Power Sellers Unite

lindajean · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 444

It seems classified ads are all the rage. Ebay and Yahoo seem to be gearing up to push them even more and Craigs list is very popular.

Now, Google base seems to be something like a classified.

Are they so popular because they are all BIN format? Or is it because people want to pick up their items directly rather than shipping?

If it is the latter, I don't want any part of it. Luckily I sell very few items to locals and very rarely get asked to arrange for local pickup.

But, with the new mapit thing Ebay is rolling out it seems that is the move of the future. I can't see me sitting around waiting for customers to pick up a record album or postcard and I sure don't want to meet people somewhere daily or deliver.

What exactly are the benefits to classified over store listings? Why does everyone seem to be falling in love with the concept?

dixielady060303 · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 46

It's just ebay's newest way to squeese every last penny out of everything! You pay the fees to list your auction and they put ads for everybody else on your page! Nobody ever said they don't have brass nerve!

frontporchdreaming · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 877 Location: s/e USA

Linda, I must add also, I don't want strangers coming to my home. I have had a few buyers ask for local pickup and I meet them (with my 6'7" son along) at a local shopping mall. Guess I'm just chicken. LOL

dixielady060303 · Joined: 20 Jul 2006 Posts: 46

Not in this day and time. Like I'm going to let a bunch of strangers know where to find me. That's just smart. Pick up at my door, I don't think so! Dixie

lindajean · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 444

Did everyone see the announcement about the new Map It function? Where they will show exactly where an item is located and how to get there?

I'm so thankful I use a PO Box, but what about those who don't?

I don't know how specific the MapIt will be or if it will be limited to winners only but it is scary. And, I don't like classifieds. If I did, I would just list in my own paper and the Nifty Nickle.

knappschiles · Joined: 25 May 2005 Posts: 4035 Location: Wi

I don't get classifieds either.

I don't like Craigs List at all because what I sell needs to be listed EVERYWHERE, not just in a few certain cities. And Craigs makes it nearly imposible to list in more than just a few cities at a time.

Also, someone posted the fees that eBay will be charging for the classifieds -- can anyone say major rip-off. It was something like $10/week (or maybe a month ??). Whatever, it was way toooo much.

For those rates I can host a great site and have someone design it too.

I don't know what is going on in the exec's minds, but they are pricing themselves out of the market that made them what they are.

Basically what eBay has done lately is push more and more sellers to get their own independant sites. E may think that most will fail without THEM, but I know that they are wrong. Even last year, my own site was doing better for me than E was.

In the long run, your own site looks much better from a business standpoint than just being a seller on eBay. Just on eBay looks too "fly-by-nite" to too many newbies to internet buying.

So eBay may have just done a lot of the sellers a big favor by pushing them out of the nest. It's just a little scary for some right now.

But don't worry, PSU is a great place to be for all the help you need.

Carol

beckem · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 133

This is an isolated case, but I've never run another classified in a
local paper.

I had cases of low end sportscards stored in the garage. A guy
called, then came over and started roaming all over the garage
looking at everything he could find.

I told him repeatedly, "All the sportscards are over here in these
cases. I'm not selling anything else."

He just ignored me, as if I hadn't said anything to him, and kept
looking through my toolboxes, lawn tools, boxes of stored dishes,
etc.

This went on for 30 to 45 minutes, I was really becomming concerned the guy wasn't all there.

I asked if he wanted to buy any sportscards. Well over an hour
had gone by and he finally started looking at the cards.

More time goes by. He finally offers me $5 for a box marked at
$20. I would have paid him $20 to leave. TWO HOURS and I
lost $5 on the box.

He called 2 days later. Then a couple days later. I pulled the ad
even though I had a lot of cards left. He finally quit calling.

beckysthisnthat · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 1577 Location: Texas

I've had 50-50 luck with Craigslist. The not so good were peeps either wanting to change the terms or not following through. Probably won't trey it again.

fruity · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 375

Classified ads will be a good think, unfortunately it just makes the site more different to maneuver. I've done the classified ad format on ebay before. This is another way for ebay to suck money and I think it's in line with their pushing store sellers outside of ebay.

Think of this not as a classified ad but as lead generation to get traffic to your stores. You'll pay more but for those who are specialized, it can be really good.

It's also a way for ebay to be hands off as far as the fraud. Classified ads for the most part will mean, buyers are on their own

Good mitigation of ebay fraud accountability without fixing fraud

lammergeiernet · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 1007 Location: Canada

I've started to go the classfieds route

Trying a popular local site and trying out Livedeal for cross-Canada

Its free , its worth a try

I have had success selling items that never sell on eBay anymore and the extra cash is more then welcome.

I've had problems local with my books ,but now trying bookstore sites and cross-national classfieds and looking for decent international classfieds site.

I've been gearing for multi-channel for a long time but now getting the first hints of some traction....its worth a try but may take awhile to find a place that works.

beckem · Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Posts: 133

"Classified Ads...I'm confused"

Me too. I wasn't aware it was suppose to be the next big thing.

I did dabble with Expo and Blujay. I do like the idea of being able
to place classifieds with links to websites, auctions, etc.

I actually forgot that Blujay was "classifieds" because they don't
really focus on local sales. Not that I noticed.

This site looks interesting (vflyer). Not only for the professional
looking ads but the submission to Google base, Live Deal, Oodle,
Craigslist, edgeio, eBay.

http://www.vflyer.com