Online Sales Intro Class

Draft class outline for online sales class Spring 2013

Introductions

• John Ashcraft - Amazon.com sales of ink and toner at Free Geek
• Brian Keefer - Online Sales Associate at Free Geek
• Class members
  • Name, online sales experience, plans & dreams, what you hope to get out of this class.

Topic Selection

• Supplies: Show and tell
• Live demonstration of listing and fulfilling orders on amazon.com.
• Getting things to sell: ideas and discussion
• account setup considerations
• Ebay VS. Amazon: compare and contrast
• General advice about what it is like to sell online professionally.

Class Objectives - Students Will Be Exposed To:

• General information about selling items on Amazon.com and Ebay.com
• Setting up accounts
• Making listings
• Fulfilling orders
• Getting paid
• Open discussions with experienced and successful sellers

General information:

Supplies

• Printer
• Scale - John recommends: Accurate to .2oz with capacity up to 35lbs
• Packaging Tape - with convenient dispenser
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Packaging material - Reduce/Reuse
• Digital camera - Important for Ebay but optional for amazon.com

Technical considerations

• Email access: reliable and regular
• Bank account
• Credit card
• Telephone #
• Computer/printer
• Storage space - Secure / separate.

Something to sell?

• Start with what you have
• Try going with what you know about

Useful skills and mindset

Patience

• List -> wait ->fulfil orders -> wait -> Get Paid!
• Sales may be slow
• Customers will be upset and the fault may or may not be yours
• There may be setbacks!

Be Self Motivated

• Work while you wait!
• Not every listing will turn into a sale.
  • More listings generally means more sales.

Amazon.com vs. ebay:

• Listing
  • Amazon.com: 1-5 minutes per listing
  • Ebay 5-10 minutes per listing
• Fees:
  • Amazon.com: about 10-15%+$2
  • Ebay: 10% Final Value fee plus any optional services
• Payments
  • Amazon.com: buyers pay Amazon. Direct deposits go to your bank after a 2 week hold.
  • Ebay: Customer pays you directly, often immediately including shipping charges
• Customer Interactions
• Returns and refunds
  • Amazon guarantees that buyers can return any item for any reason. You have to deal with it.
  • Ebay: You decide to accept returns or not, refunds - flexible options

Amazon.com

• Online reasource: http://www.amazon.com/help/selling

Listing your item

• finding the exact product listing
• accurately choosing a condition
• composing description details
• Determining a price
• selecting shipping options
  • Potential to lose money on shipping

Creating your account

• Standard Amazon.com account
• Amazon seller account

Making the sale

• Email: "Sold, ship now:"
• Logging in to seller account
• Print packaging slip
• Pack item
• Buy shipping
• Verify that the shipping label, packaging slip and item all match!
• Ship

After the sale

• Returns & Refunds
  • In general the buyer can return anything for any reason
  • Be helpful and polite your reputation is at stake

EBAY

Creating your Accounts

• Create accounts for Ebay and PayPal (suggested)
• Terapeak (optional)

Listing your item

• Ebay Basic Selling Skills - http://pages.ebay.com/sellerinformation/howtosell/sellingbasics.html
• Research and evaluate your item to determine your selling price
• Prepare your item and photograph it - take lots of high quality, detailed pictures
• Decide on Auction Style or Buy it Now, opening bid/price
• Full & complete title - use keywords and accurate, technical descriptions
• Write a complete and accurate description noting any flaws or damaged areas
• Determine your return/refund policy
• Set a fair shipping price

During the sale

• Monitor all of your selling activity with My Ebay
• Respond to customers emails

Making the sale

• Your Item Sold! - send an invoice to the buyer
• Email from PayPal - You've Been Paid!

After the sale

• Pack your item well - bubble wrap, sturdy box, packing materials
• Print & Pay for the postage label (PayPal required)
• Ship your item as soon as you receive payment - encourages good feedback for you
• Leave good feeedback for your buyer
• Answer all emails promptly
• Resolve any problems ASAP

General Advice

• It is ok to lose money on some sales.
  • Expect this and be sure that you are having an overall profitable experience.
• Feedback is worth money.
  • Sellers with better feedback ratings can expect quicker sales and higher prices.
  • New sellers can be devastated by a single negative feedback.
  • Half of the negative feedback that John sees is probably undeserved.
  • Communicate with buyers early and quickly to resolve issues.
• Be emotionally resilient
  • When negative feedback comes in, or large orders are refunded, it is common for a seller to feel demoralized.

Bonus topics:

Where to get things to sell

• This can be what makes your business special!
• Start at home: low risk, your old stuff may have value online.
• Research before investing. Use a computer or phone to check prices.

Craigslist

• something