posted on March 9, 2003 12:32:37 PM new
I lurk here quite abit. I like reading the threads. Some of you guys are funny and perk me up.
Major retailers do post to this board and many others.
I was in Las Vegas in February for a show. One of the largest manufacturers and retailers of women's footwear posts to these and other boards. I buy a good deal from them and have for years. They know that I sell on the internet and have always been curious about how I do it. I got into a discussion with their president of marketing and he told me that he and others from the company post on this board and on a yahoo group. They post different questions and scenarios on the boards.
They are thinking of selling all of their off-season merchandise on ebay. Currently after about 8 months retailers can buy off-season merchandise from them at huge discounts off wholesale. This company is thinking about doing that themselves on ebay or yahoo. The POM said that they are "trying to get a feel" for what it is like selling at online auctions.
They have many different brands. Prices range from $25-$150. Chances are, if you are a woman you own a pair of their shoes.
There is also a major lingerie retailer that used to post here.
There is an appliance and housewares retailer that posted here too.
What I am saying is common knowledge in some circles. Who does it is surprising.
Having family members working for major retailers isn't really relevant, unless as someone pointed out, they make the decisions or are in management. Unless they are in management, they usually do not know what is really going on.
posted on March 9, 2003 12:37:13 PM new
zoomin said:
[i]Operating a business at a loss is a smart move ~ many are able to write off portions of their rent/mortgage, car, electric, telephone, office equipment, etc. in the process.
This does NOT mean they are working for free, it means they get good financial advice.[/i]
Zoomin, you miss my point. The profitable and smartest sellers do everything you mention, plus more, along with the good financial advice, and MAKE A PROFIT.
Why operate at a loss merely to offset income when you can make profits? That is dumb!
Sheesh. I take all of my deductions. I pay my estimated quarterly taxes. AND I transfer significant sums of money into my asset portfolio, which makes me more money, BECAUSE I make profits.
It is a stupid assumption to think that sellers who make a profit must not be taking all available deductions. Well, we take all of our deductions, make a profit, pay our taxes, and our profits go towards making us money in additional areas because of using equally savvy and adroit financial expertise.
posted on March 9, 2003 04:20:48 PM new
Fluffy considering your sell rate I may have the product for you in terms of a "Thank You / Care and Instructions" card. Extremely inexpensive, completely lacking in labor on your part, and attention getting. If you are interested, let me know. I'll get you info.
Will post it here if someone will tell me it's not considered spamming.
[ edited by neonmania on Mar 9, 2003 04:28 PM ]
posted on March 9, 2003 06:52:40 PM newYes they are, or I wouldn't of brought it up...
Yes, you would have...anything to try to justify your claim that retailers do not post on boards.
One of my relatives is an executive at one of the largest banks in the nation. She doesn't know the combination to the safe at the branches outside her jurisdiction. It isn't her concern. Unless your relatives, are able to say that they know no descision makers do so, your point and little tirade is worthless.
Why would soshoeme, grumpyebayer or others lie? To piss off Twelvepole, the last word in how retailer's behave?
Hey, Twelvepole what is your real name? Are you a "major retailer"?
The bottom line is you don't know who ANY of these people that post on boards really are.
I don't know who shoeme is referring to, but "Wild Pair" management, used to peruse and post to internet boards geared towards ecommerce. Their corporation, Edison brothers, had over 1500 stores at their peak and were in the top 5 specialty retailers. Is that "major" enough?
edited to add: Fluffy I am sorry your thread has gotten derailed.
posted on March 9, 2003 08:26:00 PM new
Whatever shop4shoes... you believe what you want and I will believe what I want...
Unless of course these imaginary retailers come out and say so...
I see that eBay sellers want the best of both worlds... treated like a Major retailer when things are good and "poor" little seller when things are bad...
Well it dosen't work that way... pick one and stick with it... save you some grief in the long run...
posted on March 9, 2003 09:00:51 PM new
"I see that eBay sellers want the best of both worlds... treated like a Major retailer when things are good and "poor" little seller when things are bad...
"Well it dosen't work that way... pick one and stick with it..."
While I think your primary motivation is to get shoesie's goat (and a very nice goat it is, too), you actually bring up a good point.
eBay sellers often don't know how to "behave" because it is an entirely new kind of selling. Do we use the b&m model? The big online retailer? The mail order catalogue? The factory closeout store?
Who were we supposed to pattern ourselves after when we started?
Not only are we having to make money but we're having to invent a whole new way of doing business as we go along.
No damn wonder there's confusion, misunderstandings and outright hostility.
--
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than the French Army behind me." --(uh, no, wait, that's not quite right)
posted on March 9, 2003 09:08:36 PM new
I think we can all learn a lot from each other. Mostly because things keep changing and everyone has to change the way that they do things if they want to do their best.
posted on March 9, 2003 11:23:01 PM newWhile I think your primary motivation is to get shoesie's goat (and a very nice goat it is, too), you actually bring up a good point.
eBay sellers often don't know how to "behave" because it is an entirely new kind of selling. Do we use the b&m model? The big online retailer? The mail order catalogue? The factory closeout store?
Thank you...I like my goat.
Twelvepole has NEVER seen me compare myself to any "major retailer". I do what I do and that is that. Ebay is not my main source of income it isn't even a big part of it.
When many of us started selling on ebay there was no guide. Even now it is hard for some to find a good balance.
The only one that needs a dose of reality is Twelvepole. Major apparel retailers and manufacturers admit to posting on these type of boards. They talk about them during industry seminars. Many use boards as a source for ideas or strategies.
Many manufacturers are trying to get ideas for business to business sales. The internet is a big place and smart people use all of the available resources.
posted on March 10, 2003 01:24:07 AM new
Some of the larger retailers seem to want that "friendly and personal" touch that the small retailer offers as it appeals to many consumers. But some of the small retailers want to follow the big guys and become more cold and professional. We can learn about the way both do business.
First off I think there would be fewer problems on ebay if some sellers were more professional. They should be more explicit about confirming receipt of payment and when they are going to ship. Buyers are sending payments to complete strangers and they can become a bit nervous. Sellers should also stop shipping in crappy packaging if they want to be taken seriously.
And many times sellers get dragged into heated e-mail exchanges with abusive buyers and that doesn't help them to look professional either. If something goes wrong with an order from a major retailer and the buyer gets nasty does that retailer ever curse them back and use foul language in their response?
A couple of years ago I changed my ebay name to my business name and it stopped most of the "Chatty Cathy" types who wanted a friend. It also stopped all the cute jokes, chain letters etc. that were being forwarded to me by well meaning buyers. I doubt they send this silly stuff to Amazon or Sears.
Big companies can hire many people to handle every aspect of their business. The small lone seller has to be all of those people wrapped into one. It's not easy.
Your mother-in-law must be related to my step-grandmother. Every year for Christmas we get used things. One year it was a cheap glass clock that I later learned she got as a prize at bowling. My aunt once got a candy dish that wasn't even clean. The worst part of it is she has loads of money! We just accept the gifts graciously and compare notes after Christmas. It's sort of become a game of sorts. LOL!
What bugs us the most is that my grandfather when he was alive (past about a year ago) would give the men each $50 and leave my step-grandmother to buy for the women. Think I would rather have had the $50.
I don't think it's just cheap jewelry these people want, but jewelry cheaply. I sell fine jewelry and am expected to give it away. I don't think so. On average, I price it at about 15-25% of retail, which means a $400 ring may be put on Ebay for $60-100. It they want it for free, they'll have to look elsewhere. I'll put a note in when asked only because with me, they are spending some money. I'll also offer things on occasion like free shipping with BIN.
After reading all of this, I can understand why a $2 item really isn't worth the time and trouble of writing a personal note.
posted on March 10, 2003 06:23:24 AM new
Reading here is not posting here... If they are posting fake scenarios to get ideas... hmmmm that something to ponder while reading the next thread...
But I think some people brought up some valid points...
My self as an eBay seller I like dealing with "people" not a faceless name. I can do that down the street.
However it appears as time goes on, eBay sellers no longer desire to be people but that faceless name down the street and when they are treated that way... wow the complaints never stop...
However most people treat the person they are dealing with like they would be treated... in my experience... yes my family memebers are in management in retail and have told me some real horror stories about how the customer wanted something a certain way and actually got face time with them, that is not enjoyment and quite beyond my capacity of patience... reason I am not in retail and only sell online.
But I really try to treat my customers as I would like to be treated and so far it has worked for me...
posted on March 10, 2003 08:32:14 AM new
Why not to be too friendly in customer service....
Once upon a time I ran the mail order wing of a large company. We tried to be kind and curtious and friendly due to the nature of the company. We got walked over! Once a year the organization threw an event where its customers and followers could gather for a week. I knew that taking the friendly as opposed to professsional route in our dealings was wrong route the day that one of our customers called to ask if I would be attending the event and if so, would I be willing to chaperone her 12 year old daughter. This woman had never met me, only spoken on the phone about orders about 4 times and didn't even know my last name. Luckily I wasn't going but I have always remembered that one with a serious headshake.
I still try to be polite, still occasionally go the extra step but I'm with Fluffy on this one. If you are paying under $3 for a piece of jewelry, asking the seller to foot the price of a card is rude and if you are sending a gift to a relative and can't be bothered to write a quick note yourself to include with the package for your loved one, expecting the seller to do so is arrogant.
posted on March 10, 2003 09:01:58 AM newReading here is not posting here... If they are posting fake scenarios to get ideas... hmmmm that something to ponder while reading the next thread...
Dig around you may find some of those threads. Apparel retailers are very active on fashion boards also. It is fairly common knowledge that FOH used these type of baords to get ideas for selling on the net. It worked. They are one of the top 15 ecommerce sites and they are out of bankruptcy.
yes my family memebers are in management in retail and have told me some real horror stories about how the customer wanted something a certain way and actually got face time with them, that is not enjoyment and quite beyond my capacity of patience.
I waver back an forth on who is worse. A nasty internet customer or a nasty retail customer. I get a warm sheets feeling, from smacking nasty retail customers around. I am the only one allowed to browbeat my employees. On the otherhand some of my customers on the internet are real doozies and need a good, hateful letter.
posted on March 10, 2003 09:02:59 AM new
With "ALL" shipments, we "OFFER" to enclose a professional note card for any occasion and to put the customer's greeting to whom ever the buyer is sending the "gift" to.
We also send a small "thank you" gift to every buyer regardless of cost of the item to them. Naturally, the more a customer spends the more pricey the "gift" may be.
It may take a few months but we have found it pays off. Like this past xmas, one woman did most of her xmas shopping via one of our web sites, because we would ship to her receiver, and would enclose a personal card to each person.
Time - it only take a couple of minutes, but quite often, it makes for a return customer AND a happy one. We even get "thank you" notes from our customers!!
posted on March 10, 2003 09:47:19 AM new
"eBay sellers no longer desire to be people but that faceless name down the street"
Well, this eBay seller is striving for that, so I guess you're right.
My primary seller ID is a movie reference, humorous and catchy. And if anyone tries to figure out my gender, they will probably guess male.
When I used my own name I had people trying to take advantage FAR more often. I've talked about this in other threads. I get more respect when they think I'm male.
Buyers often desire to be treated as faceless as well. What, you've never gone into a store to browse and told the salescritter, "I'm just looking" to get them off your back?
--
"I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than the French Army behind me." --(uh, no, wait, that's not quite right)
posted on March 10, 2003 09:52:27 AM new
Actually I have to agree with the "faceless" part. I have had people mail me a payment who live less then a mile from me. I will sometimes (if it's going to be a pain to ship) offer to have them pick it up or to drop it off for them and refund the shipping. Many people will say no thanks, just mail it out. I have one lady that I sell to regularly who lives across town - close to where I work. She lives in a duplex, so I will drop the items off on the stairs and she will leave a check in an envelope with my name on it on the stairs. I've never seen her face, and it's fine with me. She'll also very often give me a monetary "tip" for dropping it off.
