Ebay Sourcing and Current Market.

[vettefever17]

I know I can't be the only one feeling the crunch. I feel like the prices in today's market and competition are at their limits. Let me explain with the following facts:

If you want a stable GENERIC product it is highly limited today. The cost of air freight from China is 100-150 percent of the original cost of the item.

Sea freight that takes a massive amount of time is still 33-50 percent of the item cost.

eBay fees are hovering at 12.7 percent +/- 1 point.

You can't get sales on eBay unless you take your poison with promoted listings. Add in the "recommended 6-13 percent."

Shipping almost ALWAYS goes to priority on weight. Let's step that up from 3 dollars to anywhere from 8-12 dollars for just 1-2 pounds.

This example hammers products in the 20-100 dollar range that are 1-2 pounds. I have been in the game since 2013. I have never seen the pressure of this magnitude. How some of these sellers are even sourcing is beyond me. They'd have to be taking on ten of thousands of dollars to bring products down to competitive ranges I've seen and only be make peanuts on each sale. I am still performing well, but I tend to get nervous considering I like to keep moving new product ideas in regulary.

[james_112233]

The biggest impact to my business in the current climate was Brexit. I have 0 european buyers now because I'm not competitive anymore with my prices as they are taxed etc. No more movement of goods for free.

[phaz0rz]

My strategy is to mix in hundreds of small, fast selling items with each order to help distribute the shipping cost I'm paying per item.

last order - 2750 items, $2314 air shipping cost, $15254 total, so a little over $1 per item in shipping.

When making listings I try to factor in the fact that I'm actually paying more in shipping costs for the larger items but as a rule, at a bare minimum, I make sure that $1.20 or whatever base cost is covered for every item.

The heaviest item I keep in stock is only about 12oz though so I'm not being eaten alive on Priority shipping costs.

[agent006140]

you may want to visit your local wholesale area and see if anyone has old stock prior to COV19 and will sell to you for less than you bring the items in yourself.
Or stop selling Chinese goods,you cant compete with the Chinese sellers on Ebay

[agent006140]

last order - 2750 items, $2314 air shipping cost, $15254 total, so a little over $1 per item in shipping.
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I doubt too many on this forum can afford to spend $15254

[phaz0rz]

Originally Posted by agent006140

last order - 2750 items, $2314 air shipping cost, $15254 total, so a little over $1 per item in shipping.
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I doubt too many on this forum can afford to spend $15254

I had less than $100 when I joined this forum in 2015.
The point stands regardless. Buying power is the key to competing.