posted on February 12, 2002 06:40:12 PM
Yes, or like asking other wholesalers to pay the rent on a B&M store. For a store I had, that would be the
Knife wholesaler,
Jewelry wholeasler
Army Surplus wholesaler,
Fishing gear wholesaler,
Tool wholesaler,
etc, etc, etc,.
They would not do that. They would just ask "what's the matter, you don't want to make money selling this stuff?"
They would just take their soon-to-be-retailed wares to the next retailer.
It doesn't quite work that way.
[ edited by goldpanner3 on Feb 12, 2002 06:41 PM ]
posted on February 12, 2002 06:47:01 PM
dman3, that is a different case. If I were to buy something from the thrift store -- I have physical and total control of the products. I know after the auction ends, the buyer will get their item. I can also hold a garage sale or sell it whenever or wherever I choose. My money is merely converted into products.
Mr. Magazine Wholesaler is talking of being like a sales associate who just takes orders....and makes $thousands. What he fails to mention is that in taking those orders, one can incure a huge amount of non-reimbursable eBay expenses. Secondly, the seller has no control on the delivery of the products. Since we are talking about online auctions, this can have a negative effect on your reputation in terms of feedback.
Mr. Magazine Wholesaler knows this pretty well and trying to avoid all this by "hiring" (that's what it is) associates. Guess what...those associates don't have reimbursable expenses. If you drove your car on a business for your company, don't you fill out an expense report to get reimbursed for gas?
posted on February 12, 2002 06:57:28 PM
I disagree, I find this more like a Multi-Level Marketing program than hiring associates. You aren't going to work for him, you work for yourself and he gets a cut. I wouldn't expect him to pay my expenses anymore than I would expect Avon to pay the gas expenses of one of their salespeople. It's like having an affiliate account with enews (which I actually do) and I sell magazines from my website. I don't handle the product (although it is not as direct as ebay) and I get a cut of the sales.
If I were to do this, I would get a brand new ebay ID for selling magazines only. The negatives and neutrals are too high, people are going to give them even if you tell them there is a long wait.
posted on February 12, 2002 06:58:14 PM
> 98% of our auctions end with the first bid
Okay, the $1,000 a week claim was bad enough. But this 98% sell through rate is an outright lie! I've done the research and it nowhere near 98% sell through. Please take your offer and false claims elsewhere.
posted on February 12, 2002 07:21:43 PM
Whether this is a sound offer or not, I think it's totally inappropriate to use this forum to pander one's own business. Please take your spam elsewhere.
posted on February 12, 2002 07:39:25 PM
I did not mean for this thread to have 30 some replies in 24 hours. I merely was posting a small notice to let people know about an eBay opportunity. I often read posts on here asking about new products, or looking for new ideas. That's what an open forum is all about. Will I profit from this Post? Hopefully. Will other profit from this Post? Hopefully. Will someone who posts a thread asking "Where the best place to buy books are?" profit from their thread? Hopefully. That's why people ask for help on this forum? Everyone is looking for help for a faster, better, and easier way to market their products. Hopefully the users of this forum can provide that help.
I appreciate the open discussion this thread has become, and it is clear that people feel strongly for or against this type of program. I respect your opinion either way.
Plane and Pilot subs seem to be getting a few bids. Ebay crashed just now so I couldn't see how many sold compared to what was listed.
That tells me that if you design the best ad and presentation, you've got customers. I dunno 'bout that markup, though. Have to see later.
But, I am afraid i have to agree, it's spam indeed. I'm happy though, because of this thread, I learned that the * is a wildcard in the search. Lame, yes, but it made my night. Now if ebay would just come back online so I could play with it some more.
posted on February 12, 2002 08:07:11 PM
I do not believe you will find any drop-shipping wholesellers out there paying ebay fees for sellers.
The final sale price of an item makes no diference if you do not buy it at the right price.
I have a personal friend who makes more money in amway in a month than most of people see in years. I could not make a dime from it. It's not for everyone.
I was always taught you are better off to compete against yourself rather than other retailers. That is one reason you see chains have so many locations in a given area. That is what midwest mags is doing here more or less.
I think for the right person this could be a good opportunity. It is probaly not everyones cup of tea and I do not think he expected it to be.
These are just thoughts I had as I read these posts, nothing more. Nothing personal towards anyone.
posted on February 12, 2002 08:16:18 PMThat's what an open forum is all about.
This forum is for discussing eBay matters. Not for sleaze artists to push get rich quick schemes. Your purpose in this thread can be summed up in three words: sell, sell, sell.
posted on February 12, 2002 08:27:44 PM
A bit strong wording.
How about "salesman just here to sell", that is "spam".
And no "get rich scheme" was ever promised. The $1,000 a week mentioned is far from rich, if it was I'd be rich since I make just a hair under that from my job, and it is a laughable wage compared to some towns and education levels. Not even close to rich by any stretch.
posted on February 12, 2002 10:07:00 PM
I just checked completed auctions for subscriptions, and the average winning bid for a yearly subscription is $6. Does a seller really make a profit on this? Buyers are getting three year suscriptions cheaper than a one year subscription offered by the mags!
posted on February 12, 2002 10:09:50 PM
This isn't an open forum to sell. I've seen boards cluttered with things for sale that no discussion ever takes place. Besides, it against AW's rules.
posted on February 13, 2002 06:47:08 AM
I use to sell subscriptions online a few years ago. There is money to be made because the cost is very little, and sometimes even nothing. Many titles I had cost me $1 or so, and some were free. That's how PCH can give away that millions in prize, they pay nothing for the product!
It seems there is price fixing by the publishers, and they tend to get ticked when you sell their magazine for too low.
posted on February 13, 2002 08:49:02 AM
There is money to be made in most products...depending on how & where you sell them. When it comes to eBay you will have to be extra careful because you can easily rack up major expenses with nothing to show for it.
posted on February 13, 2002 11:11:12 AM
Pack of wolves. Best way to describe most of you.
Wow to think I used to actually respect some of you.
If you don't like the thread let it lay, just walk on by. Your like the Kids that post over on eBay. One can't post without the other one posting right back. You feel the need to insult someone.
And personal insults. "Take your spam elseware". "Go pedal your papers somewhere else". "I'm too stupid to use a powerlister and do the listings myself on eBay- so I'm gonna share the wealth". "anyone who starts a sales pitch by telling me how "smart" I am really thinks I'm a schmuck"
If my Daughter ever said that to anyone I would kick her butt so far across the room it would not be funny. A dig now an them amoung a group is natural, you people are just well you know what you are.
Jim
tom you are excluded from the above casue I am still waiting on my next monkeyboy issue.
posted on February 13, 2002 03:37:46 PM
I emailed MidWestern and got no response. I asked for some examples that I could look up on ebay.
Guess he's having such a great response he can't answer in 24 hrs.
Pania
posted on February 13, 2002 03:58:04 PM
I have to say this is one of the funniest threads I have read in a while. It really cracks me up how some people get so wired up but keep posting to the thread with how upset they are. And in doing so they keep the thread at the top.
As for me... I emailed them and got a response right away. You can see his examples by going to ebay and looking up Midwestmagazines. Be sure to look at his completed auctions for the last month. Looks good to me. I may start with him.
Does it bother me that he posted here.?! NOT AT ALL... I am always looking for a new way to add some product to my list. I sell full time and going to auctions, etc takes a lot of time. If I can supliment it with only having to do some paperwork then by all means, tell me more.
I will just open a new id so any negative feedback won't ruin mine with my main ebay id.
You people get so worked up. Sit back relax and if you don't like the post then move on. Geez, what a bunch of complainers.
sweetboo (not my ebay name)
There's no danger of developing eyestrain from looking at the bright side of things!
posted on February 13, 2002 04:37:53 PM
Well, apparently he wants a lot more than 15 people now. I just looked up his auctions and he has 11 dutch auctions at 15 per auction at a penny to get the information on this opportunity.
However, I e-mailed yesterday and he has yet to reply.
-----------------------
Tanya
I live in my own little world, but it's ok, they know me here.
posted on February 13, 2002 06:13:30 PM
Hmmm, guess editing of posts has been disabled????
Anyways, I was looking through midwestmagazines store listings. How do I sell Motor Trend at $22.99 for a profit of $15+ when in his store he sells it for $11.99? And why can I make $2000/week by responding to one of the eBay auctions and only $1000/week if I respond from AuctionWatch?
Plus, either he already has 3 affiliates in Arizona or 3 IDs are ripping off his templates. I was actually fairly interested in this deal, but now I really wonder how you would make any money when you have to compete against your own supplier for sales....??
-----------------------
Tanya
I live in my own little world, but it's ok, they know me here.
posted on February 13, 2002 06:36:38 PM
Update....
I will be sending anyone who has requested information an email. I appreciate all the interest. I apologize if we were not as prompt today answering distributor requests as we have been. I gave my staff the day off tomorrow for Valentines day, which changed the focus of what we had to accomplish today. I will personally be responding to all requesting this evening.
When I initially put this ad on eBay and Auction Watch I did not anticipate that it would have 50 some responses in two days.
As for the statement indicating "he must be looking for more than 15 people now".... I have no plans to have more than 15 distributors. but I also understand that it ultimately will take more than 15 people to build my distributor network. If the first 15 people who start stay forever, then great, but I'm a realist, and I don't expect this program to work for everyone. It will work for some, and some won't find it their cup of tea. That's completely fine. The initial show of interest I have experienced in the last 48 hours has been great.
As for the "three affiliates" in Arizona.. Yes, we do have affiliates here in Arizona, and as you may have seen their auctions look exactly the same as ours. That's part of our program. We provide the auctions pre-designed so you can get started immediately without investing a large chunk of your time to determine if this is a product you enjoy selling. As you can see, each distributor sells different magazines in different categories, so they aren't really competition for each other.
As for the comment regarding the fact that in this initial post, I opened stating that "as I find AW users more savvy and smart than the average ebay user"... I have to defend this comment. I shouldn't have to, but appearantly I do. AW users are more savvy than the casual ebay users. I would believe most users on AW are full-time ebay sellers, or ebay is a major portion of their income. Therefore, they take ebay seriously, and changes and issues that occur regarding ebay are known sooner and more in depth than the average ebayer. The average person who replied with interest had a 900 rating. These aren't people who play around on ebay, it's their life. I stand firm on my opinion that AW users are smarter and savvy regarding ebay.
Thanks again for the interest.
Sincerely,
Midwest Magazines
[ edited by midwestmagazines on Feb 13, 2002 06:42 PM ]
posted on February 14, 2002 07:39:14 AM
Just out of curiosity...how is it that you are running umpteen dutch auctions for this "opportunity" that you represent here as being for a selected "10-15" distributors?
You've got that many winning bidders on just one of your penney auctions.
posted on February 14, 2002 02:10:56 PM
Regarding the last post.
Not all bidders may be interested in becoming distributors, or they may not meet what we determine to be necessary qualifications to represent our product.
