Closing Up Shop

I've made a tough decision this week.  After reviewing my sales for the past year, I've decided to close my eBay store.

I began in 2002 selling just 10 items per week.  Back then, if something didn't sell, I could move it into my store for a nominal fee.  The FVF (final value fees) were something like 5%.  I sold about 50% at auction and the rest usually sold from the store within 6 months.  Now, FVF for store items is 12%.  By the time you add in the original listing fee and Paypal fees, the cost to sell 1 thing is around 20% in fees alone.  And many of the items end up sitting on my shelves for over a year since store items get less exposure.

I had been doing fairly well in 2007 following the Lynn Dralle method.  She makes tons of money by listing 100 items a week with a starting price of $9.99.  I never managed 100, but usually averaged 40 listings.  Christmas season 2007 was particularly good, as about 70% sold at auction.

Once the new CEO took over, not only did the fees increase but the whole attitude towards sellers changed.  If you can achieve power seller status (averaging $1,000 per month for 3 months), then you get a break on your fees.  If not, you're just out of luck.  Other changes that particularly aggravate me are those that they attempt to explain as being better for the selling community when they are actually thinly veiled ways to get more fees into their pockets.  These include pimping free shipping and not allowing sellers to accept money orders.  Now, you must list a shipping timeframe and a return policy.  

I'm just tired of being told how to run my store.  Now that there are many more sites to sell on that are fresh, exciting and appreciative of seller input (special kudos to John of Artfire), it's time to move on.  And I feel so much better about it!