Online Sales Intro Class

Draft class outline for online sales class Spring 2013

Introduction

• John Ashcraft - Amazon.com sales of ink and toner at Free Geek
• Brian Keefer - Online Sales Associate at Free Geek

Class Objectives - Students Will Be Exposed To:

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

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 / seperate.

Useful skills and mindset

Patience

List -> wait ->fulfill 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

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

Listing your item

  - finding the exact product listing
  - accurately choosing a condition
  - description details
  - shipping options

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

Other options

• pro merchant subscription
• Fullfillment by amazon.

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.