EACH eBay shop takes record-breaking £24.3k on return from lockdown

August 13, 2020

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) has seen its eBay shop smash its previous record for monthly income following its return from lockdown.

Like EACH’s high street shops, its eBay and Amazon operations, both based in Thetford, in Lime Kiln Road and at Brunel Business Court respectively, have been shut in recent months.

However, it has been a return to action for the eBay team quite unlike anything before, with £24,302 brought in from the sale of 1,166 items in July.

The best-sellers were:

  1. A wireless, smart sound bar speaker, the Sonos Playbar – £417
  2. A vintage, nine-carat, gold case Rolex watch, with 16 rubies – £350
  3. A personal audio system sound bar, the Sony SRS-X99 – £302
  4. An Olympus Zuiko digital lens – £221
  5. A Jorvik delivery tricycle – £216
  6. Seven loose leaf folders of collectable bookmarks – £214.69

EACH’s Amazon shop also posted great results for the month, with £2,050 income from the sale of 171 books.

The news comes as EACH prepares to reopen the final five of its traditional shops, in Halstead, Stowmarket, Clacton-on-Sea plus Colchester, where there are two, one in High Street and one at Angora Business Park, on Monday (17 August).

Sarah Throssell, EACH Acting Head of Retail, said: “We’re really pleased with how things have gone for our high street shops since we reopened the first five in mid-June. In particular, we’ve seen a boom of donations, which is why the support of our eBay Champion volunteers, who help sort and list items for eBay and Amazon, has been really valuable.

“We continue to ensure our shops remain safe whilst providing the community atmosphere we strive for. However, we’ve also been keen to ensure our digital listings are really strong to enable customers to support us online.

“The work of our E-Commerce Manager, Scott Campbell, and everyone else involved in our eBay and Amazon operations has been fantastic. I know the treasures listed have been flying off our shelves and the eBay monthly record was beaten by over £1,200 in July. Our eBay Champions continue to work hard, so there’s always more going online – do check out what’s on offer!

“Following the closure of our shops, physical and digital, at the end of March, we were losing out on £100,000 a week in income. The return to trading we’ve had means we’re starting to once again play the role we need to in helping fund vital care and support for families who access EACH’s services.”

To find out more about becoming an eBay Champion or volunteering at EACH’s eBay and Amazon bases email volunteerservices@each.org.uk, or call 01842 821620.

Scott, along with his team of Yasmin Beta and Bethany Watchman, plus existing volunteers Andy, Gemma and Kieran, could always do with an extra pair of helping hands!

Links to EACH’s eBay and Amazon shops are available at www.each.org.uk/get-involved/our-shops. The same page has the latest information on the reopening of EACH’s high street shops as well as a video showing what to expect when visiting.