Dear eBay Queen:

I’ve decided I am done.  I am going to sell off all my product and get out of the business of eBay. This is how I supported myself and my family.  I’m really ticked about the policy changes and all of the negativity that is happening around Good til Cancelled (GTC)   It seems that all I get out of eBay these days are non paying buyers, low-ball offers and stupid returns.  I have a store, and I’ve done nothing but lose money.

I think maybe the best thing for me is to sell everything off and get a real job. Is there anyone that will buy EVERYTHING I have in inventory?  I am on probably 10 Facebook groups and I read the eBay boards.  It doesn’t seem like anyone is doing well on eBay these days.

LCC: Denver

Dear LCC:

Here are a couple of thoughts I have when it comes to selling off your inventory.

1. Local auction house.  Depending on how much product you have, you will either take it to them, or they can come and get it.  I would google  “auctions near me” or “local auction houses”.  Most auctioneers will charge you 25% to 40% to sell your items off.
2. Online auction house.  Here in Kansas we have a couple of people that will sell your product in lots to their online community.
3. Facebook Group. Maybe one of your Facebook groups will purchase your inventory from you.
4. Estate Sale. I’m not sure how much stuff you have, but you could contact an estate sale company to see if they would sell your items in their location OR at your home.

What is your inventory like?  Is is product that you would want to buy?  Have you done your research to see if the product you have is priced right and that it is good sellable inventory?

If you have good sellable inventory priced correctly, instead of selling everything off, you should try this:

1. List one new item or update one listing EVERYDAY.  You should see a change in your sales within a week.
2. Offer 30 Day free returns.  If you have some heavier items, just offer returns on those.  I was super resistant to have 30 day free returns.  I found out by offering them it changed how buyers open returns and when someone wants to low ball me on a offer,   I simply state: “Since this item has free shipping, and free returns + it is already deeply discounted this is as low as I can go”  That usually turns the offer into a sale.
3. Free Shipping.  We all know that shipping isn’t free, you have to add it in the price.
4. Offer 1 day handling time.  Sometimes this really kicks me in the behind, but we know how important it is, so we make the changes in our lives/schedules to meet those goals.
5. Don’t spend so much time on Facebook/eBay boards.  Depending on the board it can really affect your opinion about yourself and the work you are doing.
6. Run promotions or use mark down manager.  I am always running a mark down manager sale on a store category, and it changes from  week to week.

Don’t buy into it’s all eBay’s fault.  This is YOUR business.  You are responsible for your inventory, you are responsible for keeping it moving.  eBay is the tool that does that.  I would hate to see you walk away from this business you’ve built.  Remember every good business has ups and downs.  A successful person adapts and changes with the business.