FatWallet

Lots of talk about recessions, economic crisis, etc...

We've still been ramping up and preparing for the holiday season, and we think consumers will still continue to spend. However I know of a few sellers in my area who are considering either focusing on a niche, adding other streams of income, or quitting reselling altogether.

Overall sales are down this month compared to the past few years, and while there is a temptation for a refusal to play the guidance game with wall street, overall profit is up as we adjusted our strategy by thinking outside the box (basically, the paradigm shifting idea idea is to work less while making more - and in the proces, make some synergistic business decisions in accordance with our strategic plan - so we cut costs, and applied this results-driven strategy across the board while achieving a globalized symbiotic relationship with our suppliers and clients, and increased profit margin on our items). We're approaching the go/no go point, and everything looks copacetic with this proof of concept.

What are you doing, if anything?

I sell sports apparel on eBay. I have already seen a large increase in sales over the last 2 weeks. I am hoping this trend will continue through the Christmas season.

Overall, I'm bullish on the US economy (people who know me, know that I sell items at a premium price). I think the election will help increase consumer confidence and spending. People hate uncertainty, but there will be less once we know who won.

Stoned said:Effect of economy situation on holiday sales? It will cause a downturn but eBay sales might actually get a benefit as people look for bargains. Big ticket items will be hurt most (cars, appliances, etc.)

agreed. i am looking at lower cost goods trying to SQUEEZE every ounce of profit out I can. However its tough to say what segements, if any will get hit.

I have been worried about the holiday sales. The summer was horrible for me. Sales were as bad as I have seen on eBay. The last few weeks though sales have been up. I hope that it continues.

I was doing awesome all summer, right up to when the markets crashed a few weeks ago. Since then sales have been slow.

A few days ago I sold a large printer but I had to grit my teeth and cancel the order because the buyer was in Alaska. I'm desperate, but not desperate enough to eat a $120 postage fee!

my widgets usually sell for ~$5 or so, and my business has not been affected much. I still get the occassional bidding wars that drives my $5 widget to >$40.

carabuser said:People are not buying because the media has them convinced that this is the worst economy since the depression,(what a bunch of bull,) carabuser said:I don't know anyone who has lost their jobs,
I don't know anyone who is poor I guess there is no such thing as poverty. Anecdotal evidence isn't very compelling especially when actual statistics and evidence prove the opposite.

carabuser said: also people think the stock market has a lot to do with our economy, when in reality it does not have as much to do with it as people think,

401k's/ retirement funds, pensions in jeopardy from the beating their funds are taking or the company providing it is on the verge of collapse (for example - auto workers). College funds and regular brokage accounts, etc.

Yep stock market hardly effects people outside of wallstreet.....again actual data says otherwise. Plus real or not, the fear is real and that is enough to make it a reality.

carabuser said:if the dems get in, suddenly everything will be great again ......

Only if they cook books,(and this applies to whoever wins in Nov.) and like previous administrations from both sides of the aisle, make the economic numbers reported on the nightly news even more worthless.

Here is a great article that everyone should read about how the economic number that you hear get thrown around have been seriously manipulated to provide a better outlook on the economy than the reality. It has been going on little by little for over 50 years but few outside economists have payed attention.

Harper's Magazine - May 2008
Numbers racket: Why the economy is worse than we know

http://harpers.org/archive/2008/05/0082023

bevo2k1 said:profit up 5.1% ytd , so i am expecting a healthy christmas season.
What about the last few weeks since the markets began crashing?

airtommy said:bevo2k1 said:profit up 5.1% ytd , so i am expecting a healthy christmas season.
What about the last few weeks since the markets began crashing?

combined with the 30% off CashBack. it is hard to say. some of my BIN still didnt sell at same price with 30%, but when i dropped $200 on each, they sold.

looking strictly at this week. i sold 6 laptops but 11 didnt sell. (about average)
week before that 4s /12u
week before that 4s /10u

on a side note. my craigslist market has dried up. economy? i guess.

i have not changed my buying pattern. if anything changes i will let you know.