Do your remember when you first ventured out in the online business world? You probably had questions and problems along the way. Couldn't you have benefited from having a mentor? Wouldn't it have been easier if you had help? When a newbie asks for your advice, educate them; answer their questions and help them solve their online business problems. If you do not have the knowledge to help them out, point them in the right direction. Hey, Luke couldn't make it without Obi-Wan and Yoda!
You'll get many benefits from helping online business newbies. Below are eight possible benefits you could receive as a Newbie Mentor:
1. You will feel good knowing that you had a part in helping them build their business. You can sit back
and say "I had a part in their success."
2. They may become one of your best friends. Most people can use new friends, even business owners. You may even become business partners and create a totally new business together.
3. You could end up being strategic business allies in the future. You could regularly do joint venture and cross promotion deals with each other.
4. They may help you out with your business. Maybe they will give you some testimonials or endorsements for your products or services.
5. You might gain some valuable referrals from them. They may also join your affiliate program and make sales for your business.
6. They might offer you some free advertising space on their web site or in their e-zine for your help. You could also exchange advertising with them.
7. You both could end up developing a new product or service together. The product or service could be a combination of your current ones.
8. They might purchase the products you sell and become one of your best customers. You could sell them many back end products or services in the future.
There are probably many other benefits you could get from mentoring a new online business owner. Always remember to help them out because it's the nice thing to do and not just to benefit your own business.
Come back next time for more tips. Tricks and techniques to assist you in your marketing and sales efforts. Remember we're all in this together and I'm pulling for you.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For environmentally smart resources to help you with your Online Business check out
http://www.renspubhouse.netii.net/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing, save a tree by not wasting paper, be environmentally correct and have some fun and learn something to boot!
********************************************************************
Showing posts with label selling online. Show all posts
Showing posts with label selling online. Show all posts
Monday, March 08, 2010
Monday, September 29, 2008
Creating Sales And Maintaining Profits In A Slowpoke Economy
You gotta love business cycles. When there are good times everyone rejoices and the easy money flows. However, like bad times, they never last. Of course the losers start blaming the government or big business, but in fact it is just part of the life cycle of business. However there are steps you can take to help ease the slow down in your business's profits. Here are a few tips:
1. Sell more back end products to your existing customer base. You already created rapport, trust
and proved your credibility to them.
2. Make it a practice to up sell to new and existing customers. After they decide to buy one product,
offer them another product.
3. Cross promote your products and services with other businesses that aren't competition. You will
reach a wider audience at less cost.
4. Create joint venture deals with other businesses. You can expand your product line and target other
profitable markets at a lower cost.
5. Start an affiliate program for your business. You will be able to spend less profits on risk advertising
and spend more money on guaranteed sales.
6. Trade advertising with other businesses to save revenue. You could trade e-zine ads, banners ads,
links, print ads, etc.
7. Out source part of your workload. This can save on employee costs, equipment costs, taxation costs,
expansion costs, etc.
8. Add low cost bonuses to your offer that have a high perceived value. It could be ebooks, members
only sites, consulting, e-reports, etc.
9. Use viral marketing to promote your business on the internet. Give away free stuff with your ad copy
include on it so others can give it away.
10. Follow up with all your prospects. You can use a free e-zine, a follow-up autoresponder, an update
or reminder list, etc.
Remember business like life is a do-it -yourself project. If you take positive action and keep trying you will survive.
Mahalo.
*******************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
Or Go to Amazon and order the whole set of Inquisitive Explorer Marketing Books.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Michael+Rener&x=0&y=0
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
1. Sell more back end products to your existing customer base. You already created rapport, trust
and proved your credibility to them.
2. Make it a practice to up sell to new and existing customers. After they decide to buy one product,
offer them another product.
3. Cross promote your products and services with other businesses that aren't competition. You will
reach a wider audience at less cost.
4. Create joint venture deals with other businesses. You can expand your product line and target other
profitable markets at a lower cost.
5. Start an affiliate program for your business. You will be able to spend less profits on risk advertising
and spend more money on guaranteed sales.
6. Trade advertising with other businesses to save revenue. You could trade e-zine ads, banners ads,
links, print ads, etc.
7. Out source part of your workload. This can save on employee costs, equipment costs, taxation costs,
expansion costs, etc.
8. Add low cost bonuses to your offer that have a high perceived value. It could be ebooks, members
only sites, consulting, e-reports, etc.
9. Use viral marketing to promote your business on the internet. Give away free stuff with your ad copy
include on it so others can give it away.
10. Follow up with all your prospects. You can use a free e-zine, a follow-up autoresponder, an update
or reminder list, etc.
Remember business like life is a do-it -yourself project. If you take positive action and keep trying you will survive.
Mahalo.
*******************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
Or Go to Amazon and order the whole set of Inquisitive Explorer Marketing Books.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Michael+Rener&x=0&y=0
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
Monday, September 22, 2008
Blazing Ways To Sky-Rocket Your Profits
Blazing Ways To Sky-Rocket Your Profits
Ah it's a profit motive, now I see how this web thing is supposed to work for business. If that statement is a revelation to you, well you've come to the right place. Here are some easy way sto help you sky-rocket your profits and increase your business.
1. Use a "P.S." at the end of your ad copy. This is were you either want to repeat a strong benefit
or use a strong close like a free bonus.
2. Publish a free ebook and give it away from your web site or in your e-zine. This will increase your
traffic, sales and e-zine subscribers.
3. Create multiple streams of income with your web site. You could sell your own products, join affiliate programs, sell advertising space, etc.
4. Give your visitors compliments in your ad copy. This can earn their trust and put them in a good
mood, in return they will be easier to sell too.
5. Create new products or services only if there is a strong need for them. You won't have anyone to
sell them to if you don't have a market.
6. Sell your backend products to your customers right after they order. Take them to a "Thank You"
web page that includes other products you sell.
7. Sell a few products on your web site instead of selling a large amount of products. To many choices
can overwhelm your visitors and they won't buy.
8. Include content and free stuff on your web site that promote the products you're selling. If they
don't read your ads, they may read your offerings.
9. Remind your visitors that you're human not just a web site. You could publish information on your
family life, a picture of yourself , a profile, etc.
10. Provide a "Contact Page" on your web site. Give your visitors as many options to contact you
as possible. This'll add credibility to your business.
Again these are just a few of the tips you will find in “The Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Quick Guide” available at renspubhouse.com and on Amazon.com (see links below). Get your copy, heck buy a dozen they make great gifts, today.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
Or Go to Amazon and order the whole set of Inquisitive Explorer Marketing Books.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Michael+Rener&x=0&y=0
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
Ah it's a profit motive, now I see how this web thing is supposed to work for business. If that statement is a revelation to you, well you've come to the right place. Here are some easy way sto help you sky-rocket your profits and increase your business.
1. Use a "P.S." at the end of your ad copy. This is were you either want to repeat a strong benefit
or use a strong close like a free bonus.
2. Publish a free ebook and give it away from your web site or in your e-zine. This will increase your
traffic, sales and e-zine subscribers.
3. Create multiple streams of income with your web site. You could sell your own products, join affiliate programs, sell advertising space, etc.
4. Give your visitors compliments in your ad copy. This can earn their trust and put them in a good
mood, in return they will be easier to sell too.
5. Create new products or services only if there is a strong need for them. You won't have anyone to
sell them to if you don't have a market.
6. Sell your backend products to your customers right after they order. Take them to a "Thank You"
web page that includes other products you sell.
7. Sell a few products on your web site instead of selling a large amount of products. To many choices
can overwhelm your visitors and they won't buy.
8. Include content and free stuff on your web site that promote the products you're selling. If they
don't read your ads, they may read your offerings.
9. Remind your visitors that you're human not just a web site. You could publish information on your
family life, a picture of yourself , a profile, etc.
10. Provide a "Contact Page" on your web site. Give your visitors as many options to contact you
as possible. This'll add credibility to your business.
Again these are just a few of the tips you will find in “The Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Quick Guide” available at renspubhouse.com and on Amazon.com (see links below). Get your copy, heck buy a dozen they make great gifts, today.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
Or Go to Amazon and order the whole set of Inquisitive Explorer Marketing Books.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Michael+Rener&x=0&y=0
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Increase Your Sales With These Rarely Used Bonuses
People love getting something for nothing. Yes the idea of getting a bonus just stimulates a little button in all of us. It's as if we are getting an "Unbirthday Present", which of course are the best kind if Lewis Carrol is to be believed. So to tap into these feelings of your potential clients here are a few things you can do to increase your sales without losing money.
1. Announcement Alerts - Give customers e-mail alerts about critical information or product releases before your non customers find out about it..
2. Discounts - Allow your customers to get lower prices on your products and other related products other businesses sell.
3. Expert Call Ins - Set up a date and time when your customers can call up and talk directly with experts that are related to your industry.
4. Private Invitations - Give your customers private invitations to customer events that non customers cannot attend.
5. Online Rolodex - Compile a list of web sites or online contacts that are related to the product. You could publish it on CD-ROM or on the web.
6. Archived Information - Bundle together some older information that's no longer available. It could be e-zine back issues, articles, transcripts, etc.
7. Mentor Program - Give your customers unlimited consulting with their purchase. Allow them to contact you by e-mail, phone, fax, in person, etc.
8. Audio/Video E-zine - Give customers an upgraded version of your e-zine in online audio or video format. Non-paying customers could only get it in e-mail.
9. Freebie Announce Board - Offer your customers a message board were they can announce freebies they offer from their web site.
10. Barter Discussion List - Offer your customers the option of joining a barter email discussion list. They can barter goods and services with others.
Work these ideas into your marketing plan and watch your business grow. But remember, it won't work if you don't use it.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
1. Announcement Alerts - Give customers e-mail alerts about critical information or product releases before your non customers find out about it..
2. Discounts - Allow your customers to get lower prices on your products and other related products other businesses sell.
3. Expert Call Ins - Set up a date and time when your customers can call up and talk directly with experts that are related to your industry.
4. Private Invitations - Give your customers private invitations to customer events that non customers cannot attend.
5. Online Rolodex - Compile a list of web sites or online contacts that are related to the product. You could publish it on CD-ROM or on the web.
6. Archived Information - Bundle together some older information that's no longer available. It could be e-zine back issues, articles, transcripts, etc.
7. Mentor Program - Give your customers unlimited consulting with their purchase. Allow them to contact you by e-mail, phone, fax, in person, etc.
8. Audio/Video E-zine - Give customers an upgraded version of your e-zine in online audio or video format. Non-paying customers could only get it in e-mail.
9. Freebie Announce Board - Offer your customers a message board were they can announce freebies they offer from their web site.
10. Barter Discussion List - Offer your customers the option of joining a barter email discussion list. They can barter goods and services with others.
Work these ideas into your marketing plan and watch your business grow. But remember, it won't work if you don't use it.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Experience A Sales Breakthrough With These 10 Unique Marketing Ideas
We are all looking for ways to increase our web traffic and sales. If you have been a faithful reader and have been applying the tips you should see increases in your traffic. However one can never have too much traffic to their web site, so here are 10 more Breakthrough Ideas for your Web Marketing Campaign.
1. Create a directory of web sites on a specific topic. Give people the option of adding the
directory to their web site by linking to it. Put your business advertisement at the top of the
director's home page. This technique will get lots of people to link to your web site and give you
free advertising.
2. Do you have a product or service that doesn't sell good? Offer it as a free bonus for someone
else's product or service. Get free advertising by placing your web site or business ad on the
product or in the product package.
3. Trade autoresponder ads with other businesses. If both of you send out information with auto-
responders just exchange a small classified ad to put at the bottom or top of each other's
autoresponder message.
4. Start a free tip line. Offer a free daily, weekly, or monthly tip recorded on your voice mail. The
tips should be related to your business. Include your ad for your web site or business at the
beginning or end of your message.
5. Exchange content with other web sites and ezines. You could trade articles, top ten lists, etc.
Both parties could include a resource box at the end of the content.
6. Offer to insert ads into your product package for other businesses. Just ask, in return that they
do the same for your business. You should only trade insert ads with businesses that have the
same target audience.
7. Offer a free daily class in your web site's chat room. The class should be related to the subject
of your business or web site. This will get people to visit your web site everyday.
8. Do you have a product that doesn't sell good? Offer it as a free bonus for another businesses
product or service. You'll get free advertising by placing your web site or business ad on the free
bonus.
9. Place different emotional response ads for the same product or service all over your web site.
One ad may hit their hot button to buy more than another ad.
10. Publish your ezine in e-book format. You could offer a larger number of articles per issue.
It also allows you to include graphics with your ezine. Your advertising revenue would increase
because you could charge businesses for large color ads.
Again in order for these to work, you must put them into action. After all a plan with out action isn't worth the paper it's written on. Come back next week for more tricks and tips.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
1. Create a directory of web sites on a specific topic. Give people the option of adding the
directory to their web site by linking to it. Put your business advertisement at the top of the
director's home page. This technique will get lots of people to link to your web site and give you
free advertising.
2. Do you have a product or service that doesn't sell good? Offer it as a free bonus for someone
else's product or service. Get free advertising by placing your web site or business ad on the
product or in the product package.
3. Trade autoresponder ads with other businesses. If both of you send out information with auto-
responders just exchange a small classified ad to put at the bottom or top of each other's
autoresponder message.
4. Start a free tip line. Offer a free daily, weekly, or monthly tip recorded on your voice mail. The
tips should be related to your business. Include your ad for your web site or business at the
beginning or end of your message.
5. Exchange content with other web sites and ezines. You could trade articles, top ten lists, etc.
Both parties could include a resource box at the end of the content.
6. Offer to insert ads into your product package for other businesses. Just ask, in return that they
do the same for your business. You should only trade insert ads with businesses that have the
same target audience.
7. Offer a free daily class in your web site's chat room. The class should be related to the subject
of your business or web site. This will get people to visit your web site everyday.
8. Do you have a product that doesn't sell good? Offer it as a free bonus for another businesses
product or service. You'll get free advertising by placing your web site or business ad on the free
bonus.
9. Place different emotional response ads for the same product or service all over your web site.
One ad may hit their hot button to buy more than another ad.
10. Publish your ezine in e-book format. You could offer a larger number of articles per issue.
It also allows you to include graphics with your ezine. Your advertising revenue would increase
because you could charge businesses for large color ads.
Again in order for these to work, you must put them into action. After all a plan with out action isn't worth the paper it's written on. Come back next week for more tricks and tips.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
STOP SEARCHING. YOU'VE FOUND IT.
Discover your web site's true potential.
Show you the way to online profits. Your choice. Do nothing or visit
Pick up your copy of
“Inquisitive Explorer's Internet Marketing Primer”,
http://www.renspubhouse.com/ieimp.html
For the next step:
“Inquisitive Explorer's Advanced Marketing Techniques”
http://www.renspubhouse.com/inexpadv.html
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
Fast easy resources to help you with your marketing and have some fun to boot!
********************************************************************
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Have A Product That Doesn't Sell? Here's 10 Resourceful Things You Can Try
We all have them. Products that are good, innovative, sexy, and just won't sell. Who knows why, maybe too much competition, or maybe it is just a bit ahead of its time. Whatever the reason there is something you can try to recover your costs and make money off even the turkiest turkey.
Here are 10 things you can try:
1. Sell the reprint/reproduction rights to the product. You could make money selling other people the rights to reproduce and sell the product. People are always looking for new products to sell.
2. Giveaway the product for free from your web site. Just because it won't sell doesn't mean people won't visit your web site to get it for free. They may see another product you sell and buy that one.
3. Try auctioning off the product at an online auction. You may make part of your investment back. If you're lucky, you may even make a profit because people sometimes get into bidding wars and will bid a higher price than the product is worth.
4. Use the product as a free bonus for another product you sell. This will increase the perceived value of the product you're selling. People will feel they're receiving more for less.
5. Contact businesses with the same target market and see if they would be interested in using your product as a free bonus for their product. You could place your ad on the product and get free advertising.
6. Sell your product to businesses at wholesale cost as a promotional product. Businesses are always looking for products they can giveaway to their customers with their advertising on the product. You could make part of your investment back.
7. Barter your product to other businesses for things you need for your own business. You could trade for their products or services. This will save you money and help make up for your profit loss.
8. You could create an online contest so people could win your product. This will attract traffic to your web site. You also could get free advertising by listing it on online contest directories.
9. If you decide to giveaway the product for free, allow other people to giveaway the product for free. Place your web site ad on the product. This will spread your advertising and attract even more people to your site.
10. Ask businesses with the same target audience if they would be interested in combining your product with their product. You could then sell them together as a package deal and split the profits. You may have better results selling your product this way.
It is always better to recover some of the costs than to lose everything, besides it might just be bad timing, and maybe 6 months down the line your product will be the hottest thing? One can never tell.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
********************************************************************
Here are 10 things you can try:
1. Sell the reprint/reproduction rights to the product. You could make money selling other people the rights to reproduce and sell the product. People are always looking for new products to sell.
2. Giveaway the product for free from your web site. Just because it won't sell doesn't mean people won't visit your web site to get it for free. They may see another product you sell and buy that one.
3. Try auctioning off the product at an online auction. You may make part of your investment back. If you're lucky, you may even make a profit because people sometimes get into bidding wars and will bid a higher price than the product is worth.
4. Use the product as a free bonus for another product you sell. This will increase the perceived value of the product you're selling. People will feel they're receiving more for less.
5. Contact businesses with the same target market and see if they would be interested in using your product as a free bonus for their product. You could place your ad on the product and get free advertising.
6. Sell your product to businesses at wholesale cost as a promotional product. Businesses are always looking for products they can giveaway to their customers with their advertising on the product. You could make part of your investment back.
7. Barter your product to other businesses for things you need for your own business. You could trade for their products or services. This will save you money and help make up for your profit loss.
8. You could create an online contest so people could win your product. This will attract traffic to your web site. You also could get free advertising by listing it on online contest directories.
9. If you decide to giveaway the product for free, allow other people to giveaway the product for free. Place your web site ad on the product. This will spread your advertising and attract even more people to your site.
10. Ask businesses with the same target audience if they would be interested in combining your product with their product. You could then sell them together as a package deal and split the profits. You may have better results selling your product this way.
It is always better to recover some of the costs than to lose everything, besides it might just be bad timing, and maybe 6 months down the line your product will be the hottest thing? One can never tell.
Mahalo.
********************************************************************
For more resources to help you with your Online Marketing check out
http://www.renspubhouse.com/business.html
********************************************************************
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
How to Buy Business Items From Online Auction Sites - 10 Things You Should Know Before You Bid
How to Buy Business Items From Online Auction Sites - 10 Things You Should Know Before You Bid
So you have decided to enter the domain of Online Auctions to supplement your business supplies or there are items that are just too unique to find them in the local strip mall. Well the good news is that Online Auction Sites have matured enough as marketplaces that one can find business items along side the consumer products that made them famous. To protect yourself there is a few things that you need to know so you don't end up a victim of scammers, or overpay for items.
Here are your 10 Tips to help you have a pleasant successful auction experience:
1. Know the going price and value of the item before you bid. If the item is new to you or brand new, check to see what price others are charging for it. This can be done online by a quick check of your favorite search engine, look into catalogs, and/or a visit to your favorite store/merchant if convenient. If the product is used or reconditioned, of course you will want, and expect to pay way less than the retail value. This will give you a leg up and make sure you don't overpay, a common malady on these sites.
2. If the item's description or picture isn't detailed enough for you, contact the seller to get more
information or a better picture before you bid. You don't want to take a chance to waste your hard earned money on the wrong item, or something different than what you wanted. Yes this does happen often where bids are placed and items won, only to have the buyer realize that what they got wasn't what they thought they were getting. Ask before you bid.
3. Know the highest price you will bid for the item and stick with it. Don't get caught up in a bidding war; you may end up paying more than the item's worth. Don't forget to add in the shipping price when determining how much you are going to bid. Of course if you are looking at other Online sites to compare prices, you need to consider their rates for shipping and handling as well. Naturally if comparing prices from offline sites, factor in your travel time fuel costs, and if the item needs to be delivered or you can carry it out yourself.
4. Visit a few online auctions before bidding because some sellers auction the same or similar items in many auctions. Also if the seller has more than one of the items in stock, they might have more than one listing. Look at all the listings you might find a better price from the same seller if you are patient and do your homework. You usually can purchase the item for a lower price in a unpopular auction because there are less bidders.
5. Be knowledgeable about the time the auction ends. You also want to know how long it will take to ship the item to you. A lot of times sellers will specify that they may take a certain number of days before the can ship the item. If you need the item by a certain date, you'll want to estimate the time it will take to receive it. Of course you can always contact the seller during the auction to see if they offer different shipping rates for overnight service. The worse they can say is no, but many times they will accommodate you.
6. Read the payment options the seller accepts before you bid on their item. If they only accept
checks or money orders, it may take even longer to get the item because the payment has to clear. Steer clear if the only payment option is International Money Order and the seller is overseas. This is usually an indication of a possible scam. Try to protect yourself with either credit card orders through secure servers or other online payment services like PayPal. This way you are protected against fraud.
7. Look to see if the seller offers a warranty or money back guarantee before bidding on a product. You don't want to get stuck with a item that does not work, is broken or you're not satisfied with for other reasons (the old bait and switch is not as common, but does happen from time to time). Most have time frames for returns, and other conditions, but generally most will allow returns for legitimate reasons.
8. Online auctions will, sometimes, allow you to check the sellers' auction history. Check to see what other people's experience has been with the seller. Have other people complained about the their items, services or business practices? How have the complaints been resolved? You do have a right to know before you decide to bid. Also of those that have complained, what is their history, are they chronic whiners?
9. It's important to place a bid early in the auction to show other bidders you are interested in the item. If someone does out bid you, don't be afraid to out bid them. Remember not to go over your maximum
bid price. Of course almost all the auction sites do allow for what they call “Proxy Bids” which allow you to place your maximum bid up front, then the bid is incremented up as others join in the bidding. It is a tool that allows you to set your max bid, but sees that you pay the lowest possible winning bid. This way you don't have to continuously look at the auctions to see how you are doing.
10.Another reason to know when the auction ends; you can place a last minute bid. There is software that allows you to place last minute bids. This is discouraged, but not illegal. It is a process called “Sniping”. So if the item has more watchers than bidders, then perhaps a few “snipers” are lurking to come in at the last minute and grab the item. There may however be other bidders that may not be keeping track of when the auction ends or may not have the time to bid again. These are the best type of competition if you must have any.
Following these tips will help ease you through the process and hopefully keep you from being a victim of overpaying or worse. It is amazing how many items are actually up for auction, and who knows maybe you will start putting your products or services up for bis as well (yes it is being done, but that is the subject for another article).
Mahalo.
So you have decided to enter the domain of Online Auctions to supplement your business supplies or there are items that are just too unique to find them in the local strip mall. Well the good news is that Online Auction Sites have matured enough as marketplaces that one can find business items along side the consumer products that made them famous. To protect yourself there is a few things that you need to know so you don't end up a victim of scammers, or overpay for items.
Here are your 10 Tips to help you have a pleasant successful auction experience:
1. Know the going price and value of the item before you bid. If the item is new to you or brand new, check to see what price others are charging for it. This can be done online by a quick check of your favorite search engine, look into catalogs, and/or a visit to your favorite store/merchant if convenient. If the product is used or reconditioned, of course you will want, and expect to pay way less than the retail value. This will give you a leg up and make sure you don't overpay, a common malady on these sites.
2. If the item's description or picture isn't detailed enough for you, contact the seller to get more
information or a better picture before you bid. You don't want to take a chance to waste your hard earned money on the wrong item, or something different than what you wanted. Yes this does happen often where bids are placed and items won, only to have the buyer realize that what they got wasn't what they thought they were getting. Ask before you bid.
3. Know the highest price you will bid for the item and stick with it. Don't get caught up in a bidding war; you may end up paying more than the item's worth. Don't forget to add in the shipping price when determining how much you are going to bid. Of course if you are looking at other Online sites to compare prices, you need to consider their rates for shipping and handling as well. Naturally if comparing prices from offline sites, factor in your travel time fuel costs, and if the item needs to be delivered or you can carry it out yourself.
4. Visit a few online auctions before bidding because some sellers auction the same or similar items in many auctions. Also if the seller has more than one of the items in stock, they might have more than one listing. Look at all the listings you might find a better price from the same seller if you are patient and do your homework. You usually can purchase the item for a lower price in a unpopular auction because there are less bidders.
5. Be knowledgeable about the time the auction ends. You also want to know how long it will take to ship the item to you. A lot of times sellers will specify that they may take a certain number of days before the can ship the item. If you need the item by a certain date, you'll want to estimate the time it will take to receive it. Of course you can always contact the seller during the auction to see if they offer different shipping rates for overnight service. The worse they can say is no, but many times they will accommodate you.
6. Read the payment options the seller accepts before you bid on their item. If they only accept
checks or money orders, it may take even longer to get the item because the payment has to clear. Steer clear if the only payment option is International Money Order and the seller is overseas. This is usually an indication of a possible scam. Try to protect yourself with either credit card orders through secure servers or other online payment services like PayPal. This way you are protected against fraud.
7. Look to see if the seller offers a warranty or money back guarantee before bidding on a product. You don't want to get stuck with a item that does not work, is broken or you're not satisfied with for other reasons (the old bait and switch is not as common, but does happen from time to time). Most have time frames for returns, and other conditions, but generally most will allow returns for legitimate reasons.
8. Online auctions will, sometimes, allow you to check the sellers' auction history. Check to see what other people's experience has been with the seller. Have other people complained about the their items, services or business practices? How have the complaints been resolved? You do have a right to know before you decide to bid. Also of those that have complained, what is their history, are they chronic whiners?
9. It's important to place a bid early in the auction to show other bidders you are interested in the item. If someone does out bid you, don't be afraid to out bid them. Remember not to go over your maximum
bid price. Of course almost all the auction sites do allow for what they call “Proxy Bids” which allow you to place your maximum bid up front, then the bid is incremented up as others join in the bidding. It is a tool that allows you to set your max bid, but sees that you pay the lowest possible winning bid. This way you don't have to continuously look at the auctions to see how you are doing.
10.Another reason to know when the auction ends; you can place a last minute bid. There is software that allows you to place last minute bids. This is discouraged, but not illegal. It is a process called “Sniping”. So if the item has more watchers than bidders, then perhaps a few “snipers” are lurking to come in at the last minute and grab the item. There may however be other bidders that may not be keeping track of when the auction ends or may not have the time to bid again. These are the best type of competition if you must have any.
Following these tips will help ease you through the process and hopefully keep you from being a victim of overpaying or worse. It is amazing how many items are actually up for auction, and who knows maybe you will start putting your products or services up for bis as well (yes it is being done, but that is the subject for another article).
Mahalo.
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