03-20-2007, 04:26 PM
NJR,
In reply to some of your questions.
1) "I use my auctions to drive traffic to my stores." I do this several ways. First off, I use auctions as "loss leaders," to drive traffic into my site. Buyers are attracted to a quality item at a very inexpensive price. Once there, I try to lure buyers to other items available. For example, I sell apparel and shoes. The auction might be for a pretty dress, but I might also include a picture of the matching shoes and tell buyers the shoes are available in my store. Or maybe I have a pair of pants paired with a pretty blouse. The auction is for the pants, but the blouse is for sale in the store. And, I make a point of telling buyers that I give substantial shipping discounts on multiple purchase shipments (further incentive to keep shopping). I also have the showcase on top of my listings, which is a "slide show" of other listings that scrolls across. This is something I get from Auctiva for free.
2) On Templates: The listing is to showcase the item available, not to get buyers all caught up in design elements that might be incorporated in a template. For that reason, I keep my templates very plain, neutral and consistent. It gives my store a "look", as opposed to flowering up the item listing with lots of stuff that's distracting. Every now and then I'll pick a template with a shamrock (for example) to emphasize the item is for St. Pat's Day.
3) BIN can be used for core listings, not just store listings. These are called "fixed price" listings. I use them sparingly, and from what I understand, they work best for sellers who have multiples of the same item. You can always put a BIN option on any auction, if you want. There are reasons pro and con about this, but if I were you, I would just keep it simple for now, with auctions and store listings.
4) Regarding "best offer" listings. I do have "best offer" options on some of my listings, but don't use it much. Often buyers, will see "best offer" and figure the item is simply overpriced to begin with, so will totally low-ball in the offer at half or less than your listing price, just to run it up the flag pole and see if they get a salute. Also, I've discovered, that if a buyer sees "best offer" on some listings, that buyer will try to low-ball offer on others that don't have the option, thinking you're a desparate seller, and easy target and you might take it anyway. Or the buyer will try to get you to agree to free shipping or some other "non-negotiable" part of the transaction. I hate it when buyers try to nickle and dime me. It has been my experience that fixed prices that are competitive, offer superior value for the item and are non-negotiable work best -- at least for me. Â Â
5) The needlework items go to Etsy. If I were you, I wouldn't even bother putting them on eBay. Not that they wouldn't sell, but you have other stuff that's suitable that will keep you quite busy. Etsy has established a crafting niche, and I believe such items as this would probably sell better there. Â
6) Calendars: If I were you and I had a store, I would be inclined to put them in the Collectible category under animals, or Toys and Games under Teddy Bears, for example. Often buyers will purchase dated calenders for the pictures and use them as craft projects, etc. This gives you item more "shelf life", so-to-speak.
7) Turbo lister: I tried to use it and couldn't. The learning curve was too much to make it worth my while. From my experience, it seemed to work better for sellers who had multiple, same-type items. Others here can probably give you more advice on this feature.
Just one more thing. Since your inventory is so varied, you might want to rename your store Nancy's Curiosities, or Nancy's This n That, or some such. I'd keep the crafts separate and create a unique presence for those items in Crafty Nancy or some such name.
So, go gal! You're now free to be YOU! No more BS and dopey dancing bunnies.
In reply to some of your questions.
1) "I use my auctions to drive traffic to my stores." I do this several ways. First off, I use auctions as "loss leaders," to drive traffic into my site. Buyers are attracted to a quality item at a very inexpensive price. Once there, I try to lure buyers to other items available. For example, I sell apparel and shoes. The auction might be for a pretty dress, but I might also include a picture of the matching shoes and tell buyers the shoes are available in my store. Or maybe I have a pair of pants paired with a pretty blouse. The auction is for the pants, but the blouse is for sale in the store. And, I make a point of telling buyers that I give substantial shipping discounts on multiple purchase shipments (further incentive to keep shopping). I also have the showcase on top of my listings, which is a "slide show" of other listings that scrolls across. This is something I get from Auctiva for free.
2) On Templates: The listing is to showcase the item available, not to get buyers all caught up in design elements that might be incorporated in a template. For that reason, I keep my templates very plain, neutral and consistent. It gives my store a "look", as opposed to flowering up the item listing with lots of stuff that's distracting. Every now and then I'll pick a template with a shamrock (for example) to emphasize the item is for St. Pat's Day.
3) BIN can be used for core listings, not just store listings. These are called "fixed price" listings. I use them sparingly, and from what I understand, they work best for sellers who have multiples of the same item. You can always put a BIN option on any auction, if you want. There are reasons pro and con about this, but if I were you, I would just keep it simple for now, with auctions and store listings.
4) Regarding "best offer" listings. I do have "best offer" options on some of my listings, but don't use it much. Often buyers, will see "best offer" and figure the item is simply overpriced to begin with, so will totally low-ball in the offer at half or less than your listing price, just to run it up the flag pole and see if they get a salute. Also, I've discovered, that if a buyer sees "best offer" on some listings, that buyer will try to low-ball offer on others that don't have the option, thinking you're a desparate seller, and easy target and you might take it anyway. Or the buyer will try to get you to agree to free shipping or some other "non-negotiable" part of the transaction. I hate it when buyers try to nickle and dime me. It has been my experience that fixed prices that are competitive, offer superior value for the item and are non-negotiable work best -- at least for me. Â Â
5) The needlework items go to Etsy. If I were you, I wouldn't even bother putting them on eBay. Not that they wouldn't sell, but you have other stuff that's suitable that will keep you quite busy. Etsy has established a crafting niche, and I believe such items as this would probably sell better there. Â
6) Calendars: If I were you and I had a store, I would be inclined to put them in the Collectible category under animals, or Toys and Games under Teddy Bears, for example. Often buyers will purchase dated calenders for the pictures and use them as craft projects, etc. This gives you item more "shelf life", so-to-speak.
7) Turbo lister: I tried to use it and couldn't. The learning curve was too much to make it worth my while. From my experience, it seemed to work better for sellers who had multiple, same-type items. Others here can probably give you more advice on this feature.
Just one more thing. Since your inventory is so varied, you might want to rename your store Nancy's Curiosities, or Nancy's This n That, or some such. I'd keep the crafts separate and create a unique presence for those items in Crafty Nancy or some such name.
So, go gal! You're now free to be YOU! No more BS and dopey dancing bunnies.