posted on June 20, 2010 07:55:06 PM
Can the same unique item be listed as BIN on eBay and another website not related to eBay (and not redirected to eBay checkout) simultaneously? I know it would require work to end the listings on other websites when the item sells. I assume it's not eBay legal, but I think I remember Ruby Lane found a way to do it.
posted on June 20, 2010 08:40:04 PM
I think Rubylane allows you to put the item in the back storage when it is listed on Ebay.
This may be OT,but AMZN does not like a bookseller who keeps his listing on AMZN marketplace and then sold it elsewhere and forget to remove the listing.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on June 20, 2010 09:04:07 PM
You are free to list your item at any number of sites. The only policy is that you agree not to price an item for less at any other site.
As to inventory control for an unique item - I am unaware of any that exists between sites.
Perhaps it is time to develop your own store - then list select items at other sites.
posted on June 20, 2010 10:19:46 PM
Once or twice I've tried listing a book on Amazon and simultaneously on eBay (ending 7 days). It's hard to keep track of things that way, and if you've sold a book on eBay but forgot to take it off Amazon, and if then someone wants to buy that book and is disappointed, he/she is still able to leave feedback for that "sale"--and sometimes that feedback can hurt your record on Amazon.
I know there are sellers who do this all the time, listing in two places, but the bookkeeping must be horrendous.
posted on June 21, 2010 06:05:52 AM
You are free to list your item at any number of sites. The only policy is that you agree not to price an item for less at any other site.
////////////////////////
who is enforcing this policy?
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
posted on June 21, 2010 07:39:41 AM
There are a number of services (Vendio competitors) that facilitate multichannel selling. Believe me, plenty of people do it.
Even booksellers list on Amazon and other sites simultaneously. I've just gotten into selling books as a hobby -- it's really fun. I don't think I can handle more than one bookselling marketplace just yet.
posted on June 21, 2010 09:17:09 AM
I'm a firm disbeliever in the benefits of multichannel marketing. The only winner is the third party multichannel providers, and the sites that the items are listed at.
The third party providers earn their fees, while the multichannel sites receive the benefit of inventory that might not be displayed, and earn their fees if any. Meanwhile the seller who might not have adequate variety and/or inventory for multichannel selling will present a watered down image.
Best bet for your money - purchase a Domain, pick a free site to redirect the name to, fill your store (to the brim with items falling off the shelves), learn SEO, establish your brand. Then purchase Yahoo and Google ads if you can afford to do so. Use the eBays, Amazons, eCraters, Bonanzels, and whatevers of the internet as flea markets, or stamp/postcard shows. After you establish your store, and brand.
Google has already indicated the free sites it will place high in search - use one of them. Just do not count on sales from the other sellers on those sites. Build your own customer base.
Over the years, I've noticed that many if not most of us who use this board sell by auction. It's almost a way of life. The continual eBay changes have almost destroyed your way of selling. Further, there appears to be no replacement.
Apparently, there is more disruption on the way. I feel sorry for all of you that sell by auction - especially those who do so on eBay.
posted on June 21, 2010 10:35:49 AM
Ruby Lane has a send to eBay auction feature.
From Ruby Lane - "This free feature allows active, open Ruby Lane shop owners to seamlessly send items from their Ruby Lane shop directly to any number of online auctions with a few clicks. We format your auction listing, host your picture, and put a link back to your Ruby Lane shop for you automatically. The item stays in your shop and in our Lane Searches (limited to 5) while at auction, but instead of an Add to Shopping Bag link, there is a link to your auction listing at the auction site. "
"While your item is at auction, no purchase orders can be made through your Ruby Lane shop for the item.. "
Apparently, your item remains visible at Ruby Lane, and the buyer is redirected to eBay for the purchase. Eyes are on your item at both Ruby Lane and eBay.
posted on June 21, 2010 11:21:23 AM
Ruby Lane fee structure is 20.00 per month advertising fee, plus maintenance fee minimum 15.00 (decreasing sliding scale with number of items). So minimum 35. per month (plus initial 75.00 setup fee.
Biggest benefit here over eBay is no final value fee if sold via Ruby Lane (and the fact that more and more want to pay via check).
posted on June 21, 2010 01:52:10 PM
Well, Bill, you don't get any huge argument from me. Many of my PeSA brethren are multichannel sellers -- they have to be, to keep cash rolling in. If they had the luxury of being able to focus on their websites, I doubt they'd need eBayazon any more.
But it's not an easy task, not nearly as easy as filling Amazon orders.
It is an incredibly time-consuming and arduous task to build a cash-machine website. Unless it is based on a concept that goes instantly viral like my personal favorite, Fiverr, you're pushing a boulder uphill.
Worth it, though. A friend of mine is planning to sell his site in 2012 and figures he'll get $3 to $4 million for it. Then he moves on to his next boulder-pushing project.
posted on June 21, 2010 04:32:52 PM
One of the bookseller assoc,cant recall their name right now,will for a fee list your books on various sites,but for AMZN and Barnes and Noble,you have to apply to be their seller first.
I am doing quite well with my Ebay store,stuff which sat on my own site for years are sold for a good profit.
*
There is no 'Global savings glut',only wild horses and loose bankers.
[ edited by hwahwa on Jun 21, 2010 06:32 PM ]
posted on June 21, 2010 09:49:10 PM
Bill, have you ever explored Delcampe? I discovered it a few years ago, when it was still primarily a non-US (Belgian?) stamp site. When it established a US site, with a strong postcard category, eBay's largest postcard seller moved his inventory there. He was optimistic, but it took over 16 months before I started hearing Delcampe from local collectors. This weekend, 3 local collectors asked me why I don't list on Delcampe. I found they have an eBay listing to Delcampe listing converter. I find Delcampe has 18 million current postcard listings worldwide vs eBay's 1.6 million US listings. Missing are the listing fees, ridiculous low starting prices and high store buy-in (I think the most you pay for the top tier is $60 per year. Now that Delcampe has become an almost household word among my local collectors, I think there is a viable alternative stamp/postcard/coins venue to upset eBay's hold on the market.
[ edited by pixiamom on Jun 21, 2010 09:55 PM ]
posted on June 21, 2010 10:16:10 PM
pixiamom, I have about 150 items listed at DelCampe. I consider my items listed there as being at a stamp show.
I really like the site. Real easy to list items, no cost to list and very low FVFs. I have the Gold Membership ($60/year), and use Moneybookers, PayPal, and Credit Cards at the site. Great exposure for global sales.
There has been continual update of the site, because of explosive growth. I suspect the growth has been at eBays's expense.
I think your items would be a good fit at DelCampe.
posted on June 22, 2010 08:40:45 AM
Bill- "The only policy is that you agree not to price an item for less at any other site."
I was unaware of that policy. Seems stupid considering the fact we have fees to cover and each site is different. I sell items locally for less than what I do online. Mainly because of fees and demand for such items are generally lower in a small local market vs. eBay's international market. I also don't have to spend time listing, packing, and shipping with local sales.
I also sell a few items through our own site for less because of the outrageous fees I am charged by eBay.
Apparently, selling on ebay just isn't good enough anymore that they have to regulate what you sell outside of their venue.
posted on June 24, 2010 10:17:01 AM new
This was found at the bidStart formerly StampWants site -
"Currently have fixed price or store items listed on ebay?
Then you can easily import your existing items from ebay to bidStart! All you need to do is fill out the form below. We can even automatically add new items you list on ebay to your bidStart store, as well as remove items from your bidStart store when they sell or end on ebay, and remove items sold on bidStart from ebay! (Currently only single quantity items on ebay will be ended) Note: Auction items can not be imported."
Items will then be displayed at both sites - eBay, and bidStart.
