posted on February 14, 2002 08:44:01 AM new
We have recently increased the volume of our selling. I could certainly use some tips from you pros out there on how to keep organized. What programs do you use and find helpful?
I was able to keep things straight before with only a couple of auctions. I was able to remember names and e-mail addresses but with several dozen auctions it is more difficult to do that! We have our own site for hosting photos and just started to use E-Bay's program formerly by Blackthorne just a few days ago.
What programs do you use and find helpful for organization and printing labels ect.? Thanks for your help. Hopefully we can all learn from each other.
posted on February 14, 2002 08:50:12 AM new
I am still using Auctiva Manager (formerly eBud) as my preferred software for keeping track of everything. I cut and paste the winner's address and then print my mailing labels from the program. I think some of this is offered by the AW program but, at least until my subscription to Auctiva runs out, this is what I am sticking with.
posted on February 14, 2002 10:57:50 AM new
Nelson Organizer by Caelo is one of the best e-mail client investments I've made. It is what Outlook should be. Its really easy now to bring up all e-mails based on e-mail address or item number. And for those buyers that have three different e-mails to write you with -- you can logically join all the different addresses into one folder with Nelson Organizer. I just love it...
posted on February 14, 2002 11:14:34 AM new
Hardware: 5 Macs (PowerMac G4, PowerBook G4 Titanium, PowerBook G3 Wall Street, iMac DVSE, iMac Bondi -- the original). LaserWriter 16/600 network laser printer. 3 Dymo LabelWriter printers. All computers except Bondi are wireless. Two Olympus digital cameras, two scanners. Two Sun workstations.
Software: Netscape, FileMaker Pro database with Web Publishing, Adobe Photo Deluxe, iTunes to keep me entertained.
The secret of organization is to have a dedicated space of adequate size and a logical, planned workflow. I have one cubicle in which nothing is done but payment processing. (It's really nice not to have to move everything because dinner's being served.) A workbench in the corner is for shipping. (Ditto.)
posted on February 14, 2002 12:49:59 PM new
This may be a bit long, but it may give you some ideas.
1. I have my own room complete with printer, computer and all that stuff and the TV.
2. I have a room for my inventory. (both my daughters are at college)
3. This is pretty simple, but it works for me. I use MS excel to log my purchases, when, when & how I list them, what they sold for and to whom (by email). Once an item sells, I bold the title in blue. Once it is mailed, it is bolded in purple and moved to the SOLD-02 sheet. If the item sells and is 'deadbeated', I bold it black and put the sellers email on my deadbeat page. I have now started to block all deadbeat buyers from any of my auctions. At the end of the year I can do a quick total of everything using the spreadsheet approach.
4. I do sections of work at a time. One evening I will take all the pics, then upload to the computer. If I have time, I will start fixing the pics using Adobe business. If not, the next evening, I will crop/fix, etc. pics. I have set up folders in my file manager (I hate that explorer) by category: e.g., pottery, music, avon, hallmark, etc. After I have finish each picture I move to the appropriate category. This makes it much easier to find when I list.
5. I use mister lister to write my auctions. This gives me a copy so that if some of the items do not sell, I don't have to waste my time devising another description. I title the files by numbers and letters (to keep track) Once in a while I go through the files and delete the auctions that have sold. I also have a sold file for pics. When the auction is won, I move the pics to that folder. When I receive notification that the item was received I delete them. Sometimes if the person did not leave feedback I will leave them in the sold file for a while longer. (Murphys law)
6. I use boilerplate emails. I can open a new email, go to insert and find the appropriate para by title. I like to talk in my emails (which is time wasting, but I like to do it all the same) so I usually say something personal (sometimes more than others)
7. I wrap one item at a time. This may seem time consuming, but I have mixed up labels and mixed up items before. This caused me to waste more time. I print a copy of my shipping cost email and tape it to the top of the wrapped box. This makes it easier to find (I stack them at the end of my hallway - by the date of the email) Once I receive payment, I take the printed shipping email off the box, write the date the payment was received, the date and circle the amount on the email. I file this in a letter holder. I post feedback, email the customer to tell them the info, fill out insurance forms, etc. and then log their name, zip date mailed (usually next day) quoted shipping and actual shipping. Even though I have a USPS postal scale, the calibration is off at times. Once I mail the package, I file the insurance form and post the actual postage . (I keep a log because I use it for IRS purposes at the end of the year.) Once I receive notification of the item's receipt I shred the email (for recycling). If I do not hear from my customer in two-weeks, I send a follow-up email. This in itself has saved me a lot of grief. As my Dad used to say, 'nip it in the bud'.
8. Oh yes. when I bank the checks and money orders, I write each auction # and the amt in my register. This does take a lot more space, but has saved me more than once. I can scan the register and easily pick out the auction number if need be.
I have found that when I try to do too many things I once, or if I am to tired, I make mistakes and get overwhelmed. By organizing myself, it makes my life a lot easier.
posted on February 14, 2002 06:14:25 PM new
I use Easy Auction Software, have for a couple of years, and am lost without it. It does everything, except host photo's. It includes Ebay's Mr Lister, for uploading in batches.
Their customer support is EXCELLENT, there is always someone availabe. They have patiently in the past spent days online with me to walk me through what ever I am going through. They stay on top of all the necessary changes and update regularly.
This software will keep records of everything you sell, including what you paid for the item, ebay fees shipping, customer names and addresses, etc. I love it.
posted on February 14, 2002 07:15:17 PM new
Auctionwatch.com software is awsome and very ez to use.
AW.com software for the most part puts your whole auction process on auto pilot by automating almost every step along the way. Some accounting/book keeping tasks are not included- however I will yake the user friendly features any day....
Plus you can build some very nice looking listings with the very ez to use pre-fab templates.
llama_lady - bless you for the time you took with your expanded help desk tips
posted on February 15, 2002 08:24:26 PM new
I agree, thanks to everyone that shared their techniques and ideas. llamalady had a wonderful contribution as always. I know that it will save me a lot time the the long run. I could stand to be more efficient!
posted on February 15, 2002 09:14:25 PM new
Hello
I surly like this tread and ones like it. Thank you all for sharing some hard earned tips. One item I either overlooked or wasn’t there is lot numbers. Auction sites, auction numbers etc change through time but a lot number don’t and can have added value. For instance My lot number (ID#p34ab9) tells me source ‘p”, p34 is picture number which never changes even if I replace it and is used only once a year, ab indicates two pictures for this lot, 9 indicates opening bid of $9.00.
This may sound complicated and over kill and perhaps is, but it has evolved to this. If I buy 100 items and assign a vender ”p” to that group I list sales on a spread sheet and can in time tell to the penny what I did dollar wise. The opening bid number is for loading convenience and later discount considerations. Again you all are great bunch.
