Power Sellers Unite

quicksrt · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 401

BigT wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")It's probably best to use the USPS Calculaor for international shipping.

I need to then look into that.

Because I thought it was "you use fixed price shipping (really only available if selling in one country, or US Canada only), or use shipping matrix to set up each country (but you need exact weight, & shipping costs per pound & ounce, to each country and every country).

It the USPS calculator a new feature?

Boy I wish like hell the shipping fields at EC were like all the other big selling sites, where you just drop in cost for each country you agree to ship to, uncheck where you do not ship to.

BigT · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 305

Quote: › docWrite("quote")It the USPS calculator a new feature?

It's been there afor about 4 years or so
log in
click on options on the left side menu

caljackscollectibles · Joined: 08 Feb 2011 Posts: 250 Location: California

I found that under options. But once you enable that, then what? There are 3 choices under shipping when listing something: 1)Free shipping to US & Canada 2) Weight Dependable 3) Fixed shipping to:

Do you leave those blank then?

BigT · Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 305

caljackscollectibles wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I found that under options. But once you enable that, then what? There are 3 choices under shipping when listing something: 1)Free shipping to US & Canada 2) Weight Dependable 3) Fixed shipping to:

Do you leave those blank then?

The calculator is weight dependable.
Weight is a required field when you create the listing so put the shipping weight in that field.

Don't forget to complete the matrix for a back up

caljackscollectibles · Joined: 08 Feb 2011 Posts: 250 Location: California

BigT wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
caljackscollectibles wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")I found that under options. But once you enable that, then what? There are 3 choices under shipping when listing something: 1)Free shipping to US & Canada 2) Weight Dependable 3) Fixed shipping to:

Do you leave those blank then?

The calculator is weight dependable.
Weight is a required field when you create the listing so put the shipping weight in that field.

Don't forget to complete the matrix for a back up

Thanks for the info. Guess I won't use the calculator as I've never been able to figure out how to do the matrix.

Baconsdozen · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 771

I did mind filling in the shipping matrix a bit complicated but worth it in the end.A lot of the tools I sell are heavy so the cost of post to the US is a problem but lighter stuff like the colortunes are more economic to post.

quicksrt · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 401

I could figure out the shipping matrix with a little time spent, no big deal.

But, I do offer some discounts on shipping for multiple items purchased, and those discounts are not based on weight.

I also demand that Registered Mail be used, but only certain countries, and certain valuable items.

And then finally, certain items are not going to Italy, France, or Brazil at all, but others are fine, and I'll take the risk.

So it really is better that buyers outside of US contact me first, and I'll invoice from there.

Look, since I have had to drag almost every single buyer to my store from ebay or amazon myself, and I then offer stuff like free shipping to these clients from St. Elsewhere, *I may as well walk them though each transaction, total them up, add shipping, subtract a discount, and then invoice them at that point.

There is just too much going on with my stuff to use weight as a shipping cost.

It really is too bad that Ec can't get a shipping module set up like all the other good sites have, pull-down menu for each country, and what service is offered, price/cost and you just drop it in.

It's pretty simple, but they don't want to do it. Not yet anyway. Give them another year or so.

Baconsdozen · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 771

One thing I've found of late is that I have more problems with Ecrater buyers complaining about late or lost parcels and chargebacks than on all the other sites I use added together.
I've now decided to use a secure signed for service but the reality is that the increased post charges mean sales will now take a knock.Only a few months ago I was saying on here that I had no problems with US buyers,unfortunately this is no longer the case.

quicksrt · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 401

What, you've had complaints directly or you have read about them?

But anyway, I can see that Ec needs some work like the shipping module. But it really is the best thing going in it's class. For the free store, these are about the best imo. In a day and age when everything is going up and up, anything that is good and free we need to be really thankful for.

So for all the gripes and moanin' I have done in this forum discussion topic, I want it on record that I like a lot about Ecrater, and I hope to go many more years with my stuff there. If I have quality items priced realistically, I will eventually move some of them. it might take a few years for some of my items to sell. Where else can you get such a nice presentation for free?

hotnana · Joined: 02 Feb 2008 Posts: 875

I must agree - I really like eCrater. Not just because it's free, but it is set up to be Very user friendly and my sales have always been very good there.

Baconsdozen I enabled the UK site and finally closed it down do to slow delivery times. My items make it to Customs very quickly usually within a few days - then they are held up until someone decides to send them on their way. I always ship within 24hrs and take the packages directly to the PO, so my turnaround time is very fast. Sounds like you might be having issues coming out of the UK? I've never had a customer other than Int'l complain about delivery time.

zeldafitzg · Joined: 14 Sep 2006 Posts: 609

I have been on eCrater just about since its beginning. Of course, I look back nostalgically to the pre-2000 eBay days.

I have two eCrater stores. I love selling the vintage Life and Look magazines and other sundries at Zelda's Emporium----and the new caftans at Elegant Ladies Plus. eCrater has been good to me. It is not my main occupation. My greatest joy and energy goes into my professional genealogy work, for which I have my own website.

Warmest Regards,

Donna :type:

malloryswatches · Joined: 28 Jun 2011 Posts: 6

BigT wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
You probably know my story. I've been on ecrater since March 2005. Started with 3 stores. I currently own and or manager about 25 online stores - most of which are on ecrater.
eCrater is my site of choice. Easy to list, easy to manage, etc.
Of course I think their community is second to none, lol.

My first 3 stores are
www.BigTallMensClothing.ecrater.com
www.FormalDresses.ecrater.com
www.FashionsForHer.ecrater.com

How do you drive traffic to your site? I am very new to this

Digmen1 · Joined: 12 Feb 2010 Posts: 1007

That's the problem with most of the alts.
The sellers have to "drive their own traffic"

It would be great if buyers just went to the site and searched for what they wanted.

But of course that's easier said than done.

quicksrt · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 401

malloryswatches wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")BigT wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
You probably know my story. I've been on ecrater since March 2005. Started with 3 stores. I currently own and or manager about 25 online stores - most of which are on ecrater.
eCrater is my site of choice. Easy to list, easy to manage, etc.
Of course I think their community is second to none, lol.

My first 3 stores are
www.BigTallMensClothing.ecrater.com
www.FormalDresses.ecrater.com
www.FashionsForHer.ecrater.com

How do you drive traffic to your site? I am very new to this

The only ways I know of to drive traffic to my Ec store is:

1. Use a signature line in the forums you belong to that has store links. Most know this already.

1. Print a custom designed sheet of coupons (6 per 8.5 X 11) in color. Place a coupon (inside all amazon / ebay orders for $5.00 OFF on first Ecrater order.

3. or Send ebay buyers an email with the same coupon inserted into the body of the email so they will see it. Leave subject line the same as the item that they bought from you.

Every few months I gather up all the email addresses (and item subject lines) from my ebay buyers. I then do an email to each buyer thanking them for the purchase, and offering them the $5.00 Off at Ecrater. Out of 50 emails, I get 2-3 new Ecrater orders. These tend to be larger orders than average.

elpereles · Joined: 15 Dec 2006 Posts: 1478 Location: Puerto Rico

Quote: › docWrite("quote")It would be great if buyers just went to the site and searched for what they wanted.

Digmen1, about the search. I have potential buyers sending me their "Wanted list" by e-mail. I'm worry about it because it looks like some of them aren't searching (laziness) or don't know how to do it.