Wagglepop 2: Deja Vu as Auction Site That Left Sellers Stranded Reopens

[eclectica]

[quote author=PowerSeller]As long as I'm disabled and have a child with major special needs (who will eventually become an adult with major special needs), and I have no help at all, I will remain a relatively low volume seller. [/quote]

Allison, don't limit yourself. You and I had a private conversation awhile back about this. If YOU believe you can do it, you can. If you believe you can't do it, then you can't. If you continually box yourself into a corner with thoughts like this, then you're right... you'll always be a low volume seller.

I really think you should take BBH's advice to heart. He's spot on and has a lot of experience in this arena. In fact, the very people you continue to rail against here ALL have experience in this. Ever noticed you are being offered advice despite some of the angry things you've said? Yep, we're just a bunch of meanies.

Instead of trying to insinuate we're idiots for missing the Grand WP opportunity, why not take some advice from people that do this for a living. Maybe in time you'll realize that we actually knew what we were talking about all along.

[quote author=sneakymagenta link=topic=3775.msg72056#msg72056 date=1219474863]
Gold PS equivalent online sales- Eclectica <---doesn't sell on WP
Platinum PS equivalent online sales- jealous types Maggie, BBH/Amy, Truth, moi <---doesn't sell on WP
Titanium PS equivalent online sales- miscreant Valleygirl <---has never sold on WP or Ebay[/quote]


Actually, it's Platinum equivalent since March. And NO it wasn't due to the addition of a brand, spanking new WP store. 

[xwpopper]

[quote author=PowerSeller link=topic=3775.msg72083#msg72083 date=1219548461]
Understood, but the advertising is all there for a reason.  Because I am disabled and have other challenges beyond that, basic things that sellers have to do like physically handling inventory, packing, shipping, etc. are very hard for me to do much of.  That's why I'm trying to add in other streams of income with the advertising, affiliate stuff, dropship stuff, etc. in addition to what I can physically handle myself.  I'm aware that it needs tons more work including many more products and categories.  But thank you for taking a look, and I appreciate suggestions even though I won't always follow them.

I also need to figure out how to change the page titles (like to match the item titles).  That's a big oops now.
[/quote]

Here's what I see when I visit a site that has ads... A site that doesn't want me to shop there. And even if a customer clicks on that ad, you have lost a customer forever. They will never remember the site they clicked the ad on, but they will sure as heck remember the site they bought from. Just me, personally, I would have a banner to my eBay feedback, as well as Wagglepop feedback if you wanted, in the main content section and that's it. That way, if they do leave the site from a link, they are leaving from you to you. Plus it allows them to see that you are a reliable seller, which you are. I also understand the shipping problems, but if you are able to ship as much as you sell on Wagglepop then you would only be transferring sales from one to the other. Even then, I would make sure every link opened in a new window.

I have a pretty good understanding of OSC, and so do many people here, and I know just from seeing the site that you aren't taking full advantage of it's capabilities. The mods are a little tough to install, but they aren't too bad. You could add RSS feeds ad submit them everywhere, your own affiliate program, as well as a few other "spice-up" mods and really start adding products, and you would be greatly surprised. After all, it wouldn't be a ton of work to get it running since you have a full catalog to copy from Wagglepop. But, when you have 1,000 listed on Wagglepop, and just 47 listed on your site, that makes it clear that your site isn't really being used to it's potential.

You should really read TCH, and look at the info The Pet Guy posts to see how his business is booming. I remember him on Wagglepop as well, and remember he left saying he sold absolutely nothing in months. Now, his business is thriving with just eBay and his sites. Imagine what could happen to yours, if it is already doing fairly well? You obviously know how to market the WP store, and get people to shop there even with all the phone verification and invoicing handicaps, so imagine how terrific it could be without those?

Just my quick thoughts. The site looks pretty good, but can be so much better for you.

[PowerSeller]

[quote author=eclectica link=topic=3775.msg72089#msg72089 date=1219586795]
[quote author=PowerSeller]As long as I'm disabled and have a child with major special needs (who will eventually become an adult with major special needs), and I have no help at all, I will remain a relatively low volume seller. [/quote]

Allison, don't limit yourself. You and I had a private conversation awhile back about this. If YOU believe you can do it, you can. If you believe you can't do it, then you can't. If you continually box yourself into a corner with thoughts like this, then you're right... you'll always be a low volume seller.[/quote]

Thank you, but I posted that in the context that it wasn't reasonable for Sneaky to try to compare my sales volume to the sales volume of people who have drastically different life circumstances, and can put full time hours into this and /or have business partners.

[PowerSeller]

[quote author=xwpopper link=topic=3775.msg72091#msg72091 date=1219593673]
I also understand the shipping problems, but if you are able to ship as much as you sell on Wagglepop then you would only be transferring sales from one to the other.[/quote]

I don't want to be transferring sales from one to the other.  I need to add in new streams of income that are not so labor-intensive.  I'm not really 'able' to handle my current workload, but do it because I have to do it.

I have a pretty good understanding of OSC, and so do many people here, and I know just from seeing the site that you aren't taking full advantage of it's capabilities. The mods are a little tough to install, but they aren't too bad. You could add RSS feeds ad submit them everywhere, your own affiliate program, as well as a few other "spice-up" mods and really start adding products, and you would be greatly surprised. After all, it wouldn't be a ton of work to get it running since you have a full catalog to copy from Wagglepop. But, when you have 1,000 listed on Wagglepop, and just 47 listed on your site, that makes it clear that your site isn't really being used to it's potential.

Well sure, it isn't really being used to it's potential because it's still in the early stages of being built.  None of this is easy for me, and it is a lot work that has to be done a little bit at a time over a long period of time.  I'm not just copying the Wagglepop store.  I'm working to create a focused and comprehensive category-oriented site.

You should really read TCH, and look at the info The Pet Guy posts to see how his business is booming. I remember him on Wagglepop as well, and remember he left saying he sold absolutely nothing in months. Now, his business is thriving with just eBay and his sites. Imagine what could happen to yours, if it is already doing fairly well?

I've read The Pet Guy's posts and am glad that he's doing well (some of that is because he pays for AdWords).  However, if he'd stayed on WP, his WP store would now be very far outperforming his eBay store and with a very small fraction of the fees.  And I do know that he didn't sell "abolutely nothing" on Wagglepop since I personally bought well over $200. worth of products from him.  It was a little disconcerting to see my hard-earned money brushed off as "absolutely nothing".  The only reason why he didn't see more sales on WP is because WP sales come primarily through Google exposure, and he started delisting his items before the store even had a chance of being indexed in Google, let alone build up rank.

You obviously know how to market the WP store, and get people to shop there even with all the phone verification and invoicing handicaps, so imagine how terrific it could be without those?

Contrarywise, I'm not good at marketing, don't want to spend money on it, and have only spent real time doing it for my website, not the WP store.  Wagglepop is a very easy site to get profitable sales on.  The main requirements are showing up, listing stuff, KEEPING it listed, and not neglecting obvious mistakes like writing ineffective listing titles, etc.

Just my quick thoughts. The site looks pretty good, but can be so much better for you.

Thank you, I think it's an OK start.  There are definitely worse looking websites on the internet.  It will get better over time.  Should be able to make some good progress within the next month, but will really need years to make everything come together.  Not that it will ever be finished, because there will always be new ideas to try.......

[sneakymagenta]

[quote author=eclectica link=topic=3775.msg72089#msg72089 date=1219586795]
Actually, it's Platinum equivalent since March. And NO it wasn't due to the addition of a brand, spanking new WP store. 
[/quote]

Welcome to the Jealous Board Whiners Whose Sales Are Greater Than Waggleplop's Monthly GMV Club!

it wasn't reasonable for Sneaky to try to compare my sales volume to the sales volume of people who have drastically different life circumstances

I agree and that's why I'm now comparing the sales of individual jealous board whiners to Wagglepop's monthly GMV.  tolensmiley:

[b]The Jealous Board Whiners Whose Sales Are Greater Than Waggleplop's Monthly GMV Club
Maggie, BBH/Amy, Truth, Valleygirl, Eclectica, moi

Here's what I see when I visit a site that has ads... A site that doesn't want me to shop there. And even if a customer clicks on that ad, you have lost a customer forever.

:ditto:

, if he'd stayed on WP, his WP store would now be very far outperforming his eBay store

: : : :

[PowerSeller]

[quote author=sneakymagenta link=topic=3775.msg72095#msg72095 date=1219601832]
I agree and that's why I'm now comparing the sales of individual jealous board whiners to Wagglepop's monthly GMV.[/quote]

And how would you have a clue what Wagglepop's monthly GMV is???  Seems to me that if anyone had access to that information, it would have been posted here.....unless it's so high that making it public would make the Wagglepop bashing look that much more ridiculous.

[amy]

And how would you anyone have a clue what Wagglepop's monthly GMV is???

Seems to me that if anyone had access to that information, it would have been posted here.....unless it's so high that making it public would make the Wagglepop bashing look that much more ridiculous.

I have more daily sales to new buyers than  the entire Wagglepop site has according to data straight from Ray's mouth (and according to you PS the majority of sales on WP are to new buyers from Google and aren't seller to seller sales).

  Multiply the number of WP sales to new buyers by the average selling price and you get a rough estimate of the site's (lack of) GMV.

According to Google base: 70% of WP items are under $20, 60% are under $10

(ASP approx. $10-$15) x 500 monthly sales to new buyers= approximately. $5000-$7500 GMV to new buyers monthly (don't forget that PS has told us repeatedly that most sales on the site are to new buyers)

Based on the pitiful sitewide sales stats Ray reported in June the Wagglepop bashing is looking anything but ridiculous.

wagglepopCC2   25 Jun 2008 20:42       


Hello Wagglepop Members,

At my request I had Chris in Customer Care compile the new registration and related sales statistics for my review. The numbers are quite good.

In the past 21 days, we have had 503 new registered members.

Those 503 new registered members made a total of 342 purchases and left 121 positive feedback (zero neutral, zero negative) - a 35% "feedback left" rate which is quite typical sitewide. I imagine that percentage will increase when very recent seller shipments arrive to customers.

342 sales to new members in just the past 21 days. These statistics do not include sales to existing membership, making them all the more remarkable.

Good job Wagglepop Marketplace Merchants!

[PowerSeller]

[quote author=amy link=topic=3775.msg72098#msg72098 date=1219606901]
Multiply the number of WP sales to new buyers by the average selling price and you get a rough estimate of the site's (lack of) GMV.

According to Google base: 70% of WP items are under $20, 60% are under $10

(ASP approx. $10-$15) x 500 monthly sales to new buyers= approximately. $5000-$7500 GMV to new buyers monthly (don't forget that PS has told us repeatedly that most sales on the site are to new buyers)[/quote]

Ah, but your assumptions are quite inaccurate.  Average LISTING price does NOT equate to average SELLING price.  Correct, there are a lot of under $20. items and under $10. items, even in my store.  However, the majority of my recent SALES have been between $100. and $200., with one nearly $400.

Correct, most of my sales are to new buyers, so I think it's safe to assume that to be the case looking at the site as a whole.  However, there ARE surely a substantial amount of sales beyond that from return customers, 'regular' customers, and even the famous seller-to-seller sales since some of us do search Wagglepop first before we buy elsewhere.

One other thing you're off on, you're assuming that sales to 'new members' all consist of ONE item.  My 'new members' have purchased between one item and 32 items at a time.  Some of the other sellers (books or jewelry for example) are accustomed to sales of more than 32 items at a time.

[maggie777]

342 sales to new members in just the past 21 days

you're assuming that sales to 'new members' all consist of ONE item.

342 items or 342 orders divided by 77 sellers in 21 days.  Does it matter?.  Either way it sucks.  That's about 4 days orders for me. $29.95 monthly for an average of  6 new customers per seller? :blinkie: There are better options for sellers than  [quoting truth) "all these lost cause, rinky dink, so called alternative wastes of time. 

Just me, personally, I would have a banner to my eBay feedback, as well as Wagglepop feedback if you wanted

I wouldn't link to eBaY feedback.

[sneakymagenta]

[quote author=maggie777 link=topic=3775.msg72102#msg72102 date=1219618303]
I wouldn't link to eBaY feedback.
[/quote]
If I had 125 negatives like you do I wouldn't want to link to it either.