posted on September 27, 2000 05:40:24 PM
Just thought I would get you folks to add your input on ideas for any new sellers who are wandering the halls of EO. I know when I first started, AW helped me with my sales and ideas, just by reading the threads. So, in the event that newbies (or even veterans) want ideas that they may wish to implement, here's some to "ponder":
I always tuck in a little something extra to bidders who go that "little extra" bid to win. I find pot pourri in individual containers or cloth bags, unused soaps, incense sticks tied with raffia, little hand lotion bottles still sealed, a pretty scarf, refrigerator magnets, shells, earrings, necklaces and other gew gaws and doodads I tuck inside each package, just as an extra MAHALO.
Anyone else have a special something they do and want to share?
posted on September 27, 2000 05:52:34 PM
I put coupons in my packages for 10% off their next item they win from me. I also have pens with my business name on them and sometimes I throw one of them in the packages as well.
____________________________________
The only place you'll find success before work is in the dictionary.
posted on September 27, 2000 05:56:51 PM
I use some kind of seasonal stamp on the invoice. I fold it in half like a card, stamp the front with a bear, or a snowman or whatever seems appropriate and then use a thank you stamp on the inside.
If the bid has gone over and above what I feel is acceptable I pay the shipping.
posted on September 27, 2000 05:59:53 PM
Hi Maui--think your ideas are super. However--I sell such a wide variety of items---my bidders are lucky if I remember to enclose a business card that has a hand written thanks.
For me--my gratitude is shown by prompt shipment usually via Priority Mail. Do shipments lanquish due to personal check--no--and so far so good! (Knocking head furiously). We all seem to get going what works for us---your personal add ons seem a delight and well thought. And as a sorta fast personal aside--your pics are wonderful!
You got it woman! JMHO
posted on September 27, 2000 06:21:28 PM
1. CROP YOUR PHOTOS!! Then crop them again. They'll load faster, which means your potential buyers won't be as bored and/or annoyed when the pix do arrive, or shortcircuit the effort by clicking the Back button before they finish loading.
2. DON'T TRY TO SHOW WHAT A PRETTY HOUSE OR YARD YOU HAVE IN YOUR PHOTOS -- all we care about is the item. (IOW -- See #1 above.)
3. Don't have links to your photos in your listing (instead of the photos themselves) -- few bidders are THAT interested in what you've got to sell.
4. IF you sell anything breakable, don't offer insurance as *optional.*
5. If you charge those abominable handling fees, be sure to spell out exactly what those fees are in your listing. Don't try to hide them. I hate it when I get "Shipping is $5.00" when I know good and well that shipping is going to be either $3.20 or $4.30 at most for this item, and the rest is either insurance (tho it's not been specified) or handling fees. Be honest and upfront about it.
6. Learn how to pack breakables. PLEEEEASE! Hint: bubblewrap the item(s) securely, then use a much larger box than the item and leave lots of space in the box into which your pour 3x the amount of peanuts you think the thing deserves or needs. Heavy things that aren't well protected in this way can break as easy or easier than light things. Also, just because it's free, don't overuse the Priority Mail packing tape. Just a little tape (even scotch tape) to keep the bubble wrap firmly in place is all you need.
7. EOAs and other EMAILS: Put both the item name and item number in the subject line and keep them there. Hit *Reply* when people contact you and keep their original message in with your response.
8. Create a good tracking system for all the various activities Selling requires -- EOAs, 2nd notices, waiting for payment, to ship (date), shipped, received, feedback given, whatever. There's a mountain of virtual and actual paperwork to keep track of and the quicker you get a workable system going, the fewer problems you'll create for yourself. There may be software that automates some of this, but you still have data entry to do in those cases. I prefer just using my email folders and keeping hardcopies of the EOAs and Buyer responses myself. One copy of the buyer's response goes in with the item.
9. DESCRIBE YOUR ITEMS HONESTLY AND ACCURATELY, including all damage or mfg flaws -- IOW, manage expectations. You do NOT want your Buyer to open the package and be disappointed -- or angry because they were *taken* or misled. You DO want your Buyer to open the package and be either completely satisfied or better yet, deliriously happy. If they aren't happy, offer a full refund INCLUDING postage both ways without a lot of hassle or moaning and groaning about it. Yes, you may lose a little money on that one transaction, but you will not have created animosity for yourself. Truth is, very few people will ask for it IF you've been honest and accurate in your descriptions. Very few indeed. I am of the opinion there are far more bad Sellers than there are bad Buyers, tho there are enough of those as well (but I let other Sellers have those <g>. And if you do get more than your share of bad Buyers, maybe you're either running your business wrong or are selling the wrong item(s).
10. CUT YOUR LOSSES EARLY. Every now and then you'll run across a nut case. You'll learn to spot 'em and the best way of dealing with them IMO is to NOT deal with them any more than absolutely necessary. IMO if a bidder should ever want out of their *contract,* as some people like to call it, I'd be more than happy to let them out of it no questions asked, no hassle. Why? Because ebay will refund my FVF, and I don't have to deal with someone who's more than likely going to be further trouble for me down the road anyway. I don't lose even a minute's sleep over Non-Paying Bidders (and have only had 2 so far anyway). Yes, it's a bit of a hassle going thru the NPB routine ebay has , but that's better than dealing with nut cases or antagonistic buyers.
11. You can't please everybody all the time. Just a fact of life. Live with it, and more importantly, don't let the bad ones (if you get any) get you down. Also, see #10.
12. MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, PROBABLY: Don't get burned out. This business will probably consume as many hours as you are willing to give it. There are times when it gets overwhelming and ceases to be fun. Take a break. A few minutes, a few hours, an entire afternoon, a day or two. Get away from it. When you come back you'll probably have a string of days that make you happy all over again you're doing what you're doing.
posted on September 27, 2000 06:31:37 PM
I'm thinking of adding tiny red ants to my next batch of packages. Nothing says thank you like creepy crawly critters.
Seriously, I would be careful about adding anything with scents such as soap or potpourri to a package. A buyer could have asthma, or allergies to strong scents, and a closed up box combined with a bar of scented soap could be very strong when opened. It could also make the item smell forever like the perfume.
posted on September 27, 2000 06:33:32 PMClevergirl You are indeed clever. I agree with your answer.
I took the advice of another last season, and created my own tracking sheet for each item. It is very specific, listing everything from item #, to dates and reply's of EOA notices, to feedback left and received. It has worked very well for me so far.
I also keep hard copies of all corespondence (sp?)() with each item. All e-mails, receipts, etc. I recently had a computer crash , and luckily I had most everything backed up. But I still have my hard copies.
posted on September 27, 2000 06:37:56 PM
I mainly sell new or used video games. When shipping an item, I include a note which has a couple of links for codes and cheats for the enclosed game. Makes the game more fun if it's hard or play longer if it's too easy.
posted on September 27, 2000 06:48:13 PM
sirpaladin, EXCELLENT idea! How cool!
Jeanyu...thanky
And I did think about allergies with the scents I add once in awhile, but in the 2 years I have been doing this, no complaints so far, so if it aint broke, dont fix it, says I (and remember, most of my customers are repeat ones...so they KNOW they are gonna get som Nag Champa in a box, lol).
posted on September 27, 2000 07:08:56 PM
Package carefully, ship fast.
As a bidder, here is what I'd like to see more sellers do, mis-spell key words in titles... and please mispell in the description too! Choose the wrong catagory, show a blurry photo with a good description, show an overly large photo with lots of background, put a 1920s "Stuben" vase in glass general and never mention that it is signed, let alone SHOW a clear pic of the sig, do that click here to see the photo thing, DONT put a photo at all, but again.... give a detailed description.
All of the above mentioned and more cut way down on my bidding competition. Don't change a thing. I love ya!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted on September 27, 2000 07:42:21 PM
CleverGIrl - Cutting your losses - ahmen.
So many seem to want to get in a war and have (their) justice served no matter the cost.
I wonder if they are so rabid when not hiding behind a key board?
posted on September 27, 2000 08:10:05 PM
Here's my $.02 worth--
1. Items that I consider "high risk" such as video games ALWAYS are insured even if buyer declines. When the buyer contacts you 2 months after the sale and states the game never arrived (or maybe it did and now the game is beat), you can refer to postal service. They have to sign document about loss.
2. Delete bids from anyone who sends a before auction email that is odd. You can save yourself alot of trouble in case the odd ball is the high bidder.
3. File NPB and FVC before 30 days.
4. Know what your limit is. Don't schedule auctions to run during your vacation.
5. Don't put scented items in package. If you sell clothing, make sure it is freshly cleaned in unscented detergent.
6. Don't smoke while packing. Bidders don't want a whiff of your stale cigarette smoke or ashes on stuff.
7. Check feedback carefully.
If I am a little suspicious of someone, and there is little to no feedback, I check the bidding history. Lots of won items with low feedback=negative feedback. Many sellers are afraid to post negatives.
posted on September 27, 2000 10:00:13 PMmeya
Excellent advice!!! I like the idea of freebies in the packing, and think I will start doing just that, BUT, we recently dealt with a "potential" buyer (bless her heart for e-mailing) on a rather expensive children's book. The kid had MAJOR allergies, and the buyer was asking about the "smell" of the book...musty/moldy/ooky...etc.
Seems it was OK that it came from a smoker's house, but NOT from a perfume house!...
BTW..Hi back Maui-babe!!! Loveyameanit!!
Keith
I assume full responsibility for my actions, except
the ones that are someone else's fault.
:
. And if you do get more than your share of bad Buyers, maybe you're either running your business wrong or are selling the wrong item(s).
) with each item. All e-mails, receipts, etc. I recently had a 
computer crash 
, and luckily I had most everything backed up. But I still have my hard copies. 