Slightly OT Seller/Dealer/EBay Question

[Big Ben]

I have been on this board for a while, but currently I am more of a lurker as I am taking care of a family member. My question is for the people on here who sell on EBay. I started selling on EBay about a year and a half ago. I don’t sell cards as that is my true hobby. However, on eBay, I mainly sell advertising collectibles. Last year, I was doing very well in the fourth quarter up to the weekend after Thanksgiving. After that weekend, my sales slowed until after Christmas as I am sure things picked up as a result of gift cards etc. I have noticed the same thing happening during this fourth quarter as well. I was wondering if EBay collectible sellers on here experience anything remotely similar to this? Thank you in advance for your response.

[MikeKam]

Originally Posted by Big Ben

I have been on this board for a while, but currently I am more of a lurker as I am taking care of a family member. My question is for the people on here who sell on EBay. I started selling on EBay about a year and a half ago. I don’t sell cards as that is my true hobby. However, on eBay, I mainly sell advertising collectibles. Last year, I was doing very well in the fourth quarter up to the weekend after Thanksgiving. After that weekend, my sales slowed until after Christmas as I am sure things picked up as a result of gift cards etc. I have noticed the same thing happening during this fourth quarter as well. I was wondering if EBay collectible sellers on here experience anything remotely similar to this? Thank you in advance for your response.

Same experience as you (for the past few years) in regards to autographs. I assume it is a combination of (1) people buying ahead for those they realize may want such items as gifts and (2) people that do typically collect items curbing their spending for the holiday season. I feel this is further evidenced by the fact that my best period of sales is typically around tax season

[Batpig]

Same here. Sales slow down big time during December. I think that although sales for most goods pick up before Christmas, with collectibles, people are afraid to buy them as presents. I know my wife almost refuses to buy me cards because she's afraid what she chooses won't meet my standards. After Christmas they pick up again as people use gift cards (I think).

[savedfrommyspokes]

What I have experienced over the past few years during November and December is a lot of inconsistency. There are a some strong weeks, mixed in with some slowest weeks of the entire year. Over the past few years, it has worked out that November is my slowest overall month of the year and December has ended up being my best overall month for the past few years.

Over the past few years, the 7 days between Christmas and New Years is my best 7 day stretch of the entire year(I am hoping this year repeats), normally about twice what an average week throughout the whole year brings in. My guess is this surge is due to money/gift cards being given as presents, as well as most people having extended time off (more time to buy cards) during this 7 day stretch.

[Big Ben]

Many thanks to everyone for your input. Since I am fairly new to the selling side of things, I like to identify and seek input on trends.

[wdwfan]

I know when it came to my shop, December was my busiest month while January and February were my slowest. It was miserable during the first 2 months. During December, though, I would be constantly busy, delivering supplies, boxes, whatever to people that couldn't get by the shop. Selling singles, boxes, packs, supplies, oddities, etc. with a lot of those going for Christmas presents.

I've never sold enough online (only sell about 10-15 items per month) to monitor it that closely. I do know I've been able to get some deals on sports cards this month. So maybe that means not as many people are buying stuff. But it's hard to tell because pretty much everything listed now is BIN instead of auction format for some reason.

I know I rambled a bit. But I wanted to show both sides (internet and brick and mortar) of selling/buying late in the year.

[Snapolit1]

I would think many people may be hesitant to buy a nice collectable when there is a list as long as their arm of presents that need to be bought. Then after the holiday clears and the bank hasn't become completely busted, time to treat yourself to something nice. And of course some fortunate folks get a year end bonus/payment kind of thing.

[cardsnstuff]

What I am curious about?

Does anyone do this fulltime?
How time do you spend listing on websites?
How many cards do you have listed? Not just ebay, but comc, your own site etc.