As a small business consultant who has spent over a decade assisting entrepreneurs, I‘ve seen how promotional strategies like coupons can transform an ecommerce business. With eBay reporting over 159 million buyers in 2020 alone, ignoring this marketing opportunity could mean leaving profits on the table.
In this article, we will learn how to find and use eBay coupons to significantly lower your inventory costs in 2024. Whether you are just starting out or looking to expand your online retail operation, these tips will help you capitalize on coupon savings.
Why eBay Coupons Matter
Before we dive into the coupon strategies, let‘s look at some statistics that underscore why coupons should be part of your ecommerce strategy:
- Customer acquisition costs on average $1.72 for repeat eBay customers versus $7.28 for new customers (Invespcro)
- Close to 60% of online consumers have used a coupon code, according to RetailMeNot
- Average order value increases by 22% when a coupon is used (Invespcro)
As you can see, coupons attract new buyers, drive repeat purchases, and boost order value. When selling on eBay, they should absolutely be part of your customer retention strategy.
Now let‘s get into the step-by-step guide for tapping into coupon savings.
Where to Find eBay Coupon Codes
eBay offers coupons directly but you can also find plenty of other coupon and cashback sites offering eBay deals. Here are the top coupon sources to check:
eBay Coupon Page
- Visit ebay.com/deals for the latest sitewide coupons and sales
- New coupons added regularly
- Can filter deals by category
Cashback & Coupon Sites
| Site | Cashback Rate | Coupon Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten | 4% | Frequent coupons |
| CouponCabin | Up to 20% | Limited exclusive codes |
| Honey | – | Browser extension that tests codes automatically |
- Sign up to get alerts on cashback bonuses and exclusive promo codes
RetailMeNot
- Large database of eBay coupon codes
- Creates curated eBay promo code collection
- Tips on maximizing eBay coupon success
Strategies for Using eBay Coupons
When it comes to capitalizing on coupons, it pays to have a strategy tailored to how eBay coupons work. Here are my top tips:
1. Understand Coupon Exclusions
Carefully read coupon terms to check for exclusions before assuming an item is eligible. Some common restrictions include:
- Specific brands, categories or items
- Classified ad listings
- Real estate listings
- Gift cards
- Coins & paper money
2. Watch for Stacking Restrictions
The majority of eBay coupons cannot be combined with other promotions or discounts:
- If an item already has a sale price applied, the coupon will not work on it
- You can‘t combine a coupon with a sale price or existing promotion
- No stacking multiple coupons on one order
In these cases, you‘ll need to decide what deal makes more financial sense for you.
3. Mind the Expiration Dates
Often even valid coupons won‘t work because the expiration date has passed. Be sure to:
- Check coupon end dates before use
- Note any differences in UTC or PT time
- Use coupons promptly for best success rate
4. Leverage Cashback
Cashback offers an additional way to lower inventory costs. For example:
- Use Rakuten for 4% cashback plus find coupon codes
- Some cashback bonuses based on total annual spend
Closing Thoughts
In closing, eBay coupons represent an easy yet powerful opportunity to cut costs and improve order profitability margins. I hope this guide gave you clarity for tapping into promotions in 2024. As your business scales, continue looking for ways to delight customers with added savings – it pays off tremendously in loyalty and LTV.
Feel free to reach out if you need any assistance building customer retention marketing funnels. Happy selling!
