EP 399: Struggling with Slow Sales? Here’s What’s Going Wrong

·59 min·5 clips

Mike and Orlando confront why resellers are struggling with slow sales and ask if it's their own fault.

Hosts Mike and Orlando open episode 399 by addressing a common frustration among resellers: slow sales. They frame the discussion around determining whether the blame lies with the seller or external factors. The first major segment focuses on internal, controllable reasons for sales slowdowns. Orlando identifies bad sourcing as the primary culprit, emphasizing that picking items without checking sell-through rates—like buying cheap items that sell only once a year—can weigh down a store over time. He uses the analogy of antique stores in San Diego that closed because they stocked unsellable inventory. Mike adds that resellers can be misled by past successes, sourcing items that were popular years ago but no longer trend, due to complacency from experience. Orlando notes that bad sourcing can accumulate over years, and sellers must find ways to clear out old inventory, such as through store resets, Whatnot sales, or promotions. The hosts then discuss not paying attention to platform requirements, like eBay's item specifics or Amazon's verification processes, which can trigger algorithmic penalties and reduce visibility. They highlight the importance of consistency in listing and sourcing, noting that requirements have intensified since 2020, now demanding 40-60 hours per week for full-time success. The second part of the episode shifts to external factors. Mike and Orlando explore how platform algorithms, like eBay's Cassini, can unpredictably affect item visibility and sales, sometimes favoring new sellers or geographic proximity. They debate the necessity of promoted listings, with Orlando admitting he uses dynamic ad rates to maintain sales, arguing it's better to pay fees than make no sales. The hosts also address changing buyer behavior due to macroeconomic trends, such as high debt and inflation, which reduce discretionary spending and shift demand—for example, video games spiked in 2020 but have since declined. They conclude by encouraging resellers to focus on controllable actions while adapting to external realities. The episode includes several Hustle of the Week segments, where listeners share profitable finds like Dyson bladeless fans and vintage pencils, and ends with a call to support the podcast.

As heard by us

A practical reseller-focused episode on slow sales, platform visibility, and what sellers can actually control.

Slow sales sit at the center of this PlayNext episode, with Mike and Orlando looking at why some resellers suddenly move from steady sales to barely getting by while others keep inventory flowing.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

When your listings go quiet for a brutal three or four days, you get a grounded way to sort what is yours to control from what may simply be the platform ride.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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