posted on December 31, 2000 09:22:06 AM new
I've decided to start selling on eBay again after a hiatus of a few months, and have been trying to think up ways to spruce up my listings a bit. One thought I had was to include a brief "mission statement" in the actual listing instead of just hoping people will check out my "About Me" page. I figured this would be a good way to let potential bidders know what my selling philosophy is, what sets me apart from other selloers in my category, what bidders can expect from me, etc., without making it a lengthy TOS. Anybody else try this? Here's what mine says:
My "Mission Statement"
I am a pocket watch collector, not a professional retailer. I don't own my own store, and I don't do this for a living. I don't buy watches at extreme discounts and then try to sell them for ridiculously high prices. Instead, I usually set my starting bid [or reserve, when I use one] slightly above my actual cost. I don't charge a "handling" fee. I do my utmost to describe the watches I sell as completely and accurately as possible, including any flaws, and strive to use the best photographs I can. I am not perfect, but I will stand behind my descriptions and guarantee my watches to be as described. If you have a question, send me an e-mail and I'll answer it promptly.
And yes, I realize this sounds a bit like a Molson beer commercial....
posted on December 31, 2000 10:23:42 AM new
yup, it was getting a little frothy on top. making me wish it was Shiner Bock, instead.
i like your statement. when i first saw the title of the thread, i was expecting something that sounded so corporate. you kept it more human than corporate.
"send me an e-mail and I'll answer it promptly." -- make the 'me an e-mail' part a mailto link and with the 'answer it promptly', might want to adjust to 'answer it as promptly as i can'
just my ideas
my .02 worth
edited to fix spelling after i started my second cup o' coffee. not any good before then!
[ edited by paulswife on Dec 31, 2000 11:06 AM ]
posted on December 31, 2000 10:35:29 AM new
Mission statements, seller reassurances, "I'm-just-a-guy-trying-to-make-an-honest-buck" statements ... as a buyer, they are meaningless to me. They don't convince me to buy from you. In fact, if the preamble sounds too "frothy," I might begin to wonder what the seller's trying to hide.
So what does make a difference to me? Quality items, low opening bids, well-written descriptions, good photos, great feedback and fast replies to e-mail inquiries.
posted on December 31, 2000 10:41:32 AM new
Hi, Barry. Glad to see you're back at AW. I'm going to make some comments. Hopefully after we'll still be friends, okay? I have the greatest respect for you as a seller.
In my opinion, a mission statement should describe the mission. Not merely provide additional informational fluff. Your statement sounds like part of the ad, but you couldn't quite figure out how to stick it in.
Okay: "I will strive to describe every watch accurately and provide complete information."
Not okay: "I always describe my watches accurately."
It is my understanding that a mission statement describes what you hope and will try to accomplish. "I don't own my own store" doesn't really fit into my idea of a mission statement. It doesn't tell me what you will do for me, your customer. (Although I see where you're going with it.)
Just for the sake of argument, here's how I would rewrite your statement:
"Your 100% satisfaction is my goal. To meet that goal I will accurately describe every watch to the best of my ability. I will provide prompt, courteous customer service, set fair prices, amd work with you to ensure your satisfaction."
Anyway, I'm glad spaz made his post while I was writing this. "I'm just a guy trying to make a buck...." LOL!
posted on December 31, 2000 10:50:14 AM new
You must understand that I come from a perspective where "misson statement" is a mantra chanted 24 hrs. a day. I am sick to death of hearing it, hypocritical, pompous,self-rightous, ugh, especially when the bottom line is "our mission is to make money, or we will not survive".
I like your statement, please leave out the mission part or I would run the other direction just on general principle.
posted on December 31, 2000 10:53:25 AM new
I have to agree with Spaz on this, unless you're running a web site also, I wouldn't bother with a statement at all. Now if you're running a web site, that could be a nice statement to post there.
Ain't Life Grand...
posted on December 31, 2000 11:28:09 AM new
Well, I'll admit that there is a healthy dose of irony in having a "mission statement" in the first place, which is why I put it in quotation marks. As has been pointed out, the term is most often used by large companies. I thought it would be interesting to have a mission statement which actually said that I WASN'T a large company like many of the sellers on eBay these days. Kind of an "anti-mission statement," in fact. Obviously, the irony was a little TOO subtle for some [although, in the spirit of fair disclosure, I do think Spaz should have mentioned that he is predisposed to disagree with anything I say here at AW].
Regardless of what I actually CALL the darn thing, though, my goal was to appeal to the bidders who are frustrated with dealing with the professional e-tailers on eBay who charge "handling" fees, don't respond quickly to e-mails, have draconian [or non-existent] return policies, etc. [and yes, I realize not all e-tailers do business that way]. I also wanted to explain to bidders why I don't start the bidding very low with no reserve. And I thought that putting this information together oin one section of my listing and calling it a "Mission Statement" would be a fun and interesting way of doing it.
Anyway, now that I have explained myself to death, thanks to those of you who provided sincere comments. I will probably continue to fiddle with the exact wording until I get it "right", and I appreciate the input.
Happy New Year, all!
Barry
---
The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
posted on December 31, 2000 11:33:50 AM new
monstertemple.... It is fine but leave out mission statement. It does describe to me that I may very well get a good deal from you.
You obviously don't have a large overhead that I am going to have to pay part of. I would rather deal with the small guy any day instead of a large seller that has forgotten what it is like to be on the other side. My company has gotten larger every year for the last 17 because I have kept it on a personal level and strived for 100% customer satisfaction.
With that statement and a good feedback I know I would get good service. The price doesn't matter. It is an auction and I will determine what I will pay.
Just remain honest and do whatever it takes to deliver fast. Most of all be FRIENDLY!!!
posted on December 31, 2000 02:13:38 PM new
Mission Statement:
To make as much money as possible doing the least amount of work without pissing people off. We strive to provide quality service by quality folks to quality individuals. We really like to use the word QUALITY. We have over 235 years combined experience. Our company has been in business since Main St. opened. We're open Sunday with free delivery and plenty of free parking. All products are under-warrantied. Satisfaction guaranteed. Money back if not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt. Do business with a company that gives you the business. Buy American.
Seems to have worked well for me any my company. We make liscense plates.
posted on December 31, 2000 03:19:37 PM new
Hi agree with Spazmodeus.
As a seller it took quite some time for me to understand the K.I.S.S. principle. People don't generally like to read lots [some don't like to read anything! ] of information on the auction page.
I use a professional [my design] yet simplistic auction template. TOS are clickable links directly below the description, that open pop-up boxes with "nothin but the facts mam!"
Service and satisfaction sells. Don't forget low minimum bids and no reserve auctions...
posted on December 31, 2000 03:46:44 PM new
When I took the Steven Covey "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" seminar, I had to write a mission statement. I have it somewhere on a disk. It was a bunch of stuff that pretty much added up to trying to overcome my shortcomings. Also, our company will give us $100 if we can recite their mission statement on demand.
Actually, I like that one "signature" that someone on the board here uses that says "I won't rest until every piece of junk finds a good home" or something like that.
posted on December 31, 2000 03:50:31 PM new
Provide a quality item; describe it accurately; have a reasonable quarantee; answer questions promptly; maintain prompt and courteous contact with your customers; ship in a timely manner; pack the item securely; list the shipping charge in the auction; make your shipping charge reasonable; promptly and adequately handle problems if they arise; maintain a professional, curteous, friendly attitude at all times (even with PITA customers)...
Do all of that and you don't need a "mission statement".
Actions speak louder than words.
Anyway...everytime I see someone make statements about how they are better than others I tend to wonder why they need to toot their own horn..(and your "mission statement" seems to say.."look at me, I'm so much better because I'm not a big time retailer" )
(Dang smiley face!)
Happy New Year Barry...hope it is a great one!
[ edited by amy on Dec 31, 2000 03:52 PM ]
posted on December 31, 2000 04:17:44 PM new
Your statement is perfect for you, Barry, but add an ending assurance like "I'm a lawyer; You can trust me".
posted on December 31, 2000 06:00:20 PM new
A "Mission Statement" is really incomplete without a preceding "Vision Statement", plus a following recitation of "Core Values" and "Guiding Principles."
The best (meaning: most appealing to me, as a longterm eBay power buyer) auctions on eBay are the simple ones. Basic, complete, accurate description without any of the fluff; clear pic; straightforward and brief terms (payment forms acceptable, shipping costs in auction description, method of shipping). I'm not at all interested in getting cozy with sellers, and assume they haven't the time to get cozy with me. I don't want to click on your "me" page, I don't want to know your dog's name, or look at your gecko's picture. I'd prefer to never see an auction "template" again, although some are less annoying than others.
And I'm going to assume that you are providing an accurate description of the item, but if you have to "tell" me that you are, then I have to wonder why? How you set your prices is both none of my business, and of no interest to me...the fact is, if I don't like the price, I won't bid.
But hey!, that's me, and my preferences, and my views. And I think that if I were a seller on eBay, I'd try lots of things (different templates, various TOS statements, cutie pie graphics, maybe even a "LQQK" or two ) and see how it "played" in Peoria and elsewhere. The proof is in the auction activity and sales results.
posted on December 31, 2000 07:37:49 PM new
I know, Amy, I know..."LQQK/L@@K"--could you just barf??? But I still think, if it "works", what the hell? On the other hand, some things are just too cheezy to even try, yanno?
posted on December 31, 2000 07:39:24 PM new
re. the "frothiness" - drop the 2nd and third sentences. 2nd is redundant to 1st, 3rd is wishy-washy and helps make overall paragraph have too many lines about what you are not rather than what you are. The "I do my utmost to ... I am not perfect," equivocations might be further softened by adding in a brief indication of level of experience as a hobbiest (especially if it's high).
posted on January 1, 2001 10:44:02 AM new
Lots of Luck, Barry. I can't even get people to read "We ship books to the USA only" or "e-mail before bidding if not in the USA".
].
) and see how it "played" in Peoria and elsewhere. The proof is in the auction activity and sales results.