posted on December 5, 2000 12:56:01 PM new
Well it is almost that time of year to fold up my tent and steal away from the auction business till after December 25th.
Having been on line over 5 years, we finally got smart last year and closed down everything except our web site on December 11th. This year we were going to keep things running through the 15th, but today did it - too many customers wanting things yesterday, packages getting lost, endless e-mail's with stupid questions - when the buyers start getting frantic, I find we do better to shut down till after Christmas.
We do our strongest business from December 26 through April, so I don't particularly care if I'm not selling for the next few weeks. Hysterical customers aren't my cup of tea. Many seem to think we accompany the package all the way to their house - you know, like how am I suppose to know where a package is that I shipped last week, even though it was insured??? If it were just a couple of this type of buyer, but experience has taught us, it only gets worse and worse, and just isn't worth the effort or the stress - after December 25th, everybody is laid back again, customers are again happy campers, with a reasonable amount of intelligence and patience - and we can all have happy transactions.
So, as our auctions run out now, they will stay down till December 26th, except for some smalls which will be accompanied with an ad that there is no guarantee that they will arrive by Christmas (just to be safe). Greed use to drive me to work up to the last moment, but last year was so great when I decided to shut down on December 11th, that when I saw the Christmas panic virus starting again in the last few days - I told my husband that I was going to close down.
My main packer who is on salary + commission, doesn't particularly like it, but she is sweet, and she understands that she isn't the one answering the mail, or being sent endless e-mails from people who bought yesterday and want to know where their item is today. Her Christmas bonus makes up for the shut down time, and keeps us both happy.
posted on December 5, 2000 01:32:35 PM new
I hope you enjoy your Christmas break! I have a collectibles store too so I rely on my Christmas sales there also. My auction sales have been picking up a little the last couple of days. I hope it continues!
"If man were to be crossed with a cat, it would greatly improve the man, but deteriorate the cat." Mark Twain
posted on December 5, 2000 02:19:34 PM new
Greed is not my motive for hanging on and continueing to sell. Paying the bills is and also the postage increase the first of the year. If sales die even worse because of the postage increase, I wanna get as much of this stuff outta here before it goes into effect that I can.
posted on December 5, 2000 02:41:01 PM new
I was going to shut down for the holidays too, but I have a contract with the Teamsters. I have to pay them whether the trucks are moving, or not.
[ edited by CharlieOne on Dec 5, 2000 02:41 PM ]
posted on December 5, 2000 09:21:28 PM new
Christmas has been a great time for me to unload things that didn't sell all year, plus at good profits. Plus the volume of sales are up, so I guess I'll put up with these uptight shoppers. I'm putting the money into upgrades to my sytem which help me become more effiecent.
posted on December 5, 2000 09:24:31 PM new
Charlie
I have a contract with UPS too, which I have to pay for daily pick ups, whether or not I have anything to ship, but I am sure we will have enough minor stuff going out to keep our minimum filled - but outside of that, I feel it is best to retire till after the Christmas storm has passed - I'll be refreshed (after years of this, one does need time to recharge their batteries), and I am not too concerned about the postal increase as we only ship very small things via the post office - most of the rest of our pieces go UPS, as when one considers the insurance included it is usually less costly on item over 6 pounds......and people want things regardless of postal increases -
I know it is "burn out" time when I could care less about the next sale, and cringe every time I see another incoming e-mail.
I'll use this time to learn new programs, adjust inventory, try to upgrade our packing department, create new ads and such. I don't plan to watch Ophra and pop Bon Bons - but just stay off the auctions and away from buyers (I love my buyers) but when buyers start getting crazy and wanting items the evening of the day they paid, it is time for me to get out of Dodge!
Best of wishes to those of you staying in the Christmas battle zone!
posted on December 5, 2000 09:37:06 PM new
Christmas has been a great time for me to unload things that didn't sell all year, plus at good profits. Plus the volume of sales are up, so I guess I'll put up with these uptight shoppers. I'm putting the money into upgrades to my sytem which help me become more effiecent.
posted on December 6, 2000 12:55:20 AM new
hear you there
I'm shutting down for a month to straighten up my auctions because lately, I've been reposting the auctions that have been already sold
posted on December 6, 2000 11:52:19 AM new
Probably a smart move-- re-group, etc. during the holidays----Felice Navidas!!
Would have been a smart move for Yahoo to ask Santa to give us all a Xmas present like a
A N N O U N C E M E N T B O A R D !!!
and D E C E N T S U P P O R T SYSTEM!
Do they actually think we are willing to pay prices for the "Future Feature Fees" coming soon-------with the type of listing and support system they offer??
It has gotten similar to auctioning in braille--- wondering if anything gets seen, read, or acknowledged
However- I did notice that when my listing sells through Paydirect --SHAZAAM!! Perfect communication............funny,huh?
I did notice that when my listing sells through Paydirect --SHAZAAM!! Perfect communication............funny,huh? 