posted on May 15, 2004 02:54:42 PM new
I started on eBay in 1998. Like most others, I started as a buyer. I picked an ID that was sort of a spin off of my dogs name. A few years later I had a stack of romance novels that were just taking up space and decided I would try to sell them. I did really well, but never got into selling in a serious way.
Then I went to work for a lunatic who had an even crazier sister. One day I realized that if I stayed there one more day, I would have to be put in a home. So, I quit. Five months later I found out that the reason I hadn't been able to get another job was because his vindictive office manager had been giving me bad references. The only other thing I will say about that is "What goes around, comes around".
In the meantime, I had to put all my dreams and just about everything else on hold. I lived off my credit cards and eBay for 5 months. No small feat considering my car payment is $419. That is when I really got serious about eBay. Now, I have a website with an internet store. My e-mail address has my domain name. I have also had a small bookkeeping business for years and have used my domain name as my business name. Even though they are not related in any sense, I have always known what I wanted to do and named my business looking into the future. The only thing that doesn't tie in is my eBay ID. I planned on changing it and have been preparing for months. I made sure my business name is in every one of my auctions. I put a business card in every package. I put my website address on every e-mail. And I set up my ME page with my business name.
Now, I think it is time. But I am afraid to do it. Will my customers follow me? Will they get the connection and know it's me? I made sure my auctions have the same look, so if they open one, they will know it is one of mine. And if they have me stored in their favorites the name will change there also.
So, give me your thoughts. Please tell me what you think.
Thanks in advance
Debbie
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on May 15, 2004 03:34:16 PM new
not sure who are your customers??
ebay bidders?? bookeeping clients ?? or website customers??
and where do you want them to follow you to??
from ebay to website??
from website to ebay??
more bookeeping,new bookeeping or what??
It has been my experience that ebay bidders would rather stay on ebay and wait for you to list your store items on ebay at lowest price so they have a chance to get something for nothing.
It would be nice if we all wake up one morning and find Ebay has gone under the ocean and never to surface again,so we can make a respectable living selling from our website.
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on May 15, 2004 03:56:57 PM new
It is our sense of organization that makes us want to put all of our eggs in one basket. There is no need to do this, your eBay customers will know you as gtootie at xyzsite. You are right to be hesitant because this is really an un-necessary move, unless it HELPS you to sleep at night. If you got a handsome offer for your website tomorrow, would you want your eBay business included?
posted on May 15, 2004 04:10:06 PM new
tootie: Are you convinced that your EBay ID is a detriment to your business? Would you be comfortable telling us what you sell, generally, and what your current ID is? We could all then help you assess whether it truly is hurting you to keep that ID.
The other thing though is this: If you can project ahead, say, 10 years, and you still have the same ID, will you wish you'd changed it earlier? If so, do it now, I would say.
___________________________________
"If you keep your life and your house simple, there's more time to do what you like." --Gandhi
posted on May 15, 2004 04:25:22 PM new
I wouldn't have a problem telling 95% of you anything. But there are a couple, I wouldn't want to know what region of the country I live in.
I sell animal collectibles. My business name is more animal related. It sounds like I do something concerning animals. I don't want to change it because of future plans.
I don't feel that my current ID is a detriment, but have wondered if repeat customers are finding my store since it is under my business name. But my customers do know me as Gtootie. You have to admit it is a little unusual. But I have been working on making my customers aware that I have another name. I wasn't planning on opening a new account, just changing the name. That way I would keep my feedback, and the new name would show up if I was saved in someone's favorites.
By the way, I'm not usually so sensitive, I just don't understand why some people on here are always so mean.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on May 15, 2004 04:27:52 PM new
Open a second seller's account with the new name you want and keep the old one also. You can mention the new ID on your present one, and the old ID in the new account. This will give you all the time you need to nudge your repeat customers to the new ID and you can merge the two accounts in the future if you wish.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on May 15, 2004 04:35:17 PM new
The reason I came here first is...Usually when I make a major decision and change something, I come on here the next day and find you guys discussing it and 102 reasons why I shouldn't have done it.
Be kind. Everyone is fighting their own secret battles.
...Author Unknown
posted on May 15, 2004 04:44:17 PM new
i see what you are asking now !
You can also list an item under your existing ID and the title reads-Important message for all my fans,i have a new ID.
And goes on to describe why and what is your new id and please bookmark the new id ,bla bla bal.
you can keep this auction running for months,the listing fee is just 35 cents for 10 days and then relist and relist.
you can monitor the number of hits to decide when to stop relisting.
-sig file -------we eat to live,not live to eat.
Benjamin Franklin
posted on May 15, 2004 07:44:34 PM new
gtootie I understand what you mean. There are some days it doesn't pay to post because you never know what mood anyone is in. We all take it every once in a while .
I would do what sparkz says about a second ID. Start another ID with the name you now what. Still list auctions under your old ID but not as many. Link to your about me page and in there tell of your new user ID and link from there to your new about me page. After a short time you should be able to drop the ID you don't want to use. It will still show in the eBay search so in you old user ID about me page change it to tell them about your new user ID and link to the new one.. I hope you can understand that. Good Luck....
