If you are an eBay seller, you probably can’t help but think about how the economy might effect the biggest selling season of the year… holiday toy sales.
First of all, I think it is important to note that nobody can predict how things are going to pan out this year (or any year for that matter)… no matter who says it or how they say it… until we are smack in the middle of the season, it is just a prediction.
Even so, it would be unwise if we ignored the status of the economy and didn’t take a closer look as to how this selling season COULD be affected. It is equally important to examine strategies we, as sellers, can put into place that will help ensure a profitable selling season regardless of how glum things may look today.
What We Can Rely On
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The children always come first
Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles… no matter what… will find a way to make their child’s holiday one to remember. Even if it means cutting the budget elsewhere, they will find a way to buy toys and gifts for the children in their lives. -
Even in a slow economy, the holidays still bring out good cheer
The holidays are known for being a time for hope and generosity. Although you wouldn’t always recognize this when customers fight over the last (latest and greatest) Elmo on the shelves… the motive is still to bring cheer to the loved ones in their lives during the holidays. -
Most people don’t know how to budget
Consumer debt in our country is through the roof… we don’t really understand how to control spending… and, although I can’t encourage getting into more debt, I think it is safe to assume that people will spend what they feel like they have to spend to make the people in their lives happy this year. This means people are going to be buying the hottest toys for the children in their lives… even if it means going into debt.
Okay, so we know people are still going to buy. In fact, Deloitte Research and Retail Forward are predicting sales to be flat this holiday season compared to a year ago when it dropped significantly. At the same time, the International Council of Shopping Centers has predicted a 1% increase in sales compared to last year’s sales.
The only thing we really know is that analysts are all over the board. No one really knows what will happen… But, we can assume that, although they may be forced to cut back from previous years (you do have to have food on the table), we are a society that is known for getting deeper and deeper into debt. But what if people do cut corners and aren’t interested in (or able to) buying the hot toys that are released for this holiday season?
They are still going to buy toys!
I’m confident that even if parents can’t afford to, they will find a way to buy toys for their children. And, if they can’t afford to get the newest toys for this year… they will buy used. Did you know that used toys sell well all year long – and they do quite well during the holiday season too? I can’t help but wonder if new toy sales slump a bit this year… only to find that used toy sales go through the roof!
We’ll have to wait and see to find out – but, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
One of the best strategies toy sellers can implement this holiday season is to offer both used and new toys to their customers.
Even though new toys traditionally skyrocket during the holidays… and that means sellers can buy them at full retail prices only to see them double or triple on eBay… there can be a much higher profit margin when selling used toys. You can pick up gently used toys at yard sales, consignment shops, estate sales and thrift stores for pennies on the dollar and turn them around for 100-200% profit on eBay!
But, it all comes down to knowing what sells…
The Holiday Toy Guide is created to help you make the most from your toy selling efforts on Ebay… to help you know what is selling (and what isn’t!)… and in an upredictable economy – this is MUST HAVE information.
Get Your Holiday Toy Guide Here!
Regards,
Edward Glenn
PS. Get you hands on 3 free reports designed to help you sell toys this holiday season. You’ll learn what the toy trends are for 2009, Top listing tips and how to find out what is selling on eBay this year.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Yes you are right bro. Toy niche always shown recession proof product. Holiday season is great time for you to make money online if you follow the right step.
Syed Akram´s last blog ..Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas
I followed this report last year and made a killing!