Christmas Selling Season 2013 - begins NOW!

http://stores.ebay.com/JEWELRY-AND-GIFTS-BY-ALICE-AND-ANN

Labor Day has come and gone..... the kids are back to school

This is for all the new members of Ebay and new sellers that are looking for some help in these trying economic times!

DO NOT GIVE UP!

NOW is the time to be prepared for the 2013 Holiday Shopping Season -

1). Make sure you have all your shipping supplies on hand .
I ship only Priority Mail - all boxes FREE from USPS - just ordered 100
stock up on tape - Costco has a great deal on an 8-pack of clear packaging tape - buy one get one free!! I recently bought 8 packages - got 8 free - saved almost $60 - and I now have enough tape for a year!

2). NOW is the time to check your storefront - tweak your listings -

3). Don't wait until December to run your special Holiday sales! Do it starting NOW! Remember, you always have to be an entire season ahead when selling online - buyers are looking for Christmas and other Holiday gifts - as you get towards the second week of December - you really cannot guarantee your buyer will receive their items in time! Nothing upsets your buyer more than not having the Christmas gift they planned to give!!

4). Women tend to start their Christmas shopping in September and October - they like to plan ahead. It has been my experience that the MEN shop in the 3 week period just before Christmas

5). Take advantage of selling opportunities...BLACK FRIDAY has become HUGE in retail, brick and mortar stores - BUT CYBER-MONDAY online shopping has increased 500% in the past 3 years. That is the Monday after the long Thanksgiving Holiday weekend - people are back home and back to work - and they go online to find the gifts they were not able to get in the stores on Black Friday! - This is a fantastic selling opportunity - only downside is for the past 2 years - the big retail stores have caught on to this and offer Cyber-Monday deals online as well... but it's still something to jump on!


BUT.........

you MUST have a plan for selling!

My store on  Ebay is very successful...Marketing is the KEY!

http://stores.ebay.com/JEWELRY-AND-GIFTS-BY-ALICE-AND-ANN

Think about it - Millions and Millions of items for sale online - I still find it amazing when a buyer chooses one of my items out of all those MIllions!

I started selling online almost 10 years ago it took me about a year and a half to get to the point where it became profitable. I made lots of newbie mistakes and trial and error!

Take a look at my store...I have items starting at $9.99 and as high as $1500.00

THIS IS NOT BY ACCIDENT!
I have price points for every budget....I have many, many listings that are Buy It Now with the make an offer feature.

I sell quality jewelry that I stand behind

I offer free shipping. VERY IMPORTANT!

I ship the same day as I get payment

There are ways to do this, people...you have to be market savy and creative! You have to be willing to give 150% to your online business if you want to be successful! ESPECIALLY this time of year

I have some basic principles that I stick to:

1). Answer your potential Buyers questions as soon as humanly possible...don't let it sit there for a couple of days..if you do, your buyer will move on to another seller!

2). Be completely honest in your listings....know the product you are selling and give as much details as possible.

3). Don't engage in price goughing....it only hurts you, as a seller.
Don't offer great deals with $25.00 shipping!

4). Be flexible an willing to work out any problems that might arise.

5). Don't use the feedback system as a means to be nasty if your buyer has a problem.....I see so many people who get a get a bad feedback....and the first thing they do is respond with more nastiness....don't lower youself to that level....people read ALL feedback comments, and if you respond in the heat of the moment in anger, it reflects badly on your character...sometimes saying NOTHING is better...taking the "high road" makes you the better person.

6) Customer Service is my top priority! As a seller, your reputation is on the line with each and every transaction. Let your buyers know how special they are to you... a little kindness goes a long way!



I am not trying to kid anyone here...you must be willing to give it a try - after all - buyers are not going to come knocking on your door! You have to invite them in and offer great service!

If you cannot do that...your potential sales will go to another seller who is willing to do all of the above!

Good selling!

Dale Ann Schepis