Power Sellers Unite

five · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

Hello sellers,

I was selling on eBay, Amazon, Bonanzle, eCrater, iOffer since 2001. Did not like either of above - either fees were high or traffic was low. iOffer was not that bad up until Google Base banned seller's data feed last November - I lost all visibility on Google as iOffer feed, if they ever send it, was not effective at all. Bonanzle had similar problem. Another serious problem was inventory and pricing synchronization on these venues if you sell a lot.

So I figured - with my IT background I am writing my own site. And it is 95% complete. Storefront is designed from ground up as generic and customizable one, i.e. anybody will be able to go live in no time. Some features are US centric, like shipping and taxing as that is what I need myself at the moment.

Some of key features:

- dynamic inventory update and Google Base, Bing Products Upload;
- selling domestically and internationally to select countries;
- shipping options taylored per country risk level;
- shipping cost evaluated in real time by communicating electonically with USPS. It is then adjusted shipping method and cost wize based on the country (minimal s/h, forced Express with tracking for high risk locations etc);
- robust security measures;
- live stock inquiries if your supplier(s) are also set up for that;
- state sales taxes covered;

With prices lower than on Amazon and eBay and visibility on open search this should work.

I tried several pieces of software and even bought one with source code to sell by my own after leaving eBay. All I can say is "... you've got to be kidding me". You may say - yet another store but still - here are my questions to community:

- what features would you wish to have in that store? (yes, bulk upload is there :)
- what is wrong with assumption "I have great visibility on general search and lower prices, so people will buy from my store. They can pay with Paypal, i.e. 100% covered".

Current status: payment flow is being tested. For the beginning there will be Paypal Express Checkout and Paypal Website Payment Pro - that is for those using credit cards directly.

Store software will be sold for reasonable price and there will be also free 30-day trial period available. It is .NET 3.5 with SQL 2008, written in C# - doing this for about 10 years.

Let me know what do you think.

Thanks,
five

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

Quote: › docWrite("quote")Current status: payment flow is being tested. For the beginning there will be Paypal Express Checkout and Paypal Website Payment Pro - that is for those using credit cards directly.

And for those who despise Paypal because they connect Paypal to eBay and don't want eBay to make another penny from them, are other payment options being programmed in?

Options such as Google Checkout, Amazon Dollars, Revolution Money Exchange to name a few.

Otherwise, what you have written all looks great. I'd have to see what kind of money you are looking for.

five · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

DaLizardsLair - thanks for reply.

Authorize.net is next on the list. Priority will be given to payment sytems having proven fraud protection features and decent clientele base.

Regarding pennies given to JD - you are not alone :) Not sure why you mentioned Google Checkout - they dump sellers for no reason, provide no explanation, no recourse and no communication.

IMHO all the buyer needs is a valid credit card. And all the seller needs is something around 3% fee, no more. And, of course, fraud-free environment.

I will provide trials for 30 days with my own hosting, your inventory and sandbox checkout. Price is considered not in $$$+s or even $$+s. - one time, no fees and 1 year support. For those, who can't take software and arrange the rest, there will be hosting add-on, which is $150/year the lowest I have seen in US.

Lady*Belle · Joined: 07 Mar 2008 Posts: 934

So, are you selling scripts with hosting, or is it a site for stores..?

five · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

Site for stores. You arrange hosting or have us arrange it for you.

DaLizardsLair · Joined: 15 Feb 2009 Posts: 4782

Five,

I only mentioned GCO because they are one of the more popular payment options, especially for those tired of having Paypal rammed down their throats.

Personally, I never had any problems with Paypal, and once one gets away from eBay, they find that paypal is even better, since the SNAD complaint no longer exists.

But using the criteria you mentioned, I would steer clear of Revolution Money Exchange, since they provide zero protection for the buyer, since they only deal with balance transfers. That makes them about as safe as using Western Union Money Transfers.

five · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 4

Store is out for over 2 months now:

www.sailsmarine.com

* You can have similar one soon.
* Checkout: Authorize.net. Optional Paypal is available too.
* Site knows published prices for each item and offers a better one if it can beat.

Tried to register in User Storfronts - did not work.