Good Business Practices

[caterpillarcloset]

I am a new full time reseller but have been selling part time after work for a couple years. But I am really trying to learn more of the business.

Would you mind sharing your experience or perspective on 2 thoughts I have had.

1. The holidays are approaching (duh)...I have read in the eBay community that a lot of sellers put their stores in "vacation" mode but accept sales but do it in order to prevent INRs or returns b/c they didn't get there in time (before xmas for the procrastinators). What are you thoughts on this? What date do you think is a good "cut off" date?

2. Do you feel coupons where the buyer can see the discount right away work better then sending offers? I rarely get a sale from sending an offer (buyers probably like and forget).

[hartungcards]

Today is a good cut-off date.

[ckimodog]

@caterpillarcloset 

Hello

I would keep my store open unless you are going to be out of town because you never know who's looking.  You may be pleasantly surprised.  I have actually had sales on Christmas Day.  

As far as coupons go, I'm sure they're helpful and they will attract customers.  Every little bit helps these days so apply them where you feel they will do you the most good. 

Wishing you Happy Sales and Holidays!  God bless us everyone!

[stainlessenginecovers]

Since you sell used clothing, a typical NOT Christmas present-nobody is probably buying needing it by ANY certain date. 

Coupons shown immediately to all probably work better than 'offers'. 

[retro_entertainment_collectibles]

No need to close you're store, what you do is for any order coming in inform the customer that this close to the holiday you cannot guarantee delivery by Christmas Day.  Inform the customer if they so choose please put in a cancellation request through eBay.  That way you're metrics don't get damaged.

Coupons are likely only effective towards focal inventories and need to be significant in amount for a buyer to really take interest.  Things like 10% don't bother, 25%-50% is more the area of efficacy IMHO.  Of course the problem with that is if you accept offers or issue them to someone they might apply the coupon.  Unfortunately I see no mechanism by which offers can exclude coupons which really should be there and the same should be true of general inventory discount sales as is often the case in retail, exclusions apply if you will.  I would use them *IF* exclusions could apply.

[redlinear]

Only reason to vacation your store is if you don't intend to work/ship.
I find sending offers works better than a discount sale. 
The discount sale does show, but it's not BIG BOLD HIGHLIGHTED  (that % off is easy to overlook and doesn't "grab" one's attention.
The send offer pops up in messages and is more of a reminder than anything.  Somebody was somewhat interested enough to look at it. They might have kept shopping.  Sending an offer acts as a reminder I think. And that works best for me.