Power Sellers Unite

BBRsignWeRKS · Joined: 29 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

Recently a simple question was posted in the ola chats by the long-time member runningharley: "IS 35.00 TOO MUCH 4 OLA BUYERS?".

In my opinion, the attack he received was totally uncalled for, after all, shouldn't people be encouraged to pose questions and discuss opportunities in a forum category named "Shop Talk".

It didn't take long for Mutzy and the gang to gather around and overcome their prey.

seewhatimsellingnow · Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1253 Location: Ohio

Not sure I'm understanding the question. Are you saying that someone posted a question, in the Ola chats- "Is thirty-five dollars too much for Ola buyers?" and Mutzy jumped all over the poster for asking the question?

I see Mutzy still is running the place- sounds like, she doesn't miss an opportunity to blow off her mouth in the chats. But if I were answering- I'd say anything over $1.99 is too much for Ola buyers. LOL They aren't 'high-dollar' buyers.

HEY good to 'see' you again BBbrsignWeRKs !! :lol: Betty Lou

watnext · Joined: 13 Sep 2008 Posts: 954

Maybe he was talking about buying the business?

seewhatimsellingnow · Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1253 Location: Ohio

watnext wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")Maybe he was talking about buying the business?

LOL :lol: That was probably it! I don't know.. I'd have to think long and hard about buying Ola for $35... Does Mutzy go with it? lol- That would bring the value down to about five buck... lol Betty Lou

BBRsignWeRKS · Joined: 29 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

Since you asked, here is his post in its entirety.

Posted: 08 Oct 2010 08:18 am
Post subject: IS 35.00 TOO MUCH 4 OLA BUYERS
Reply with quote

ALL MY SALES HAVE COME FROM PEOPLE ON CRAIGSLIST. SO IT BEGS THE QUESTION-----WHY DO I TAKE THE TIME TO POST ON OLA? YES, I REDIRECT THEM TO OLA SO THEY CAN SEE ALL MY ITEMS BUT THEY FIRST COME FROM CRAIGSLIST. THIS TELLS ME THAT AFTER MANY YEARS OUT THERE ON THE INTERNET PEOPLE STILL DONT KNOW ABOUT OLA......I REALIZE 8 BUCKS IS CHEAP TO SPEND PER MONTH BUT NO SALES AFTER 6 MONTHS IS 50 BUCKS. I KNOW SELLERS READ THIS MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE SO HERES A DEAL FOR THE PEOPLE THAT READ THIS........30.00 FOR THE JERSEY PLUS THE SHIPPING. JUST EMAIL ME AND TELL ME THAT YOU READ THE POST. THIS WILL ALSO HELP ME DECIDE IF I REALLY NEED TO BE HERE.

Following that was a harsh response from Mezty, and 5 more loyal followers siding with her.

seewhatimsellingnow · Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1253 Location: Ohio

I would LOVE to see musty's obnoxious reply- but I am permanantly banned from Ola's chats... Can you post it? Thanks, Betty Lou

BBRsignWeRKS · Joined: 29 Oct 2008 Posts: 161

It was very long-winded and drawn out, and contained many of the typical "Meszy-isms".
Here is a condensed version:

1. You are not using good or even decent SEO techniques.
2. You make it difficult for 'chatties' to browse your listings.
3. In addition to poor SEO habits, your listings are confusing.
4. The pricing on your items suggest fakes or seconds.
5. Your post implies that you're selling them off-OLA...
6. ...what strikes me the hardest from your post is that it would seem you're ticked off that more 'chatties' aren't buying from you. Like it or not, whether you are or not, that makes you seem like a jerk... as does most of your last posts. Chatties do not like negative posts, especially ones posted on Friday afternoons. Capiche?

I could go on, but I figure I've done enough. I apologize for being so harsh, but I just hate when people aren't using the tools available and do nothing but complain... especially on Friday afternoons.

Spoken like a true mobster. Capiche?

oldfogey · Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Posts: 161

I am especially impressed with how graciously this ship's captain(sinking or otherwise)is able to balance constructive leadership/advice with her sensitive, often professed, Christianity. Few folks could pull this off with such individuality, and complete absence of aplomb. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I am not sure I could be this self-righteous and rude if I tried and I am pretty good at it. I suppose her persona of authority is "God-given"? Or, "Chris-given". Could be that both are one in the same under OLA definition.

METZYMOM · Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 1218

All I can say is Wow.

Wow... that you guys are still here and haven't moved on with your lives.

Wow... that you guys still resort to childish things like not spelling my name correctly.

Wow... that you guys are still interested in a site you claim to have no interest in months and months, some of you years, after you've been booted.

Wow... that you think that just because you write it, people will believe it.

Wow... that this site allows you to even get away with posting little snippets of a post taken completely out of context as to what was written as a whole. If you're going to repost what I posted, at least have the class to repost the whole thing, which when people read it, along with the other posts, will show that I wasn't out of line and that there was no ganging up.

Wow... that you, BBR, will never learn.

Wow... that you, BettyLou, are still so bitter about being kicked off OLA Chats... are you still that bitter about being kicked off eBay chats?

Wow... that I didn't realize how much I needed a good laugh!

slipperycyan · Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Posts: 58

Quote: › docWrite("quote")If you're going to repost what I posted, at least have the class to repost the whole thing i hope they post the par t where you start cursing lke a sailor.that was my favorite part. :smile

Confused · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 315

METZYMOM wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")
All I can say is Wow.

Wow... that you guys are still here and haven't moved on with your lives.

Wow... that you guys still resort to childish things like not spelling my name correctly.

Wow... that you guys are still interested in a site you claim to have no interest in months and months, some of you years, after you've been booted.

Wow... that you think that just because you write it, people will believe it.

Wow... that this site allows you to even get away with posting little snippets of a post taken completely out of context as to what was written as a whole. If you're going to repost what I posted, at least have the class to repost the whole thing, which when people read it, along with the other posts, will show that I wasn't out of line and that there was no ganging up.

Wow... that you, BBR, will never learn.

Wow... that you, BettyLou, are still so bitter about being kicked off OLA Chats... are you still that bitter about being kicked off eBay chats?

Wow... that I didn't realize how much I needed a good laugh!

I think why so many of us still like to visit OLA is for a good laugh. I just don't understand how you can say that the seller who asked the question wasn't ganged up on by your cohorts. My daughter was in town and when I showed her the posts, she couldn't believe that the group was still acting that way when the listings keep going down.

seewhatimsellingnow · Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1253 Location: Ohio

METZYMOM wrote (View Post): › docWrite("quote")All I can say is Wow.

Wow... that you guys are still here and haven't moved on with your lives.

Wow... that you guys still resort to childish things like not spelling my name correctly.

Wow... that you guys are still interested in a site you claim to have no interest in months and months, some of you years, after you've been booted.

Wow... that you think that just because you write it, people will believe it.

Wow... that this site allows you to even get away with posting little snippets of a post taken completely out of context as to what was written as a whole. If you're going to repost what I posted, at least have the class to repost the whole thing, which when people read it, along with the other posts, will show that I wasn't out of line and that there was no ganging up.

Wow... that you, BBR, will never learn.

Wow... that you, BettyLou, are still so bitter about being kicked off OLA Chats... are you still that bitter about being kicked off eBay chats?

Wow... that I didn't realize how much I needed a good laugh!

WOW... Metzy TWO yellow flags now? One to go!!
WOW...Bitter? Me? WOW...I wouldn't want to be on Ola chats as long as Val is still allowing you to run the place. The things you write on Ola and blogs would get anyone else kicked off the chats- but people need to realize that ONLY you and your cohorts can get away with saying the things you say in the chats without getting kicked off.
WOW... I have full access to the Ebay chats...
WOW... Did you see how many members left Ola when YOU had me kicked off the Ola chats?
WOW... I'm surprised you had the nerve to show up here...
:lol: Betty Lou

seewhatimsellingnow · Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 1253 Location: Ohio

As most of you know- here back a few weeks, I was denied access to Ola- My Ola link only brought up the message "You have reached the end of the internet" message- and I was denied access.

Ola DID finally remove that 'block' and I was allowed to access the site and I made a good purchase, paid for it, received it, and left great feedback for the seller.

Now.. please note.. that Metzy has joined this conversation- Ola has ONCE AGAIN blocked my access to the site- and I now get the "You have reached the end of the internet" message, instead of being allowed to gain access.

Of COURSE our friend METZY is at the bottom of this. As she always is...When she gets her bowels in an uproar, or gets her feathers ruffled- you get kicked off of Ola. This is just ONE of the many ways she harms Ola's site. This new action has cost Ola's sellers a LOT of good sales. SO childish.
Betty Lou

DishWorld · Joined: 04 Oct 2008 Posts: 139 Location: Oregon

ALL MY SALES HAVE COME FROM PEOPLE ON CRAIGSLIST. SO IT BEGS THE QUESTION-----WHY DO I TAKE THE TIME TO POST ON OLA? YES, I REDIRECT THEM TO OLA SO THEY CAN SEE ALL MY ITEMS BUT THEY FIRST COME FROM CRAIGSLIST. THIS TELLS ME THAT AFTER MANY YEARS OUT THERE ON THE INTERNET PEOPLE STILL DONT KNOW ABOUT OLA......I REALIZE 8 BUCKS IS CHEAP TO SPEND PER MONTH BUT NO SALES AFTER 6 MONTHS IS 50 BUCKS. I KNOW SELLERS READ THIS MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE SO HERES A DEAL FOR THE PEOPLE THAT READ THIS........30.00 FOR THE JERSEY PLUS THE SHIPPING. JUST EMAIL ME AND TELL ME THAT YOU READ THE POST. THIS WILL ALSO HELP ME DECIDE IF I REALLY NEED TO BE HERE.
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MetzyMom

Joined: 10 Feb 2008
Posts: 3677

New postPosted: 08 Oct 2010 02:03 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi. Each time I see your posts, I want to give my honest thoughts but don't for fear of being rude. This time I'm going to go ahead and put it out there.

1. The main reason you aren't getting noticed has nothing to do with OLA. It has to do with your listings. You are not using good or even decent SEO techniques. I would go over the proper techniques here, but the chat forum is full of information and for whatever reason you choose not to utilize it and personally, I'm done typing it over and over and over for people who aren't going to use it anyway.
2. You make it difficult for 'chatties' to browse your listings. You have no link in any of your chat posts. Not a link to your items as a whole or even to a single listing. I'd put your store link here for you but I think you've been here long enough to know how it's done... plus I've done it several times for you in the past and you haven't gotten the hint that it is YOUR job to post the links that make it easy for people to browse your items.
3. In addition to poor SEO habits, your listings are confusing. I just went to look at jerseys (I don't need one, but I wanted to check your listings, maybe even tweet one or two as I've done in the past) and the first one I pull up is BLACK THROWBACK RANDY MOSS RAIDERS NFL JERSEYS (SZ 48MED). I open the listing and you have both a black and white one in the pictures with no explanation as to why. If the listing is for the black, then the pictures should be of the black. I'm, as a buyer, wondering if the jersey is reversible or if I get one of each, etc. The listing itself is tragic if not damn near unintelligible. It's all in caps (including the title which the search engine spiders hate and rarely pick up). The words "small handling fee" is a total turn off in this day and age of eCommerce. Your competitors know that... why don't you?
4. The pricing on your items suggest fakes or seconds. I'm not saying they are fakes or seconds, I'm telling you that pricing too low makes people wonder what is wrong with them. Your competitors are selling the same jerseys for double, and in most cases with free shipping, which is why they are outselling you.
5. Your post implies that you're selling them off-OLA (which is fine) to people who contact you from Craigs List, which means you are selling them, you're just not getting feedback... but...
6. ...what strikes me the hardest from your post is that it would seem you're ticked off that more 'chatties' aren't buying from you. Like it or not, whether you are or not, that makes you seem like a jerk... as does most of your last posts. Chatties do not like negative posts, especially ones posted on Friday afternoons. Capiche?

I could go on, but I figure I've done enough. I apologize for being so harsh, but I just hate when people aren't using the tools available and do nothing but complain... especially on Friday afternoons.
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sixftrs

Joined: 19 Feb 2008
Posts: 144

New postPosted: 08 Oct 2010 02:54 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
I don't post much in these chats, but I'm siding with Metzy here. New buyers are finding Ola-I've had 8 new to the site buyers here in the last month, and they definitely aren't afraid of spending money for something they want-2 of the items I sold were 200.00. The cheapest item was 27.00. I always ask new buyers how they found my items, and every single one said through a google search. They didn't know about Ola before, but they all do now. If you aren't using proper techniques to make it easy, or even possible, for google to find your items, that is hardly Ola's fault.

For what it's worth, I looked your items over-the only Green Bay Packers jersey you have is Brett Favre and since he plays for our arch enemies the Minnesota Vikings now, I wouldn't be interested, even for $30.00. If you get a Aaron Rodgers or Donald Driver, let me know. I also searched your stuff for a Chicago Bears jersey for my brother (which meant looking through 12 pages since you don't have a store, which is not buyer friendly) but you don't have any. If you get any of those for current players (or somebody classic like Walter Payton), I would be interested as well.
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DustyCorners

Joined: 25 Aug 2008
Posts: 1391
Location: Dusty Southwest

New postPosted: 08 Oct 2010 03:12 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
And I agree with Metzy and Sixftrs statements Smile

Just curious, when you put something on craigslist, do you put the link to your OLA listing in there as well? As far as I know, that would be allowed on that site and sounds like it would benefit you greatly Smile

Happy sales!

Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
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aesthetics48

Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 8071
Location: Virginia is for Mountains, Farming, Sea Shores and Lovers

New postPosted: 08 Oct 2010 03:47 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Ditto what Metzy said! I looked over the auctions too.

Plus, you are correct. Most of us Chatties are sellers, looking to sell just like you. Not very many buyers participate here in the chats unless they are looking for something specific.

I would say there are about 40 regulars here in chats, willing to help when we can. (Not a great buyer base.)

Summation, you need to target buyers not sellers. Following Metzy's advice would help you find the buyers. Smile
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DraggonTagger

Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 5788
Location: Marshalltown, IA, Home of the Iowa Corn Fed Hippy - ME!

New postPosted: 08 Oct 2010 03:50 pm Post subject: Reply with quote
Unlike the bay, YOU run your biz here! That means you have to advertise any way you can! Wink
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kornkountrytreasures

Joined: 29 Nov 2008
Posts: 336
Location: IOWA - Tall Corn State

New postPosted: 09 Oct 2010 08:57 am Post subject: Reply with quote
I will agree with Metzy also. There are several posts regarding backlinks and all that stuff. I'm a complete idiot when it comes to seo, etc. but with everyones help have picked up a few hints and ideas. Yeah, I sell on a couple of other different sites, both free, but sell equally between them all it seems.

I LOVE OLA!!! I've learned a lot and love the people here!!! They care! I will stay with OLA for that very reason!!! In fact, I just signed up for a founding membership and set up a store! It's easier to find my listings AND lots of other bennies!!! Before, I was listing like you and I expect better results with a store.

I do like some of your items (not the Harley or jerseys as I'm not a sports nut) but after checking on shipping, found it a little high?? This can also put of buyers. $11.00 for shipping a jersey? Even priority it seems excessive. It shouldn't weigh more than 2 lbs and shipping is about $7.00. I cut all that out by including shipping. The Zippo lighter was what I was interested in but $8.00? It would go priority flat rate small-$4.95.

Buyers really have no idea how much it REALLY costs to ship since they don't have to deal with the rising costs so they tend to figure MUCH lower than actual prices when determining if the shipping price is fair.

Join in the games, etc. It gets you OUT THERE in front of more people! Yeah, we are sellers participating but I have found things I DIDN'T KNOW WAS THERE because I was searching for a clue!!! It's almost the holiday season, get yourself noticed by participating, joining Facebook, promoting your ads, join Twitter, etc. It all helps.

These are just suggestions-I don't mean or intend to be rude or critical, just trying to help! I really do hope you succeed!!! You are one of the family here at OLA!!!

I do wish you the best of sales

oldfogey · Joined: 24 Aug 2009 Posts: 161

Quote: › docWrite("quote")Join in the games, etc. It gets you OUT THERE in front of more people! Yeah, we are sellers participating but I have found things I DIDN'T KNOW WAS THERE because I was searching for a clue!!! It's almost the holiday season, get yourself noticed by participating, joining Facebook, promoting your ads, join Twitter, etc. It all helps.

The seller that started this line of questioning OR any OLA wanna' be sellers would really benefit from this advice. The busier they stay, the less time they have to bother with noticing their absence of sales.