what this blog is all about...

Do you sell stuff on-line? Interested in it? Well, this blog might be for you. Don't expect lots of news stories or other stuff you can easily get. I want to give you the ugly side...the practical, the-stuff-they-don't-warn-you-about side of on-line retailing for the small seller.

I've been selling on-line for about 9 years. And I'm happy to share some of my experience and knowledge with anyone who has the patience to trudge their way through my random ramblings!

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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

eBayers coming over to Amazon...sigh...

While going through the joyful process of getting some of my items listed in Amazon, I noticed that there were quite a few sellers with some of my items, and they were selling them for a really great price.

Now, in this case "really great" means really great for the buyer, but it means "almost no profit" for the seller.

Let me explain...

Some of these sellers are ebayers, who have either jumped ship and trying out "the river" or are selling on Amazon as well as ebay.

If you fall into this category, here are a few words of advice.

By the way, I don't care how many people sell on Amazon, or how many people sell the same things I do. If you want to sell what I sell and undercut my price every time, I welcome it. Because the more you do this, the more likely it will be that you'll go out of business!!!

1. Don't price your amazon items like you're selling on ebay. The fees will kill you. You were likely operating on a low profit margin on ebay in the first place, so you will be making even less on the river.

2. Quit using your stinking ebay-watermarked pics! You know what I'm talking about...the pics with the little camera watermark in the lower right corner. Amazon hates watermarks. Either photoshop them out or take new ones. BTW...I'm one of those jerks who'll report your pics. Remember...all's fair in love and war...and business.

3. Take quality pics. By "quality" I don't mean a pic taken with your good sofa as the background. Pics should have all white backgrounds. They should be in focus. They should focus on the product. And skip putting "God bless you all" text on the edge or side. Seriously.

4. Don't get caught up in a price war with other sellers. There are plenty of sellers out there who will willingly lower their prices because they know you'll do the same to get the coveted "buy box". They can take the temporary loss in profit. Can you? If so, get your war paint on, because this is one war that can go on for a long time. Word of advice: price fairly, don't always try to undercut the competition.

If you want to sell on Amazon and you were (or are) and ebay seller, Amazon can be a welcome change...or an absolute nightmare of rules, requirements, and warnings.

So do your research. Then do more. I did this for months before I listed my first item. And it saved me a lot of headaches.
Posted by Rich D.

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