Announcing the OLA Six Week Stimulus Extravaganza

Announcing an exciting new event at OnlineAuction.com,

The OLA Six Week Stimulus Extravaganza!

January 31, 2010 through March 13, 2010

Why is this exciting?
Because it is a collaboration of online merchants, all working towards promoting OnlineAuction.com, and offering great deals in every category! From antiques and art, to real estate and automobiles, there will be specials to entice even the most discerning shopper. Look for advertisements on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogs, and all over the internet, as well as locales across the U.S.A!

And why are you telling me this now? The Extravaganza starts at the end of January?
Mark your calendars!

For sellers: Right now merchants are encouraged to sign-up for the weekly specials. Information about being a merchant is located in the OLA Chat Forum. As each week progresses, merchants and products will be featured in advertising that will be spread far and wide by the participants. This blog, in particular, will be a showcase for all the fantastic deals!

For buyers: Now is the time to plan your shopping experience! Check out the categories in each week listed below... what are your favorite things to shop for?

To make weekly browsing easy, just use the letter W and a week number in your search. For example, using the search term W1 during January 31st to February 6th, will show you the specific specials to be found during Collector's Week.

W1 - Week 1 - Jan 31st - Feb 6th - Collector's Week:
Books and Publications  *  Coins and Currency *  Educational  *  Equestrian  *  Historical Memorabilia  *  Knives, Swords, Cutlery  *  Militaria  *  Military Surplus  *  Photographs  *  Sporting Goods  *  Sports Memorabilia  *  Stamps  *  Trading Cards  *  Writing Instruments

W2 - Week 2 - Feb 7th - Feb 13th - Interiors Week:
Antiques  *  Art  *  Clocks  *  Collectibles  *  Holiday and Seasonal  *  Home and Garden  *  Native American  *  OOAK  *  Pottery and Glass  *  Western

W3 - Week 3 - Feb 14th - Feb 20th - Personal Week: 
Baby  *  Clothing and Apparel  *  Costume and Period Clothing  *  Food and Wine  *  Health and Beauty  *  Health and Fitness  *  Natural and Herbal Products  *  Jewelry and Watches  *  Medical Equipment  *  Metaphysical

W4 - Week 4 - Feb 21st - Feb 27th - Tech Week:
Cameras and Photo  *  Communications Equipment  *  Computers and Networking  *  Consumer Electronics  *  DVD and Movies  *  Electronics  *  Home Entertainment  *  Marketing  *  Music  *  Musical Instruments  *  Video Games

W5 - Week 5 - Feb 28th - Mar 6th - Hobby Week:
Crafts and Hobbies  *  Dolls and Bears  *  Entertainment Memorabilia  *  Handmade Items  *  Memorabilia  *  Movie and TV Memorabilia  *  Pets and Supplies  *  Toys and Hobbies

W6 - Week 6 - Mar 7th - Mar 13th - Splurge Week:
Automotive  *  Business and Industrial  *  Construction  *  Everything Else  *  Firearms  *  Livestock  *  OLA Cares  *  OLA Motors  *  Multiple Dwellings  *  Real Estate  *  Surveying and Scientific Equipment  *  Tools and Equipment  *  Travel

What if I am not yet a member at OnlineAuction.com?

It is FREE to be a basic buyer at OLA. Sign up takes only a moment or two!
Only certain items, like firearms and automobiles, require verified buyer status, so if you are interested in those types of purchases, please be sure to carefully read and understand the MembershipOptions / Fees page at OLA. Still have questions? The customer support department is available Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm PST at 800-900-2828.

Basic Seller status at OLA is only $8 per month for unlimited selling! Why not let us show you how much fun and success you can enoy, selling at OLA during this exciting Extravaganza? Read more about selling opportunities.

We hope to see you during the
OLA Six Week Stimulus Extravaganza!

House-Cleaning at OLA!

I've been checking out all the great bargains at OnlineAuction.com!

There's a nice variety of used and new products, in every price range, and offered from some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable sellers online.

While the majority of OLA members are located across the entire breadth of the USA, I've recently noticed that more international folks are joining the ranks. That is wonderful... welcome! I am experienced in both buying and selling internationally, and would encourage every member to learn more about reaping the benefits of international trade. A good place to start is the USPS, where you will find a wealth of topics detailing shipping instructions, requirements and restrictions to each and every country.

Did you listen to OLA-Radio last week? OnlineAuction.com owner Chris Fain was the guest speaker! He spoke at length about his vision for building the #1 online marketplace, the successes we've already enjoyed and the continual improvement plans that he has set for the future. Although he did not expound in great detail on some of the upcoming surprises that members can expect, he did mention an advertising campaign and other enhancements that are in the works to benefit all members. You can hear the archived OLA-Radio program by clicking here.

Since we are growing, isn't this a good time to ensure that you are up-to-date on all the features at OnlineAuction.com? It is time to put our best face forward! By effectively using the tools that are available to you, from both the OLA staff and other OLA members, you may increase the efficiency of your own business operation and leave a positive impression upon people who are visiting the site for the first time.

Let's face reality... if a new buyer visits you, and can't find what they are looking for in your store, (or your individual listings), they are less likely to come back. If you don't have good photographs, they will look for someone who does. And if you don't list your shipping charges, they might not take the time to write you and ask.

Here is a list of HELP topics that you can find in the OLA Chat Forum:

• Setting up your OLA Store, by Renee, OLA Support
  
  
• Setting up your House Categories, by StubsInc, OLA member



• Using Auctiva, by Dragonmum2 & Aesthetics48, OLA members



• Shipping Calculator and Services, by Renee, OLA Support



• Resizing Your Pictures, by Ragmop, OLA Support



• Picture Tutorial for Chat Set-up, by Aesthetics48, OLA member



• HTML Help, a collaboration between OLA Staff and members



• Seaching OnlineAuction.com, by Fleapirates, OLA member
  

Now, these suggestions are just a cross-section of all the HELP topics available! Please take some time to peruse all the aids, and let's do some house-cleaning... we've got guests on the way!

I am on a kick about category organization right now. Yes, it is a chore, especially when you are adding new items and selling existing ones. Remember this... who wants to sort through a bunch of category selections and receive numerous No Auctions Found results? Not me! I try to re-set my category list at least once a week, to minimize the chance of seeing that notice in my store.

Anyone who needs help or tips on this task may contact me! It is not difficult, once you have walked through the steps a time or two. You may also contact either Renee or Rowen in OLA Support, by calling the toll-free phone number, 800-900-2828.

Let's all work together to create a welcoming site for new buyers and sellers, one that is easy to navigate, fun to shop, and encourages repeat business!

Thanks for reading! Be sure to stop by Fleapirates Plunder the next time you are browsing OLA!