Closed my Ebay shop today :(

I closed it today and I have to say, it might sound a bit stupid, but I actually felt quite sad :( I've had that shop since 2005/2006. It helped me make pocket money for myself through uni.
But I guess I have the etsy shop now, I'll save money from ebay, and i can still list items on there.

I think I'm going to close my Ebay shop!

I've been thinking about it for a while, mostly because of money reasons. But also I've noticed for a long time now Ebay have been targeting their sellers and making life hard for them and I just give up! And after looking more closely at it today I'd say it's definitely something I have to do, unfortunately.

I went on today and saw my fees were £22, which I was a bit surprised at given I've hardly listed anything and only payed it a short while ago. I just can't afford their fees every month! I end up spending the money I make on etsy on paying my ebay fees! They've deliberately made ebay as over complicated as possible, especially for sellers! I had a look at some of thees new sections in the myebay section and came across these "detailed seller ratings" and it says i am "below standard" on 'performance' which I really don't understand because I have a feedback score of 1446 that is 100% positive?!!!!! n it says they might enforce selling limitations if it "continues" but i don't know what I've done wrong!? It almost feels like Ebay don't want sellers on their website?! Like they're trying to trip you up every step of the way. And even though lots of other kitsch jewellery makers have left I've stuck with them, but no more.

Here's a list of the reasons that really tipped the scale for me;

1) In September I made £59.02, but ebay and paypal fees were £32.94! More than half the money!

2) I realised where those huge fees came from today.....when I signed up for a basic shop a couple of years ago it was £6 a month. It is now £14.99! This has gone up without me even knowing about it!!! I have two shops on etsy...both are FREE, how can Ebay justify charging £14.99 a month just for the privilege of a shop!? And sneakily put the price up without notifying you!

3) Sellers can no longer leave negative or neutral feedback. They can only leave positive feedback! Even when buyers don't pay for the item!!! Totally unfair and just another way they have targeted sellers.

4) It's much quicker and easier for me to list on etsy. I personally find etsy alot simpler to use now.

5) Their seller fees (for listing an item) have gone up so much since I first started selling on there in 2005. They got greedy and started charging sellers such huge amounts many have left.

I don't know what ebay is thinking, but who ever is in charge needs to realise that if they don't have any sellers there won't be anything for their buyers to buy = no buyers either!!!
It's a real shame because I've had it for a few years now, but Ebay have made it impossible. I think I will keep the account and list the odd thing, just to keep a bit of a presence on there.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who has sold on ebay and had a similar experience? Did you used to have a shop on there? Do you still have a shop on ebay or have you closed it? I'd love to hear from you...

Has anyone else noticed a lack of emphasis on Feedback on etsy?

I've noticed this not just with my own shop but on other people's too. I'll be looking at a shop and notice they've had like 300+ sales, but they only have a 100 - 200 feedback. Next time you look at a shop look at how many people have left feedback, compared to how many items have sold...
Feedback is very important, for both the seller and potential customers. It proves you deliver your items and that if they buy from you they aren't just sending their money to some interweb black hole! For the seller it also lets you know that you haven't just posted your item in to a postal black hole... you think, "did it arrive?"(especially when Royal Mail is involved *cough*) "were they happy with it?"

I've also noticed on other peoples feedback (luckily this hasn't happened to me yet) when people have left 'positive' feedback but they haven't actually written a single word. It's just blank. I mean how lazy does someone have to be? Perhaps I'm a bit childish, but I'm always super excited when something arrives, and I have so far (on etsy) been very very happy with the items I've purchased. The sellers have gone out of their way to beautifully package the items, written me a little thankyou card, messaged me on etsy etc... I think it is just polite to leave feedback and let them know that a)the item arrived safely and b)i am very happy with said item.
I don't understand why if you are happy with the item you would not leave feedback? and if there was a problem, why not message the seller and tell them the problem and see if it can be fixed?

I've been selling on Ebay since 2005, and only started on etsy this summer. Feedback is left alot more on ebay, and is promoted as being fairly important on ebay, I've had sellers message me to leave feedback because I haven't done it straight away. Though Ebay have made it so sellers can ONLY leave positive feedback...so even if the buyer doesn't pay, you can't leave a negative feedback?

What do you think? Do you sell on either site? What is your experience with feedback?

Brand New Items :)

I've been busy listing lots of new items today :) Here is a peak at a few of them (the photos link to items) :)


Batman and stripey beads Necklace


Pink and Black 'Love Gun' Earrings (I also have these for sale in red and black)


Ahoy Sailor - Anchor Necklace


Small London Postcard Pin


Zombie Love / Heart Necklace


Kawaii Tinkerbell Beaded Bracelet

I didn't get round to listing my other new items in the Ebay Heroine Industries shop. I'll have to do that tomorrow :) But I already have a little box filled with new charms and bits and pieces that have arrived! I always feel like a little kid at christmas when new charms arrive and can't wait to get crafting away! I'm sure anyone who likes to make things is the same?

First Post ever ^_^

Hello. testing. testing. 123.

This is Heroine Industries first post, of what I predict to be very many!!! If you have read my profile, or seen my subtle links at the top of this page, you will know that Heroine Industries is the name of the shops I run on etsy and eBay. The etsy shop is quite new, but I have been selling on eBay for 4 years now and have 100% feedback ^_^
I make mostly handmade, kitsch jewellery (or jewelry if you're American) But I'm also branching out to kitsch and quirky art, felt wiccan items, custom bags, cushion covers. To be honest I just love making things, so if i can make it then it will probably end up in the shops ^_^ lol.
I also love kitsch, diy, emo, scene and rockabilly things (and I spend a unhealthy amount of time on the Internet) so I will probably post the interesting bits and pieces I find.

My name is Emma by the way *waves*, just realised I probably should have put that at the top of this post!