posted on July 1, 2005 06:31:43 PM new
Wanted to start a new thread so I didn't get too off the previous subject. I'm really surprised to hear this much good stuff about Ebay stores - I thought people were disappointed with them and they weren't doing well. If you have items in a store, can you create an auction listing from the store item listing? If you have both auctions and store listings, when you view seller's other items, do all items come up? Thanks for the info!
posted on July 1, 2005 07:18:06 PM new
you can send things to auction apparently, if you're tired of them being in the store. there's a link to the right of each store item to send it to auction. never actually tried it, though. (i sell postcards and storing thousands of them takes up very little space and they're mostly in a closet where i don't have to look at them anyway, so sending them to auction just never really interested me that much.)
and yes, ALL of a seller's other items show up in the view to the buyer. the buyer can also then sort - if they feel like it - for auction items only, store items only, highest to lowest priced, etc.
speaking of ebay stores, has anyone tried the ebay ProStores business plan at $29.95/mo.? any pros or cons on this?
posted on July 1, 2005 07:28:25 PM new
I have subscribed but am still in the process of setting everything up. So far it's pretty simple... lots of minutia but the organizational system is much like the one in the stores.
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No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 1, 2005 07:32:10 PM new
carloine - the stores are very successful. the big complaint from users came when they raised the basic fee and the ending fees. I have actually cut my daily listings in half with one or two pieces of various styles listed each day and then a custom search in each listing to my store. I basically consider my listing fees to be advertising expenses for the store these days.
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No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on July 1, 2005 08:05:11 PM new
Caroline - Between 30-40% of my monthly sales are store sales. I sell postcards also. I list, relist and then put in my store. The postcards that are in my store are the same type of ones I offer at auction (I don't dump "junk" in there) - just ones that are "underappreciated" and not seen by the right people at the right time. I promote my store with prominent related links in my auctions. The great thing about store listings is that they are are available 24-7-365 so when the RIGHT buyer is online they are available and listing fees are minimal. There is a monthly subscription fee of $15.95, so you have enough items in your store to make it worthwhile. Also, the final value fees on store sales are 8% (auctions are 5%) and that also has to be taken into consideration.
I do have store sales when I am not running auctions but have found that the more auctions I run, the better my store sales are. I have many buyers who buy more than one item and have many repeat buyers who come back again and again. I sell unique items so do not have the luxury of running just a few auctions to draw lookers to my store.
My business has snowballed since I opened my store. I haven't had a chance to look at the pro-stores yet but think I will let pioneers like Fenix work out all the "bugs" before I open one
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posted on July 2, 2005 07:10:16 AM new
Thanks for the info! It can't hurt to try - looks like Ebay is having a first month free for them. If it takes off - I give you guys the credit; if not, I'll blame you
posted on July 3, 2005 09:07:52 AM new
Caroline - You might try reading some of the threads on the ebay store sellers board for some pointers - a lot of information is contained in this "how to" for store owners: http://www.owenandemmadesigns.com/ebaystores.html
Also, ebay WILL credit you for your free trial but you have to pay first but don't panic - credit will appear on the next month's bill.
GOOD LUCK!! I really love my store - it works when I don't! (like this weekend!)
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