When was Ebay in its heyday?

[of the seas]

I was just wondering...all of you long time Ebayers...When was Ebay in its heyday? It always seems to be so long for my items to get bids and they barely get a couple bids each. It just had me thinking...when did people make big money on Ebay? When did it seem like everything you put up always sold and for decent prices? But what do I know, maybe it's always been slow like this.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Stuff sold like crazy when I first joined in 1998-1999. Now I rarely even bother to list anything, unless there is a 10 cent listing day (rare as hen's teeth these days). I sell mostly books, and I can make triple the money on Amazon that I can make on Ebay.

 

[jayally]

I started in Jan 1999 and everything I listed sold for crazy prices. Things were good until about 2004 when businesses started listing and I couldn't compete. The fisher price little people toys I used to sell were highly collectable and in demand, now there are pages of mint items. Ebay fees are higher, paypal fees, gallery fees etc and you have to have it all in order to compete now and it cuts into the bottom line too much to make much money. I hardly sell anymore. There were times I made a couple thousand a month just on yard sale and thrift store stuff. It was like a treasure hunt and so much fun. Now stuff hardly gets past an opening bid. I have things I need to list but I do not look forward to it like I used to. I even went to 2 ebay live conventions.

 

[BurnsideMommy]

I agree. A friend of mine sold collectibles on ebay in 1999-2001. Things like Care Bears, Strawberry shortcake, old fisher price sets (of course this was before these things got 'remade' too recently). She used to make up to $300 on a stinkin care bear! Same with beanie babies and precious moments.

Now that stuff costs more to ship than the money it would bring in. All the fees associated with ebay now are insane too. I don't bother with it. Craigslist works just fine for me and the consignment store.

 

[tink2dw]

My brother had an Antique stall in an Antique Mall, where he sold good items he found at garage sales. He had books of antiques and was very knowledgeable.

My Brother was one who got in on the bottom floor when ebay was just starting and it was the "wild west" of selling. There weren't any fees then and people could find the Antiques and collectibles they were searching for and didn't know or didn't care what the price was, if they wanted it then they had to win the auction. Many buyer were into the thrill of the win!

But then ebay started setting more and more rules, adding Fee after Fee, and they added Paypal and they required every seller to get paid thru paypal.

That's when my Brother got out, he said that was just too much, if he wanted to accept a check that was up to him, not ebay, after all he was taking the risk not ebay!

And www.craigslist.com started with no fees and took off like crazy and Craig stated he wanted to keep his site free of fees, and freecycle was available, too. So, ebay had stiff commutation around the internet!!

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

I, too, joined Ebay in Jan 1999. Ebay was amazing back then. It seemed to be mostly collectors, no big companies. An item had to be pretty awful not to sell back then. Bids came in fast and furious and they came in early. The bidding wars were such a thrill (when you were the seller ) The fees were decent, it was easy to list cheap items, and finding that long lost childhood toy could bring tears to your eyes. Collectibles that used to take months and years to locate through magazines, newspapers, and for sale lists via snail mail, could be yours with the click of a mouse and be in your house within days.

So, in my experience, I would say Ebay's heyday was anytime in the late 1990's to about 2001. I feel that's when it started to go downhill. Now, the fees are insane, most of the fun is gone, and unless you have something you know will sell or you actually like selling on Ebay, it might not be worth the time/hassle. I used to sell a lot more, but now, months go by when I haven't listed a thing.

Some things actually did get better since the heyday, like the ability to avoid the long lines at the post office by printing shipping lables online and having your mail carrier pick up your ebay packages. So it is not all bad.

Ebay has gotten too big, too confusing, too expensive, too everything, but there are some things that are best sold on Ebay, so for that it is still good. For artists, Ebay can still be good. And for buying certain items you cannot find anywhere else, Ebay is still good. Ah, but I long for the heyday and all the fun that went with it. tink

 

[dclfun]

I agree...late 90"s and now not worth my time or effort. It's like having a yard sale where everyone wants something nearly free. I'd rather donate something than give it away after spending my time, money, and effort listing and shipping an item. Not only that but I've had the worst buyers. One last month didn't take the optional insurance I offered then claimed she never received her item. In 10+ years of selling I've never had an item not recieved. Then she froze my Paypal account accusing me of not sending her item. When confronted she told me it was MY FAULT for not MAKING her get the insurance and thus since I couldn't prove she didn't get her item, sent parcel post, that she wanted her money back. So now I'm out what I shipped plus the payment, plus the Ebay payment fees since she paid but got a refund. I'm 99.9% certain she got what she bought for free. Needless to say this seller is now blocked, but there are more protections for unscrupulous buyers than honest sellers.---Kathy

 

[mamalle]

we joined in 2001 and we did very well with my items like kids clothing and dh sold car parts. the past few years though it has gone downhill. I only sell on occasion now. I do buy items but I always research it before in case I can find it in the store. some sellers have really increased their shipping to cover their costs so its more expensive for me to buy it there.

 

[tacomaranch]

I can't remember when I started with ebay but the fees were next to nothing and it was a super place to sell and buy. Then the fees went up, the final selling price fee, the listing fee, etc.

I just got an email about my shipping costs being too much. I explained that I am not doing it for the cost of shipping but to cover the costs charged by ebay and paypal.

It really has lost it's luster but for us there aren't any other options.

 

[DizneyDogs]

I became a member back in 1997 when ebay was brand new and you would talk to people about ebay on message boards and people would ask what's ebay??? Things sold for crazy high prices and there was always tons of bidding at the last minute between lots of people. It was actually harder to win items than it is today. I am one who likes to wait till the last minute to bid due to the early days and I still do that today even though I can't remember the last time I was bidding against somebody at the last second. LOL

Oh and there were also no paypal fees too. You could accept all types of paypal payments, there was no distinction between personal and business accounts. Plus if you referred people to paypal you and the other person would each get $10. I referred all my buyers to paypal it was great!

 

[Kimkimba]

I've been on Ebay since 1999, and it was awesome back then! You could sell anything to anybody. Shipping prices were great and there a lot less scammers.

I still sell all my kiddos used clothing at decent prices. I'm getting ready to list our fall stuff, and hope to net over $1000.