and watchers on things I'm looking to move on. Two examples below.

Now I appreciate these are relatively "high end" items and quite expensive, but I haven't even had any silly offers on them, and they've both had less than 10 views in 10 days!

When I used to buy and sell a lot on eBay, I would get hundreds of views and dozens of watchers for items, even expensive ones because people would follow them out of interest even if not serious about buying.

Is the market really this dead, or am I doing something wrong? I haven't paid for extra promotion, is that worth doing? I think I have them in the right category and have the appropriate keywords in the title etc.

Any advice appreciated!


View attachment 189415

View attachment 189416

To be honest, I find the lack of interest in the tri-logo ERG surprising. I'd expect many on ebay to both view and watch such a scarce item.
The Luke Bespin 'Revenge proof' may yet receive offers, as it is highly desirable and an ESB example recently sold at auction at around the £1500 mark.

 

[Judi]

I've just searched for one and it didn't come up so unless you've withdrawn it, that may be why views are low.

 

[lejackal]

The only thing I would add to the title is the abbreviation "ERG"

 

[monkey_roo]

For what it is worth I have 100% given up selling on Evilbay - too much hassle. Not Star Wars but I have 12 relatively high end sealed Lego sets to shift so for the first time I emailed Vectis to see what they thought - they may take a cut but they have the audience and things shift there, often for more than you'd think. Not that I've heard back from them yet

 

[Mini99]

For what it is worth I have 100% given up selling on Evilbay - too much hassle. Not Star Wars but I have 12 relatively high end sealed Lego sets to shift so for the first time I emailed Vectis to see what they thought - they may take a cut but they have the audience and things shift there, often for more than you'd think. Not that I've heard back from them yet

PM sent

 

[Fawns61]

For what it is worth I have 100% given up selling on Evilbay - too much hassle. Not Star Wars but I have 12 relatively high end sealed Lego sets to shift so for the first time I emailed Vectis to see what they thought - they may take a cut but they have the audience and things shift there, often for more than you'd think. Not that I've heard back from them yet

That's okay if you can get the items to Vectis or can get to one of the toy fairs that they attend

 

[Fawns61]

I have got some 'common' SW stuff listed on Ebay this weekend. I've also got some none-SW items. One of them is a WWF figure. I am beginning to hate selling them on evilbay as every time without fail I get some ****head asking for a bin price or giving me a lowball offer (they are auction listings) and when I check their feedback, they usually sell WWF's, usually for a lot more money too - grrrrrr!

 

[Leemcl]

My own personal experience with eBay, given my account goes back to 2002, it seems to be much more of a platform for business sellers ( or a particular sort ) and private sellers are discouraged, at least to a degree.

Fees are high and promotional offers more scarce than previously, I have not had any for years now and I have 2500 + positive feedback and zero negative.

Recently I have used Vinted for various items and overall the experience has been sweet and hassle free, that might be worth looking at. Otherwise, can't recommend eBay now.

 

[palitoyjunky]

EBay have definitely changed the settings if you don't pay for your item to be promoted you get less traffic.

That's interesting! I listed a vintage toy(non-SW) not too long ago and had it listed for some time with no real action. I then relisted it when the 80% off fees promo came about and accidentally selected promote item and it sold!

 

[Fawns61]

That's interesting! I listed a vintage toy(non-SW) not too long ago and had it listed for some time with no real action. I then relisted it when the 80% off fees promo came about and accidentally selected promote item and it sold!

from the ebay link I posted previously, I think paying extra will get you closer to the top of the queue but still no guarantee. I always wait for the 70% offer - only got 80% a couple of times. Be glad when I don't have to use it anymore. I'd rather sell on here anyway to proper collectors when I can

 

[welshwookie]

Listing is there. I suppose it depends what you search for. Mine is locked on Newly listed, rather than highest price. But yours does seem quite far down the page. Someone has added quite a few POTF cards so that could have pushed them right down.
Have you had no luck on fb groups, as at least you would be saving fees on there, and possibly a collection with dreaded cash ?

 

[edd_jedi]

Since changing the category from science fiction to toys, I've had a lot more views and watchers. Schoolboy error

 

[poncho]

I'd probably add 1983 kenner / palitoy to the main description title