Online Sales Intro Class
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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 vs. ebay:
- Listing
- Fees
- Payments
- Customer Interactions
Amazon.com
- Online reasource: http://www.amazon.com/help/selling
Before you list
Listing your item
- finding the exact product listing
- accurately choosing a condition
- description details
- shipping options
Creating your 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
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.