Interviewing Buyers and Sellers, Part 3

In Parts 1 and 2 of Interviewing Buyers and Sellers, I spoke primarily to online sellers, asking thought provoking questions such as, On how many venues do you offer product? and What's your favorite venue?

Hopefully, this started you thinking about your own options! Soon we'll discuss things like SEO and social networking, but first let's look at the results of my last poll regarding favorite venues.

I must admit that I expected OnlineAuction.com to rank high, as I am already a member there and pray that I have a following of readers from that venue. I was not disappointed, as OLA took 3 votes! Seller's Arena followed with 2 votes, and the three venues which had single votes were Atomic Mall, eBay and "My Own Website". Thank you all for participating!

Surprisingly, there were no votes for Bonanzle! I sure hope that means that their sellers were too busy packaging product for shipping! One thing I have learned about Bonanzle, that I really like, (and commend them for), is that they have a button to tweet your items, (on Twitter), while you are listing them. BuyItSellIt offers this also, and I think we'll see more and more venues adding this feature, don't you?

As for me, I've already made arrangements to have a new mall store at Seller's Arena. As soon as their testing is complete, and stores are available, Fleapirates Plunder will be expanding. It's rather exciting, and I am looking forward to managing 2 venues!

For this week's poll, I'd like to address the buyers! Your answers to my poll will lead us into our next discussion about SEO strategies. I am curious as to how everyone searches for products. Let's say you want to purchase a gift, and you know exactly what you want. For the example we will use an iPhone... that's a popular buy. (Not in MY field, but it should work for this purpose!) Where do you look first?

Where do you search the internet for specific items?

GoogleAlternative Search EngineThe Manufacturer's WebsiteBig Box StoreseBayCheck my favorite venue firstAn online service, like PriceGrabber

pollcode.com free polls

Thanks again, my readers! I hope you all had a safe, relaxing and enjoyable Memorial Day!
Look for me on Twitter, under the username fleapirates!

Interviewing Buyers and Sellers, Part 2

Last week I polled my readers, inquiring how many venues they use to sell their wares.

Thank you to all who participated! There were 8 replies and the results are as follows:
1 Venue : 3 sellers
2 Venues : 4 sellers
4 + Venues : 1 seller

I am in awe of the person who voted that they sell at 4+ sites...
this just seems too much to manage, for me anyway!

Per the poll results, it appears that adding a site may be a good investment of time and money. The next obvious question is which venue to add?

Your recommendations will help me, and others, evaluate the options that are available! Please choose the venue that you feel is your overall best performer... the one where you get the most sales, and where things like cost, SEO, community, and customer service combine to bring the greatest success. And yes, those of you who use only one site may certainly vote for yours!

Which venue is your favorite site to sell on?
	My Own Website
	Amazon
	Atomic Mall
	Bonanzle
	eBay
	eCrater
	Online Auction
	Overstock
	Seller's Arena
	Other
pollcode.com free polls

If I missed naming your site, please accept my apologies! I know of more, like Etsy and MyBISI, but size restraints restricted me from using more than ten spots. Please use Other as your choice, and be sure to let me know the name of your choice in the comments section!

I'd also like to know which feature was the most important to you when choosing your site. Was it cost? Customer Service? SEO? A great community? Or a combination of all? Something else? I believe those I mentioned are all equally important, and combined, they are the reason I am such a loyal OnlineAuction.com member.

There's a lot going on at Seller's Arena right now, with the addition of a new Mall. I am already a member there, and must admit that opening a store with them is an enticing idea. I already know they have great SEO, prompt customer service and a friendly, welcoming community. Hmmmm.....

Going back to eBay is not in my plans. If you still sell there, please post your thoughts in the comments section. After all the changes at eBay in the last 1-2 years, I still consider myself a boycotter. I made a purchase there recently, but only because it was being sold by a friend. And from time to time, I pop an item up for sale there, just to keep my account active. (Those items don't even get looked at anymore, and I left with great feedback and stars!) It just amazes me that anyone can make any profits there, after the listing/relisting fees, the Paypal fees and the final value fees. Then there's the worry that your buyer will try to cheat you out of your product, and your money, by being dishonest. Is it really worth it?

Bonanzle's membership appears to be growing at a fast pace. Can anyone comment on their features? One thing I've seen talked about frequently, at all the sites, is the submission of listings to search engines. I do a lot of researching, and am disappointed that I do not see Bonanzle listings coming up in my search results more often. Although they sure are talked about on Twitter!

The other sites in the poll I do not know much about, but I'd love to learn. I'm hoping that we all can develop an appreciation for ALL the sites, learn about their strengths and weaknesses, and show support and respect for sellers on EVERY site. Thanks for your continued participation!

Friendship in the Online Marketplace

Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.
~ Woodrow Wilson

Today's OLA Tuesday Tidbit is about Friendship in the Online Marketplace. Why should you get to know your fellow sellers & buyers? Because, often times, these are the very people who can provide you with advice, knowledge, support, motivation, inspiration, challenges, & friendship.

Social networking is a hot topic right now. How many venues or forums are you a part of? Aside from OLA, I am a member at Twitter, Seller's Arena & Online Sellers United. By far, OLA is my favorite, as I've been there the longest, & had the chance to more fully develop acquaintances there. (How did I ever manage at eBay for 9 years without social networking???) These relationships are all a work in progress, however, as new forum members are joining every day, & seasoned members are socializing more, providing opportunities to meet people I never would have met without my internet connection.

Some would argue the other side of the coin... that you're here to do business, not to make friends with potential competitors. I disagree! There's enough online pie for everyone to have a slice, & by sharing our experiences, we can all learn from each other & grow both personally & professionally. And I'll tell you, I like having friends all across the country!

One day, I'm going to wiggle my toes in Florida sand with CaptDonna. And if I ever am fortunate enough to visit Washington State, I want to see Curiocache & her mini horses. On the way, I just might stop by Oregon & surprise Ragmop! Or swing south and knock on Supergranny's door. The possibilities are endless! (And if I didn't mention you, please don't feel slighted... you're on my list, too!) Oh, did you know that I almost got the chance to meet Draggontagger? A longtime friend had a car breakdown about 30 minutes from DT. She was so helpful, telling us all about the local amenities & offering assistance if we needed it. I was sorry that I didn't end up driving to rescue my friend in Iowa, & sorrier still that I missed having coffee with one of my online buddies!

I've been talking lately with another couple of friends about gardens. Aesthetics48 has a lovely garden, & posts photos and tips in her blog. Sunflowerranch has also become one of my favorite bloggers, with her story-like posts. (It's no wonder that she's a book seller!) Do yourself a favor & get to know both of these ladies. They're OLA veterans, who are always ready to help with technical issues, trading advice & everyday chit-chat.

Stay social! And get to know your fellow members. You never know when you'll need 'em! (Or they may need you.)

In our garden talks, I was begging for advice on how to keep critters out of my garden. Aesthetics hit it right on the head with her reply, "I just try to plant enough so they will share with me". So with her good advice & without further adieu, here are photos of my newest garden friends...LOL!

The Eye Candy

Morning Dove

&

Cardinal

The Bandit

(Look, he's even smiling!)

The Flying Squirrel

Our evening
entertainer!

The Exterminator

I know, it's not the best picture... this hawk is elusive!

And the trouble-makers...

And the Stinkers, (the skunks), I am not hanging around long enough to get a photo! LOL!

So make a new friend today, & be sure to stop by

FLEAPIRATES PLUNDER to browse for all your vintage collectibles!

Check out Seller's Arena!

Today's OLA Tuesday Tidbit

comes from MetzyMom!



Metzy and I had a nice talk the other day
about the different kinds of ways OLA sellers
can promote their stores and their items.
There's quite a few options, actually,
and I wonder how many people are taking advantage of them?

One of my favorites is Oodle.
You've all heard me tout the benefits of
copying and pasting your items to Oodle!
And I am often posting a variety of places
to add your store links, such as:
EveryPlaceISell,
FreeWebSubmission,
and INeedHits.

But today, let's take a look at Seller's Arena!
I admit, I became a member there some time ago,
and I have not, to date, used it to it's potential.
Just this week, I made my first blog there.
Yes! They offer blogs!
And according to Metzy, the blogs she has posted
have had very good search engine results!

In addition, Seller's Arena offers a forum,
where you can meet & chat with other sellers,
from a variety of venues.

They have an Arcade,
which is filled with fun games!

They just upgraded their Link Directory,
where you can place a link to your store.
(THIS IS GOOD SEO!)

And they showcase a place to offer your wares,
directly to other Seller's Arena members.

It's time for me to put a little more time
into this valuable site...
won't you join me?



And I'd like to remind everyone
of all the great things that are
happening at OLA!

The QA Sale is ongoing.
Enter the letters QA into the search engine at OLA,
to find pages of items, starting at bids of only .25 cents!

The Scavenger Hunt is now taking sign-ups!
First Prize is $100 in Auction Credits,
courtesy of OnlineAuction.com.

The Wednesday Wave is tomorrow night.
Bargains abound!

And don't forget to tune into
OLA-RADIO
Thursday night, at 8pm CST!


Fleapirates Tuesday Treasure:

YOU ARE SPECIAL TODAY
Decorative Plate - Made in Japan
Only $1.29 on Classic Auction!
Click HERE to view the details.
Or click HERE to visit my store!