Anorak’s back with a MyHermes Prize
By DBL | June 14, 2010
Well it’s been a long time since Anorak blogged. I’ve been on my travels of late, around various parts of the UK visiting clients, business events and seminars.
Trains, no planes, but a few automobiles used to transport Anorak around this fair British Isle. Now getting Anorak from A to B in the UK was easy and not too expensive on a GBP per kilo basis unlike some heavy eBay items I’ve sold in the past.
The plasma screen tuner box I didn’t think was too heavy until I carried it a short distance to the post office. On a steep learning curve, I decided to get the next item, a twin buggy, picked up by a courier ‘sometime’ during the morning. On the first collection day he came during the 20 minute school run. On the second arranged collection he didn’t turn up until noon!
People who lead busy lives and busy businesses need simplicity, convenience at a great price. Enter MyHermes I can recommend these for four important reasons:
1. You choose the day you want them to pick up your parcel.
2. If you’re going out, just tell them the safe place where you’ve left it.
3. They’ll make no less than THREE attempts to deliver to your customer; and
4. You can track your parcel online.
With prices starting at £3.49 for a parcel less than 2kg to £6.99 (prices excl. VAT) for a parcel weighing 10-15kg that’s a great rate too. See the MyHermes homepage for more pricing information or check your parcel volume here!
Those very nice people at MyHermes are offering Anorak’s UK readers a code that is good for FIVE free UK deliveries.
All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is reply to this post with your courier stories/nightmares or just drop in and say MyHermes for ME! ME!
Competition open to UK residents only and closes on Friday evening at 10pm.
Ta me ducks 😉
Topics: Anorak Recommends, Anorak Selling Tips, eBay | No Comments »
eBay niggles that made me see RED today!
By DBL | January 12, 2010
Further to yesterday’s post regarding illegal business seller terms and eBay’s lack of care for the protection of its buyers, allowing its Top Rated Sellers (TRS) to display these terms, I questioned how easy it would be for eBay to stop this practice.
Today I found just how easy it could be and also, how the same easy remedy is so pathetic in it’s current use.
I had an email from one of my eBay for business clients, he’d been selling an item on a buy it now for a while and wanted to put it on auction too. Using the ‘Duplicate As’ function in Selling Manager Pro he just added the start price to the new auction listing and clicked to list … he got this message from eBay in RED:
The item cannot be listed or modified. The title and/or description may contain improper words, or the listing or seller may be in violation of eBay policy.
It turns out that on his buy it now listing the words ‘Make me an offer I can’t refuse’ were fine as it was referring to a Best Offer but in an auction it was a policy violation!
So now my client has a policy violation on his record for the next 3 months! Would not a warning be sufficient? He hadn’t noticed the wording or realised it would result in a violation as it was OK on the Buy It Now listing.
So, eBay, can someone explain to me how your bots can pick up the words ‘make me an offer I can’t refuse’ in a listing and give a violation and the illegal seller terms as mentioned here by business sellers and especially Top Rated Sellers are allowed through?
Anorak is off to let the steam out of her ears, can anyone add another example to this type of eBay double standard?
}:-)
Topics: eBay, General Observations | No Comments »
eBay niggles that make my blood boil!
By DBL | January 11, 2010
Perhaps niggle is too small a word.
eBay Top Rated Sellers (TRS) have to maintain very high standards of customer service and have a fast despatch record. These are supposed to be the cream of eBay business sellers, yet all too often Anorak sees the phrase ‘I am not responsible for items lost in the post’, ‘I do not accept returns’ and ‘Refund on return less eBay and Paypal fees’.
I can honestly say that eBay must take some of the heat here. eBay has made it easy for the Mumpreneur, the front room/garage based business and the teenage start up to progress in the world of online retailing at low cost.
Many of the current 123k businesses that started on eBay were hobby sellers before they were businesses. Learning about Distant Selling Regulations, EC Rulings and UK business law is usually not on the priority list.
eBay, please, what does it take to send out an email or short multiple choice button survey to all new business registered sellers to let them know that these phrases/terms are not permitted? You may only be a venue, but to be a good venue with the high reputation and buyer experience you seek, don’t you need to have more helpful resources available to make sure these Top Rated Sellers are complying with the law?
For those who are interested ebay has some good information even though it may be hard to find at times, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A CONSUMER is a good place to start whether you are a buyer or a seller.
Back to work, I have a TRS badge to live up to!
Topics: eBay, General Observations | No Comments »
This is why I buy on eBay above all others!
By DBL | January 10, 2010
I was recently asked a question, ‘If I had an eBay wish, what would it be?’ The answer Anorak gave was for people to stop saying that they had been ripped off by eBay.
When I explain to people what my chosen career is, many respond with every problem that they or their relative/friend has ever had, ‘eBay ripped me off’ or ‘my item didn’t arrive’ or ‘eBay/Paypal did this or that’. Tarring every transaction as if they’d bought it from one big seller by the name of eBay.
I have a little bit of news to share, eBay doesn’t sell anything apart from space on it’s site for other sellers to sell. Now without going down the ‘who is the customer’ chicken & egg route, if you got ripped off, it was a single seller who lists on the site not eBay.
So why would Anorak say to trust eBay above all?
Ask yourself this … Where else can I find a seller with thousands of transactions and see how many of those buyers were satisfied with the service? If I were to buy from a High Street name website I don’t know how many unsatisfied customers they’ve had and what part of their customer service was lacking, but eBay sellers wear their reputation on their sleeve for all to see.
Not only that but the star rating (DSR) system makes it even easier for a buyer to trust an eBay seller, they’re rated by each buyer on four different criteria; whether the goods are as described, on communication, on dispatch (not to be confused with delivery) time and P&P charges.
So, two things, if you’re buying from eBay Read the Sellers Feedback it’s there to help you buy from a trusted seller.
And two, If you are happy with your sellers performance Don’t forget to leave positive feedback and 5 Stars! Support good eBay sellers and the bad ones will be a thing of the past, in theory anyway.
Use your excellent eBay sellers, their service is impeccable, they’re the best!
What are your GOOD experiences on eBay?
Topics: eBay, General Meanderings | No Comments »
It’s Time to Talk about the Postal Strike :-/
By DBL | October 17, 2009
Anorak got a phone call from The Burton Mail’s chief reporter yesterday asking for my opinion on the current Royal Mail industrial action. An excerpt from our conversation is in the article in today’s local paper
It’s time for Royal Mail & the CWU to sit down and talk to each other for the sake of many small businesses, not just on eBay, who rely on not only getting their products out to customers but also the receipt of payments and important documents to continue the smooth running of their businesses.
I stand by the opinion that for three quarters of CWU members to vote for strike action things must be pretty bad, but I also run a business and help others to set up and run their businesses via eBay. For those who only sell light weight items there aren’t any viable alternatives to RM. eBay are themselves negotiating some good rates with couriers and after this action is over many eBay and Amazon sellers sampling a more reliable service will not go back to Royal Mail but again for light weight/low value items, couriers are not a viable alternative.
After the strike action is over, these employees will go back to their jobs but small businesses and the general public are left to face the consequences of the stock piles of delayed mail and loss claims from dissatisfied customers without their products. These small businesses are the large employers of the future, this is not the time to add to the already heavy burden of the current climate, the survival of these businesses is important for the UK’s economic growth and it’s recovery.
Just like any partnership, it’s about give and take and it’s not just about talking to each other, but just as importantly, it’s about listening and aiming to find a suitable compromise for both parties.
Just my personal opinion.
Royal Mail, CWU … it’s time to talk!
Topics: eBay, eBay Media Trainspotting, General Meanderings | No Comments »
Might as well face it I’ve neglected m’ blog!
By DBL | September 6, 2009
Last blog post was July 12th, what has Anorak been doing since then? Well, the kids have been off school for a start, eBay sales have been up, despite me trying to keep them at a manageable level, I’ve gone up another Powerseller level too.
I have been spending more time with my eBay business clients, one of which (who has an existing bricks & Morter business) I’ve been coaching over her first 3 months on eBay. Her new eBay Shop is doing very well, she will qualify as a Powerseller at the next update and is also eligible for the new TRS (Top Rated Seller) Program.
The last major thing devouring my time has been the start of my one 2 one eBay training classes. These are intensive Basics of Safe & Successful Selling classes tailored to the individuals’ needs. All new sellers are at different levels and I believe that large classes (any more than 5) do not benefit the individual as much as the very small group and one 2 one classes.
If you are interested in business consultancy service, the one 2 one or small group eBay training classes especially in the DE1, DE11, LE65 and surrounding areas you can contact me HERE. Funding for eBay training may be avaiable in the East Midlands for businesses wishing to expand into eBay and who satisfy certain criteria, please contact Derbyshire Business Link for details.
Anorak is off to plan the very busy week ahead!
Later peeps! 🙂
Topics: Anorak Recommends, Anorak Selling Tips, eBay | No Comments »
Michael Jackson Tickets & eBay Refunds
By DBL | July 12, 2009
Following the announcement from Paypal & eBay a few days after Michael Jackson’s death as regards refunds on tickets, eBay have made a new announcement also linking to the Trading Standards website detailing buyers rights to refunds on tickets and also travel tickets and hotels in some cases.
eBay announcement of 10 July and related article on Trading standards for your purusal.
Anorak didn’t buy any but spent on AC/DC & Green Day instead 🙂
Topics: eBay | No Comments »
What the Eff is Social Media?
By DBL | June 21, 2009
Anorak’s usual web travels this week uncovered a very straight ‘John Bull’ answer to the title question and why you should be using Social Media such as Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Bebo etc. Recent comments from people I’ve met include, ‘I wouldn’t know where to start’ ‘I’ve got enough to do as it is’ ‘You’ve lost me already’ & ‘I don’t see the point.’
I found the presentation below on the eConsultancy website, one of Anorak’s regular Geeky reads it will give you an idea why you should find out where to start, why you should find the time and what the point really is. It’s only about 5 minutes long so worth a quick look, do you know what your company is missing out on?
Anorak is seeking the rain … in future business … enjoy 🙂
Topics: General Meanderings, General Observations | No Comments »
eBay’s Deal of the Day, Have You Saved?
By DBL | June 1, 2009
For anyone who hasn’t noticed the new orange blob at the top of the eBay pages over the last couple of weeks, Anorak will explain.
eBay’s new Deal of the Day changes at 10am each day giving a product at an amazing discount.
Anorak’s OH had a pair of Puma Trainers P&P free for £20 that should have been £80 from Branch309 other offers were from Next Directory,
Schuh Footwear Online
Anorak’s personal favourite and Littlewoods Clearance
. On Wednesday of last week, Argos eBay Clearance Store
had 400 Triton Showers on the Deal of the Day for 75% less than RRP that sold out in an hour.
While great for the buyer (Anorak included) the deal of the day is on the eBay home page and if you satisfy certain criteria for this slot is ideal for clearing the warehouse of redundant stock, See what eBay’s Deal of the Day is here!
eBay is fast becoming the place for established business to trade and to liquidate stock quickly. Any company wanting to sell stock quickly, instant payment before despatch, low start up costs and an instant global market (or just the markets you choose to sell to) waiting to buy their product is a very valuable tool indeed especially during a recession.
I read a tweet from fellow GF4B member Dave from IntegritUs yesterday:
Life is not about waiting for storms to pass…..it’s about learning to dance in the rain. I’m dancing!
It’s OK to learn a different dance, I did, from HR/Payroll to eBay and never looked back, I even have the T-shirt and the Anorak LOL.
Anorak must get back to the eBay dance, I’m singing now too, all the way to the bank as they say (or is that Paypal?)
😉
Topics: Anorak Recommends, eBay, General Observations | No Comments »
A Rather Royal eBayer … The Duchess of Cornwall
By DBL | May 31, 2009
While reading the usual eBay related news this morning, Anorak found this article in the Daily Mail Online about The Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker Bowles buying ‘knick knacks’ on eBay for her family.
After finding difficulty shopping due to being recognised, she allegedly browses for gifts and Charles & Camilla Royal Wedding Souveniers on eBay. I must say in comparison the Charles & Diana
search would yield many more results but then I don’t suppose there would be quite the same interest for her.
I wonder if she is a secret Powerseller and reads Tamebay? There are many tales in the media of famous eBayers including Cherie Blair. Do you know any other Royal or Celeb that shops or trades on eBay?
Back to work in the sunshine, although the Anorak is for sitting on today, glorious weather 🙂
Topics: eBay Media Trainspotting, General Observations | No Comments »