posted on October 6, 2008 07:12:58 PM new
Hi All,
aren't there a few peeps here on vendio that sell on eCrater? I have been reading positive things about it recently. I have been waiting for my son to get his butt over to help me set up a website but in the meantime, I thought that I would look into eCrater. Any suggestions???
mama
posted on October 7, 2008 04:40:04 AM new
sold a few things there..but only have some older ads and hot wheels listed on it...
IOffer seems to have some traffic...but it is more of a flea market atmosphere...list it for $10...they want to buy it for $2...
Bonanzle...just started there...no action yet...but again, just have some postcards and records on there...
Amazon and eBay are still my money makers...and what most people still don't understand about Amazon is the variety they have. 70% of my sales in the past month were NON-BOOKS. They included TOYS - ELECTRONICS - & OFFICE SUPPLIES.
posted on October 7, 2008 06:11:37 AM new
Does anyone sell in their gated categories?
*
Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on October 7, 2008 07:08:57 AM new
This article was posted back in August. I have my "cons" about Amazon. Biggest is the seller - buyer contact availability, you have to rely on Amazon Messaging system most of the time and it seems that some messages are either spam filtered or sucked into a blackhole somewhere. Buyers don't reply sometimes and that creates claims or disputes as to where their product is. Amazon FORCES you to maintain the HIGHEST quality customer service, but in turn will not help you contact buyers and Amazon itself has SEVERAL internal departments that will ONLY take email contact from you.
***************************************
Amazon released a new version of its WebStore service (version 4.9.4) that now permits online retailers to launch an Amazon-hosted e-commerce store in six new, previously unavailable categories: Jewelry, Watches, Apparel, Gourmet, Personal Computers and Industrial & Scientific.
Previously merchants that were not authorized to sell in any of these categories on Amazon, but that desired to launch a WebStore, were out of luck. Amazon was unable to block WebStores from the main Amazon site inventory. As a result, launching a WebStore in a gated category (such as jewelry) required Amazon approval and assistance (hampering growth of the overall service).
With this new release online retailers can now create an Amazon WebStore in Jewelry and Apparel categories (Check out www.gemaffair.com for a great-looking jewelry WebStore that was launched with Amazon’s assistance). Find more at https://sellercentral.amazon.com/gp/iws-merchant/home.htm (valid Seller Central credentials required).
Why does this matter? One strategy for getting into a gated product category is to build an Amazon WebStore and showing Amazon that you are a qualified e-commerce retailer that understands to treat his (or her) customers well. Merchandise your products well, build a solid sales history over six months (with a very low Order Defect Rate) and then reach out to the Amazon category manager.
posted on October 7, 2008 08:21:04 AM new
When is this new feature released?(starting a new webstore and sell items in gated categories? without AMZN approval?
I was on the phone last week with them and they are still saying we have to submit our jewelry merchandise for review and approval and many are turned down.
BUt then some of their marketing reps are so green ,they dont really have all the answers.
*
Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on October 7, 2008 08:28:19 AM new
can you explain in plain English what AMZN is saying?
Can we or can we not launch an AMZN webstore selling in gated categories without seeKing prior approval from AMZN?
There are 2 ways of selling on AMZN,one is to pay 39.99 and have a store and the other is just to insert a listing in the category using UPC code.
so many buzz words,what is meant by reaching out to amzn catgeory manager?if you have a webstore,dont you have access to most categories ?
and if AMZN is not able to block webstores from main inventory,then why are webstores not being able to list in gated categories?
From what the rep told me,in some gated category such as jewelry,the issue here is that AMZN is looking for a diversified range of jewelry items to build its reputation,not more of the same garden variety !
Of course customer service is important especially if the merchant is selling high end jewelry such as diamond and precious stones!
*
Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
[ edited by hwahwa on Oct 7, 2008 08:36 AM ]
posted on October 7, 2008 09:53:48 AM new
Here is what I found on selling toys and games this Xmas-
Your Amazon.com Toys & Games Selling Account
Posted: Jul 15, 2008 4:33 PM Reply
With December 25th looming on the horizon, no doubt you are well into your preparations for holiday selling on Amazon.com. We know that you count on us to maintain customer confidence in our Toys & Games category, and we want our sellers in Toys & Games to provide a high-quality customer experience.
As part of our strategy to maintain buyer confidence on Amazon.com, we are implementing Holiday Selling Guidelines for the Toys & Games category.
Effective September 12, 2008, we will stop accepting new sellers in the Toys & Games category. Effective November 17, 2008, existing sellers who do not meet the following performance criteria will not be able to sell products in the Toys & Games category from November 17, 2008 through January 5, 2009:
- Seller’s first sale on Amazon.com must be prior to 09/19/2008 (sale does not need to be Toy-specific)
- Seller must have processed and shipped at least 25 orders by 10/18/2008 (orders do not need to be Toy-specific)
- Seller has no greater than a 1% defect rate. Order defects will be evaluated for orders placed between 07/06/08 and 10/04/08.
Starting on November 17, 2008, we will be monitoring the performance and listings of all merchants who are approved to sell in the Toys & Games category. Amazon Services reserves the right to cancel listings, suspend sellers or prohibit the selling of specific products during the holiday season to maintain a seller platform that is safe for buyers.
Here are some steps you can take to remain eligible to sell in this category throughout the holiday season:
- Monitor your performance metrics and take corrective action if necessary.
- Check your orders frequently.
- Keep your listings accurate; don’t show more stock for sale than you actually have available.
- Update your product quantities regularly to reflect what you have on hand.
- Take into account the time it takes for you to package and transfer the package to your transport service.
- Ensure your policies are up-to-date.
Starting in August 2008, you will be able monitor your performance metrics in your Seller Account. This will allow you to monitor your performance and take corrective action if necessary. We will provide final notification if you are eligible to sell in the Toys & Games category during the holiday season by the middle of November.
These Holiday Selling Guidelines are only applicable to the Toys & Games category. Sellers can continue to sell eligible non-toy or -game products in other non-restricted categories. If you would like to learn more about restricted products, please visit our Product Guidelines in Marketplace Help:
Help > Selling at Amazon.com > Listing > Condition Guidelines
For tips on selling more effectively, check out our Marketplace Sellers Best Practices page:
Help > Selling at Amazon.com > Feedback & Performance > Seller Best Practices
If you have questions about our Holiday Selling Guidelines, please review the FAQ below.
We are interested in your opinions, and encourage you to submit feedback to us at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there Holiday Selling Guidelines for the Toys & Games category?
Customers have high expectations for purchases during the holiday season. We want to ensure that our sellers in Toys & Games provide high-quality customer experience and that all orders are fulfilled and delivered in a manner that meets or exceeds our customers’ expectations.
When will you allow all merchants to list in the Toys & Games category again?
Sellers will be able to sell in this category as of January 5, 2009.
How do I know if I'm pre-approved to list product in the Toys & Games category?
Sellers will be notified in early to mid November if they are eligible to sell in the Toys & Games category. Effective September 12, 2008, no new sellers will be approved to sell in the Toys & Games category for the remainder of the year.
How can I strengthen my performance rating?
Check out our Help page on your Performance Summary:
Help > Selling at Amazon.com > Feedback & Performance > Performance Summary
How can I build my reputation?
Check out our Help page on Seller Best Practices:
Help > Selling at Amazon.com > Feedback & Performance > Seller Best Practices
What is an order defect?
An order is defined as having a defect if we have received a negative feedback, an A-to-z Guarantee claim or a service credit card chargeback on that order.
What is order defect rate (ODR)?
The order defect rate is defined as the number of orders with a defect divided by the number of orders in the time period of interest. It is represented as a percentage.
What time period is the order defect rate computed over?
The defect rate can be computed over any historical order period. In this particular case, we are evaluating the trailing 90-day period (with a 30-day time lag); in other words, the period from 120 days ago to 30 days ago. We usually use a 30-day time lag for computing these rates because many defects are reported after orders are placed or received.
Message was edited by:
sellerannouncements
*
Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on October 7, 2008 10:20:15 AM new
hwahwa...I never approached the gated category part...have no clue on the details. Amazon is no different from ebay or others...they all seem to have their little "tricks" of weeding out the ones they personally don't want. A lot of double talk and hidden agendas. Another Amazon "thing" is "BUILD YOUR FEEDBACK as a seller"...but as a buyer on Amazon it is usually a BUY THE ITEM and move on...no real concern about feedback. So most buyers don't leave it(as mentioned on several chat boards)...it is the negative ones that Amazon caters to in filing a claim against you...thus lowering your ability to sell. It is SO easy to eliminate competition ..or at least slow their ability to sell...a few well placed negatives and claims and POP -- your gone.
List is endless of the quirks and issues, but it still brings in the cash(immediately with NO PAYPAL fees).
Latest "funny" one I had...buyer bought a book. He had TWO street addresses listed!! Tried to contact thru message system...no response. Then he wondered where his item was. His reply was that he thought Amazon required a BACKUP address...????...Don't know who to fault..him or AMAZON allowing the addresses to be posted. Guess I should have mailed one to both addresses....
posted on October 7, 2008 11:00:41 AM new
List is endless of the quirks and issues, but it still brings in the cash(immediately with NO PAYPAL fees///
WHAT WHAT WHAT?
That 15 % fee is not exactly peanuts!
I looked at www.gemfair.com,a nice site and then I went to amzn looking for gemfair and it is there,click on one of its items and then you are asked to proceed to checkout,thre is no link to its website.
It sounds like if you have a webstore and build up good feedback for 6 months selling non gated categories items,you are now ready to list in gated categories.
*
Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
[ edited by hwahwa on Oct 7, 2008 11:02 AM ]
posted on October 7, 2008 11:10:33 AM new
hwahwa....ebay store item you pay 10% (listing & FVF)...buyer pays through Paypal 3.9% ...ebay just makes it look cheaper...
ebay has BUY IT NOW...with a PAY WHENEVER
Amazon...you buy it...IT"S PAID FOR
there is a "SHOP" on Amazon - GEMaffair is that the same one? Here is the link;
posted on October 7, 2008 12:13:09 PM new
Domestic paypal payment should be 2.9% and foreign payment 3.9%.
transaction fee is 30 cents for both types of transactions.
If you have a business or premier paypal account ,get a paypal debit card and it will rebate 1 % everytime you use it as a credit card .
*
Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on October 7, 2008 12:20:34 PM new
Yes,thats the www.gemfair.com selling on AMZN.
see,it does not take you to its website,and the way it works is that you have to use Excel to import the items from your own site to the spreadsheet and then upload them to AMZN.
Or if you dont have many items,then do it manually one by one on AMZN site.
AMZN does not disclose how much sales Gemfair or any of its webstores do,it said just look at their feedback and gauge how well you would do if you have similar items to sell on AMZN.
*
Gulag-a Soviet era concentration camp is now reincarnated as EBAY with 13,000 rules.
posted on October 7, 2008 12:31:26 PM new
yeah..I have the debit card...ALL postage goes through it...one advantage of using STAMPS.com over PAYPAL postage.
As for GEMS website...obviously AMAZON wants to maintain their "cut" 100% of the time...would not be smart for them to let GEMS list their website. Same thought process eBay has...NO selling "OFF-SITE" using eBay contacts. I am just surprised that Gemfair didn't list their site on amazon as the same...but went with GemAFfair.
Edited to add;
Oops...I see now that there is a www.gemaffair.com AND a www.gemfair.com
posted on October 7, 2008 05:22:11 PM new
I have not sold near as much this year as last. Occasional sales and I am thankful for that, but it could be alot better.
A poll is not a prediction. It is a snapshot of how people are thinking right now.
