posted on August 21, 2001 02:52:51 PM
Hi everyone. I'm new to selling full time and I need some advice and/or suggestions. Does anyone have a routine they follow or do you just go with the flow? Do you have certain days to take pictures, pack, ship, bookkeeping, etc? When I was working (at my previous job) I always knew what I had to do and when I had to do it. I'm not very organized anyway but I'm working on it. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!! Barbara
I'm mostly answering because I want to bump you up so people with organizational skills will answer you.
I'm pretty disorganized about everything except: billing, payments, and shipping. My files are up to date and clear and if I dropped dead tomorrow, a stranger would still be able to get the stuff shipped and to figure out who owed money for what.
All the rest I do in feast or famine mode. My living room currently has a path leading from the front door to the kitchen because I'm holding things for fall. I estimate I have about 1000 books in the house - about 300 of them are neatly ordered in bookshelves. The rest are in boxes marked either "need pics," or "pics taken, need descriptions."
Sorry I'm not more help, but this will bump you back to the top of the list.
I'm sure you'll find your own best routine as you go along, but here's what works for me.
I take pictures only on Saturday. I then edit, resize, etc and load them all up to my image hoster, also on Saturday.
I dont' take any pictures during the week, so if I don't have an item by Friday or I forget one, it gets put off until the following week.
Since all my pictures are already hosted, I try to get at least 5 auctions written with pictures and templates every night. (I use Front Page so it's an easy matter to save them.)
I then schedule those over at Vrane for listing later that night. Since I'm on the east coast, I like to have my auctions start/end around 10pm Ebay time.
I can then relax the rest of the evening and in the morning I send out my EOA's for last night's ending auctions.
I keep a 'sticky' on my monitor of things that have bids and try to pack up everything that has a bid about twice a week.
I have a daily pickup with UPS, which helps a lot. So, when someone pays, it's already packed, put a label on it and it goes out the next day.
A lot of people use automated systems to keep track of the auctions, but I love my notebook. I made up forms with auction #, end date, price sold, when paid, name, etc. I can tell at a glance who's paid and who owes me money.
Well, that's about it. Sorry this is so long...got going and just kept typing!
posted on August 21, 2001 05:58:12 PM
My system is so disorganized and antiquated, especially for someone having a computer!
I take pictures whenever I'm in the mood. If I get something new and want to list it right now, I take pictures of it. I upload them after I take them to my image host. I list whenver I am sitting at the computer, morning or night (I should look into Vrane's listing program actually) and just randomly from the huge pile of books, magazines, movies, etc that I have either in the closet beside my room here or in the pile beside my desk. I send out my EOA's as soon as possible, mostly right after the auction's end. I don't pack anything until I get paid, it would just be in the way and with having so many NPB's it would just confuse me. So when I get paid, I pack, label and put the package in a box in my kitchen that is for "shipping" stuff. I *try* to mail everything the next day but I dont always get to the post office.
Now my "system" for keeping record is ridiculous but for me it's the best way I've found. I have an index card file box and I use 5x7 index cards. I hand write out all of my auctions that end with the Item #, amount total, the auction title, the bidders eBay ID, the date the EOA was sent, when paid, when packaged and when shipped. It seems like so much to do, and sometimes it is, but actually physically writing the stuff down helps me remember better what has been paid for, what has been packaged, what to file NPB for. If I send a payment reminder, that gets noted. I have the file box sectioned off into "Item", "Paid", "Sent", "NPB", etc. I'm sure there are much simpler ways to do it but this works best for me because I have to concentrate on writing the stuff out (always helped me in school too). the only time I have ever had a problem with this "system" is when I forgot to write up a card! Buyer was very understanding
posted on August 21, 2001 06:26:06 PM
You say NPB, I prefer deadbeat or simply
DB. ;^)
Everyone has their own system, there is no
best way to do it. I keep some records on
the computer, and other on a clip board so
that I can get to them in a hurry. I use
a highlite pen to mark auctions I have been
paid for on my sheets. Archive all incoming
and outgoing e-mail! Work up a TOS list
and stick to it (in other words, be fair and
treat everyone the same).
I like to take pictures ASAP after I find
an item, and then write the description
right away. Pricing is a little harder. I
spend time looking around before I decide
what to try an item at. Good luck!
Z
---
"Cannot say. Saying, I would know. Do not
know, so cannot say". -- Zathras (Babylon 5)
I feel your pain. I'm new as well. I used to buy items and sit on the side lines and watch everyone else. I have an extensive personal collection of items that I'm now putting out for sale. Alot of my items are in mint condition. My problem is since I'm a collector and not an investor, I don't know what their values are. I've sold a few items like Texaco collectable planes, and a few Barbie items. But again I don't know what their true values are. Therefore, I'm sure everyone is getting more than what they've paid for. However, just starting off like you are, what I've done to this point on keeping track is I just print out the listing I put out (summary/preview) and hold on to it until the auction ends. After that if my item sold, I write directly on the sheet, how it was paid, by either one of the eBay payment systems, or I wait for the cashier's check, money order, or personal check to arrive, then ship the item.
Hey everyone, I'm also looking for ideas for what kinds of things sell best. I have a large variety of sports related items like Starting Line Ups, Sports Cards, and different odds and ends that are not sports related.
posted on August 21, 2001 11:49:48 PM
Not only develop a routine but develop one that is the most productive. It doesn't make sense to develop a routine of stopping at the PO on Saturday if that day has the longest line. Doesn't make sense to drive to the main PO because it's near McDonalds for lunch if the line is long compared to the PO five minutes away. End auctions on days when you get the best bidding, not just on days when nothings on tv. You get the idea.
The best reason for a routine is to avoid random results. In other words, if you randomly visit the PO at different times and days sometimes the lines will be long, other times short. That's not good use of your time. Once a good routine is created you will be able to list more auctions and make more money.
posted on August 22, 2001 02:03:56 AM
To the post office point:
Learn the hours that they are open in your
area. My local branch office is open M-F,
from 7:30am to 5pm, and Sa from 9am to 2pm.
I try not to mail on Saturday (my TOS states
that I mail certain amounts of days after
different types of payment, and I feel
guilty if I don't so...), but no matter
what day I go, I go when they first open. I
am usually the first or second person in line. The folks at the PO tell me that
Monday is the busiest day, but hitting it
at 7:30 isn't bad at all. Going at 2:30pm
is another matter (so maybe they are right)!
Z
---
"Cannot say. Saying, I would know. Do not
know, so cannot say". -- Zathras (Babylon 5)
posted on August 22, 2001 06:35:59 AM
Good morning Barbara,
Here is the method that simplified my life.
I try to have all my auctions for the week end on the same day. When the auctions are over I go to Search by seller and search my own user id. As seller you can have the list complete with all winning information, including winners email address. Then I print the list, and use it for keeping track of most of the information I need.
All items that have winning bids are packaged the following AM.
You will have the item #, date auction ended, bid price,item title, winners user id and winners email address. When the winner is notified with a red pen I put and "N" in the block for that auction. A response for bidder gets an "R". When payment is received I write the date and method of payment (necessary if you hold checks for clearance)above the winners email address. The day the package is mailed the date is also noted under the email address and feedback is given.
At a glance you will know who paid, date money was received, what was mailed and what needs to be sent. Additionally, non payers will be obvious and if you have to file an NPB that can be noted with the date above the email address so that the FVF can be filed 10 days later.
From this point I use five file folders for active auctions. The list above goes in folder one, folder two contains any acknowledgements. As I receive addresses I print mailing lables and DC and paper clip them to the winners email response. Electronic payment notifications are printed and lable and DC are attached with clips also. Payment are in folder three. Folder four is for items sent.
Each morning I take payment folder and sent folder to packing area. Address lables and DC are attached to packages and response letter is noted for ship date and is moved to sent folder. Once package is mailed the DC or insurance receipt is stapled to letters in sent folder, as soon as possible, I do feedbacks for buyers in sent folder and move to fifth folder.
The last folder is labled completed auctions. I keep response letter complete with attached DC for answering any questions from buyer about shipping. When you are notified that item was received or enough time has passed remove letters from this file.
All of this completed paper work is then put in folders marked by quaters of the year or by months and filed in a file cabinet till end of year. Back to printed list from search by seller, when each list is completed including NPB and FVF it is also filed in these folders.
This explination is quite long but the method is the easiest and most efficient one that I have tried.
posted on August 22, 2001 07:50:07 AM
I want to thank everyone for their responses. They have been a tremendous help to me. I was starting auctions at random and now I think I will start them all on one day so they end on the same day. Seems easier to keep track of. From reading these posts it seems you just have to work at it till you find what works for you. Now does anyone want to help me with my bookkeeping???
I have made a worksheet in Lotus that will calculate my profit vs cost so I'm anxious to see how well it's going to work. I'm the one who used to wait 3 or 4 months to balance the checkbook. Thank goodness for online banking. Thanks again!! Barbara
posted on August 22, 2001 08:43:09 AM
I prefer to end my auctions over several days. If/when eBay has one of their issues and goes down, it is not as disastereous.
posted on August 22, 2001 10:30:35 AM
I like to have stuff end on one night, but people are on eBay all the time. I would recommend that you always have something out there, maybe list batches over two or three nights. The evening doesn't matter too much. I a lot of your stuff is Buy It Now, it matters very little.
eBay selling is a lifestyle and not just a process--the process is mostly donkey work.
You should try different things and develop a rhythm that works for you. Internet selling has a lot of lull time, so you should always be trying to make improvements or enhancements as you go. Learn and implement new ways of doing things on a regular basis. If you can't tangibly improve what you are doing, you will find your business will stagnate and you will get bored.
posted on August 22, 2001 01:43:37 PM
I usually do my picture taking and description writing in the morning when I have more energy for creativity and can write something more exciting than "nice widget, new".
In the afternoon I relist what didn't sell the day before, and process any widgets paid for since yesterday afternoon.
I keep my recordkeeping spreadsheet (Window Works, any spreadsheet software will do) open in another window all the time I am working because I record everything as I go.
I have too much paper already from my normal life, I won't add to it with records. Each row is for one particular widget. My spreadsheet columns are like this:
My cost for the item
Formula for ebay fees (.30+(.05*j2)), where .30 is the listing fee and 'j2' is the final bid amount
Formula for paypal fees, I copy it in if buyer uses paypal
Auction number
Opening bid
My fixed shipping charge
Final bid
Description (for my benefit to recognise widget)
Date listed
Date ended
Date emailed wbn (I use paypal's auto)
Date of any reminders to nonpayer
Date they paid me
Date I mailed it
Cost of mailer
Actual post office cost
Formula (Final bid + fixed shipping)-(my cost+ebay+paypal+mailer+post ofc) My Profit.
Buyers Name, address and email
What feedback I left for buyer.
This way, I can look at any widget's row and know where it is in the process. If there is a date under mailed I know it's gone. If the buyer worries, I can tell them the date and exact address it went to. This usually settles them down and they feel like I am on top of things.
At the top of each column is a total for that column so I know how much of an ebay bill I am running up and how much profit so far this month.
DH mails things every morning first thing when the PO opens, no line formed yet.
My widgets go out in bubble mailers, so I put them in mailers as I list them and write the auction number on the envelope where it will later be covered when the envelope is sealed. I can always find any widget by its auction number. Many of my widgets look a lot alike without being identical. I handle the actual widget only once when listing, and the envelope only twice, listed and sold. Three times if I must relist.
Each day's enveloped widgets go in their own 15 gallon rubbermaid bin. The bins march down the wall in order, so the ones ending today are always at the far end of the line and I just grab it when ready to process ended auctions.
Emails from bidders are saved in electronic form in email folders named EbayMailedOut, EbayPending(haven't paid yet), EbayPraise, EbaySpecialRequest, EbayUnsatisfactory. I never print out emails. I eventually delete from MailedOut and Pending, when I'm sure it's really all over.
