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| Checking Out Overstock.com Auctions |
| 09.29.04 (5:41 am) |
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by Genia V. Stevens During a regular check of the TheAuctionBoard's forum today, I read an announcement that Overstock.com had launched an online auction. I once visited Overstock.com regularly to look for great bargains, but once the eBay bug (I like to call it a virus) began to spread, I abandoned Overstock.com like so many others. Even though the online auction is new, I joined and provided the necessary credit card information to become a buyer or seller. After registering, I started poking around the forum and read the "How Did You Hear About Overstock Auctions?" thread. I immediately noticed that Overstock.com has taken huge advantage of their mailing lists. According to comments on the forum, company employees are calling Overstock customers to announce the opening of their auction site. Many of the forum members mention receiving an email from Overstock.com, then forwarding that email on to a friend. Several forum members mentioned hearing about Overstock.com's new auction on other online auction forums. There are several advantages Overstock has that the many failed eBay alternatives did not have. Brand recognition is a huge advantage. Overstock.com has developed its brand name, and very well I might add. The general public recognizes Overstock.com as a company with a solid foundation -- one that was established in 1999 and is traded on the NASDAQ. In addition, Overstock.com receives more daily website traffic than most new eBay alternatives receive in one month. All these variables will not automatically translate to success for Overstock.com; however, they certainly help move the company's online auction in the right direction. To learn more, visit: auction.overstock.com Permalink |
| 0 Comments |
| Direct-to-Bank Service Speeds BidPay Transactions |
| 09.27.04 (4:47 pm) |
 BidPay, formerly known as Western Union Auction Payments, has introduced a new service that will speed up payment transactions for auction sellers in the US. BidPay's new direct-to-bank service offers a fast, free, and reliable way for sellers to have payments sent directly to their checking account. Buyers can use their debit or credit card to make payments, and sellers will receive the funds in approximately 3 business days. Both the buyer and seller will receive notification via email once the payment transaction is complete. To learn more, visit bidpay.com Permalink |
| 0 Comments |
| Ooops! |
| 09.21.04 (11:06 am) |
 That's a little tacky considering the recent hurricanes that have resulted in quite a few deaths -- at least 500 dead in Haiti and over 50 here in the US. [i]posted by Genia V. Stevens[/i] Permalink |
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| City of Portland's eBay Account Blemished |
| 09.19.04 (12:38 pm) |
Oregonlive.com reported:
Read more: oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1095508791 276280.xml [i]posted by Genia V. Stevens[/i] Permalink |
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| Lack of Profit Using Wholesalers |
| 09.16.04 (8:38 am) |
A new member of our auction forum said:I tried listing [SMC's] products on Ebay but I was not making any profit because of all of [eBay's] fees that I had to pay. There is also a lot of people on Ebay selling SMC products at much lower prices than I can. I really cannot figure out how they can mark these products down so low without losing money. Was it really the listing fees alone that caused your lack of profit? It's difficult to determine without knowing: 1. What products you were selling 2. What your listing looked like (text, wording of the ad, misspelled words, too many graphics, etc) 3. Customer service policy 4. Payment policies 5. Shipping costs 6. Feedback rating All these things can factor into what your bottom line looks like. Throw in the added variables (listing fees and PayPal fees), and you have so many variables to isolate before you can reasonably determine the problem. One of these days, I will come up with a regression equation that helps eBay sellers better isolate where their lack of profit problem comes from. In the meantime, maybe some really smart (and bored) statistician would like to do that and send it in! In a related thread on the forum, members discussed the difficulty in finding quality products through wholesalers at a price-point sellers can work with and remain profitable. One member stated, "find some capitol. dropshipping will get you nowhere." Another member stated, "I always mark things up 50% inlcuding dropship fees if applicable. We are sitting at a 21% profit margin right now (still trying to get mistakes out of the system) but that is not bad for having no inventory." Some sellers do well with wholesale and dropship services, others don't fare so well. [i]posted by Genia V. Stevens[/i] Permalink |
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| KKK Suit on eBay: Where's the Consistency in Policy Enforcement? |
| 09.13.04 (9:34 pm) |
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by Genia V. Stevens Recently, Ben Kennedy complained that eBay banned his book "Why Is America So FAT?" -- a book that criticizes the pharmaceutical industry for causing the obesity epidemic. eBay has often banned material the company deems politically motivated. The company even has a policy that states "eBay will judiciously disallow listings or items that promote or glorify hatred, violence, or racial intolerance, or items that promote organizations (such as the KKK, Nazis, neo-Nazis, and Aryan Nation) with such views. For example, eBay will generally remove items that bear the marks of such organizations, such as relics from the KKK or Nazi helmets." See Protected & Restricted Items: Offensive Material. So, why is it that I found a listing for a full KKK suit on eBay? This item is on eBay, however, in October 2003, eBay halted a listing for a Schwarzenegger shrine -- repeatedly -- stating it best belonged in the Mature section. In July 2003, eBay banned the Axis of Weasles Art Cards. According to an article on Cnet News, in May 2001, eBay announced it would no longer allow the sale of hate items. Unless my eyes deceive me, I do believe this is a KKK outfit:  Larger pictures are available on the KKK listing. So, where's the consistency when it comes to enforcing listing policies on eBay? Or, does eBay rely soley on the tattle-tale habits of eBay members acting as non-paid police? If that's the case, I'm really bothered that people complained about Kennedy's book, but no one has complained about this KKK suit -- yet. Permalink |
| 0 Comments |
| eBay Bans "Why is America So Fat?" |
| 09.10.04 (1:17 pm) |
Definitely worth noting:LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The controversial new book "Why Is America So FAT?", which criticizes the pharmaceutical industry for causing the obesity epidemic, has been banned by online auction company eBay. Auctions listed for the book by Internet retailer InterNutrition.com were repeatedly cancelled by eBay with the only explanation being that the auctions violated eBay's guidelines. Despite three separate auction listing attempts along with several emails sent to eBay explaining that the item for sale was only a book, eBay responded by suspending the auction account used to list the book which effectively bans sales of the book on eBay. Read more at: eBay Bans Book `Why Is America So FAT?', According to Author Ben Kennedy [i]posted by Genia V. Stevens[/i] Permalink |
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| What's In Online Auction News: September 10, 2004 |
| 09.10.04 (10:11 am) |
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National Public Radio is having its first ever online auction. Head on over and preview items until September 13, 2004. The auction opens on September 14, 2004. Now golfers can buy and sell golf related products/services in a marketplace just for them. Click4Golf.com has launched an auction site that allows golfers to trade with other golfers in a targeted market. Popular eBay art seller CashArtStudio makes its move to the newest online art auction ArtByUs.com. CashArtStudio hopes to channel visitors to ArtByUs and increase their own visibility in a targeted market. Dick Cheney has made eBay an election issue. Vice President Dick Cheney says eBay sellers should be taken into consideration when looking into the nation's unemployment rate. Permalink |
| 0 Comments |
| SkyBound Offers Free Auction Chat |
| 09.06.04 (8:59 pm) |
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If you're a part-time seller who can't justify the cost of paying for the ability to chat occassionally with a customer a few times a month, Skybound is now offering its popular MeetPoint auction chat program for free. Free users can chat with up to 30 unique customers a month, subscribing to a higher tier later if necessary. If you still haven't given the program a try, visit skybound.ca/meetpoint and take a look around. [i]posted by Genia V. Stevens[/i] Permalink |
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| Anamosa Arts & Antiques, Ltd |
| 09.05.04 (10:59 am) |
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I found a very nice antiques mall (shop, place, store?) during last week's wanderings. Anamosa is located across the street from the Roscoe Antique Mall. I received a much warmer reception and the atmosphere itself reminded me of an old flea market. While walking around, I saw so many finds that made me wish I was an eBay collectibles seller: antique lunch boxes (some with book values over $100), old political campaign posters from the 60s, and many collectible Barbie dolls (Disney characters) still in the box. So much to see, so little time. The gentleman I spoke with explained that there was at least 100 dealers operating from Anamosa. So, if you're ever close enough, stop by and check them out: Anamosa Arts & Antiques, Ltd 1020 Gardner St. South Beloit, IL 61080 815-389-1679 (approximately 90 miles from Chicago O'hare -- off Interstate 90) Oh, one more thing. I found a great antique lighter at a smaller antique shop later in the day. This eBay seller didn't want a mention (for personal reasons). I just wanted to let her know that my girlfriend loves the lighter. It works like a charm! [i]posted by Genia V. Stevens[/i] Permalink |
| 0 Comments |
| US Shipping Offers eBay Drop-Off Service in Beloit, WI |
| 09.04.04 (7:34 am) |
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by Genia V. Stevens I couldn't believe my eyes. In my town of 32,000 people (plus some change) there's an eBay drop-off service. Located at 16515 Copeland Avenue, US Shipping added eBay drop-off services in July to its list of friendly conveniences. Customers who wish to use this service pay a $5 nonrefundable listing fee and eBay's insertion fee when they drop off the item they wish to sell. If the item sells, eBay's final value fee and US Shipping's 15% Final Selling Price is deducted from the item's final value. The remainder is given to the customer in the form of a check. To view US Shipping's current items, please visit: US Shipping Center on eBay. Contact: usshippincenter@sbcglobal .net. 608-365-SHIP Permalink |
| 0 Comments |
| Thumbs Down, Roscoe Antique Mall |
| 09.01.04 (12:15 pm) |
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I had breakfast with a couple of friends this morning, and while paying my check, I saw a flyer for the Roscoe Antique Mall (as of this posting, their website is down). I figured I'd stop in and give the place a look. Antique malls are popping up all over my little area of the world, so I thought it would be interesting to see how many of the vendors were willing to sell to buyers outside of the Southern, WI/Northern, IL area. After a very brief conversation with the owner of the establishment (in front of at least 6 witnesses), the owner accused me of "recruiting" his vendors for my own establishment and replied with, "we don't want it," when I told him I was simply providing his business with a little online publicity. So, I'm off to check out the other antique malls in the area. I've had a bad start, but I'm hoping for a better ending. [i]posted by Genia V. Stevens[/i] Permalink |
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| Articles Marketing Partners: Tag-Team Your Way To Success by Genia V. Stevens Due to the rise in eBay sellers -- approximately 60 million -- many auction sellers are finding it increasingly difficult to sell their products and services through the largest online auction house. Creating a promotional alliance with other websites and auction sellers could be the key to your success. Partnership Offers: If you sell CDs, consider partnering with an auction seller who sells home stereo equipment. You could also consider partnering with a seller who sells DVD players, TVs, or even MP3 players. Here are some examples of a partnership offer Read more . . . Auction Advertising: Taking a Closer Look by Genia V. Stevens If you sell on eBay or any other online auction site, you're probably always open for suggestions about how to make your product visible to potential buyers. If you sell TVs, you're probably one of thousands of sellers who do. So what could make you different from other sellers? Consistent marketing. Many sellers who buy advertising don't really understand how important consistency is to their marketing strategy. Marketing is an investment; It's an investment into the success of your business. Read more . . . Marketing Your About Me Page by Genia V. Stevens Many online auction houses offer their sellers a mini-website which can be used to introduce their products and services to potential buyers. This mini-website is called the About Me page on most online auction sites. Productive use of this mini-website could mean generous revenue for the smart auction seller. Auction sellers who wish to use their About Me page as part of their marketing strategy, should ensure the following criteria are met Read more . . . Free Online Auction Tools by Genia V. Stevens Managing an online auction business is no simple task. Serious sellers may find that the cost of running an online auction business exceeds their expectations. Free auction tools help sellers minimize expenses, maximize profit, and manage the selling process. Read more . . . Auction Business Management Made Almost Easy by Genia V. Stevens You may have searched the internet for auction resources only to find yourself experiencing information-overload -- one website after another claiming to provide the absolute best information you'll ever need to run your online auction business. Every company claims superiority; but, how do you pick the right one for you? Read more . . . The www and Your Google Pagerank by Genia V. Stevens I sold a text link to one of my advertising clients on TheAuctionBoard's main page. My auction ad stated that my website's main page had a Google pagerank (PR) of 6. After the client was informed that his link had been placed, he visited my website to verify the placement, and responded with this: When looking at your website it is showing me a 0 PR. Can you explain this or clarify the error? Read more . . . |