• By the end of 2007, the Trading Assistant requirements are going to be changing.  eBay will want Trading Assistants to accept a new User Agreement.  Visit eBay's TA Hub for more information.
• In addition to changes for TA's, eBay will begin requiring more from Drop Off stores as well.  Stores must adhere to "customer service standards" and must have an established retail location.  Drop Offs will also need to be in "Secret Shopper Compliance" and must also participate in programs such as Square Trade.
• Throw "parties" (much like a throw back to the "Avon" parties) and invite friends over to sell their items on eBay.  People used to go to parties and would buy things.  Now, they can come to a party and actually make money!  This is one of the newer business models to help spread the word about your business and acquire items.
• Having the word "auction" anywhere in your business name can force a business to acquire an Auctioneer License.
• Selling vehicles on eBay typically requires a Dealers' License.
• Selling land/real estate may require a business to have a Real Estate License.
  
  For more information on the last few bullets above, check out eBay's Main Street site.

~ Resaleworld President Ed DiRuzza is interviewed by CNBC!  Check out CNBC.com for a clip of CNBC's new coverage of eBay vs. Google.

Friday, June 15, 2007 - Another busy day!

~ We started out the day with the Trading Assistant Best Practices seminar.  This was a panel of Drop Off owners/operators ranging from franchises to independents.  One of the members on today's panel was Consider It Sold's Steve Pletka.  Steve has been using L4TA since its BETA release at 2004's eBay Live! conference.  L4TA has helped Consider It Sold reach a 14,410 Feedback score!  Consider It Sold keeps a wide variety of items listed on eBay.

~ Some tips from today's seminars:

• Sell what you love - Some of the most successful sellers on eBay are selling things they know and love.  Whether it's power tools, sports memorabilia or clothing, sellers that have a passion for what they are selling tend to se a very high sell-through rate on their inventory.
• Post your consignment agreement/contract online - Make your policies known up-front.  Allow your local consignors/sellers to see exactly what you are about.  Setting realistic expectations makes for a pleasurable and profitable relationship between you and your consignors.
• Use your My eBay FAQs to cut-down on seller questions - By adding the most frequently asked questions to your FAQs, potential buyers will have to scroll through these before being able to "Ask Seller A Question."  Participants in the TA panels reported a 50% decrease in messages/questions from potential buyers.  This frees-up so much time for Drop Offs and helps keep a store from becoming overwhelmed with questions.
• AM radio seems to be a more effective way to advertise - The demographic that listens to talk radio is more inclined to be the same demographic that has items to bring to your store.
• Keep in touch with your customers - You have both consignor and customer information available.  Send weekly emails with deals, tips, etc.  The goal is repeat business - not just one-time transactions.
• Utilize your "About Me" page on eBay - It will be picked up in Google searches, driving traffic to your items.  Also, add videos to your site.  This adds a personal touch and allows potential buyers to see that in fact, you are a real person!
• Use "Call To Action" offers - Sending out coupons/mailers such as "Come in by July 1st and receive a $5 credit towards your listing."  This adds a sense of "urgency" to the deal and top sellers report seeing a much higher response than just plain-old "10% off" offers.

~ Justin and Dean met Jared!  Yes, Subway's Jared was here at eBay Live!