posted on March 2, 2001 05:52:55 PM
Just read the presale article which focused on non perishable items. The author took an understandable "buyer beware" stance.
I wish to present an alternative; I sell perishable items-plants. Once a year's crop is sold, you can't crank up the machines and pump out more product.
I find it very helpful to launch pre sale auctions.Here's why. Customer response determines the potential seasonal sales of specific plants. Thus I can make an educated guess about supplementing my existing inventory.
My customers voluntarily rave about the great prices I offer on my Early Bird Specials. Without their willingness to act early, I could not get large quantity discounts and commitments from some of my outside sources.
It works well for my buyers both repeat and new. I am pleasantly startled by the many thanks I get for my great prices and I could not offer great prices without pre sale auctions. They are an extremely helpful tool to measure demand.
By the time spring hits and everyone gets gardening fever, many items are sold out at mail order and online companies. With my loyal eBay customer support, I can better prepare to meet their needs and avoid disappointing them.
I hope eBay doesn't discontinue this valuable part of my growing eBay business.
Thanks for providing a forum where I can express my view.
posted on March 2, 2001 09:06:43 PM
I don't think they will stop that but I do think Buyer Beware. I don't understand why people buy beanies that aren't out yet. I thought that Ty only sold Beanies to genuine store outlets that they have investigated. If that is true how do sellers get all those beanies? There I go thinking again. I also don't know why beanies are being presaled because where I live they are plentiful. All the Ty outlets have quite a few and at reasonable prices. With your product landplanfran I think that is a little different. You need to plan and your product will be available and as you say your buyers know you and that you are honest.
posted on March 3, 2001 06:08:40 AM
If you are selling plants, or other perishables (perhaps chocolates for Valentine's Day), as long as your listing makes it clear that the product will be shipped MUCH LATER, it's ok.
You see "plants will be dug and shipped in ___" lines in mail order catalogs, and a local flower grower here takes orders in spring bloom time and the buyers pick up the plants in early fall for planting.
