How are sales this year compared to past years

[kevinatgrannys]

I was wandering around on the net and got to wondering about how things are going for us "small sellers" that are selling during the Holiday Season this year.  I see posts all over the place about how sales are down compared to 3-5 years ago but not much on how things are selling in comparison to last year or earlier this year.

For me, this December is much slower than last year.  (Both in sales and in hits on my items)  But, I am also selling different stuff now than I was then.  That also means that I am also not buying as much and I'm being pickier about what I get, how much it costs and the reputation of the person I'm buying from...

Anybody else??? 

[chiquita]

Sales are much slower for me than last year. We are also being very frugal this Christmas with our shopping. Of course my kids always want electronics and those are big ticket items. We have tightened up our spending across the board though just trying to manage the increase in costs for food, gas, and heating.

 

[The Bar Keep]

Hi kevin,

Actually for my independent websites as opposed to my eBay store my sales are way up. Cyber Monday was huge for me on my independent sites. Now on the other hand I changed my strategy on ebay back in late September which also increased my sales there about 40% (modified listings to improve search results). All in all my sales are up and up big. On top of that I am also buliding another website that I think I may announce in a bit on Crabby tonight (very difficult build that mirrors my www.nybikergear.com site, I will explain in that thread).


Joe - The Bar Keep

[2boysandtoys]

I'm prolly equal or a bit lower than last year.  I can't remember the year before and can't find the paperwork...

I have no Christmas lists from my boys - but do know we will also slim back.  And - yes - I know a laptop is on one (which he knows he'll be paying part) and $$ is always 'good' here.

We had to drop big $$ in our rental property this year - so between that and the cost of everything, we'll be tight as we can be. 

My biggest issue with comparing year over year is - I've moved from one site or 2 to another and I do not have a good filing system.   

[The Tavern Wench]

I really can't compare. Last year I was selling driftwood, which is not typically on anyone's Christmas list. 

My candle sales are down compared to the last time I was selling candles during the Christmas season, BUT at that time I was selling on eBay and already had a large repeat customer base built up.  The market wasn't nearly as flooded with candle sites then either.

Considering I set both the Candles and the Soaps site up late in the selling season, I don't think it's too bad overall. 

[kevinatgrannys]

I wanted to say thank you to all those who have answered so far!  I think that the more you know about how things are "really going" the better off you are.   

[bbhc]

How are sales this year compared to past years

These 2 graphs should answer that question.   





 

[knappschiles]

I know for me sales of my tree waterer are way off. Last year I sold about 50+- and so far this year I've only sold about 8.

BUT last year I was selling them on eBay and other sites. about 1/2 and 1/2. This year it's just the other sites since eBay got nutzo on me last Feb.

But oddly enough my sales of seeds have been up for this time of the year. Not enough to make up the diference, but still up.

Carol

[toyfads]

Sales are a bit slower for me this year.  First of all the whole China recall disaster and last year there were a few highly sought after toys that I could make a good buck on.  The 10th Anniversary Elmo and Nintendo Wii were my biggest sellers last year.  I was also selling on e-bay.  This year its just e-crater and blujay, and the only thing that is making me decent money right now is Hanna Montana , Variant Mcfarlane Sports figures and die cast cars.  I dont want to buy too much inventory and end up getting stuck with it.  Research for the hot ticket items was hard this year, I did not have the time to investigate as much as I usually do and nothing stood out to me as a definate go that was worth stocking up big on.  My store has come second to my 9-5.  I have been excited to see that I have a few repeat UK buyers and when they decide to buy they normally make a large purchases.  I had my first buyer from Aussie too a few weeks ago.  I am also very disappointed in action figures this year and very surprised that Avatar the last airbender has not come out with a new set of toys yet for the Fire Nation Series.

[The Bar Keep]

How are sales this year compared to past years

These 2 graphs should answer that question.   





 

Yep, answered the question and proved a very big point IMO. Independent websites is the way to go!!!!


 

[bbhc]

Search Analytics: Top Keywords

    * tulipstuff.com: "ipod accessories", "digital tuner", "portable radio"
    * hibidder.com: "taco bell t shirt hibidder"  , abcsgiftshop 
    * pheebay.com: muniment of title  , lowered 

Great SEO work by hibidder and peebay.  I'm sure hibidder's top keywords have resulted in tons of sales for sellers.  There must be thousands of buyers who search for "taco bell t shirt hibidder" (yes, that's one search term  ). As for peebay's top keywords. 

ps bumping because our traffic in December once again kicked HiBidder's ass and I felt like rubbing it in to any lurking HB cheerleaders who are wasting their time listing on that POS site. 

pps "Independent websites is the way to go!!!! "  <--