Auctiva - Powerful solutions for eBay Sellers

Jeff commented on another thread that Auctiva might consider Commerce features for bookstores if there were enough of them to warrant it, so here is where we can speak for our segment.

I've been looking for an alternative since the last fee adjustment, and since bookstores got hosed in FVFs, I'm assuming other bookstore owners are as well. I just joined the beta group here.

I hold a full-time job in addition to running the bookstore, and I'm also a power seller, so my biggest issue is always time. Anything I can automate, standardize, and template is good. But because this is a hobby, my cost-effective threshold is different than for a full-timer.

The Commerce store requires a lot of setup, but it looks like the setup is laying a foundation for greater efficiency, so that's time I don't mind putting in. I had about 1200 listings at my peak (I started taking them down to convert payment method).

The Auctiva listing template for ebay is so easy. Will this be included in the store?

I would love a way to print shipping labels without the surcharge of PayPal.

I'd love for part of the payment process to include a default to automatically be on the store mailing list--opt out rather than opt in. I only send emails once a month and twice a month during the holidays. I am cognizant of not abusing the emails, and I would not mind if you wanted to reassure buyers that they will not be spammed.

I'd like the ability to create an item listing template by dragging and dropping my logo, frames, text boxes, and other design elements. I like the layout of my current ebay store listing template, but the graphics could be more polished.

--->This one is HUGE. I like using flat rate shipping charges--one less button to push to see the cost. Since the PO is now changing the shipping rates every year, there NEEDS to be the ability to change active listings globally with a search-and-replace. ebay's software only lets you do about 20 at a time--any more and it crashes.

I can't tell you how much productive time I've had siphoned off this year between changing shipping costs and now changing payment method and such for ebay. I can see it in my bottom line.

I would most certainly be interested in this! I have over 14k books and constantly get in new ones. I used to own a trade book store and still have a lot of that stock. I used to sell on eBay but the with the new feedback changes and fee changes I have ended that. I firmly believe in customer service being prime however the new no negative feedback from sellers on eBay has left a sour taste in my mouth. I've had people physically move from their address, not change their address in the eBay system and then they are able to leave negative feedback if I don't give a refund. eBay says they won't allow that behavior but when I complained nothing happened. So, with eBay's fee changes and the new feedback policy that determines where your listing is placed, I've seen a loss of revenue, especially when we're not talking about items which are being sold for high dollar. And I have to agree with comment on the flat shipping fee. I try never to charge my customers inflated shipping costs and one or two books can be put in a priority envelope for 4.80, but in the book section eBay no longer lets you charge over 4.00 for shipping, even if it's priority flat rate. Since there are no zones for the flat envelope I've seen it turn up at 6.80 for those in CA, which makes no sense and while I don't mind making a profit I'm not out to stiff my buyers. So, anything that is more user/seller friendly but still gives trust to the buyer would be great for me.

we are booksellers as well. I have been drastically reducing our ebay inventory but dont want to put all of our inventory on the river either. I would love to be a part of a storefront w/ Auctiva. In fact, we have been looking at all sorts of hosting ideas for our own site, shopping carts, etc. I like the ease of listing with auctiva and would certainly sign-up for a store front.

We also sell vintage board games as well as a few other non-book items.

Hope to hear soon about fees, etc.

Thanks!

Hello, we sell books, magazines, and comic books, and would definitely be interested in this. Please keep us informed about fees and more details - very very interested!

I am a silver power seller on eBay and I also have my own website. I am seriously considering closing my website because with a full time job, my website and my eBay store, I don't have the time to keep up with the SEO and web marketing that is necessary for the website to generate new sales. Some of my best customers have made the move to my website since I can offer them better prices than I can on eBay and others still opt to pay the higher prices on eBay.

I have no plans to leave eBay at this time, since I can list my products on eBay and the buyers find me; I don't have to go find them. With that said, I would definitely be interested in an Auctiva website if it would...

1. Optimize SEO and marketing.
2. Import my eBay/Auctiva listings (do I have to have products set up on Auctiva to make this happen? If so, I would have to start from scratch and I am not sure I want to do that again.)
3. And if they could synchronize my product quantities between eBay and my Auctiva store I would stand in line to get on board.

I'm curious. Why don't you book sellers use abebooks.com?

Its expensive. auctions allow booksellers more freedom on listing books, better descriptions etc.