| The Online Seller | Vol. 4, Issue 1 |
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International sourcing site lets merchants learn the ropes with less risk.
by Brad and Debra Schepp
In late summer, Alibaba.com acquired Auctiva and a new synergy began between two companies offering products and services vital to all eBay merchants. A new Sourcing tab on the Auctiva home page takes you to AliExpress, the wholesale corner of the giant Alibaba.com sourcing site. Here you can quickly and simply participate in the world's largest online marketplace, connecting manufacturers throughout the world with small to medium-sized merchants. Read story.
Using Color to Improve Sales
Harness the psychology of color to turn shoppers into buyers.
by Dennis L. Prince
Newsletters Customers Want to Receive
Think like a buyer to make your eBay Store newsletter a must-read.
by Janelle Elms
More Ways to Find Profits with Footwear
Selling shoes on eBay can be lucrative, if you keep these tips in mind.
by Miriam Otto
Are You Ready for Mobile Buyers?
Learn how to optimize your listings for on-the-go shoppers.
De-Duping Your Listings
Get the inside scoop on eBay's new Duplicate Listing Policy and how to comply.
Free eBay Shipping Service from Stamps.com! Simplify your eBay shipping. Stamps.com imports order data from eBay, posts tracking information back to your store, and it's compatible with First Class Mail International, so you can ship worldwide without ever going to the post office. Best of all, you can print eBay shipping labels for free. Sign up today and get a $55 bonus!
News Stories
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Cars, trucks and apparel were top categories for mobile buyers in 2010.
Shoppers around the world spent millions of dollars on eBay with their mobile devices during 2010, but two categories proved to be the most popular regardless of buyers' locations: Cars & Trucks, and Clothing, Shoes & Accessories. Read story.
Aussie Retailers Push for Online Tariffs
Consumers push back with boycott campaigns.
Final Holiday Shopping Week Exceeds $5B
Last-minute shoppers help to brighten online sellers' holidays.
Winter Weather May Impact Transactions
eBay encourages buyers and sellers to be patient.
Auctiva Blog
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The holidays are behind us once again, and if you're anything like me, you've been on the hunt for rock-bottom clearance bargains in your favorite stores. No, I'm not talking about those 75-percent-off boxes of holiday cards or ornaments for next year's tree (though I did find an awesome lime-green sequined Christmas stocking for my daughter for $3). I'm on the lookout for products I can resell in the coming months—and the bigger the discount, the better! Read more.
Coverage You Can Count On. Lost or damaged items can hurt your bottom line. Protect yourself with Auctiva Shipping Insurance. Policies cost up to 30% less compared to USPS and there are no long lines or forms to fill out. Set Auto-Purchase Rules to make buying and managing insurance policies easier than ever. Learn more.
Weird and Wacky Listings
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If your New Year's resolution was to take more care with your grooming, remember that small changes can make a big impact. For example, this set of tiny brushes can help you eliminate the embarrassing problem of belly button lint, so you can go out and face the world with confidence!
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Tired of the same old bagel with schmear? This lightly toasted bread round will change your whole outlook. One look at that cheerful, smiling face will make you smile right back—right before you devour its sweet, doughy goodness. You'll never look at breakfast the same way again.
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They say clothes make the man. But they (whoever they are) weren't counting on this set of stylish moustaches. With a different one for each day of the week, you can change your look as often as you like, and always keep your friends guessing.
Ask Auctiva
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Got a burning question about Auctiva, eBay or e-commerce in general? Through our Ask Auctiva program, you can speak directly to Auctiva's top managers. All you have to do is send an e-mail to "AskAuctiva" at the Auctiva dot com domain. Selected questions will be answered by Auctiva managers and published in an article on the Auctiva Education tab. Read some recent Auctiva Q&A articles here.
Please do not submit inquiries requiring an immediate response. Instead, please file a support request for technical or account-related issues.
Auctiva User Profile
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For Elke Johnson, online sales have been a blessing. They've helped her earn a little extra cash, and they've helped her make ends meet when she was between jobs.
"It helped me pay some bills," notes the owner of Your Planet Mall on eBay. "I could not have done this without my customers and eBay letting me sell my products online. At first I had no vision of having a store. I had no idea how fun and profitable this sort of business could be." Read story.
Get Featured Here
Got a success story you want to share? What amazing garage sale finds have you turned into monster profits online? How has using Auctiva's templates and auction management tools improved your eBay business? Drop a line and tell us in 50 words or less about an outstanding e-sale experience, and perhaps we'll feature your story in an upcoming issue of The Online Seller newsletter. Submit your story.
Auctiva Commerce Store Spotlight
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Ellen Mitchell started selling online to pick up some extra cash when she left the corporate world after more than 22 years. Initially, she sold books and offered cassette tapes from time to time. What she realized was that vintage cassettes were still in high demand, she says.
"Sometimes I would sell one for $40 or $50. I started to receive e-mails from customers asking me if I had a particular tape," Mitchell says. "It seemed the demand was there, and I have a passion for music, so it seemed natural to open a store for tape lovers."
She thought there might be a similar demand for VHS films and decided to open up Cassette and Video Corner, where she could "house" both types of media in one spot. Her venture seems to be paying off, as she continues to get regular orders.
"I'm still amazed to find my instincts were right on," Mitchell admits. "I've had customers come in and buy 20 tapes at a time. They are very excited about finding some of the rare tapes I offer. Of course, that makes all my effort worthwhile."
While it's hard to say which items are the most popular in her shop, Mitchell notes that she sells lots of children's books like "Tales From the Crypt: Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas." Vinyl LPs are also popular. But it's her commitment to treat buyers as if they were close friends and her constant inventory revamp that keeps them coming back, she says.
"I keep a good variety of children's videos and cassettes in my inventory. Busy mothers are looking for educational videos to help teach their children these days," she says. "I believe many of my return customers come back as a result of my continually keeping my inventory fresh. I keep customers informed every step along the way, from purchase to shipping, so they know what is happening with their order."
She hopes this type of communication will help Cassette and Video Corner grow.
"I see Cassette and Video Corner on its way to becoming a mega store for the collector and music/video fan alike," she says.
Visit Cassette and Video Corner.
Set up your own Auctiva Commerce Store and get complete freedom over your shop.
Feedback Forum
In response to "De-Duping Your Listings," one reader writes: "I am for the policy, however feel it should cover auctions also and they should offer multiple variations in more categories to unclog the site." Read the entire thread, and post your response.
If you'd like to comment on this newsletter, any article contained within, or on topics you'd like to see us cover in the future, Auctiva editors would love to hear from you. Send us your feedback.
Sent by Auctiva Corp.
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