posted on December 21, 2007 02:49:15 PM
I just had my first phone order today. I recently placed my phone number in my Vendio store item descriptions. As a result, I have had calls regarding my merchandise.
I have had a few inquiries and questions to answer, but the buyers completed the purchase themselves. This buyer wanted me to complete the order, and paid by credit card, which I was able to input for them.
posted on December 21, 2007 04:28:04 PM
Bill, is this your home phone number?
I am happy for you but you may never get to leave home again.
You will be talking on the phone, selling phones and counting your money.
Uhhhhh sometimes eBay gets that way.
BUT I do NOT want to talk to people.
I am happy for you.
This is first Vendio store success story I have heard.
posted on December 21, 2007 09:29:22 PM
deur - I have a separate line for the business. I use skype in and skype out. I bought the yearly plans for both. The skype in has its own phone number. All of this is attached to a real phone.
What has really changed my business is listening to the advice of many of you on this board. I eliminated the direct links to my ebay items from the Vendio store.
The real growth in business occurred when I started Google adwords, and then recently added Yahoo ads. Which by the way appear on the ebay search page results for Christmas Seals. And, increased my core listings on ebay.
I think I remember reading here that Vendio stores are dead without advertising. That is correct. Without spending money on adwords, I believe my store would be dead.
The product search on what used to be called Froogle, only returns items with the Vendio brand. The whole Vendio store concept is meant to enrich Vendio, not the store owner.
They are doing fine, which is probably the main reason why modifications to the Vendio stores has dragged out so long.
The real test will come next month when the demand for Christmas Seals fall off. I have plans to substitute other categories. That will be a true test of Google adwords.
I now have a Blogger blog and will soon follow fluff's lead with a community for stamp collectors.
Otherwise, up to this point, ebay sales 45%, and Vendio store sales 55% of total holiday sales.
posted on December 22, 2007 05:28:05 AM
I have had a number of phone sales with my site on Ruby Lane. All of them have been people who wanted to charge through me and not use paypal.
Bill this is an interesting thread thanks for starting it. I have been giving some thought to opening a Vendio store. This conversation tells me a few more things I didn't know about how to make money for me,if I decide to do that.Like you,I too have been inspired by Fluffys blogging success. My problem is I know a little bit about a lot of stuff.. or as they say enough to be dangerous. Finding a blog subject is a stumbling block for me.
posted on December 22, 2007 05:54:16 AM
bonnie - you could start with publishing your daily epistles to "You-Know-Who". I guess that might alienate some customers though.
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posted on December 23, 2007 11:31:49 AM
Perhaps you should consider a store at stampwants.com. The stores are 3.95/mo and store listings < 9.99 are free. It's reasonable for a store and there is a concentration of stamp collectors already present.
