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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:51 PM

EBAY QUEEN: Has selling on eBay become a joke?

By SUZIE EADS, Ask The eBay Queen

Dear eBay Queen: I run a small independent video production business and have been approached by someone in my area who had been something of a local celebrity here in New Jersey. He had his own TV show for 17 years on the subject of casino gambling (“Cappy’s Casino Corner”), and he still attracts large crowds to his adult education class on the subject at the local high school. He asked me if I could put a DVD together for him from an extensive collection of his shows on VHS tape, and market them for him on the Internet. I told him the first part would not be a problem, but marketing on the Internet was not my area of expertise.

I’m familiar with buying on eBay, but have heard it has become something of a joke trying to sell anything there with all their new rules and regulations, plus cost increases. Would you have any practical suggestions on how I can help him market his product on the Internet once I produce the DVDs? — Video Guy, New Jersey

Dear Video Guy: This is pretty exciting. I think it’s a great opportunity to be on the ground level of this project. Did the client tell you how he wanted this marketed? If he is leaving the marketing up to you, I would probably handle this in a couple of ways.

The first thing I would do is create a Web site for “Cappy’s Casino Corner.” I would set up a shopping cart on the site so people could purchase his DVD directly from his Web site. Another way to market him would be create a blog, and a subscription “Tip of the Day” e-mail. After his Web site was up and running, I would set up accounts on Amazon, Half.com and eBay to sell his DVDs.

I don’t know how internet savvy “Cappy” is, but it would also be a good idea to set up a Facebook page and Twitter account for him. Poker is popular now, and if “Cappy” would Tweet, or market himself on Facebook, he would find his sales go up by doing this.

You are right about eBay becoming somewhat of a joke. I have hopes that the higher ups at eBay will realize that the core of eBay is the community, and not themselves. If they don’t realize it soon, I hope the board of directors do.

Good luck on your marketing and creating a buzz with Cappy and his Casino Corner!

Dear eBay Queen: I sell primarily vintage clothing. I had a vintage quilted jacket I put on a buy-it-now on eBay for $29.99. It sold two weeks ago, and the buyer left positive feedback. I received the following e-mail today:

“I appreciate the fast shipping however; I am concerned about the condition of this item. You’re Ad States:

This is a yellowish Gold color. - Yes

It is made of silky polyester -Yes

Features 3 large plastic pearl buttons. Yes

This jacket is in excellent condition, but there is a small amount of fraying in one of the button holes (this is hardly noticeable; I almost missed it until I looked at one of the buttons close up.) NOT ACCURATE

This item is CLEARLY NOT NEW. The lining is ripped and poorly hand sewn back together. Kindly refund my money ASAP.

I e-mailed the buyer back the following:

“I am very sorry the jacket is not what you expected. I would be happy to refund your money, please send the item back to: (my address was here).”

She e-mailed me back this:

“I don’t think I should have to send it back. If I do, I will leave feedback stating that the item was misrepresented.”

The jacket is stated as “vintage,” not new. It did not have a ripped lining when I sent it either. What should I do? — JAB; Rantoul

Dear JAB: If this were my transaction I would stick to my guns. Since the buyer already has left positive feedback she cannot change it after the fact. I would not e-mail her again, and wait for the buyer to send the jacket back. Sometimes people want something for nothing, and this buyer seems to be one of those people.

It couldn’t hurt to let eBay know this buyer has threatened negative feedback if you do not let her keep the item. You can e-mail eBay’s dean of education here: griff@ebay.com

Strange eBay item of the week: eBay item 110449627952 (enter this number in the eBay search box in the top right corner of the home page). Have you ever wondered what to do with those old dried out gourds? Check out this gourd banjo that sold for $395 at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110449627952

Suzie Eads is a nationally known eBay marketer and eBay trained education specialist. She lives in Rantoul. Do you have a question for the eBay Queen? E-mail: questions@asktheebayqueen.com

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EBAY QUEEN: Has selling on eBay become a joke?

By SUZIE EADS, Ask The eBay Queen

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.