posted on May 29, 2006 10:06:08 AM new
Ok - I think I am beginning to see the writing on the wall for ebay stores. It looks like the "solution" to SIS is going to be ebay express with stores becoming "history" when they take it out of beta (one might even think that ebay engineered the SIS disaster so store owners would plead for SIS and even offer to pay more). I hope I am wrong, but think I am going to have to make some backup plans for moving my 7000 items when/if this occurs. Being basically lazy, I am looking for the easiest way to do this - ie: move the ebay listings more or less intact to a website. Is this possible? Any suggestions?
I hope all of you store owners are reading threads on the Store and Express discussion boards - it seems the express search is "selective" at best. It's not very encouraging.
If your sales have been non-existent since the introduction of Express, you might consider opting out to see if they improve.
-------------------------------------
posted on May 29, 2006 07:06:50 PM new
I can't imagine ebay closing down stores, ebay express doesn't generate them any additional income from sellers as we don't get charged for it. They make a bunch from stores. Just this past hour this current month became my best store month on ebay, selling over 2200 items. Last month was my next best month.
If ebay stores do become history, there will be something to take its place. I migrated to ebay stores from half.com when they announced they were going down, we got a lot of notice there. I am glad they did that, my business has really improved.
posted on May 29, 2006 07:08:12 PM new
Hey, Neglus! I'm on the store board regularly (KC's Korner). I don't see them getting rid of stores entirely, but I do see prices increasing. Unfortunately, I don't think there is any easy way to move your inventory from your eBay store to a StE store. The easiest thing to do would be cutting and pasting your descriptions. At any rate, it's going to be a job. That's what has held me back. I just don't have the time right now!
posted on May 29, 2006 07:45:04 PM new
I really have an uneasy feeling about ebay stores and lord knows I have been the biggest promoter on this board and STILL love my store! I don't see the Stores Team trying to promote stores or meeting with store owners at ebay live for one thing.
Ebay Express is still in beta - I am afraid THAT is what ebay expects to use to replace stores and WILL NOT BE FREE once it gets going!
The scary thing about express is the intuitive search that decides what the buyer is looking for and only shows those items. Keyword searches mean diddly on express and forget about "see similar" items and item categories are not all the same or similar as .com cats. There is no way to "see sellers other items" on Express - sellers are pretty much invisible.
I don't have the time either Cheryl, but think I may have to bite the bullet if in fact ebay DOES decide to dump stores. Hopefully I am worrying for nothing...
-------------------------------------
