posted on February 5, 2010 08:07:10 AM new
I'm practicing my creative writing in hopes of improving my 99 cent listings. lol.
A new vintage store sprouted up a few weeks ago. Yesterday we went on a mini thrift shop spree and ended up stopping in to this new store. Right away, we found a metal sculpture by Curtis Jere for $75. It will likely sell for $300-400 in our store. I also spotted a vintage Batman and Robin tin car that I really wanted BAD!!! It was sitting on their counter amongst a pile of clothing. I asked how much it was since there was no price tag. The employee said they would have to look up the price. She went to the back and jumped on their computer. I tried to peek to see where she was researching it. It wasn't eBay, but I couldn't tell what it was. I figured terapeak.
She came back and told me it was $60 and that they saw one on eBay in the original box in mint condition for $150. This one was pretty well worn and showed some rust. I would have dropped $25 for it just b/c it was pretty cool and would look great in my new office amongst all of my other oddball sci-fi collectibles.
Anyhow, when I got home I tried to find that $150 car on ebay to no luck. I simply don't research enough things to justify $25 a month/$200 a year for Terapeak.
Terapeak is very useful, but it appeals more to high volume sellers, pawn shops, and antique stores. Generally, I am away from my store when I need pricing, so I use my cell phone and ebay.
Anyone know of alternatives to Terapeak that are either free or cost a fraction of their service?
posted on February 5, 2010 12:31:07 PM new
Terapeak has a pretty hefty rebate to its affiliates when they get a signup through an affiliate site, so if you have a web page of your own I'd suggest signing up as an affiliate. It's a 60% commission on a monthly package or 30% on yearly. They use Commission Junction, so it's http://www.cj.com.
That's the best way I know of to get into Terapeak for less.
posted on February 5, 2010 01:46:13 PM new
i obviously was half asleep at 7:30 am when I started looking for the Batmobile. I guess i entered batman car, or something.
anyhow, i found it at $152. i went back, armed with a pair of batteries and the thing didn't work. oh well. i asked them if they would go any less now that they know it didn't work. they took my number.
the batmobile wasn't so important to me though, as it was trying to figure out something other than terapeak, or a cheaper alternative. i will check into the affiliates program though. not sure it would be very helpful, but who knows...
i'm just tired of getting nickel and dimed to death on everything. i pay an extra $25 a month for my cell phone web access just to be able to access ebay or other sites when i need quick info.
if ebay was serious about their services, they should be providing better information to sellers. all i see is a business that takes more and more from the sellers while pushing sellers to fall for their rate increases, lack of service, etc. eBay should at least provide a 90 day search free to power sellers, and 30 days minimum. that would be a great carrot for sellers to have access to.
