Dear eBay Queen;
On Tuesday; April 22nd , eBay had a 10 cent listing sale for PowerSellers. This really ticks me off. This kind of PowerSeller only sale is like a slap in the face to the little guy! It also came across as demeaning to us non-PowerSellers, surely that is not what was intended, but it happened nevertheless.
I am not a PowerSeller. This is primarily because I sell about 700-800 dollars worth of books per month on eBay, but the bulk of my income comes from Amazon. Amazon does not classify its sellers as PowerSellers or Non-PowerSellers and does not comes across with the snobbery that eBay does.
I feel like eBay has taken a number of steps in the past several months to further alienate its sellers. That is not just my opinion, but also thought by Auction Bytes and other online newsletters. This latest decision to let only PowerSellers post auctions today for 10 cents is just another step toward alienating small sellers like me. Is there something that can be done about this? What are your feelings about the PowerSeller program?
NOL
Dear NOL;
I’m sorry you feel slighted by eBay. I know that it seems like PowerSellers are part of an exclusive club, and you are excluded from it. It can be very frustrating. Ask yourself this question; Do you want or need to become a PowerSeller? If your answer is yes, you are really not far from making Bronze PowerSeller status. The minimum requirement is $1000.00 or 100 items sold per month. If you are selling $700-800 per month now, with just a little extra effort you can be part of the PowerSeller program. To learn more about the program go here: http://pages.ebay.com/services/buyandsell/welcome.html
It is just recently eBay has put some teeth into being a PowerSeller. In the past, there were no real benefits to attaining top seller status. Now, eBay is making the requirements to become a PowerSeller harder and by doing that they are adding benefits to being a PowerSeller. Those benefits are:
Toll Free Phone Support
Fee Discounts
Increased Visibility in Best Match Searches
PowerSeller Unpaid Item Protection Program
Expanded Seller Protection
PowerSeller Community Help
Health Insurance Solutions
Powerful Giving Program
Special offers in the ReSeller Marketplace
I really thought the PowerSeller program from several years ago was pointless, and really didn’t have any benefit except to say, “I’m a PowerSeller”. This new program really shows why these people are PowerSellers. http://pages.ebay.com/services/buyandsell/powerseller/criteria.html
Dear eBay Queen;
I've been buying and selling on eBay since 1999, but have only been running a full-time eBay store since Nov 2006. I go through spurts where buyers are fine, and then all of a sudden I get a handful ofcomplete nut jobs. I have found more and more buyers are expecting me to ship their item out within 24 hours of them paying. Sometimes this is not even possible for me to do. I go to school full-time and I am taking care of an aunt that is disabled.
How can I keep my Detailed Seller Ratings high, alleviate any negative feedback, and continue shipping the way I always have?
Kayla R.
Dear Kayla:
Congratulations on your eBay success since 2006. That is quite an accomplishment. It says a lot about you and your commitment to making it work on eBay.
I’m sorry that I don’t have a fool proof answer to help you with your problem. There are many sellers (myself included) in the same boat with you. My only answer is to educate your buyer. Make sure your eBay ad, About Me page, and eBay store gives information on your shipping time. When your buyer pays you, could send them an email letting them know you received their payment and let them know the date in which their item will be shipped out.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 150236660494 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). How many times have you thought, “I want my own Pub.” Here’s your chance Inflatable Portable Pub Asking price: $25,000. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150236660494
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
How to take Great eBay Photos & how much should I pay myself?
Dear eBay Queen;
I am renting a two story house and have severe arthritis in my knees. The best place for me to take photos is in the upstairs bathroom. The bathroom counters are large, and the light fixtures mixed with the daylight, makes my lighting perfect! My problem is I end up carrying my eBay items upstairs to photograph and list, and then downstairs to store and ship. When my knees are really hurting, I just store the stuff up there. The upstairs is my children’s domain, and they get a little annoyed with me and my eBay stuff in their bathroom. Do you have a solution for this?
Laura in Phoenix
Dear Laura;
Many other eBayers, myself included, have had a hard time finding the photography sweet spot in their house. When I first started selling on eBay, I photographed everything in my kitchen. I had the best lighting, and sunlight came through those windows through-out the day. I would set up my ironing board up against my pantry cabinet, tape white fabric on the pantry and let it drape over my ironing board. My photos always came out clear, and no one ever knew what kind of studio I had.
You could also purchase a photo cube. These are portable and most fold up quickly and can be stored in an area that is smaller than a lap top. Currently eBay has photo cubes ranging in price from 11.99 to 100.00. When buying a photo cube set up on eBay you need to make sure your purchase includes the lighting. If you are unsure about how a photo cube will work for you, you could always make your own for very little money. http://reviews.ebay.com/DIY-Ebay-photo-studio_W0QQugidZ10000000004241893 eBay user osuna_ruben has created a step by step (with photos) guide on how to make your own photo cube with only 6 household items.
If none of the suggestions work for you, I would have my kids lug the eBay items up and down the stairs for me. My first thought when you contacted me with your dilemma was “what about those kids”? You have some cheap labor right there at your finger tips! I have five children, and sometimes they complain about helping with eBay stuff. Most of the time they love helping out, and I’ve learned they enjoy feeling like they are a part of something.
Dear eBay Queen;
I am trying to make a go at eBay as a full time business. I'm curious about how I should give myself a salary. I need to figure the best way to pay myself and the best method for giving a percentage to an organization that I regularly support, (not through eBay's Giving Works, but independently). Also, how much do you keep for buying new product? I’m sure everyone does it differently, but I’d like to get a few ideas.
Jenna; Gardner, KS
Dear Jenna;
I know some people pay themselves a weekly or monthly salary, and others treat each of their sales like it was a consignment sale by taking a percentage of each transaction. If your eBay sales are not consistent week to week it would be hard to pay yourself on a low sales week. If you chose to pay yourself a percent of each eBay sale, then you would not need to worry about a slow week. You could also build into your paycheck the percent you give your charity.
When it comes to buying product, everyone has a different amount they spend weekly or monthly on items to sell on eBay. I have friends that allow $200.00 a week to go to estate and garage sales, and another that spends 5000.00 a month when he buys product from a wholesaler. Keep track of your spending, over a couple of months in a notebook. That should give you a good idea on how much money you will need to spend every week/month on acquiring new product.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 190204777046 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the eBay homepage). I knew people collected old padlocks, but I never knew they would sell for this much. Wells Fargo and CO. Padlock SOLD $3000.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP.dll?ViewItems&item=190204777046
I am renting a two story house and have severe arthritis in my knees. The best place for me to take photos is in the upstairs bathroom. The bathroom counters are large, and the light fixtures mixed with the daylight, makes my lighting perfect! My problem is I end up carrying my eBay items upstairs to photograph and list, and then downstairs to store and ship. When my knees are really hurting, I just store the stuff up there. The upstairs is my children’s domain, and they get a little annoyed with me and my eBay stuff in their bathroom. Do you have a solution for this?
Laura in Phoenix
Dear Laura;
Many other eBayers, myself included, have had a hard time finding the photography sweet spot in their house. When I first started selling on eBay, I photographed everything in my kitchen. I had the best lighting, and sunlight came through those windows through-out the day. I would set up my ironing board up against my pantry cabinet, tape white fabric on the pantry and let it drape over my ironing board. My photos always came out clear, and no one ever knew what kind of studio I had.
You could also purchase a photo cube. These are portable and most fold up quickly and can be stored in an area that is smaller than a lap top. Currently eBay has photo cubes ranging in price from 11.99 to 100.00. When buying a photo cube set up on eBay you need to make sure your purchase includes the lighting. If you are unsure about how a photo cube will work for you, you could always make your own for very little money. http://reviews.ebay.com/DIY-Ebay-photo-studio_W0QQugidZ10000000004241893 eBay user osuna_ruben has created a step by step (with photos) guide on how to make your own photo cube with only 6 household items.
If none of the suggestions work for you, I would have my kids lug the eBay items up and down the stairs for me. My first thought when you contacted me with your dilemma was “what about those kids”? You have some cheap labor right there at your finger tips! I have five children, and sometimes they complain about helping with eBay stuff. Most of the time they love helping out, and I’ve learned they enjoy feeling like they are a part of something.
Dear eBay Queen;
I am trying to make a go at eBay as a full time business. I'm curious about how I should give myself a salary. I need to figure the best way to pay myself and the best method for giving a percentage to an organization that I regularly support, (not through eBay's Giving Works, but independently). Also, how much do you keep for buying new product? I’m sure everyone does it differently, but I’d like to get a few ideas.
Jenna; Gardner, KS
Dear Jenna;
I know some people pay themselves a weekly or monthly salary, and others treat each of their sales like it was a consignment sale by taking a percentage of each transaction. If your eBay sales are not consistent week to week it would be hard to pay yourself on a low sales week. If you chose to pay yourself a percent of each eBay sale, then you would not need to worry about a slow week. You could also build into your paycheck the percent you give your charity.
When it comes to buying product, everyone has a different amount they spend weekly or monthly on items to sell on eBay. I have friends that allow $200.00 a week to go to estate and garage sales, and another that spends 5000.00 a month when he buys product from a wholesaler. Keep track of your spending, over a couple of months in a notebook. That should give you a good idea on how much money you will need to spend every week/month on acquiring new product.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 190204777046 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the eBay homepage). I knew people collected old padlocks, but I never knew they would sell for this much. Wells Fargo and CO. Padlock SOLD $3000.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP.dll?ViewItems&item=190204777046
Friday, April 4, 2008
Paypal doesn't send emails like they should.. and What the heck is Best Match?
Dear eBay Queen;
I had a buyer email me today, and asked where their item was. My first thought was they hadn't paid, but after I did a search of my PayPal account, I realized they did pay. I never received the PayPal notification! I had no idea, and this was a total accident. What should I do?
Janet R, Springfield, MO
Dear Janet;
I completely understand your frustration. I have had the same thing happen to me. It's important you let your buyer know what happened, and that you are sending their product out today. When this has happened to me, and my buyer seemed especially upset I have refunded their shipping, or offered them free shipping on the next item they purchased.
A good way to check who has paid you without looking at your PayPal account, or watching for emails, is to check out your sold listings on your My eBay page. In the top right corner of any eBay page you will see My eBay click on it. Once you are on your "Items I've Sold" page you will see the items that have been paid for with PayPal.
Dear eBay Queen;
I took a little break from eBay, as I always do between the end of December and March. I was doing a little research the other day, and noticed that everything was different! The searches, and really the whole look of the site. I don't remember hearing anything about a change like this being in the works. Can you explain to me what is going on?
T.S.M
Dear T.;
There have been quite a few changes since you last listed an item on eBay. I believe the search changes you are talking about is eBay's new "Finding 2.0" or Best Match. Best Match is the new sorting algorithm that is suppose to revolutionize the way people search for items on eBay. eBay has taken all of the data they have accumulated in the last 10 years and put it to use, creating this new search tool.
As a buyer, I don't like it much. If I search for "polka dot pig", I want all the pigs on eBay with "polka dot" in the title. I do not want a computer or search algorithm to decide what I mean by the keywords I am searching for.
As a seller, this new tool can effect how a buyer comes across my eBay items. There are several factors that influence this search tool. It is important you know what they are so your listing will come out on top.
1. Make sure your Title has good keywords. If you are having trouble creating a good, effective title, try this eBay title builder. http://labsebay.com/raghavgupta/demoto/to?
2. Always use Item Specifics when they are available
3. Keep your shipping and handling fees fair
4. Create a great buying experience.
eBay scores you as a seller and each item you have listed. Here are some of the things they are scoring.
1. Listing Time or ending time
2. Listing Format (auction, store, fixed price)
3. Distance (how far the buyer is from you)
4. Other terms of sale such as warranty, refund policy and shipping cost.
5. Seller performance factor. This is where the Detailed Seller Ratings and PowerSeller status comes into effect. If you have above a 4.6 in your DSR scores for the last 30 days you will be advantaged in the search results. I f you are below a 4.2 in the last 30 days you will be disadvantaged.
No one really knows what weight they put on each of the factors listed above. Many people in the industry believe that the Seller Performance factor weighs heavier than listing or end time.
This new search tool is optional, and you can select to opt out of it by changing the sort feature in the blue gray shaded area above the search selections. The box will read "sort by". You can select; date ending first, shipping price or even nearest to you. If Best Match is in that box, that is your current search.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 190206930123 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the eBay homepage). This seller makes the jewelry she sells. Her spring flowers are selling for quite a bit of money. Carved Bakelite Jonquils Flower Clamper Bracelet SOLD $441.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP.dll?ViewItems&item=190206930123
I had a buyer email me today, and asked where their item was. My first thought was they hadn't paid, but after I did a search of my PayPal account, I realized they did pay. I never received the PayPal notification! I had no idea, and this was a total accident. What should I do?
Janet R, Springfield, MO
Dear Janet;
I completely understand your frustration. I have had the same thing happen to me. It's important you let your buyer know what happened, and that you are sending their product out today. When this has happened to me, and my buyer seemed especially upset I have refunded their shipping, or offered them free shipping on the next item they purchased.
A good way to check who has paid you without looking at your PayPal account, or watching for emails, is to check out your sold listings on your My eBay page. In the top right corner of any eBay page you will see My eBay click on it. Once you are on your "Items I've Sold" page you will see the items that have been paid for with PayPal.
Dear eBay Queen;
I took a little break from eBay, as I always do between the end of December and March. I was doing a little research the other day, and noticed that everything was different! The searches, and really the whole look of the site. I don't remember hearing anything about a change like this being in the works. Can you explain to me what is going on?
T.S.M
Dear T.;
There have been quite a few changes since you last listed an item on eBay. I believe the search changes you are talking about is eBay's new "Finding 2.0" or Best Match. Best Match is the new sorting algorithm that is suppose to revolutionize the way people search for items on eBay. eBay has taken all of the data they have accumulated in the last 10 years and put it to use, creating this new search tool.
As a buyer, I don't like it much. If I search for "polka dot pig", I want all the pigs on eBay with "polka dot" in the title. I do not want a computer or search algorithm to decide what I mean by the keywords I am searching for.
As a seller, this new tool can effect how a buyer comes across my eBay items. There are several factors that influence this search tool. It is important you know what they are so your listing will come out on top.
1. Make sure your Title has good keywords. If you are having trouble creating a good, effective title, try this eBay title builder. http://labsebay.com/raghavgupta/demoto/to?
2. Always use Item Specifics when they are available
3. Keep your shipping and handling fees fair
4. Create a great buying experience.
eBay scores you as a seller and each item you have listed. Here are some of the things they are scoring.
1. Listing Time or ending time
2. Listing Format (auction, store, fixed price)
3. Distance (how far the buyer is from you)
4. Other terms of sale such as warranty, refund policy and shipping cost.
5. Seller performance factor. This is where the Detailed Seller Ratings and PowerSeller status comes into effect. If you have above a 4.6 in your DSR scores for the last 30 days you will be advantaged in the search results. I f you are below a 4.2 in the last 30 days you will be disadvantaged.
No one really knows what weight they put on each of the factors listed above. Many people in the industry believe that the Seller Performance factor weighs heavier than listing or end time.
This new search tool is optional, and you can select to opt out of it by changing the sort feature in the blue gray shaded area above the search selections. The box will read "sort by". You can select; date ending first, shipping price or even nearest to you. If Best Match is in that box, that is your current search.
Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 190206930123 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the eBay homepage). This seller makes the jewelry she sells. Her spring flowers are selling for quite a bit of money. Carved Bakelite Jonquils Flower Clamper Bracelet SOLD $441.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP.dll?ViewItems&item=190206930123
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