Is Trademe slowly dying?

[Oh_hunnihunni]

Trademe used to be the local market place where locals sold their stuff. When I go looking I first start by filtering location, and that single move reduces the offering by two thirds. Then I go to Used and that cuts out another two thirds.

And that is why TM is a different place.

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Trade Me's decline is due to a combination of factors IMO. The dismal state of customer support, increasing shipping rates, fierce competition from Facebook and the NZ's retail sector is flatlining at present so TM's listings are flooded with B&M stores looking for a least effort online presence and customers are very thin on the ground for everyone.

For those like us who sell clothing the EOY stockholder reports from the big retail chains such as Katmandu, The Warehouse and Rebel Sports provide an indication of the dire state of the retail sector presently. Briscoes have been the standout recently so maybe Rod Duke's perpetual sale model has something going for it. For many of those of us in online trade we typically have minimal ongoing costs unlike the rent, warehousing and staff expenses for a B&M operation so we are better placed to ride out the storm if we operate wisely. I really do feel for the typical CBD retail store who sees only a handful of walk in customers per day with most of them walking out empty handed. Literally sitting and watching your business going down the drain and all too inclined to blame every factor they can imagine.

One thing is for sure in that our city centres are hollowing out with the likes of $2 shops and tattoo parlours taking advantage of the peppercorn rentals being offered by desparate landlords and the government is seeing the effect of the commercial slump in a falling tax take as businesses struggle. Maybe a reset for our society's rampant consumerism but at a painful cost to those who have based their livelihood on selling stuff that can be done without when times are tough.

I went looking for a replacement sun umbrella recently, and even the Autumn price drops meant I couldn't afford to replace my five year old Briscoes $50 bargain. In the end though I discovered I could replace the canopy - which is the bit getting tatty - from Australia, free post, for just under the price I originally paid for the whole market brolly.

So I bought two.